| If you quilt or sew, it is quite certain that you have a | | | | secondary colors of green, orange, and purple. Now |
| stash of fabric. That little stash often grows into an | | | | sort the browns, blacks, tans, off-whites and whites. |
| insurmountable mountain! Going to the fabric store only | | | | 2. Next, find a quilt pattern that you could use for a |
| makes matters worse. There is a new floral print that | | | | patchwork quilt. The log cabin pattern is a favorite. Try |
| would look very nice as curtains for the bathroom; | | | | using the off-white fabric on one side of the log cabin |
| then there is that seasonal print that could adorn your | | | | quilt block. Then use shades of greens in medium, dark |
| Thanksgiving table; or how about the piece of fabric | | | | and darkest to do the strips on the other side. It |
| with the cute little lamb in the center? You know you | | | | doesn't make any difference what pattern the |
| could use all of these fabric pieces for something! | | | | off-white fabrics are or what order you place them as |
| Hence, the fabric stash grows and grows. | | | | long as they are off-white. Then do the same with all |
| First of all, knowing how to quilt or sew is an | | | | of the other fabric colors. To make your quilt look |
| exceptional gift or talent. You have made so many | | | | more planned, keep the off-white theme going |
| people happy with your gifts of love. You have used | | | | throughout all of your quilt blocks. This will make your |
| those large pieces of fabric to make a keepsake that | | | | patchwork quilt look planned even though you have |
| will be passed down from generation to generation. | | | | used those scraps of leftover fabric. The log cabin is |
| Now we will get to the real truth of the matter. You | | | | just one simple quilt block that could be used. There |
| have made all of these beautiful projects and given | | | | are many quilt block patterns that could accomplish the |
| most of them away or fully displayed then in your own | | | | same effect. |
| home. But what has become of the scraps from | | | | Now, you still have smaller scraps that will never cut |
| those beautiful handmade items? You can't throw | | | | into strips for quilting. There is hope for those small and |
| them away! You will use them sometime, right? | | | | sometimes irregular pieces of fabric. Here are a few |
| Now is the time for action! Here are a few ways to | | | | tips for using them. |
| make good use of those cherished scraps of fabric. | | | | Foundation Paper piecing: This method of piecing |
| Quilts: You are probably saying to yourself, "Yes, I | | | | together your fabric scraps is fun and relaxing. The |
| have made quilts!" But, have you utilized those leftover | | | | end results will look as if you spent tedious hours of |
| scraps as you should or simply bought new fabric to | | | | cutting and piecing when actually all you do is sew by |
| match the new wall paper in your home? Patchwork | | | | number! You will find a variety of Foundation Paper |
| quilts can look thrown together or really planned. The | | | | Piecing patterns at your local library or bookstore. |
| planned ones are the most beautiful! Here are a few | | | | That takes care of lots of those precious fabric |
| tips to planning your patchwork quilt. | | | | scraps. Now take the rest and make RUGS! |
| 1. Sort your scraps of fabric by colors. Use the 3 | | | | Now go and use up that precious stash of fabric and |
| primary colors of red, yellow and blue. Then go to the | | | | make something created just by you! |