Sewing fabric scraps to adding machine foundation paper

This video is part of my Scraps - everyone's got them series over on my YouTube channel.  In this video I show you how I like to sew some of my fabric scraps to adding machine tape. In a later video I'll show you how I use those scraps to make quilt blocks, borders, and other projects.

U.S.A. Map

Back in  2011 I saw this post over on See Kate Sew and fell in love. I knew I would eventually make at least one scrappy map. 

Since July 4th is right around the corner I decided to make a red, white, and blue scrappy version. I decided to start in the center of the US and work my way to the outer borders. Let me tell you, this felt harder than putting together a regular jigsaw puzzle. Thankfully I thought ahead and wrote the name of each state on the back of each piece. I don't even want to think about trying to figure out which state is which. Of course states like Florida, Texas, California, and Louisiana are easy to identify but Wyoming and Colorado, etc. is nearly impossible to figure out.

I kept looking at the map on my phone and back to my pieces making sure I had each state in the right spot. Once I found my rhythm it went pretty well until I got to the Northern states. Whomever was making the states borders way back then sure didn't think about us in the future. So many tiny states on the East coast compared to out West. I remember as a child trying to color in Rhode Island and Delaware and getting mad because they are so tiny. 

Even with the small frustrations I really enjoyed working on this project. Hopefully I will have this turned into a wall hanging before the 4th of July. Wish me luck!

The Go and I have been scrappin'

**Have you voted on when to hold the Christmas Stocking Give away?**

I was fidgety the other day. I wanted to play in the sewing room but I didn't really feel like working on any of the projects I had going. So I decided to play with the Go a bit. I have plenty of bits and pieces of fabric that need to be cut into usable sizes. When I first started sewing clothes and bags (this was before I fell in love with quilting)  I saved all the odd shapes that were left after cutting out patterns. Instead of being organized (because I'm not) I just tossed all the scraps in these tubs.

I have these storage tubs that are full of fabric. The one on the left has fat quarters and yardage with a small container of scraps. The other 3....scraps big and small plus some yardage that is of questionable quality/content. The questionable fabrics were given to me.

I love my sneakers :) The laces are pink and the soles are also pink. They are Ecko and come above the ankle.

This cabinet has my recent purchases. Lots of yardage. The top shelf has my Samoan fabric and the bottom shelf has what is left of my I spy fabrics. This cabinet is OK and doesn't need much cleaning just organizing.

This rolling cart has fat quarters and bits and pieces too.

I cut some 2.5" strips with the Go. This strip die is alot easier to use than I expected. I was worried I wouldn't lay the fabric right or the strips would come out crooked or uneven. I had no troubles and all the strips came out fine. Question for you...other than jelly rolls or honey buns, how do you store your strips? For now I guess I will buy one of those shoe box plastic tubs and keep them in there.

I cut a bunch of triangles also. I really want to make one of those 1000 triangle quilts. The Go cutter will make it alot easier.

Then I cut up a bunch of HST. These dies are very easy to use. You just lay your bits of scrap down on the die and roll away. I did have some waste but I didn't mind. I had some odd shapes of fabric to start with. If I didn't use the Go to cut these HST and triangles I would have probably tossed the scraps instead of having to deal with them.