April 19, 2020

Blue Scrap Basket

I have been wanting to deal with my scraps for a while, but I keep putting it off. Organizing scraps just doesn't sound fun, but using them definitely does and they'll be easier to use if they're not all crammed willy-nilly into bags and boxes. So, when I did my fabric organizing a couple of week ago, I decided I would make scraps baskets like Sandra at MMMQuilts has been making.

A couple of evenings later, I was tired and wanted something completely mindless to sew. Making the scrappy panels for a basket sounded perfect, so I pulled out the scraps and got started. Following Sandra's lead, I used the Scrap Sorting Box tutorial from SoScrappy. I decided to start with a blue basket, both because I figured I'd have plenty of blue scraps and because, well, I love blue. I didn't take any pictures of the process, but I will tell you it made a mess. Remember, my scraps aren't organized at all, so to find the blue scraps I had to dig around in the whole pile. There were bits of fabric everywhere! It was wonderful and mindless, though, and I'm looking forward to doing it again with a different colour 😊 Strangely enough, pulling out enough scraps for a basket didn't change the levels in the bag/boxes at all. How does that work exactly?

It didn't take long to make the panels and then the next day I assembled the basket. I love how it turned out!
Blue scrap basket | DevotedQuilter.com
 The little handle on one side is a cute detail.
Blue scrap basket | DevotedQuilter.com
I quilted my panels with Aurifil 2785 in a quick loopy pattern. They're not very big, so the quilting went really quickly.
Blue scrap basket | DevotedQuilter.com
I used a Northcott navy blue solid for the handle and the lining. The tutorial calls for putting a piece of cardboard in the bottom, between the lining and the outside, but I chose to leave that out. Mostly because I was too lazy to go find a piece of cardboard that would fit, to be honest, but also because I don't plan to be carrying the basket around much, so it doesn't really need the reinforced bottom.
Blue scrap basket | DevotedQuilter.com
It makes a big basket! It's about 7" x 10" and 7" tall, so it's going to hold a lot of scraps. Notice that I haven't filled it yet. Yes, I am still procrastinating the actual sorting of the scraps.

To give you an idea of the size, because visuals are always better than just a listing of measurements, here's a picture with three partially used cones of Aurifil thread in the basket. There's a ton of room around them! And the basket is quite a bit taller than they are, though it's hard to tell that in the picture.
Blue scrap basket | DevotedQuilter.com
For this basket, I tried to stick with true blues, not wandering into the teal range if I could help it. I have plenty of teal scraps, too, so they'll get their own basket. That's probably the one I'll do next. Or maybe green. I have lots of green scraps, too.

While these pictures make it look like spring is well on its way here in Newfoundland, we actually have a snowfall warning for today/tonight 😱 We're supposed to get 25-35 cm of snow, that's about 10-14". As my brother put it, that's a full on winter storm. Nathan and I went for a walk this morning, to get some fresh air and exercise before the snow starts. Spring in Newfoundland never goes in a straight line, lol.

I have my inventory quilt to baste today, so no worries that I'll be bored while the storm keeps us stuck inside. And I could always start that next basket...or work on the guitar quilts I've finally started...or fold the laundry that is waiting...Really, I can't remember the last time I was bored! How are you keeping busy these days?

Linking up with Sarah's Show Me Something Improv

6 comments:

  1. I would start with blue, too. Looks like the perfect project to work on when you need a diversion!

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  2. Well done on the basket. We got a dusting of snow last night. But it's more or less melted now. Whew! I hope you didn't get too much snow.

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  3. This is a really cute idea. If I didn’t already have an organized storage bin system, using Martha Stewart canvas bins in a shelving system from Home Depot, I’d go for it. My Aussie friend, @darlingdi has made fabric baskets similar to yours, and color coordinated each of them to store her scraps in a small space. You might enjoy seeing them on her IG posts. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Yay for a scrap basket! Finishing my orange one is on my Q2 list. I really really need to make probably two more blue ones light and dark! I already have a turquoise one and it is half full. Like you blue is my favourite and most plentiful in my stash and scraps. They will look lovely as your collection grows. I love your photo shoot and I totally agree with that making a mess and digging is so joyful isn’t it? Thanks for the shout-out. “spring never going in a straight line” I smiled; yeah that’s spring in the north isn’t it? It’s very cold here today, only +4, even had some snow flurries and the wind is freezing

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  5. Hi Leanne, that's a really great scrappy basket. I think that the scraps reproduce when they are put away - there seems to be no end to them, except when you need something specific! Take care, spring will come eventually, even in Newfoundland :-)

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  6. I am with you on no matter how much I use my scraps they never seem to diminish Leanne! Well done you on starting to tackle that scrap mountain :)

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