Escape Scrap Overwhelm

If you've been quilting for even just a little while, you probably have a collection of scraps. If you've been quilting for over 20 years, like I have, you probably have a lot of scraps! Somehow it doesn't seem to matter how many scrap quilts we make, the scrap pile never gets any smaller. I'm sure the scraps multiply when we turn our backs 😏

When our scraps aren't organized, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount and the mess they create whenever we start digging through them to use some for a project. It's also easy to just bypass the scrappy mess entirely and cut into yardage instead. But doing that can leave us feeling guilty, because we know we could have used scraps if they were less overwhelming and easier to access.

I lived in that scrappy mess overwhelm for a long time, so I get it! But now, I'm happy to say, my scraps are organized and accessible, which makes actually using them a joy. There's no more scrap explosion when I start making a scrap quilt and if I only need green scraps I can lay my hands on them quickly without rooting through a big rainbow mess. I mean, yes, a rainbow mess sounds pretty, but it was still annoying when I was looking for something specific, and having my scraps sorted by colour is a big improvement.

If you'd like to escape the overwhelm, too, enter your email address below to download my new, free PDF guide titled Escape Scrap Overwhelm. I promise it is possible to get the scrap situation under control!

The 15 page guide isn't a 'my way is the only right way' kind of guide. Quilters are all different, so what works for me may not work for you and the quilts you love to make. Instead, the guide includes questions to help you think about what kinds of quilts you like to make and how that could influence how you sort and store your scraps. 

It also includes tips for using your scraps, both for quilt patterns written for scraps and for ones that are written for yardage, but could be made with scraps, too. Because that's really the goal - to use the scraps, rather than storing them forever, no matter how organized they are!

Just think of all the beautiful scrap quilts you could make once your scraps are organized and accessible! Download the free guide now to get started 😊

A Prayer for 2023

  Devotion for the Week...

As has become my tradition, I'm letting the apostle Paul speak for me for the last devotion of the year. This is my prayer for all of you for 2023.

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:16-21).

2023 Goal Planning

It's getting close to the end of December, which means it's time to check in on my 2022 goals and set some goals for 2023. It's also time for Yvonne's annual Planning Party, over at Quilting Jetgirl, so you can write a post about your own 2023 goals and share it, while also checking in with fellow quilters to see what they're planning for the new year 😊

First, let's see how I did with my 2022 goals.

1. Make more small quilts

As of my mid-year review in July, I had already made 6 small quilts, plus one small quilt top. Since then I've made another 7 small projects. They include this cushion, plus a mounted embroidered piece and some quilts. I haven't blogged all of them yet, but I'll get them up eventually! 

2. Learn to sew pants

I never did get to this one. I have looked at so many patterns, but haven't started anything.

3. WIPS-B-GONE 2022

Yes! I had so much fun hosting the slightly shorter version of the WIPS finishing challenge! I finished 6 projects during the 2 months of the challenge, including my Burst mini, and made progress on a few others, so I feel great about what I got accomplished 😊 A couple of those finishes are the small quilts I mentioned earlier that haven't been blogged yet, so stay tuned to get a look at them.

4. The Add Grace QAL

Having done it for two years now, I can honestly say my Easter QAL and devotional journey is one of the highlights of my year! I love getting to share daily devotions as we get ready to celebrate Easter and I love getting to make a new quilt together. Or, in my case, a new quilt top. One of these days I'll actually quilt the 4 tops I now have from those two Easter QALs!

5. More workshops

I don't know how many workshops I taught this year, but it was definitely more. I love getting to share the magic that is paper piecing with freezer paper or helping quilters conquer curves, not to mention getting to meet with quilters all over the world. The online quilting community is amazing and it's so much fun to get to connect with people who love quilting as much as I do. If you'd like to have me teach with your guild, you can send me contact information for the program coordinator, or send them to visit my teaching page.

6. Patterns

I didn't set goals for pattern releases, but I did release three in 2022: Points of Connection (shown below), Stand Out Starburst and Fifty-Fifty.

I didn't do everything I hoped, but I'm still very happy with how I did on my goals for 2022! So what do I hope to do in 2023?

1. Keep making small quilts

The scrap batting box is still pretty full, though I did manage to fit all the random bits that were on shelves into the box, so I've definitely made progress. I can still make a lot of small quilts before I'd be able to say it was getting low, though. And bonus, small quilts are fun to make!

2. Make new placemats

This fits into the first goal, but if I make it a separate goal, it's more likely to happen. I made our current denim log cabin placemats in February 2016. They're super soft from all the times they've been washed and have held up really well considering they've been used for almost 7 years. They're looking pretty grungy now, though, so it's time to replace them. I've been thinking about it for months, but haven't decided on a pattern yet. 

3. Learn to sew pants

It's going on the goals list again! I'm super intimidated by all the fitting considerations that will go into making pants, but I really want to conquer it. 

4. Release 4 new patterns

I have so many patterns I could release, so there are plenty to choose from. It's just a matter of taking the time to get it done. I'm going to aim for one new pattern in each quarter of the year. My Scrappy Playground is one of the ones I want to get ready for release.

Picture by Kitty Wilkin for The Quilter's Planner

5. Women of Wisdom Easter QAL

Of course I'm doing another Easter QAL and devotional journey! The quilt is designed and I can't wait to get started on the test version of it 😊 This time the theme will be the wisdom we can learn from the women in the Bible and I'm looking forward to diving into their stories with you. If you want to be sure you don't miss it when registration opens in late January, you can join the waiting list here and registration info will be sent straight to your inbox. Here's a sneak peek at a small part of the quilt design.

6. WIPS-B-GONE 2023

There's no shortage of unfinished projects around here, even after two WIPS-B-GONE challenges, so I'm planning to host it again next year. Will you be joining me?

7. A secret project

I'm super excited about something new I have in the works. Right now I'm planning to have it ready to share by mid-late Spring, but that could change. Hopefully by the time I do the 2023 mid-year review, you'll know all about it 😊

I've also signed up for Yvonne's Diatom quilt along, which starts in January, and I plan to do more garment sewing throughout the year. As always, I don't expect to be bored in 2023!