✅ 💰 SHORT ON FABRIC?!?- WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH

[@lisahall9226]

Piecing those fabrics using that technique is pure genius!

[@mojosbigsticks]

Run out of fabric? I saw Gone With The Wind and The Sound of Music - grab those curtains!

[@martirichards1424]

Karen you are one of the most practical and talented quilting problem solvers. What great information for those of us who are newer to quilting. I look forward to your videos. 🥰

[@cleementine]

A new video from Karen is just like getting a nice hug. Brilliant as always! Watching her assemble that last unicorn fussy-cut block and putting that last little triangle in place was deeply satisfying. ❤

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Oh thank you!

[@poodlegirl55]

That was amazing!

[@bria2596]

I was just thinking, between her voice and her teaching manner, it is very therapeutic in so many ways. Thanks, Karen!

[@alexien2716]

The glue piecing guess game was *chef's kiss*! It can be quite satisfying to see a "perfect" project at the end of your hard work, but if you didn't enjoy the process or were stressed over finding the exact 3 or 4th block, that feeling lingers in the final result. There's relief that its over, not joy that it is complete. Good enough is always perfect. 💖

[@michaeldangelo5810]

The gluing step is something I had never thought of or heard of, but thanks to Karen I now see how it is vital and worth the effort!

[@lauralinash5341]

My husband was cracking up when you said "Fabric shortage!"😂he said "really?" That I'm definitely not lacking in fabric.!yres I told him fabric designs are printed for a limited amount of yardage. He's still in disbelief that I'm lacking in fabric! Ha ha!😂

[@dianaduncan4800]

Sometimes Etsy sellers have older fabrics in stock. I’ve had good luck finding what I need there.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for letting me know

[@louisedaoust9502]

Karen, you work so hard to help us. I love your videos, I learn new things all the time, I have been quilting for 20 years and I still find tricks and tips with you that nobody ever talked about.

[@kathyjohnson2043]

My grandmothers and their mothers made quilts from sewing scraps, never purpose bought. They all look wonderful; you will be the only person who knows that wasn't intended so just agree with the crowd 😁

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I just finished quilting a very old top, at least 70 years old, and many of the block pieces were themselves pieced

[@susanbaker8023]

What a great video Karen, one of my favorites. I have tried to piece fabric for a block or border in the past. Why a pain! I can't wait to use your technique. Genius! Thanks so much. I always watch, you have and share wonderful info.

[@auntkaz815]

I honestly think the quilt is more interesting and has more of a story and character when there are surprising aspects or pieced elements that came about by “making do”. Whatever quilt you make with those unicorns will be all the more fascinating because two of the unicorns are pieced (if you look closely enough!!!).

[@debrajosephson19]

As a last resort, scan the fabric into your computer, and print out the design on printer ready cotton fabric. Works in a pinch.

[@annerankin1191]

I helped out a our local quilt documentation project and several of the most beautiful quilts had pieced pieces in them. Who knew and who cares. The quilts were stunning and even more interesting!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Especially when you realize they had no rotary cutters or other fancy tools

[@annerankin1191]

@@JustGetitDoneQuilts the quest for perfection often results in the loss of the quilt’s soul. Thanks for the video! XOX

[@karin0963]

​@@annerankin1191I love that! So true. ❤

[@gwynwellliver4489]

Whatching while using 15 year old fabric 😂 Thank goodness it's a scrappy project. Piecing the FQ into a WOF! Why didn't I think of that?! Thank you for keeping it r3al.

[@bjworksit1174]

Using cereal boxes in the size of blocks you need is crazy cool! I am going to put this idea to good use! Thanks for having such a great channel!

[@barbarah5742]

I would suggest turning the cereal box around to the plain side for less visual distraction. I have a supply of discarded file folders which also work well.

[@creativemommaof3241]

oh my gosh. This video is so FULLED with wonderful tips and tricks. Such a valuable resource. Thank you so much

[@marywiggins7411]

Love that cereal box trick to audition prints

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It makes such a difference. And look at it from across the room. It’s amazing how they change

[@cherylhornby5808]

The example using the pinkerville line on splicing fabric helped me immensely. Thank you

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I’m glad that helped!

[@sandradummer4726]

Karen, you look fabulous. Thank you for your video.

[@emiliegoethals3769]

I'm the kind of quilter that always has enough. when I'm short of a piece, I take another fabric. Patchwork should be fun to make and to look at later

[@nancybailey1635]

Piecing that unicorn fabric was amazing. There’s hope for me yet. Thanks for the demo.

