Leaders and enders are one of those things in quilting that everyone seems to do, but no one seems to talk about. A leader/ender is that little piece of scrap fabric that you use to start and end a line of chain piecing.
I usually have a few of these laying next to my machine. I like to have several on hand because sometimes I forget to clip the leader and it gets lost in a sea of chain piecing, or they fall on the floor behind my machine and bending over to pick it up isn’t worth the effort. Either way, I never start piecing without them!
Pros of leaders and enders:
Instead of using a piece of scrap fabric, I also like to use it as an opportunity to piece a second quilt or project. I made these three projects (a pillow, a pouch, and a journal cover) by using the leader/ender method to sew the leftover triangles together from each of the Hurrication quilts I’ve made. You can read more about those projects here!
With the projects above, I had two stacks next to my machine (one for background triangles and one for the prints) ready to go. That seemed to be the easiest way to stay organized and also to remember to use these versus my scrap leader.
This is also the method I used to make my Scrappy Valley quilt (if you haven't gotten your free copy yet, you can do so here!). I had a stack of yellow squares and a stack of pink strips and I sewed them together as leaders and enders until I ran out of yellow squares. Then I pressed the entire batch, cut a new set of strips to the right size, and repeated the process until I had a set of complete blocks.
The key to using leaders and enders to make a second quilt is to have a plan and to stay organized. You might need to set your current project aside for a day to cut more fabric or plan your blocks out. But once all the blocks you need are done, it’s fun to take a day and put that quilt top together!
I recently cut a mountain of fabric scraps into usable sizes (if you haven't read it yet, take a look here) and I was itching to use them! I also wanted a quick project to jump start my sewing mojo after taking most of December off of quilting. Quilted coasters seemed like the perfect project!
1. Place your fabric square right side up on top of your batting. I aim for the middle - it's okay to eyeball it here.
2. Place your first fabric strip RST on the square and sew directly onto the batting.
3. Fold the strip back and press. I like using a seam roller here for quick pressing like this.
4. Place the next strip down RST and repeat. I like to snip off any excess fabric during these steps.
5. Keep adding fabric strips until the batting is completely covered.
6. Place your backing fabric RST on the top side of the coaster.
7. Sew a ¼” seam around the perimeter making sure to leave about a 2” hole.
8. Turn the coaster right sides out. You can use a stiletto or chopstick to push the corners out so they are pointy.
9. Top stitch an ⅛” from the edge making sure to fold the seam fabric in the hole under and sew into place.
10. Give it a good press and enjoy!
I hope you give these a try! It is a quick and fun way to use up your fabric scraps AND leftover batting! Win win! If you do try these out, share them on Instagram and tag @runningstitchquilts so I can see.
If you want to see some more glamour shots of these scrappy coasters, keep scrolling. :)
Deciding to cut your fabric scraps down into usable sizes can be a daunting task. Especially if you are just getting started and have a mountain of fabric to tackle! In this post, I break down my strategy for cutting into my fabric scraps.
I cut my scraps into: 2.5” strips, 1.5” strips, 10” squares, 5” squares, 3.5” squares, and 2.5” squares. I chose these because they are common pre-cut sizes so there are many quilt patterns already written to use these sizes (with the exception of the 3.5” squares). Also, I like that you can combine these sizes in many different combinations to make a 6” block.
These sizes work for me, but when choosing what sizes to cut your scraps into, choose what works for you! If you are planning a string quilt, 1.5” strips might be the best use of your scraps. If you are thinking a postage stamp quilt sounds fun, cut your scraps into 2” squares. If you don’t have a specific quilt in mind, cut your scraps into a variety of sizes like I do until inspiration strikes!
After I finish cutting the fabric for a new quilt project, I put all of the leftover fabric into a bin (it’s actually a flower pot)! When the flower pot gets too full, I cut my scraps down into the usable sizes and sort them by color into storage boxes. You could also sort the scraps by size depending on how you plan to use them (for example, if you are making a postage stamp quilt or string quilt).
