Fabric Stash Management

I promised in my last post that I would tell you a little more about how I manage my stash and in particular my scraps. I keep most of my fabric in drawers, which keeps them clean and out of sunlight but also means that I don't always know what I have. So, I will often cut pieces from my yardage and fat quarters so that I can move them around with other fabrics and make combining fabrics and planning quilts easier. I also cut up all of my scraps and small pieces into more usable shapes and store them until needed.

This is my scrap corner, it needs tidying and there is a quilt in progress adding to the clutter but you can see the 4 spotty boxes and the blue lever arch file on top. This is my scrap organisation centre.

The dotty boxes are from Asda and are collapsible, which can be awkward if they collapse as you lift them. But they are pretty and the hold quite a lot.

The blue box holds my strips, usually cut to 2.5".
























Then, I have a spotty box for each of the shapes I cut with my Sizzix Big Shot, which is the same model as this one;

I got mine from QVC about 2 years ago, it was an anniversary present from my mum and it came with 5 quilting dies;

• 2.5" Square (2" finished size)
• 2.5" Half Square Triangle (2" finished size)
• 4.5" Square (4" finished size)
• 4.5" Half Square Triangle (4" finished size)
• 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle (2" x 4" finished size)

HSTs:

 

 

Squares - 4.5" die cut on the right, Moda 5" charm packs on the left:

 





2.5" squares and the rectangles:

Last month I added to my die collection, I bought a 4.5" quarter square triangle die, specifically because I love the Ohio Star block and want to make some for a quilt. I haven't chosen the fabrics for that yet so I haven't used the die yet.

 

You can also buy applique dies for the Sizzix Big Shot and other patchwork dies. I would love the double wedding ring die but that is for the larger model of machine so I can't use it with mine.

 

The dies I have all work together perfectly and the blocks I can make from them are endless. I plan to use them for Ohio Star, Bear Paw, Flying Geese, Churn Dash, Carpenter's Star, Crown of Thorns, Pinwheels and  a whole lot more. So far I have made 4 quilts with my Sizzix cut pieces, including the scrap quilt I am quilting at the moment...

 

 

 

 

...yeah, the one that isn't quilting too well.