[@jamiethrogmorton2540]

Your “Alentehana” (?) quilt is very pretty. Better with more fabrics In my opinion.

[@rolindareynard3513]

I had to make a "Frankenstein block" before. Glad to know I'm not the only one! 😂

[@gracebalch]

The day after I watched this video, I had to splice images together to fix a piece that was too short. What a lifesaver! Thanks!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Fantastic!

[@sebrinald7721]

I love this. My group laughs at me for using bits and pieces. You have made me so happy to see that I'm not the only one.

[@susanmei9980]

I did that, once, many years ago. I had purchased some small quilt panels and it was the end of the bolt, which was cut very crooked, on the diagonal. Of course, they did not charge me for that crooked part. But I was able to piece a whole other block together from that damaged area; it matched perfectly, and I was so proud of myself! It was my favorite one and I kept it! I imagined pioneer women doing something similar, and it was a great feeling making something so beautiful, out of nothing! These are some great ideas, Karen, and I never thought of most of them! TFS. 🌷

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

We’ll done 👏👏👏

[@eugeniaread2724]

Thank you so much for such wonderful tips. I particularly like the cereal box template for auditioning fabrics. The other tips will help me to complete a late friend's UFO baby quilt in her memory for her grandson. The blocks are various sizes and uneven.

[@jamiethrogmorton2540]

The SPLICING technique was perfection! So good to know. 🎉

[@karenshlemkevich2591]

That was really informative Karen! I never thought to use Google image search to find a fabric! GENIUS!

[@conniefath5126]

Thank you so much! I am never disappointed when I watch your videos. So much great information

[@nitababcock3977]

I ran out of a piece & absolutely had to have the same fabric. So I took a pic & did a Google search & found some. I was trying to avoid a seam also but when I got it, I cut it wrong & had a seam anyway. Oh well the top is finished, now I have to finish the quilt.

[@theresacraviotto588]

And you are probably the only one who “sees” the seam! 😊

[@nancycox3318]

This was a great video - especially showing the extent you pieced for the unicorn! I have found a few times I had to piece some fabric to make a block - but really, what is a quilt but a lot of pieces sewn together. It is actually very satisfying to make do. About #getyourquiltywishesgranted last year was the first year I participated. I didn't post a wish, but I responded to a few. One was a person asking for orphan blocks to sew on clothing. I sent her a few blocks and she was very happy. I saw another woman posted for epp supplies. I had some in a shape I had accidentally ordered and didn't realize it until it was too late to return. She offered to pay postage or send me some fabric. I told her if she had some leftover precuts I could use them. She sent me enough that I was able to make a quilt out of them. It was fun making connections with other quilters that could use items I had.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for sharing Nancy. It makes me want to participate this years

[@poodlegirl55]

Great advice. My daughter was here and she wanted to make a curtain for a cupboard in her cabin, but my fabric was too girly. She started looking through my fat quarters and found some perfect prints so we sewed them together and it was so cute!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

My kind of curtains 😎

[@ellenthompson4441]

That glue and press idea is genius!

[@emilywhetzel6760]

The cereal box template is great idea. I hadnt thiught if it before. I have used the inserts from fat quarters to make my own templates before also.

[@eileensecrest2185]

Thank you so much for this video. I love the topics you choose, you are a natural problem solver. I would never have guessed that one of the unicorns was pieced.

[@Denise11Schultz]

Wonderful! Especially the friendly similars at 10:08.

[@juliemorrison4348]

Nice to see you again Karen. Very timely video. Love the splicing samples. Very clever. 👏👏♥️🇦🇺

[@marniehouston7465]

I especially liked the segment where you were showing how to use pieces of the unicorn to make extra blocks. I had never even thought of that or using the glue to hold it in place while you sew.

[@Rainydaylily]

More than once I've gone on an online fabric hunt -- and found exactly what I needed. It's amazing what's out there.

[@conniesoares157]

Great ideas! Me and my friend use your tip about making an afterquilt. I could hardly tell which block you pieced together! My favorite quilt to gift for babies is “I spy” and when I find a piece of fabric I love, I use every scrap of it…even adding solid color borders!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad it was helpful! Sounds like fun

[@bobbinwithbrittany]

Quilt kits are so stressful for this reason. I have one that gives you the exact yardage, no room to even straighten the first cut. This video helps me move it up in the to-make rankings

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

That must be stressful. I find the yardage way too much…and you are paying for every square inch.

[@rebeccamapes1157]

Great tips! Especially splicing the fabric.

