Focus, Focus part 6 ... Cutting it down to make it more manageable!

In the last 2 days I have been diligently working on the 9 patch project. I have made another dozen or so blocks and selected the rest of the fabric for the remaining blocks. I always love to explore my stash, I constantly find something I have forgotten I had. Occasionally, I find several cuts of the same fabric in different piles. One cut may be in the blue pile or the Jo Morton Collection and another maybe in another colorway all together. I often find that I have purchased a fabric multiple times and those are the fabrics I have trouble cutting and using. Silly I know, but what can I say?

Fabrics I have selected for the last 23 or so blocks.

I then cut 6" strips off of those fabrics to make them more manageable. Whatever fabric is leftover after cutting, will find its way into other scrappy or small quilt.

The 6" strips I have cut from the fabrics I picked.

I really like having the left overs around when I am cutting charm patches or have to cut a bunch of small pieces, it just seems to make the process more enjoyable and keeps the rest of the fat quarter or 1/2 yard with straight cuts instead of with chunks removed.



This is a stack of Jo Morton 6" strips.

 When I start a new project all I have to do is pick the fabrics that I want to use, layer, give a quick press, and Ta Da! I have a stack of fabrics all the same width and can easily whack off a bunch of pieces in no time. I find 6" to be a good size to use with most of my projects, as I make many small projects.

I hope this tip makes your projects more enjoyable.  I love to play with my fabric, don't you?