Saturday, April 13, 2013

Green and My Favorite Sewing Essentials!


As promised yesterday, I have put up my 16-patches on the wall with two X-blocks, which is my GREEN for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I had hoped to have more done, however it was time to do my taxes!  Have I mentioned that I am an accountant -- sssshhhh, don't tell anyone that I waited until the last minute to get a REFUND!


 And since I am using some of my favorite sewing accessories, I thought it was a good time to share.  I cannot do without paper towels and zip bags.  I have laid out and stacked all of my 16-patch blocks, separating each with a paper towel.  They don't move around and I can easily store the stacks when I am working on something else.  I have used and re-used those paper towels for a few years -- when they look a little ragged, I send them to the kitchen for a quick clean-up.

The Zip Bags are the perfect thing to keep the various size strips and squares -- the bag is marked and thrown in a box with other scraps.  When I am looking for something, I am a messy digger -- the bags keep the fabric from tangling.

The 2-gallon bags are perfect for storing quilt kits.  The big bag above is holding a Short Stacks Quilt, with paper towels separating the blocks needing to be sewn together.

Above are the little jewel tone oval and round bowls I picked up from the dollar store.  I can store those little things (like the items above).  They don't take up much room, because I am able to stack them up.

Do you see the clear glass vase?  It is so perfect for throwing those little scraps that I am not ready to throw in the garbage -- even though they are VERY TINY!  This gives me one more chance to dig through them before tossing.  The colorful display is also decorative.

And last, the little square and rectangle  trays -- they hold little projects I am working on that I don't want to lose in all of the chaos.


9 comments:

Debbie said...

I'm using your paper towel idea! Thanks for the hints.

Angie said...

Thanks for this week's inspiration! I have never used x-blocks as a spacer, but will be trying that soon. Also never thought of using paper towels to keep blocks organized, so I'll be trying that this week, too!

Me and My Stitches said...

So neat and organized!

scraphappy said...

I've never thought of using paper towels, but I can see how useful they cold be. I do have my own little stack of baskets though, so handy for sorting out little blocks in various stages. Great progress on green. Looking great!

Sheila said...

Paper towels, good idea. Love your 16 patch and x green blocks.

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

Lovely green blocks and great tips! I use paper plates sometimes for storing block pieces in a stack or when I'm sorting charms for a project. I use a lot of those baskets too for everything!

Mary-Kay said...

I love the paper towel hint. Who knew? And your green blocks are looking good too. Storage/ organization always seems to be a key issue in quilting and you look really organized.

Quilter Kathy said...

Great tips...thanks for sharing!
And your green project is gorgeous!

Sarah Craig said...

Love those green blocks - that's going to be a gorgeous quilt. And the paper towels is a great tip that I haven't seen before - it's going into my repertoire!

PS on the tax thing - you and me both! Isn't that pitiful?