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Tip: Organize handwork to increase stitching time

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State Line Bag Company sent several Craft Gossip editors a stack of 100% cotton muslin bags to have a crafty-y go with them. Excited to get started, we sorted them by size and divvied them up. I took three 10 x 12 inch bags. You can see them peeking out from underneath my sprawled out embroidery kit. I will do a post on each bag after I assign it a purpose. As you may have guessed, the first bag is going to hold one of my handwork projects.

Bag One: Handwork Grab and Go

This size bag is perfect for keeping all the parts of a project gathered up – be it English paper piecing hexagons, creating applique onto a base, or hand stitching a quilt block. I just happened to have this embroidery kit on hand; it was part of the swag from the last Craft Gossip Blogger’s Fork and Talk.

Here’s what I did to the muslin bag to make it serve my craft-y purposes.

 

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Wanting more Hexagon quilt ideas? Check out these Hexagon Quilt books we found.

I took this bedding package (I save hoard these) and cut around the plastic sleeve holding the pink insert.

I centered my harvested plastic pocket onto the muslin bag and hand sewed a bit of lace ribbon around the edges.

I slipped the embroidery kit packaging into the pocket and put all the project items inside. Done! It’s now hanging on my accordion peg rack, waiting for me to grab it and go.

Tip: Keeping projects organized makes it much more likely you’ll work some stitching into your daily routine.

Coming soon!

State Line Bag Company has something for you too. They have agreed to give away 100 cotton muslin bags (all of them 6×8 inch) to one lucky Craft Gossip reader.

Stay tuned for giveaway information, it’s coming soon.

Images: Uploaded by editor

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Comments

  3. I’m Barbara Moore and I’m a craft/art supply/useful item hoarder. lol I too hoard those needful things that you don’t need right now. Love what you did with the bag Scarlett!!

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Have you read?

My Fabric Buying Rules (That I Break All the Time)

I have fabric buying rules.

Very sensible rules.

Responsible, grown-up, “I have teenagers and a mortgage” rules.

And yet… somehow… I still come home with another bundle of florals.

If you’ve ever typed “quilting fabric sale” into Google knowing full well you do not need more quilting fabric, this one’s for you.

Let’s talk about the rules I made for myself — and how often I quietly ignore them.

Rule #1: Only Buy Fabric for a Specific Project

This is my most repeated rule.

Only buy quilting fabric if I have a pattern in mind.
 Only buy fabric yardage if I know what quilt I’m making.

In theory? Sensible.

In reality?

“I don’t have a pattern yet, but this would make a beautiful lap quilt.”

Which means it joins the “future project” pile.

That pile is thriving.

Rule #2: Shop Your Stash First

Before buying new quilting cotton, I tell myself:

You have a whole cupboard of beautiful fabric.

And I do.

But sometimes I open that cupboard and think:

“Yes… but not this shade of blue.”

Apparently there is always room for “just one more perfect blender.”

Rule #3: No Buying Just Because It’s On Sale

This one gets me every time.

Clearance quilting fabric is dangerous.

Because suddenly I’m not buying fabric…
 I’m “saving money.”

Which is how three metres of something I wasn’t even looking for ends up in my sewing room.

On sale fabric has a way of whispering,
 “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

And honestly? Sometimes I would.

Rule #4: Stop Buying Novelty Prints You’ll Never Use

I love novelty quilting fabrics.

Chickens. Teacups. Tiny strawberries. Vintage florals.

Do I make novelty quilts often?

No.

Do I convince myself I will?

Absolutely.

There’s something about quirky fabric that makes my creative brain light up — even if it takes five years to turn into something.

Rule #5: Don’t Duplicate What You Already Have

This is the funniest one.

Because I absolutely have:

Three nearly identical cream background prints.
 Four versions of “soft dusty pink.”
 More neutral blenders than I could sew in a year.

But when I see “the perfect low-volume print” — logic disappears.

Apparently I believe each new one is slightly more perfect than the last.

Rule #6: Only Buy Quality Quilting Fabric

This one I actually stick to.

If I’m investing in fabric for a quilt, I want quality quilting cotton that presses well, holds up over time, and doesn’t fade after washing.

I’ve learned that lesson.

Cheap fabric looks like a bargain… until it doesn’t behave.

So at least I’ve matured in one area.

Rule #7: Finish One Quilt Before Starting Another

This isn’t strictly about buying fabric, but it’s related.

Because nothing triggers fabric shopping like:

  • A tricky block
     • A frustrating seam
     • A quilt top that won’t lie flat

Suddenly a new project feels like a fresh start.

Which means new fabric.

Which means the cycle continues.

Why We Really Buy Fabric

If I’m being honest — and this is the handwritten, tea-in-hand honesty — I don’t just buy fabric for quilts.

I buy fabric for:

  • Possibility
     • Inspiration
     • A future version of myself
     • A quiet hour I haven’t had yet

Sometimes buying quilting fabric is less about productivity and more about hope.

And that’s not entirely a bad thing.

My Real Fabric Buying Rule (The One That Matters)

Here’s the rule I actually try to follow now:

Buy fabric that genuinely makes you excited to sew.

Not pressured.

Not influenced.

Not because someone else says it’s trending.

If I can picture it on my cutting mat.
 If I can see it stitched into something useful.
 If it makes me want to sit down and sew tonight.

Then I don’t feel guilty.

A Little Gentle Reality

Most hobby quilters don’t struggle because they don’t have enough fabric.

We struggle because:

  • We don’t have enough time
     • We don’t have enough energy
     • We’re juggling life

Fabric buying is the easy part.

Making space to actually sew? That’s the real challenge.

So yes.

I have fabric buying rules.

And yes.

I break them.

But as long as the sewing room still feels joyful — and not stressful — I’m okay with that.

Because quilting isn’t about being perfectly disciplined.

It’s about enjoying the process… even if that includes another bundle of florals.