When I get down to bits and ends of fabric I keep them in a fabric only dedicated upright (trash) container. I try to go through it for usable pieces whenever I'm making something. But for the most part a total scrap project is the only way to make a serious dent here. Even though I am NOT taking on new projects right now I am inspired by the string quilts and projects Stephanie is sponsoring.
Several years ago I made this string type project into a spool quilt with scrappy boarder. It was a really fun quilt and a great way to make use of my scrap stash.
This quilt is a memory quilt for past projects that have been given away. It really is fun to just look at all the strips and be nostalgic about the fabric patterns.
And it was an easy quilt to make and came together fast. I really should make another one considering the bags of scraps I have that I want to use-up. 
Even though I may not participate in the latest string projects I will enjoy those new string quilts I see around blogs and they help me to realize I need to use my scrap pieces more often to get the most value from my fabric stash.-nanette
55 comments
Oooo I LOVE it! I have to say these string projects are quite addictive!
What a super idea for using strips. Awesome!
I love this quilt, Nanette. I think that red polka dot on white fabric is a brilliant choicefor the inner border! I could look at this quilt for a long time. Glad you have it to enjoy:)Thanks for sharing.
I wish I had the time to join Stephanie in a string quilt. I made one several years ago, and it was one of my favorites to make.
I confess...I looked through your stash and said, "Oooh, I have that fabric" and "oooh, I have that one too!"
Silly me. I love the string quilt. It's just so happy. :-)
What a beautiful quilt! Is that another of your original designs? I've never seen one like it.
I have a very hard time throwing scraps away. I love the fabric or I wouldn't have bought it in the first place, and I don't like waste! I have a string quilt started, but haven't really done much on it yet. Soon.....
Love it Nanette, it's fabulous. I really do love a scrappy quilt, so cosy and homey - and yours is divine :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)
Wow, that border is fabulous! I'm going to start saving my strings!
MGM
Thank you for sharing, I love it.
Love your spool quilt, what a great way to use up scraps and bring back memories. A spool quilt is on my list of things to do.
it is just fabulous
What a cute quilt. I think this is one of the best string quilts I've seen. It's one of those quilts you just can't take your eyes off of. Plus I'll bet it's fun to reminisce about the fabrics in it.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this quilt!!!
That is really cute,, I love the colors and spools.. Did it really go together fast?? Doesn't look like it did..
Maggey
i've been thinking about that HUGE tub of scraps that is overflowing under my sewing table. I thought as soon as i get a minute, I will cute them all up into random strips/rectangles............sigh.
Anytime...any minute now.
That is one wonderful string quilt. Very unlike any other string quilt I have seen. Beautiful!
I love this quilt; what a good idea for using up scraps!
Love the quilt! Right now, I am into scrappy quilts and your has really caught my attention!
Thanks for sharing.
I just love reading your blog and what a great way to use of those little scraps. I am just starting to get little scraps as I am a beginner quilter.
By they way, come on over to my blog and sign up for the free tote giveaway! Everyone is welcome.
OOoough! This is just TOO TOO CUTE! I love those variegated spools of thread! ;) and you are right string quilts are fun to look at to think about fabrics that were used in quilts that were made and given away...
I need to start saving my short strings for spools like yours! :)
Thanks for sharing! Love from Texas! ~bonnie
That is a great quilt! I always wonder what everyone does with their scraps and how they keep them. I LOVE scrap quilts! Thanks for sharing!
I started stripping yesterday for the first time and I've got to admit it...I love it and I've found a new vocation. Stripping! What fun...and in the confines of my sewing studio where no on can see me. (wink) Got you thinking there, huh?
Love your scrappy string quilt, Nanette. Scrappy, stripping, strings...works for me!
Sooo pretty! This quilt tells lots of stories, which I love. Scrappy quilts are the best anyway! :-)
Such a great idea for a memory quilt. It would have made a great Y2K idea too...maybe for Y3K? LOL
That is about when I will have time to make "another" quilt project that isn't already planned in my brain!
I love the spool quilt! The red and white dots are the perfect touch. I'm still new at this quilting thing, but I'm starting to like scrappy quilts the best.
Vicki
This is a fabulous quilt. I love way the strips make the thread on the spools. You are so creative.
