Recycling

For the benefit of anyone who is concerned about my problem as described in my last blog, here is the finished quilt. My concept was sort of a "rainbow" of colors ROYGBIV. I cut out hundreds, maybe even thousands of "diamond" shapes. The fact that they weren't equal on all four sides was what made it difficult. I think I have figured out what happens and how the shape of each piece impacts the outcome of the whole quilt.

 

 These are some of the piles of the pieces left over- there are really a lot- enough to do at least 2 more quilts the size of the one above, which is 75x90. It would be a bit larger once I actually add edges and make it into a quilt. I have 6 very large bins full of fabric and half a bin full of quilt tops ready to be finished when someone wants one or there is an occasion for such a gift. I'm trying to reduce the quantity of fabric without just throwing it out. There are some pieces which are many decades old and some more recently manufactured. I probably won't do any elaborate quilting. My goal is simply to piece what will hopefully be attractive coverlets for loved ones who may want additional warmth.

I have long been aware of the need to be more conscientious about resources. I started "recycling" before it was called that. There was a metal salvage place in Ithaca that took washed out cans and glass jars if you took the time to deliver them. They didn't pay anything but I wasn't looking for financial gain. I was simply doing what I could to reduce waste and the size of our landfill. I have lots of ideas of color combinations for the fabric I still haven't used: patriotic (red, white, and blue), shades of brown and tan and yellow, pastel colors, denim shades, etc. I have work enough to keep me going until I die.