As I was reading blogs the other day, I came across this saying on I Got Nothing by Janice that made me laugh.
I already have a large box full of fabric, which is threatening to overflow. I will need another box soon. I know, however, that my small stash of fabric is nothing compared to other sewists. I received most of my stash from my mom when she died. One of my sisters and I divided it between us.
Mom loved to browse in fabrics stores and buy all sorts of fabric for her quilting. My sisters and I knew exactly what type of fabric she was drawn to, having been to fabric stores with her on numerous occasions. She loved beautiful, colorful fabrics with traditional designs and intricate patterns. She didn’t like yellow or brown, although she used yellow in her latest quilts. She tried to buy some “ugly” fabrics to bring variety to her quilting, but could just never bring herself to do it.
During our visit with our Dad over Christmas, we were looking at a quilt on the guest bed, trying to decide if Mom had made it or bought it. We all pretty much decided that Mom had bought the quilt. My sister Meredith pointed out that several of the fabrics weren’t designs that Mom would have bought, and the stitching was sloppier than Mom’s sewing style of neat stitches.
Mom saved the smallest scraps of fabric. She saved scraps with holes in them from where she had ripped out seams. Worthless scraps. Right? What can you do with a bunch of scraps?
I have those scraps now. My sister has some scraps. We are incorporating those fabric scraps in quilts of our own. Those worthless scraps are turning out to be quite beautiful.
My quilts are more modest than my sister’s. I’m still in the process of making a throw quilt, with a backing and batting, which I hope to be able to throw on my lap this winter as I sit in front of the TV watching Big Bang Theory.
Heather’s quilts are of the artist variety. Her quilts stretch long and tall with intricate designs sewn on the front. Scraps of Mom’s fabric are incorporated into her quilts as well.
Not all scraps are tangible. My sister Meredith’s quilting consists of beautiful phrases of music.
We leave intangible scraps of ourselves all over the place. How often has someone told you, “I was thinking about you the other day!” because of something they saw or did that reminded them of you? Or perhaps you smell a certain scent in the air that reminds you of someone you love. (Cinnamon rolls equals Grandma!) Whenever I hear a Def Leppard song, I instantly think of my husband, who has every single album they ever recorded.
Little scraps of us. Not worthless, but meaningful.
(Leave a scrap of yourself below…write a comment!)
Such a sweet post! I adore the thought of being compared to quilting scraps. It's one of those things I'm determined to do one of these days: Make a quilt. I believe my mom has done it, I know my grandma has, and so has my hubby's grandma, and I want something I made for my kiddos to look back on one day. 🙂 I'm even making heart pillows with old sweaters and such right now! 🙂 Sounds silly, maybe, but it works, and looking at any handmade gift, be it cards, ornaments, quilts or pillows, reminds me of the person who made them, now and always. They are always treasured, too, regardless of the talent that went into them because of who made them. Gotta love nostalgia! Homemade gifts are always the best, too, right? 🙂 Anyway, thanks for sharing this post. You made me smile and think of my own loved ones, those with me and those departed!
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Oh, I don't think it sounds silly at all! I love the idea of using old sweaters for pillows–that sounds so cozy! Homemade gifts are definitely the best. 😀
I'm so glad this post resonated with you so much! You completely understood what I was getting at with my "scraps." Thank you for your wonderful comment!
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My sewing skills aren't the best, but they do in a pinch. 🙂 I sew by hand because (honestly) I'm a bit afraid of the sewing machine! LOL One day, though, I may learn! We shall see!
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I have a huge box of scraps in the attic that I haven't looked at in YEARS. I also have a box of pieces which my mama cut out – an entire quilts worth of pieces. For the last 20 years I've said I was going to piece it together for her, but I still haven't. It's sad.
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Well, maybe after that book is published you'll have time to get out those pieces and make it! Oh, except then you'll be out on your book tour, of course. 😉
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What a sweet post. And what a creative family you all are!
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Thanks! It's almost ridiculous, the amount of creativity we have!
