January 2021 strips report summary
I got a late start on cutting up strips since I didn’t want to do them while I was also doing the shirts, but I did finally get started! Even a little start is better than no start.
I have pulled out a bag of scraps to start cutting. As I said before, I’ll cut some into bricks for two more tops - AND continue with strips. I’m cutting them into 1.5”, 2'“ and 2.5” strips.
Here is the bag all spread out - very much a mess -
First bag - I have about 3 such bags I think - to get tamed.
Here is my summary. Sadly this is all I got done in January, 2021.
1.5” - 0.44 lb.
2” - 0 .55 lb.
2.5” - 0.77 lb.
Here’s the table I’ll update monthly until I’m not doing it anymore (hopefully that means I’ll be caught up!) I was caught up last year but then I did uncover another basket of things that need to be sorted and cut besides the leftovers from all those charity quilts and other projects. So, hopefully I’ll be able to whip these out in a couple of months! We’ll see. That would be great because that would give me more time to actually sew!
These bricks are 3”x5.5” and 3.5”x 6.5” plus some squares to go with each size for the extra blocks on the ends that sometimes are needed.
Here are some bricks as well that I cut up for the next two larger sizes so I can make the Mosaic top in these sizes as well -
I know it is a small amount - almost laughable, but I also knew I needed/wanted to get started! I am actually quite excited as this time I have less than I’ve ever had before when I did this.
The other three years I did this were last year - 2020, where I ended up cutting up many pounds of strips and then in 2017 and in 2016. I have the tables from those years so you can compare if you’d like.
I will say, however, that if you sew a lot - esp. quilts, it seems, you create a lot of scraps. It’s just how it is. I’ve been tossing my smallest pieces to Ewa - who is having a great time making crumb quilts. (I’ll find all the photos of things she has made eventually and share with you if she will let me.)
Here are those other years’ tables where I kept track of my cutting:
2016 summary
2017 summary
2020 summary
I had cut them up before 2016, but didn’t keep track.
It was actually in 2015 when I had too many bags of them sitting in my bedroom that I decided to start using them — thus I began the 2” strips project. It was after 2015 that I started a more regular effort at keeping on top of the scraps and cutting them every year into strips. Of course, I create NEW all the time.
Here is my record of strips - “lifetime to date” of when I’ve kept track, of course! Before 2016 I did cut - just didn’t do it as regularly as I’ve been doing it since then.
I would just like to point out if you just look at the 2.5” strips ALONE, 245 pounds of strips equals just over 245 “jelly rolls”! Never underestimate the value of your scraps!
It is from these bags of strips that that the 2” and now 2.5” series have sprung. Using up 1.5” strips seems to take forever, and I’ve not made much with them…though I have several bags of these tiny strips now! Something else for me to do, huh?
I don’t think those pages have been updated in the last few months, however. I will start doing that, SOON, though, as I like updated photos. But if you are new here, it’s all new to you - so be sure to check out those links! Be aware that the 2.5” ones are also ones I’ve made from so called “Jelly Rolls” though none are actually Moda. (Moda is the company that coined the term - so I actually try to use the words “2.5” strips rolls” instead of Jelly Rolls.)
And that’s it for today. I’m off to do some prepping for my next cutting session (I’ve got to iron some pieces so I can cut them!). I try to iron some pieces each day so that I can cut them the next.
2.5” series of quilts - quilts made primarily from 2.5” strips.
Have a great day wherever you are reading this!
Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store here!
Here’s one of the beauties we have!