I used to cut these scraps after I finished each project or quilt, but now I throw them into my flower pot and save them for the days I just want to do something mindless while I watch TV. When my flower pot gets too full, but I don’t want to stop what I’m working on, I’ll spend 5 or so minutes a day cutting up scraps until that fabric mountain is more manageable.
Scrap Cutting Strategy:
Last thought: Anything larger than a FQ or ¼ yard, I will consider saving for a fabric destash instead of cutting up. I don’t keep a big fabric stash (read here to find out why), so honestly, if I saved it, it probably wouldn’t get used. That is the main reason why this fabric scrap management strategy works for me. I am more likely to use fabric that has been cut down into usable sizes than I am larger pieces stashed away.
If you choose to cut your scraps into the same sizes that I do, I have a FREE quilt pattern written specifically for those cuts. Download my Scrappy Valley quilt pattern here!
I've been wanting a new (long and skinny) pin cushion to keep next to my sewing machine. I had a few leftover HSTs from my Scrappy Hurrication quilt, so I made one really quick. I took some pictures of my process so you can make one too!
Because pin cushions are so small and can be made so quickly, these are a great way to use up small scraps!
1. Sew scraps together to make at a panel that is 7" x 9". Place the panel right side up on top of lining fabric. The lining fabric will be inside the pin cushion and wont get seen. So it doesn't have to be anything fancy.
2. Quilt as desired. I did straight lines approximately 5/8" apart.
3. Trim panel down to 6.5" x 8.5".
5. Fold in half wrong sides together and sew a 1/4" seam.
6. Now it will look like a tube. Press seam open, centering the seam in the middle of the tube.
7. Sew a 1/4" seam on ONE end of the pin cushion tube.
8. Turn pin cushion right side out. Use a stiletto or butter knife to help push out the corners.
9. On the open end, fold the edges under approximately 1/4", press, and clip in place. I like to do this before I add the filler because it is a little easier to work with at this stage.
10. Using the small funnel, add the filler. I massaged the bottom of the bag in between pours to help distribute the filler down evenly, and to make sure it got into the corners at the bottom.
11. When full, use clips to hold the edges together. Carefully sew edge closed backstitching at the beginning and end.
12. Fill with pins!!
Last year, I cleaned out and got rid of most of my fabric stash. (Read about that here).
I didn't touch my scraps though.
I can't bring myself to get rid of them because someday I'll make a postage stamp quilt or a string quilt or a scrappy something! (Maybe I'll design a quilt meant to use scraps...hmm...) In the back of my mind, I think I'll use the 'leader/ender' method to work on a scrap quilt in the background of my other projects. I just haven't found that perfect project that has made me want to start.
But, the beauty of my scrap storage method, is that when I find that perfect project my scraps will be ready to go with (hopefully) minimal prep.
So, for right now, they are safely tucked away on my shelf until the inspiration for a scrappy quilt strikes. I'm pretty proud of my system so I thought I'd take you through how I sort and store my scraps.
I have a small bin for each color group: neutrals, red/oranges/yellows, greens, blues, purples, and Kona Snow.
The fabric in these bins is cut into commonly used sizes (squares: 2.5", 3.5", 5", and 10" + strips: 1.5" and 2.5"). I wish I could remember where I saw the suggestion to cut scraps into usable sizes, but that was several years ago, and I don't know where I saw the idea. I know Bonnie Hunter teaches the Scrap User's Method, and come to think of it, this may be where I first saw the idea all those years ago.
If you wanted to implement something similar, consider what sizes you use most often in your quilts. Personally, I chose 5" and 2.5" because there are tons of patterns out there for charm packs and jelly rolls. I chose 1.5" for the potential string quilt, and 2.5" and 3.5" because those are pretty common sizes that I use when I make quilts.
I used to cut my scraps into these units before starting the next project. I wish I could say I still had that kind of discipline! There is currently a huge pile of scraps waiting to be cut and sorted. Oops. I really should set aside a day to knock out the whole pile so it is no longer taking up space on my To Do list. If you want to come help, I'll provide pizza and wine. Let me know.
