I am re-recycling part of an old post. Right now is the time to replenish your stash of yard signs. Clean up the landscape and put those signs to good use.
Mini-bolts!
About 4 years ago, I began using the mini-bolts for storage. When I first began this, I was using a thin plastic insert. Later I switched to using foam core board. The foam core can be purchased at the Dollar Store in the 2 foot by 3 foot size usually. I cut the size-- that works best for me-- 11" to 12" high by 8" wide. It's easy to cut with a craft knife. I often end up with smaller sections of the boards and they work great for shorter cuts--- those under a yard.
Today, I am even more frugal.....I use old yard campaign signs or yard signs of any kind that I find....like house for sale, or other advertising. They get knocked down or the wires rust out. I collect them, wash them up, and cut to the size I like. I'm saving the land fill (if they would ever make it there) and keeping my dollars for fabric and thread.
Fabric is folded just like it comes off the bolt. Then one more fold---bringing the folded side over to match the selvedge edge. Roll it up and pin the end.
The mini-bolts make it easy to see what I have to work with. I am known to be pretty messy and scattered, so this really helps me neater. And what fun to shop your own fabric store in your stash closet.
And one more idea.....portable design boards.
of corrugated sign. I cut mine to 12'' by 16'',
along with a layer of batting and muslin about
1 1/2'' larger on all sides. Grab the glue stick......
I use the glue stick for a temporary hold. Run the glue stick along the edge of the board and fold the fabric over. Press down with finger tips.
Remember the colorful duct tape?
I use the glue stick for a temporary hold. Run the glue stick along the edge of the board and fold the fabric over. Press down with finger tips.
Remember the colorful duct tape?
I found a good use for it here.
Pull off a piece long enough for the side.
Lay the covered board face down onto the tape. Put the tape around the edge and press down
onto the back covering the edge of
the fabric. I trimmed the ends
of the tape so that they were flush with the ends.
Done! A small work surface that
easily moves from sewing table
to ironing board....safely.
What a time around here......we endured a hurricane, Halloween, and a blue moon,
What a time around here......we endured a hurricane, Halloween, and a blue moon,
and a time change. Sir Old Man had a skin cancer removed from his nose and is
healing. One more to go and then we see if he needs the plastic surgery.
I survived the stress level by sewing
units and rows together......to make a top
with borders out of the spool blocks!
This is about 1/4 view of the top.
I had 3 extra spool blocks and hated to throw them into
the orphan box of blocks. Instead I used them to
extend the pattern to the outer border by inserting them
when I joined strips. I also used up all the blue fabric for
that border.
These are ready to be trimmed up.
And I sorted, and sorted, and sorted 2'' squares
that I have been throwing into a box!
I have a new assortment of floral 2'' squares
to work with from my cutting block pieces.
I found some inspiration and think it is time to return
to working with them for a while. So if I don't
surface for a bit, that is where I will be.
Happy stitching.
You are so thrifty! I store my fabric in drawers so I fold using Marie Kondo's method. It sure does make a difference when you are a bit organized. I have made some portable design boards similar to your way but using foam core that I had. Yard signs sounds like a great choice. I hope November is a little less eventful for you. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. While I don't have any yard signs in my yard, there are plenty in my area. I'll ask some neighbors for any signs that they will be tossing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou have super ideas. Love the spools quilt. Great hourglass blocks. So thrilled you are chugging along. The whole nastiness of the election stuff has me on cutting out all news except weather. I need to sleep at night. I actually am going to a quilt retreat this weekend, 6 of us in a huge room, our own bedrooms. I have six bags of quilts that just need to be sewn up the rows and columns.
ReplyDeleteYou have such great organizing ideas. Do you hire out? Does it you find it take a little more space to store your fabric on the mini-bolts, or does the organizing make it use the space more efficiently? My fabrics are crammed into every inch of my shelves. Though I would love to store it this way, I don't think there is room in there for the foamcore boards.
ReplyDeleteI love my portable design boards. Couldn't sew without them!
Sorry you had so much stress! You found a good way to cope. :)
Back when I first heard of putting your fabric on "mini-bolts," I bought a package of comic book cardboards. I have been using them for years. However, if these signs had been so abundant - and I thought of it it - I would certainly be using the campaign signs for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteGreat re-cycling ideas!
I love ideas that allow us to recycle and repurpose.
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy. Great ideas for fabric storage and design boards. Hope Sir Old Man doesn't need plastic surgery. Glad you are able to make some progress on your projects.
ReplyDeletePat
Ooh I do like the idea of the duct tape - easier to manage than a glue gun!
ReplyDeleteThank you for so many tips - you have been so busy!!!
great ideas
ReplyDeleteStitching and fabric sorting is such a balm in these crazy times, isn't it? That same hurricane gave us some rocking and rolling up in New York, believe it or not! It's extra hard when our DH's are stressed. Sending healing thoughts to Sir Old Man and hoping he doesn't need more surgery. My guy is up to his eyeballs in maintenance problems and he threw his back out for a few days. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteHope your husband heals quickly from his surgery and, as you so rightly say, sewing is the perfect stress relief. Such a colourful spool quilt Debbie, so pleased you were able to sew on under the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. Glad you can keep busy. Love your work.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great tip with the yard signs and I always love to see a design brought out into the borders! Prayers for Sir Old Man and for some calmer times ahead!
ReplyDeleteHey! Two very clever uses of those yard signs. I may have to find some for myself to make some design boards. :) Love your spools quilt.
ReplyDelete