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Wow. Those are beautiful. I fantasize about learning to quilt but it will probably never happen. It's amazing what beauty comes from all those discarded pieces that are saved.
You never know! I didn't take up quilting until this year, and I really enjoy it. I took an online class for free through Craftsy.com.
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I love looking at fabric, too. I don't know how to do anything with textiles, but maybe one day I will. I love the image of us as quilts, made up of different pieces, some from others, some original.
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Isn't fabric glorious? I hated going to the fabric store with my mom when I was little. It was so boring! But now, you can't drag me away!
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I absolutely love this post. First of all the quilts are beautiful and amaze me. (and I have a huge stash of fabric for sewing but these make me wish I did quilt!)
I just love what you said about the "scraps". You are so right. So often a song or phrase or situation brings a loved one to mind in such a strong way. It's wonderful. Our scraps are valuable!! 🙂
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I love that you have a fabric stash! I've done some other sewing projects too, and it's nice to actually be able to finish something. Quilting is taking me a very, very long time!
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This is such a sweet post! My mom and mother-in-law quilt, so I guess it's only a matter of time before I take it up, huh? Actually I haven't the patience for it and, though I can sew, I hate my sewing machine.
but I love fabric. I love putting together colors and patterns. My mother-in-law says I should design quilts for her to sew. Maybe?
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Putting together colors and patterns is one of my favorite things, too! I think your MIL is on to something!
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I used to have so much fabric, and patterns, and all of the novelties and gadgets that go along with sewing. Once I started working I resigned myself to not having the time or space for sewing. I donated most of it to a charity resale shop. I like to imagine some older woman making all of that fabric into beautiful things.
Someday, I'll get back to it.
I love that you gave away your sewing things! I'm sure someone who has the time was really grateful to find your stuff in the resale shop! There will be time to take up sewing again when you're retired. 😉
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Oh my word, this is beautiful. Those quilts are stunning and I love to think that we are all leaving meaningful scraps of ourselves everywhere.
Isn't that a nice thought? I think sometimes we don't even know the "scraps" we leave behind, and how we influence someone's life.
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I love this! I guess I won't win – I have no fabric (I do have the metaphorical kind though 😉
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You are leaving beautiful "scraps" all over the internet with your kind and thoughtful comments, and your beautiful writing, Stacie!
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If I need to mend one of my two quilts (which are nowhere near as beautiful as yours, but hold probably as many memories), I will try to do so using material from an old pair of pyjamas or an old shirt. Especially the first quilt I ever made was made that way to begin with: old nightgowns, old bedclothes, old shirts. So, it seems only fitting to reuse old stuff. Making the quilt warmer in the process as well: double layers!
I don't have that much material now. I have enough to make two single quilts (the easy straightforward blocks, nothing intricate), one with princesses and the other one with Cars. I was supposed to make them two years ago, but haven't yet, so I will have to do it in Norway. I do have a lot of knitting wool though. As I was packing up, I found a whole lot I didn't even know I had…
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My cousin made several quilts from her husband's old shirts after he died, and then gave one to each of his children. It was a wonderful way to always have a part of him!
You knit much better than I do!!
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Your mom's scraps alone might be "ugly," but the way you and your sisters have put them together make them look gorgeous. Wow, you sister Heather is quite the quilter!
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Thank you! I don't know how my sister made such a huge quilt, and there were two more that I didn't even show you! She does a lot of sewing by hand, too, which is even more impressive.
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So sweet how the scraps are being incorporated into beautiful art. I love it.
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What an amazing quilt! And I love the way you ended this. "Scraps of ourselves." What a great way to think about it.
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Wow!!! What a talent to have and so very creative. It is special that you share this common bond with your sisters and mom. I know your daughters are right behind!
What beautiful scraps! You all seem to have gotten your mother's talent for quilting. I've only made one (okay fine I assisted) and I think my baby sister still has it.
This is beautiful– "Little scraps of us. Not worthless, but meaningful."
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