Tuesday, October 5, 2010

How do you do it?

Seriously --- how do you ever get the courage to fussy cut all these beautiful wonderful Kaffe fabrics? I am a hoarder of all my Kaffes, keep them segregated from the rest of the stash and all my scraps in a separate container. While they play well with others -- I don't share them well in other quilts. So -- here I sit with the most wonderful 1/4 yd cuts from Glorious Color, a Lollypop Trees pattern that makes my heart sing, my Kaffe scraps/stash, and all I feel comfortable doing is cutting the 2.5" squares b/c that conserves fabric and doesn't make big holes.

This is a serious question and I know you're going to tell me to just jump in -- but it seems incredibly wasteful and I want to make sure I don't compromise the block b/c I'm trying to save as much fabric as possible. Some of you will "get" this and others are likely to recommend therapy.

All I have to do is get another big project done and then I can have all the time I want to fret about fussy cutting! Thanks for any suggestions (except the therapy!). :0

14 comments:

  1. I think maybe its easier when you like cheese? you know, the kind with the holes in. Everyone knows the best part is around the holes.
    Seriously now : i start by cutting the biggest pieces. Then the smaller ones. I would wait to cut the squares until the rest is done.

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  2. Maybe you need to ask yourself what you are saving the fabric for. Are you trying to have a pristine stash or do you want to make the best Lollypop Trees possible? Your choice.

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  3. Oh I totally understand. I buy lengths of fabric to use as backings and then can't use it because I just might need it for something and then I wouldn't have enough. I'm crazy I know I couldn't use all my stash if I lived another 100 years!

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  4. It is hard at first and the smaller the amount I have, the harder it is to cut into--at first. Think not about the cutting into the fabric, but of finding the "perfect" part of the fabric for your block...that little flower center, that leaf, etc. Once you've found the perfect part, anything else won't seem right and you'll be cutting away. If that still doesn't work, repeat after me: "They are still making fabric...I can buy more. They are still making fabric...I can buy more." That's probably the reason so many of us keep ordering! Oh, and remember you can use the little bits as leaves should you decide to make the new Stars and Sprigs (at least that's what I tell myself!) ;)

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  5. What about just putting the fabric in a frame or around stretcher bars and hanging it on the wall somewhere that you'll see it for awhile? Then, after you've gotten to enjoy its beauty on its own for awhile, you'll feel more able to cut into it. Or maybe buy another 1/4 yard of something you'll love equally well to replace it in your stash when you cut into it. And the other suggestions are great! I have trouble with that kind of thing, too.

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  6. I am just starting my lollipops and I also bought one quarter yards, I guess if I use up my quarter, and I want another one, all I have to do is call glorious color and it will be in the mail the next day. I think once you get started you will find it is now wasteful, if you cut out four or five flowers for lollipops, maybe you can use what is left to cutout squares. I think you just need to make the first cut and you will be singing the lollipop song and dancing.

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  7. But by fussy cutting aren't you zeroing in on the parts you love the most? And then you have your favorite parts to gaze upon every time you work on the quilt...and then again to enjoy when you use the quilt...besides, small bits can be joined together to make larger bits.

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  8. Sweetie - repeat after me: it's just fabric and I can always buy more! In fact, use it and buy more as often as needed. Have fun, because why else are we doing this?! Sue in Florida

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  9. What about buying your favourite fabric and make that into a skirt for summer, that way you'll enjoy the fabric as is when you are wearing it.
    You can then hack into the fabric for applique without any qualms! My fabrics look like the rats have had a party, they are full of holes. Then you can buy some more! Kim McL

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  10. Or.. you could just cut your favorite piece from your cherish stash of Kaffe prints, and gaze lovingly upon it when it has a perfect NEW place on the quilt you're making. It just has "found" a new place to live and you can gaze upon it with JOY! All these ideas are good. Love what you do, and do what you love!

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  11. Or you could ... make a nice wall hanging! Now non-quilters would just adore your applique and fabrics and never know about 'rats having a party', lol! A wall-hanging is on my agenda and maybe one day soon!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  12. You soon get over it when you get the applique pieces down and you say to yourself what a good choice you made. When my fabric gets all holey near one edge, I chop it off and it goes into a bin where a lot of my scrap pieces come from, not everything has to be fussy cut. Nothing goes to waste. I sent a bag of scraps to my DD and she made a baby carrier.

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  13. Dear "I quilt for Fun," just think about your name...there is your answer.
    What if you cut that 2.5 inch piece, a 6 inch piece and a 2.5 inch strip of each and set them aside to "save?" Now take what's left and happily use to make Swiss Cheese- you have a back up. I worked in a quilt store and as soon as I used a piece, I'd go buy it again...not good!
    Kaffe's fabrics just sing to be used! It's a great feeling finding that perfect leaf or flower and stitch it into a block. You won't really care about what is left, because you have made something beautiful.
    If you're not careful, you'll be seeing lots of quilts made with gorgeous fabrics, and you will think, "I have that fabric....but I have no quilt." Ask me how I know. Which is more valuable to you?
    What a happy day- actually using up a fabric!
    anyway, whatever you have stashed, your children will probably sell on eBay!
    Just my two cents.. I know you are having a hard time, and I hope all these responses help
    you cut into that fabric. Rosemary can't keep singing the Lollipop song by herself!
    Brenda

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  14. OK. I was right there with you. Seriously. I collected these BEAUTIFUL Kaffe and Amy Butler fabrics. They sat on my shelves and I COULD.NOT.CUT.THEM!!! Until Kim McLean's patterns came along. Something came over me. Flower Pots "gave" me permission to cut into those amazing fabrics. And, once I did it - it FELT.SO.GOOD!!! I was oh SEW pleased with my results. And, I can tell you from experience, if you LOVE those un-holey fabrics now, you will LOVE them even more appliqued into your quilt. Honest. Go ahead, try it. I'll hold your hand and wait for you to exhale too...

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