[@lindabirkes-lance8915]

The piecing of those unicorns was incredible.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

A bit fiddly but totally doable

[@ritareitsma3770]

Changing your quilt plan is also an option. I've done it where I decide to go more scrappy or I've made it as big as I can and then used appropriate colour fabrics to make borders to get to the size I want.

[@elenalanglois]

Wow! Watching you make a block from scraps was pure magic!

[@impala1022]

My fav tip was the match, glue sew one. Great idea! Thanks.

[@lisaschippert9426]

Piecing the fabrics reminds me of dad when he was missing a puzzle piece.. sometimes he would cut the lid of the box to make it

[@ragathnor326]

Super ideas. Piecing bits is my fave thing to do....as I hate having scraps left over. I use pieced bits in the back of quilts and I also make pincushions with them.!

[@helencowen135]

Sherri & Chelsi collections also compliment each other too

[@JohnCBNS]

Piecing that last unicorn looks so fun! And such a great technique!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It’s funny how you can’t tell which is which from three steps away

[@winkielaroo]

Great tips, Karen! I've used the "similar fabric" approach on at least two occasions, and in both cases I loved the end result even more than if I'd had all the original fabric I'd needed. Those experiences taught me to embrace the uncertainty 😊

[@m.m.4645]

Hi Karen, thank you very much for your super valuable tips!!!! Some of these I already knew about, some were completely new. Since I -of course- also have some old babies laying around where there is fabric missing due to miscutting I will definitely be able to finish those UFOs. Thanks again With many greetings from Germany 🙋

[@anitamendelsohn9882]

Thank you so much! No more leaving quilts undone.❤

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Wonderful!

[@staciebell1532]

O Karen thank you so very much.. I have a project just like your unicorn. I got so upset it sits in my UFO pile. I feel confident now after watching this. I am getting it back out and turning it from a UFO to a FFO. Thank you Karen...

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad to hear

[@wendyshill2]

Don’t forget that you can usually identify fabric name/company from the selvedge as well as color dots for matching.

[@deborahlunsford6983]

So clever at piercing and fussycutting. I must try.

[@MizCeeA]

OMG, thank you! I cannot believe I never thought of piecing to get a larger size fabric. BRILLIANT

[@susans2599]

Looked for fabric I had to have. It took a lot of googling but I finally found the last 2 yds in France. If I get the chance I'm going to visit in person.

[@saundraweed9738]

Love you’re practical advice! All of your piecing advice works well for”camouflaging” odd fabrics in similar colors and patterns together to create additional blocks to finish a project.

[@lssapcsa2650]

As usual, you get me thinking about some of those fabrics in my stash. Thank you!

[@Craftythrifter]

One time the longarmer called me in a panic, something had happened to a little piece of my quilt top and she needed to replace a square. Asked if I had any, but I was away on vaca, she checked with a friend and found some right away. Crisis averted, which was great cuz that one was a very special wedding gift quilt. Just illustrating another reason you might need a piece of fabric from your quilt.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for sharing 🤗

[@tiffanycollier54]

I worked at a (gasp!) big box fabric store for several years, so, yes, quite guilty of over buying! LOL! But still run short of something I wanted to use sometimes!! Thank you for sharing these tips!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Maybe you could start your own store

[@sarahkinsey5434]

@@JustGetitDoneQuilts I work at JoAnns and once had a customer say "My name is Joanne and I have enough fabric to have my own store." She said she donated like 75 pounds of fabric to Bundles of Love, an organization that makes newborn kits for new parents in need. Clothes, blankets, burp cloths, a bag to out it in, etc.

[@carlaatkins2619]

Karen, I am convinced you are my Quilting Angel. Great tips. Your friend from New Mexico, Carla 🎶 💖 💐.

[@denisepineda1788]

Wow, I love all of your tips and tricks, but especially how you pieced the unicorn on the Tula Pink fabrics. Fabulous! Many thanks!!

[@alexandra-zaza-burns]

I had to patch scraps after making a mistake in my last quilt. It turned out brilliantly and even I had difficulty spotting the patched piece. Your tips on the unicorn were great. Thank you.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Wonderful!

[@lifeofjoy9404]

Fantastic piecing on the unicorn, Karen! Magic!

[@Treaclepuff]

This is such a helpful video! I remember seeing some pieced bits in my Grandmother's quilt! Honestly, I would never have thought to do it the way you did it; matching everything up. Thank you for showing how it's done. I doesn't look hard at all! Thank you for the other tips too!

[@deeannhansen1469]

You are an absolute genius!!! Love that unicorn fabric!!!

[@Paul_Sheila]

Excellent subject and, as always, you cover it thoroughly!

