How big does a left over length of thread, floss, ribbon have to be for you to keep it?
When, if ever, do you throw a scrap away?
Anne, who knows that most people have preconceived ideas which are unlikely to change so rarely discusses politics
Just in case, because you never know when you might need it, I keep almost any tiny snip that is big enough to make one complete stitch until the piece is done, over, completely finished. I'm not quite as diligent when it's white or something I'm either sure I have more of or is unlikely to be a different color if it's a different dye lot, as I am with odd colors or specialized stuff for the obvious reasons.
I suppose it must be funny to see me using the little piece that's sometimes so short that I need to put the needle through eye first, or stick the needle in and thread it from the back with great difficulty, but my upbringing taught me to never waste anything and use it all.
I do throw it out eventually, but it takes some nerve to do that.
Lucille
Maureen has a large plastic container that is full of minute lengths of Anchor cotton. We both tend to keep just about everything "just in case" and we are not alone:
Bruce
I do the same thing but when I am trying to get that last stitch or two out of a piece of thread that is really too short I will get out my dololly and use that instead of trying to rethread the needle everytime it goes through the fabric. If you do not have a dololly or star detailer or other such gadget you can also use one of those needle threaders that have the wire for pulling that last bit of thread through.
Beverly B
I have started to be a little more ruthless. If there is just 6 inches left, and I am not using that color again soon, it goes in the ort jar. On the other hand, if I am doing a lot in the same color, I do try to stitch to almost the end, so there is very little to toss out.
It all depends on what type of floss I am using, and how extravagant I feel that day!
Gillian
I am a lot more ruthless than I used to be. I try and guess how much floss I need for the next batch of stitches. If I guess wrong, as I often do, anything cut off after finishing is discarded. When I get new thread, if it is too clumsy to keep the little bit left with a lark's head knot, it gets chucked.
If it's large enough to keep track of, it's large enough to keep. Lately I've been using orts to embellish handmade paper. I throw them in the slurry after it comes out of the blender.
Elizabeth
Technically, as long as it is long enough to do just one stitch it could be useful - if you can be bothered to keep it, notate it, and know where to find it should you ever need it!
Personally, I can`t be bothered - I`m just not that parsimonious. If it`s not long enough to wind around the bobbin from whence it came - it`s OUT! Or if it`s metallic, it goes into a clear Christmas tree bauble. I find that plain threads are a bit like paint if you do that - they just turn into a nondescript muddy colour.
DON`T put it out for the birds to line their nests, though - it tangles round little birds` feet or necks and can kill them.
Pat
Cool. Want me to send you some of my specialty fiber orts? Or do you only want cotton?
When I'm stuffing the Christmas balls, I sort my orts. The metallics go against the outside where they can be seen and sparkle, and the floss goes on the inside to fill it up.
I'm with you Pat - if that sucker can't wrap around the bobbin - out it goes. I've been *collecting* bits since 1979 (that's what it says on my Pringles can - and I can still stuff them in there, so I can't be wasting too much. I'll be glad when I'm done with my Come Dance with Me cuz it has so many browns, greys and creams - not too interesting to look at in the can - tho' I have been known to reach it and mess 'em up a bit so I can see some sparkles from various projects. It's amazing how much that can holds.
Sharon (N.B.)
I'm with you Pat - if that sucker can't wrap around the bobbin - out it goes. I've been *collecting* bits since 1979 (that's what it says on my Pringles can - and I can still stuff them in there, so I can't be wasting too much. I'll be glad when I'm done with my Come Dance with Me cuz it has so many browns, greys and creams - not too interesting to look at in the can - tho' I have been known to reach it and mess 'em up a bit so I can see some sparkles from various projects. It's amazing how much that can holds.
Sharon (N.B.)
I find that Pringles cans - and even better the cardboard Whisky tubes - are great for sending chocolate parcels overseas - they`re so strong and light.
As long as you make it clear that they DON`T contain Whisky, that is!
Pat
Anne since i understand that you are a creative embroideress , i will tell you what i sometimes do with left over , i put a bunch over a cloth and than sew over them with the Sewing machine , i also arrange them under pieces of tule or other see through cloth to get interesting additions to my fiberart. and last not least i stuff them into old nylons to make all kinds of Raised parts .
You know, in an emergency you can always use a very fine steel crochet hook - probably a #9 or smaller - to get that last inch of thread through the fabric.
Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.
By far the best thing for finishing off *very* short ends is a loop of normal thread. If people dont know how to do this, and it is fairly obvious, I can explain. Jim.
I have done that too, but that means I have to get up and get the hook out of the cabinet while my awkward method is always at the ready.
Lucille
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I think I know what you're saying, but why not tell us anyway.
>I thought of this last night when I was digging through my scrap cup, looking for a length that would get me 5 more stitches, so I didn't have to start a whole new strand. . .
Take a length of floss; length immaterial, but at least 3 inches long. (It will not be damaged in any way, so, it can be used again). Put the two ends together, and thread the needle so that there is a loop at one end. Put this thread where you want the end to finish up, with the loop when the short end needs to start. Use anything to get the short end through the loop. Catch this end as short as possible, so as to make it easy to pull through. If the end is doubled, it is much more difficult to pull. Then simply pull the floss, and the end is finished off. It is much easier to demonstrate than describe. HTH. Jim.
Another way: thread a needle with whatever fine, strong thread is handy. Poke the eye of the needle in farther away than the length of the end to be woven in, weave it to the spot where the thread is, poke it out far enough that you can get hold of the thread, pull the needle back out, leaving a loop of thread that can be used to pull in the short end.
Joy Beeson
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