Organizing My Bits of Fabric

Now in fabric boxes

Organizing My Small Pieces

A Few weeks ago, I found while wondering the internet, the idea of using Comic Book Backing Boards to organize my fabric.  I ordered the Backing Boards and started to wrap and organize, but then came upon these little bits that are just a jumbled mess. They aren't going to fit on those Backing Boards..

 

Jumbled Mess of Greens

 Each time I use these fabrics, I end up tossing them out to see what I want, messing up my sewing space, picking and choosing and then having to put them all back in again.  Time consuming!  So keeping in mind that I would really love to use these bits up I took some index cards and wrapped and organized.  It took me about a half hour.  I did the same with the reds and have begun the blues. 

Red Fabric Wrapped Around a 3 x 5 Index Card

Blue Fabric Wrapped Around a 5 x 7 Index Card

I put them back in the zipper bag, but I might find a better way.  Hey I can see what I have and can pull out whatever I need individually rather than dumping the whole thing out.  Pieces that would not fit on index cards were put in a small baggy.  I plan to use these bits and pieces to make my hexies.

Organized Reds

Organized Greens

Hexagon Mug Rug

Hexagon Mug Rug

Hexagon Mug Rug Back

Hexagons have lately become another minor digression from my task of finishing up my pile of UFO's.  But, this is not an excuse mind you for the diversion, but I'm using up my stash..those little bits and pieces that have no where to go.  The purpose of this journey I began a few years ago was to use what I had already accumulated in fabric.  

These bits and pieces to make the mug rug are very old and they were all in a jumble in a storage bag.  Which led me to another diversion..straightening my collection of bits and pieces into a usable (translation - findable) collection.  I find myself taking more time straightening up my quilt room than doing the actual sewing!  I'm looking for a solution to this conundrum.  

Back to the Mug Rug...it is hand pieced and then the flowers were hand appliqued to the background.  I hand quilted it.  

These little mug rugs I've been doing have been a great way to hone my skills.  I've never been able to put on a decent binding ...but now I think I can.  Not the best, mind you, but it's coming along.  I'm improving my hand quilting too.  Again, not the best, but I'm coming along.  And because the project is small, I'm not getting easily bored.  ...which is why I have so many UFO's in the first place.  

Getting more in the way of my Quilt Finishes,  I've again become distracted and decided to put together a sampler based on the Shipshewana Amish Quilt.  It's a sew along on Flickr with the permission of Sentimental Stitches
I am using my stash.  That's a good thing.  I've made more Mug Rugs.

Front of Butterfly Mug Rug

Back of Butterfly Mug Rug

  Hand Appliqued and hand quilted.  I used Sulky Blendable No. 12 to quilt it.  I like the way the stitches show up. I'm now working on another Mug Rug and just need to bind it.  My hand quilted 2000 Round Robin is almost all hand quilted.  Hopefully that should be posted sometime next month.  In the mean time I've really gotten into liking hexagons.  Really, what else will distract me. 

Mug Rugs

Mug Rug Digression

 

You might think that I've made no progress in my UFO's since November because I have not posted any pictures of progress since then, but I am progressing.  I just have little tangents that I go on, like MUG RUGS.  

 

First Mug Rug.  I made this from Dear Jane Orphan Blocks.

   

 

 

This first one is from Dear Jane Orphan blocks.  So really it is a UFO.  I started Dear Jane over 10 years ago.  These blocks are hand pieced.  I put two together and hand quilted it and put the binding on.  I had so much fun doing this.  I made another for my husband for Valentines Day.

Valentine Mug Rug For Hubby

Hubby wanted his in burgundy,  but burgundy is not my favorite color.  This is a close as I could come.  Remember, I am not purchasing new fabric...right.

 

OK,  so digging through my years of red and beige collections,  I came up with this.  I quilted this as it was pieced.    I did the log cabin first and then attached the strips of beige.  The heart was then appliqued on...carefully,  I didn't want to go through the back.  Last I put the binding on.  By the way,  making mug rugs is a great way to practice binding.

 

He loves it.  I took it from him just for a bit to wash it and he had a fit and wanted to know where it was.  Nice to be appreciated.