Working on the Libby's Log Cabin quilt.

I have so many quilts I want to make bouncing around in my head. Also laying around in various states of assembly. I had the entire fat quarter collection that was used in the magazine you see below.
The weather had gotten warm and humid so I turned the air conditioning on high and locked myself in the cutting room.
A day later I had reduced my entire Civil War fabric collection to an assortment of 3 1/2",2 1/2",2" and 1 1/2" strips.

I do have a complaint though about fat quarters. I have never been burned on them as I have been with jelly rolls. What I mean by burned is inaccurate cutting from the vendor. I used all the colors in the Community collection by Moda. I bought that collection, well really all my collections from The Fat Quarter Shop.
http://www.fatquartershop.com/

I cannot say enough good things about this internet store. Prompt and well packed shipping. Great selections. I had no complaints until now.
I decided to cut all my other fat quarter collections as I was cutting for this quilt. I am a firm believer in Bonnie Hunter's Scrap Users' System. It is a wonderful system.
I was able to get cut from each fat quarter the following strips:
two 1 1/2"
three 2"
two 2 1/2"
one 3 1/2"
total is = 17 1/2" the other 1/2" was for straightening each of the edges.

Worked great through the first 40 FQ's.

Opened and pressed another 39 FQ's and began the cutting...but ran out of fabric. So I measured the FQ and it was only 17". WHAT??? Measured all the other 38 FQ's and they were all only 17" not 18". I was very disappointed with Moda after this snafu.

After the wonderful day spent cutting fabric I moved out to my sewing area and further refined my cuts to the lengths I needed for Libby's Log Cabin.

I spent that day making the Ohio Stars for the center of the 15" blocks. I needed 20 so I made 24 in case some did not make the "cut". HA!

Used up the last of my Presencia thread in my favorite paper bag tan color. Love these cones of thread. I was able to buy the matching colors in 60 weight for the bobbins. It is getting harder and harder to find. And is as $$$ as Aurifil.

Here are my 24 blocks all done. I just need to sew the blocks together now.
I also used some of the other Civil War fabrics from other collections if they matched the pallette I was using.

This container is still full!!!! Many more quilts to come out of my precut box!!!!

And yes, as I cut I am very neat about strings and cutoffs.  Filled that 20 ounce cup! I sew with carpet underfoot so I do not want too much debris. But no matter how careful I am I still have debris. Sigh...I had to roll the lint roller over myself several times during the sewing.

Life is good.
XOXOXOX Subee

For every shape there is a plastic container made for them...

I should have bought stock in plastic containers years ago. Sadly I am now retired and $$$ is tight. Yet I continue to find the PERFECT containers for cut units.
Below are 1 1/2" Companion Angle triangles. They fit so perfectly in these smaller bins. Then these little bins can be carried and/or stored in larger project containers.

I was on a 1 1/2" cutting binge and quickly filled this smallish container with neutrals and some grays.

This container size has been a staple in my cutting room. It is the same size as the one with the 1 1/2" strips. These are 2 1/2" squares. Some are really golden oldies. This size used to be my favorite size unit. Then I decided I really prefer smaller blocks and moved on. Yet these 2 1/2" squares are still handy to have and to use. I did have to add more neutrals as that section was sadly depleted over time. The only complaint I have with this container is that if it falls the latch WILL come open.

 I always label the container. These are removable stickers if I need to repurpose the container.

Aren't they cute?????



 There is a method to my madness. I get so much sewing done because I try to not make a move that is not efficient. For example, pressing should be done in "lots" to make the best use of my time.

I do not move the iron across the units. I lift it and move to the next area. Up and down, up and down and soon my little pieces are all crisp and straight.

I love scrappy but my eye wanted a little more control in my pink stars. So before assembling I did a bit of sorting. And since I had kept like with like it was a simple step to do.

Not all the stars are pictured here. I finished them up this morning but this picture was taken yesterday.
I really like the subtle ones but DH says they should not be used as they are too subtle. We will wait until there is more of the quilt on the wall before I decide if they stay or go.

I could not resist making ONE little gray star.

Here is my first cabinet (I have two of these). I really like to use magnets and magnetic baskets on these cabinets. I have scissors hanging on the sides and more baskets to catch stray fabric pieces.

Here is the top drawer. All neutrals...all stuffed to the gills. But all of them are in my Scrap User System in one size or another. I do try to be fair and when I get them out to cut I will cut some of all the sizes I use. I will come in here on a cold snowy day and fire up the iron and go through the entire drawer. Such satisfaction. Life is good!

 Drawer #2 has blues on the left and greens on the right. But somehow they seem to migrate together at times. It depends on what I am searching for. A bluish green or a greenish blue??????

Drawer #3 is a special drawer. It has the CHOCOLATE there on the left and some special cat fabric. I have TWO huge containers of cat fabric. I cannot get to them because they are on the bottom of a stack of containers. This was the first type of fabric I ever started collecting. And I am ashamed to say that the last time I was in the attic I found a medium sized container full of more quilting fabric. Why was it up there? There is cat fabric in it too. I left it up there. I have enough to play with down here thank you!

And here is the bottom drawer. Bolts of fabric fit in these drawers as if they were designed for them. Precious old fabric in here.  See the neutral with the deep pink stripe?? I have had that forever! I am slowly using up my stash. I sure cannot take it with me when I go.
And a whole bolt of that clear stuff for embroidery machines. It is all sealed up but I do wonder if it has a shelf life. It dissolves away in water. Oh! I think it is called Solvy!

I swapped out the washed batik swap this last week. It only took me a couple hours to count, sort, swap, package and then put them in tote bags for the trip to the PO. They love me there. Job Security!

I bought 4 of these totes in the clearance aisle at Walmart one year. Only a $1 each! They are beach totes but work great for lugging parcels or groceries.

I hope you are all having a great day!
XOXOOXO Subee