The Precious Piece: Saving Scraps without Drowning in Them

From The Thrifty Quilter

Quilters save things. It's part of what we do. We have collections of string, seeds from 3 years ago, children's shoes, recipes all tucked away against the day when we need them. It's unique to each of us. My mother had a catch of olives. At one point I think she had 4 varieties and 15 cans or bottles. Just in case.

And we save fabric. Why? Because it's precious. 
Not every piece. but the ones that are really are. Either they're a memory of a favorite dress or a child's costume or something else glowingly special. Or because as a print it is special. We all know the feeling. There's fabric that will work for a project and then there's fabric that is utterly fabulous just for who and what it is.

So we save it for a while. Then we make something of it. And we love it. And we tuck the scraps away somewhere so we can use them somewhere else. In a quilt or in a pot holder, or in an evening bag. Just somewhere. 

This is all lovely until you're drowning in scraps and the horder photo van has just pulled up to your house.
As with all moments of truth, we have several questions to ask. We need to play the game,

Keep It or Toss it. 

It actually doesn't make a difference as to where you set your rules. Just set one.  You'll find any system that lets you throw something out starts relieving the pressure.

Do you have to throw it out?

Heavens no. Make someone happy. What you want to toss is a treasure for someone.
Sell it

• Ugly fabric exchanges
• Sell bags of scraps at either a guild booth or online

Give it

• A friend who uses those sizes, colors,  fabrics
• A kid's club
• The school as art supplies
• The woman's shelter
• Your church
• The birds ( they like very small scraps for nests. I was shocked to find out they like poly fleece in shreds.)

I would argue if it's irredeemably filthy or smells really bad you already know the answer.

I would also argue that if it's precious as a memory, you get to keep it as long as you want. But I would ask myself, would a photo do that as well?

Less really is more here. If you can't find anything because there's just too much, there needs to be less. Keep the things that give you joy and let the rest just fall to the side.