The string quilts are such a great way to get those scraps under control. The quilt pattern is wonderful. Your patterns are so inspiring.
Great quilt girl....this one inspires me to go drag out a top I started over a year ago....all it lacks is the strip boarders like yours....I think they are even already cut out. I have drawers of scrappy strips all cut and organized into length and widths and have used them every since I started to quilt....learned this system from Bonnie at Quiltville.com.......your quilt is a great use of color and scrappy!!
I absolutely love this quilt! What a great/creative use of strings. I just love how the strings are like thread on spools. This is such a great quilt. I want to make one!
What a darling quilt. Now please tell us -- what is the smallest size "string" that you save? The smallest I save is 1-1/2" wide. Are any of these smaller than this? Please answer because inquiring minds really want to know.
what a great use of scraps. Every time I make a scrap quilt I feel I have barely made a dent in my scraps. I save a lot of them and have skinny pieces to 1 1/2 inch squares ;) in other words -- all sizes!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Wow, there's a lot of scraps in that quilt. It's lovely.
Wow! Nanette, I am thankful for people like you that have great wisdom for people like me that have NO self control when it comes to beautiful fabric. I don't think that I will ever use up all I have. I am only hoping to make a real dent in it!
I have an idea...when you don't find a piece that you need...come shop at my store...it's free! That would make me feel like I was making the most of my fabric. :)
Love, love, love, your string quilt!
Hugs!
Nanette, this is just amazing! I'm unable to get over the fact that how creatively you used tiny strips for thread in the spools. It is truly charming!
Thanks for sharing such a lovely inspiration :)
This is beautiful! A spool quilt has been on my "want to try this one" list for a long time, your use of strings for the thread is an excellent idea.
What a gorgeous quilt! And it looks like a truly awesome scrap-buster design. I love that when you look at it, you are reminded of the past projects you have done. I've never thought of a scrap quilt that way before. It's pretty wonderful!
this is darling, nanette and i'm sure the memories are the best part. i didn't join either, though i was tempted...i love string quilts.
Oh how gorgeous..I LOVE it Nanette.
You sure have a way with these bright gorgeous fabrics...and great memories in this quilt!
Julia ♥
what this quilt blog needs is more baby pictures. of a specific baby. make whitney make a baby blog.
also, soooo cute quilt!
-T
Great strings Nanette. Different and unique. Love it.
Using every bit of fabric is great. I love putting different fabrics together into string quilts, etc. The more fabrics the merrier. I enjoy a lot of color in most of my quilts. Old fashioned look a lot of times.
I love that quilt! What a great way to use up your scraps. Love it!
Lovely quilt!
I've been setting aside my strips of fabric scraps in hopes of making a little quilted accessory.
I know better than to think I would be able to manage a large project, but Stephanie's challenge has inspired me to at least give it a try.
Kimberly :-)
I too have a big bin of scraps that I'm just starting to work with although I admit, I do best with a project requiring a short attention span! :-) -amy
By far this one of the best string quilts I've ever seen! I've also got bins of strip/scraps to use up for Stephanie's Challenge.
Nanette, this is gorgeous!!! (I have joined Stephanie's challenge even though I have so many other projects, too.) Thanks for sharing this!!
I love that quilt!! That is definitely my kind of scrappy quilt! I love your idea of putting the scraps in a lined bin like that -- but in this household, that would quickly become a kitty bed and the scraps would be covered in mystery fibre also known as kitty fur!
That quilt looks like so much fun
thanks for sharing
cheers
Christine
This is a great quilt! I'm going to put this one on my "quilt" to do list that grows longer and longer!
That's a great quilt! What a great scrap stash busting idea. Feel better soon!
I love string quilts. I made a piano key border for a Christmas quilt I made for my grand daughter. I love the look and it's fun to look at the little strips of fabric.
I joined the string quilt challenge that Stephanie is hosting. I, too, can't wait to see what everyone else is going to make.
I LOVE quilts made from the last little bits- it just seems like it connects to the real spirit of quilting! So cute!!
I love your quilt. What a great way to use up strips!
What a gorgeous quilt. Is it your design? I'd love permission to make one....please.....
I so love this quilt! I'm joining in Stephanie's challenge and can't wait to get started! I also can't bear to throw away any fabric...but I need to get it better organized and start using it...projects like this are a great inspiration!
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