[@andreaf5765]

GENIUS ideas

[@kate5454]

Came through with great information again Karen!

[@hannahlockyer3135]

You are so lovely to watch. Thank you

[@heathermann4240]

Always very informative. Really useful tips. Thankyou.

[@elisabethreeves1786]

Comparing the Blueland tablets to bobins is BRILLIANT.

[@moon-ud8tq]

Watching how you solve your fabric problems was so fun to watch 👍👍👍🧵🪡

[@jennifermaddock4382]

I loved that piecing trick! Fabulous!

[@NatalieMoore-cf4zt]

Fantastic ideas! No more stressing out!

[@nancygrissett6280]

I love watching your videos. You always have such good things to share. You are my fabric goddess ✨️ can hardly wait for your next tip. God bless.😊

[@galewhiteman2047]

Two 👍🏻👍🏻 up for the piecing together fabrics!! Thank you!! As always, such great content!

[@karenneiman856]

Thanks for these tips, Karen. I particularly like the one that suggested looking at other fabrics from the same designer and searching online with the picture (#6, I believe). Love the encouragement to not over buy. I am trying to keep my fabric moving through my sewing room like a flowing creek instead of having old stuff collect like a stagnant slough. Nobody likes a slough filled with dead or dying things! Keep it fresh and moving, baby! 😀

[@scrappyquilter102]

HA! My "slough fabrics" get segregated out and made into rugs!

[@jfergusonk12]

​@@scrappyquilter102 I need a good rug pattern!

[@lisahare4363]

I have learn't so,so much from you for years, I am so grateful! thankyou 😍

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

You are so welcome!

[@sandraburson9337]

Love this, can not tell you how many times I have needed these ideas. Thanks again Karen.

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

Wow that was awesome

[@sherryfaires7931]

Excellent tips! Thanks, Karen!

[@rebeccamulkern1051]

Your splicing technique is fantastic, and your Victoria and Albert quilt is gorgeous ❤

[@francelichter7314]

Thanks Karen. Excellent video!

[@shellydicey9454]

The unicorn fussy cutting was simply amazing!!! I always learn so much from your videos.

[@jylromain6439]

Absolutely brilliant ideas. Thank you.

[@tammihackley4349]

Good tips!!

[@lisaroper421]

Great content! And very impressive work!

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

My trouble is I have a lot of prints etc but not enough neutrals etc for backgrounds. I still also struggle with colour theory. I must be dumb because it confuses me!!! I’m off the topic but I need to get this off my chest,😂 clever how you pieced those blocks btw!

[@jfergusonk12]

I think color theory takes a lot of practice. It's a developed skill, like cutting & exact piecing. IMO ❤ Even when I am satisfied with my choices, I will do "retakes" until I'm fully committed. Of you can get your hands on a color wheel, that will help. I use mine all the time!

[@kathyjohnson2043]

She's made a few videos with ideas for helping with that, and you aren't dumb and you aren't alone.

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

@@kathyjohnson2043 😊

[@irisblue2332]

They're videos I've watched over and over again, too, to help them sink in.@@kathyjohnson2043

[@karenneiman856]

Don't stress about it. Just use what you or the person that you are making the quilt for likes and it will turn out great! Just this morning my daughter texted me and spontaneously thanked me for her wedding quilt and told me how much she loves it. She chose a large number of very disparate fabrics that were out of my comfort zone but I made it work and she is thrilled. Mission accomplished!! We are the queen (or king) of the quilt, so go out there and have fun! 😊

[@vangiebrake2295]

What an amazing and informative video Karen. This is definitely a reference piece and keeper.Thank you.

[@lindalosier5989]

I always love learning new things. Thanks for sharing some great tips.

[@rainydaysewing1166]

that technique for the pinkerville unicorn fabric is great. I never thought of using fabric glue to help with the process.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

School glue will also work

[@jeandryja6992]

Loved this I have some scraps of animal prints that are swiss cheese next rainy day I will be piecing whole animals! Have to finish a baby quilt first. Karen you always come out with a new video just in time to solve a problem.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

So glad to help

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Fussy cutting the fussy cuts. Great tip!

[@shirleywilliamson7985]

U R awesome,thank you for your sharing knowledge ❤

[@Jean2235177]

I just bought a 6 year old piece of a Japanese diwabo taupe that I lacked from a friend who had it in her stash. Score! 👍🏻

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Very nice!

[@sewingbreesinger4831]

Amazing! Thank you Karen!!!!

[@michellecornum5856]

Etsy has saved me more than once.