The only exception to this method is the Kona Snow bin. Those scraps get tossed in at whatever size is left over. This is the white background fabric I use in all my quilts so WOF cuts and larger cuts are nice to have on hand.
Anything larger than a fat eighth, gets folded and stacked on the shelf. In an effort to keep my fabric stash to a minimum, I am currently only keeping solids, and the occasional stripes. Anything else gets listed on my destash account for someone else to enjoy. My goal is for my entire fabric stash (scraps included) to fit on this IKEA bookshelf. If it starts to overflow, I know I need to do a better job of USING what I have before buying more.
Lastly, I have two large ziplock bags. One contains orphan blocks and the other contains leftover HSTs. I will eventually work the HSTs into a scrappy quilt. The orphan blocks would be good for small projects like zipper pouches, pillows, or FMQ practice.
I should also mention my batting scraps! After seeing how large this pile is getting, I should probably start using my batting scraps in my quilts this year. I have the size pinned to the top of the folded batting scrap. That way I can easily grab the piece (or pieces if I will need to attach them together) I need.
Do you have a scrap storage system, and what are you planning on doing with your scraps? If you have a scrappy project you are working on, let me know! I need inspiration.
If you are looking for ways to use up your scraps, look no further! My FREE Scrappy Valley Quilt pattern is perfect for this! You can download the pattern here!
Free Scrappy Valley Quilt Pattern
When I first started quilting, I eagerly jumped in with both feet. I almost immediately signed up for a "color of the month" stash builder club. Each month, 12 beautiful 1/2 yard cuts would arrive in my mailbox that I would lovingly fold and place on a shelf to admire.
I imagined having one of those beautiful sewing studios with a wall of perfectly stacked FQs arranged in rainbow order to pull from whenever I wanted to make a new quilt. Makes sense, right?
Wrong.
There were several things wrong with this approach (for me).
The fabrics I was getting in the stash builder boxes were full of novelty prints that I don't use. They are cute and fun, and I held on to them because I might have the "perfect project someday". But, I've come to realize, unless specifically requested by a client, I'm never going to reach for those kinds of fabrics. It's just not my style.
My style is still evolving and changing. The fabrics or colors I'm choosing right now will probably be different next year. Even though it is fun to look at, my small stash is taking up space we don't have a ton of and will just have to pack up and move again (thanks, Army).
The "stash builder" buys new fabric collections as they are released, buys basics and blenders to have a variety of fabrics to mix and match for any project, and (probably) has the wall of beautifully stacked FQs.
The "project purchaser" buys a pattern (or creates one), determines how much fabric is needed, and purchases that amount. This quilter may have a small stash of basics and blenders and/or a scrap fabric system, but generally buys what she needs when she needs it.
I'm the second.
It didn't make sense for me to have a stash (however small) of fabrics I was probably never going to use because I was buying what I wanted when I needed it.
I'm using more solids than prints these days.
With pattern writing, I've found that it's better to make the cover quilts with solids so the pattern stays relevant. Using a fabric line that won't be available in 6 months could make the pattern look outdated, or frustrate a quilter who wanted to make the cover quilt but can't because that fabric is no longer available.
In the scenario where I pictured a wall of beautifully stacked FQs arranged in rainbow order, I'm imagining a forever house. One that won't be packed up, moved across the country, and then rearranged into a new house that may or may not have the same space or layout.
My husband is in the Army so we get to move every 1 to 3 years. Someday we will have a forever house, but until then, I need to part with the fabric I know I won't use so it is one less thing to pack, move, or store.
I created a destash page.
These fabrics are fun and beautiful and someone who will actually use them should have them! I'm getting rid of almost everything at ridiculously low prices, so feel free to take a look around and see if there is anything you want or need for your next project! There are also some good stash builders in there if that's more your style too. ;)
Tell me, are you a stash builder or a project purchaser?
Read more: Click here to read about my fabric scrap storage system
