Bonus Bits
By MrsJ
@SophiaMorros (5044)
Belews Creek, North Carolina
February 12, 2022 3:24pm CST
I am working on a Mystery Quilt. What is a Mystery Quilt? The quilt designer posts various clues over the course of a period of time each of the clues is a step in the process and the end result is a finished quilt top. The clues for this particular Mystery Quilt were posted weekly beginning in late November. The final reveal was a month ago. I am nowhere near finished the project but I am continuing to work on it.
One of the clues involved triangles and invariably cutting up triangles results in snippets of waste. I don’t like to throw out fabric scraps. Fabric is too expensive to waste. So, unless a piece is very tiny, I hold onto it and use it in another project.
The triangle bits in the photo are pretty small. I put a quarter on top for comparison. I realize that doesn’t really those of you in other countries. For reference, an American quarter is the same size as a 50 cent euro coin.
Many of those little triangles have already been sewn together and I have a plan for using at least some of them.
Do you use your leftover craft bits, or do you toss them and start fresh with the next project?
5 people like this
4 responses
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
13 Feb 22
@SophiaMorros My apologies. In my defense, I have never heard or seen the term sewist.
My paternal grandmother was a quilter and made beautiful quilts for each of her grandchildren that she gave us as wedding presents. She was a seamstress at JC Penny's for many years back when you could still get in-store alterations.
2 people like this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
13 Feb 22
@DWDavis seamstress is the term generally used for those who sew clothing either for themselves or others. A sewist is a person who sews, but not necessarily garments (and the term is considered kinder than referring to anyone as a sewer.)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382107)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Feb 22
@SophiaMorros When I have a huge job to tackle, I break it down into 'steps'. I might have a load of mulch to move. I decide on five barrowloads a day and don't even think about how much is there. At the end of five days, I start to be surprised how much has been moved and from that point on it gets easier.
But 2000 pieces of fabric would stymie even me!! 
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
14 Feb 22
@JudyEv The current project is at 1,440 pieces assembled into blocks.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
13 Feb 22
Rainbow beanies! I actually prefer mystery quilts to traditional quilt patterns. I like the way the steps are broken down and not having to really think about the end result. I've done 3 previous mystery quilts (all of which are waiting to be finished). That I would NOT have tackled any other way. Sewing together 2000 plus bits of fabric is way to overwhelming if I have to face it all at once.
2 people like this
@sweetashoney (3597)
• United States
12 Feb 22
I would love to know how to make a quilt, some homemade quilts are real pretty. I hope you show up the end results when you get finished.
2 people like this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
13 Feb 22
I will show the end result when I am done. Here's one that I finished a few weeks ago...I have a ton of bonus black and white triangles left over from it.
1 person likes this
@sweetashoney (3597)
• United States
13 Feb 22
@SophiaMorros Oh I love that, it os so pretty.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
13 Feb 22
@sweetashoney Thank you!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
13 Feb 22
@SophiaMorros Good for you. I know you enjoy. I never had the patience.
2 people like this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
13 Feb 22
@CarolDM I learned to sew after my mother gave up trying to teach me. She decided I was hopeless .
.2 people like this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
13 Feb 22
I sew. Any other type of crafting only joins my repertoire when I have to do something wild and crazy for a theatre costume.
2 people like this
