I’m so pleased to be joining Powered by Quilting on the Citified Blog Tour today! I believe this is Sherry’s fourth Signature Collection with Island Batik Fabric. Even though I’m not a brand ambassador anymore, I still love the quality and beauty of Island Batik Fabrics, and I enjoy working with them. Rather than the usual quilt, this bundle told me it wanted to be something different, and I was happy to listen. Citified has been put to use in the battle against wasting scraps, and is also helping to tidy my studio. Read to the end to find out how to be entered into a fabric giveaway.
I’ve had a huge pile of scraps under my cutting table for a while. My favorite solution, putting little scraps out for the birds is no longer viable. I have heard over and over again that putting fabric out for birds is bad – it can actually hurt baby birds. I was skeptical, but a friend at the Audobon Society confirmed this. So I don’t do it anymore. Also, they never used that much anyway. I mean, I could comfortably outfit a dozen condor nests. So, what’s a fabric hoarder to do? I’ve tried making things with the tiny scraps, and honestly, I just do not have the time for that. And some of these are less than 1/4″, which I do not work with. The perfect solution – Closet Core Patterns’ DIY Pouf.
I love this pattern so much, I’ve made my Mom make it three times now. That’s right. You heard me. I live with another sewist, and sometimes I bamboozle her into making things for me. I’ve actually only made her make this one. The other two she did on her own, after I excitedly showed off the pattern. Which makes her an expert, so I don’t have to make it myself. Also, she used to make clothes, so things like zippers don’t give her anxiety.
The design process went like this:
Me: Can you make one of those floor poufs out of fat quarters?
Mom: (Pulling pattern out of thin air, like she was waiting for me to ask) Sure.
Me: How many colors can you use?
Mom: 12
Me. Perfect. Can you make one for me?
Three minutes later.
Mom. (Handing me a finished pouf). Here you go. You have to stuff it yourself.
We decided to use the warmer hues in the collection, leaving out the blues and whites. We both have a mild blue and white fetish, so the 8 remaining pieces will get used up soon, I’m sure.
Here is the next step. If you’ve downloaded the Closet Core pattern, you know they call for a drawstring bag inside of the pouf. I don’t have one and I don’t feel like making one. Mom didn’t use one in her earlier versions, and they are fine, so that’s what I decided to do. Just get stuffing. This is the scrap pile I’m trying to vanquish. It is mostly small scraps from block cutting, with the occasional large piece from trimming quilt backings. I sifted through the pile, pulling out really large pieces to go live in my color sorted scrap bins. Which is why they all came to the party, too.
There is quite a bit of batting in here, too. It is mostly tiny bits, or long skinny ones I can’t reasonably use again. And sometimes stitched onto a piece of backing, left over from trimming up quilts.
Here is the finished, stuffed pouf. It is so cool, and I’m so happy to be adding it to the studio. I want to have more hand-made furniture in here. At some point I’ll be re-covering my chairs too. Or perhaps someone else will do that. Hmmm.
I’ve set aside a set of 5″ squares of Citified for one lucky newsletter subscriber. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to be eligible.
What do you do with your fabric scraps – the ones too little to piece? I know Sally Manke turns them into amazing art quilts. Brita Nelson uses all of her crumbs.
Be sure to check out the beautiful things being made by all of my fellow Citified blog tour participants.
March 8 – Sherry Shish – Powered by Quilting
March 9 – Tammy Silvers – Tamarinis
March 10 – Vasudha Govindan – Storied Quilts
March 11 – Kate Starcher – Katie Mae Quilts
March 12 – Leanne Parsons – Devoted Quilter
March 13 – Sally Williams – Paleofish Designs
March 14 – Afton Warrick – Quilting Mod
March 15 – Sara Vanderburgh – Sew Joy Creations
March 16 – Jen Strauser – Dizzy Quilter <– That’s Me!
March 17 – Kathryn LeBlanc – Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio
March 18 – Laura Piland – Slice of Pi Quilts
March 19 – Anja Clyke – Anja Quilts
March 20 – Sherry Shish – Powered by Quilting
I don’t keep all the tiniest fabric scraps and pieces as I have no idea what to do with them. Now batting, I seem to always be able to use my batting scraps for something (even the smallest bits make a good dusting tool). The floor poof is a really fun way to showcase Sherri’s fabrics and tidy everything up!
Of course you aren’t a hoarder? How could you be? I admire your ability to have such an efficient work space. I really like your habit of making a bonus quilt to use up your scraps.
Have you tried Kawandi quilting. It uses up a lot of scraps and is fun.
I have, indeed, tried Kawandi quilting. I teach a class on it at Gotham Quilts.
This is a fabulous project Jen! I’ve always wanted to make one too, and I do believe I’m going to investigate the link as soon as I hit post comment! Thank you. This line is gorgeous!
The very small ones I stuff dog beds with. The others I sew down on foundation fabric. Eventually I have fabric. Of course they are wonderful for paper mache. It’s amazing what a group of kids, some balloons and plaster can create. We have people who cover plastic furniture, suitcases, mailboxes, you name it.
I’m saving the tiny pieces for an art quilt, where they are trapped under tulle.
Crumb quilting is a bit too small for me, but, i have been known to dabble in string quilts. Thanks. I love your pouf!!