Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Rainbow Scrap Challenge New Blocks

Lately, I have been finding myself with a bit of a scrap problem.  I have a great storage system for my scraps that works really well for the way I use them.  My problem is that my precious bits of fabric are out-growing their space!

With the 2016 Rainbow Scrap Challenge coming to an end, I have been thinking what I want to do for 2017.  My goal is to come up with an idea that will really bust some scraps.  Initially, I was toying with the thought of making a complete scrap quilt every month in the assigned color.  But I knew that could just lead to a bigger list of unfinished projects.  My brilliant solution?  Each month I will just make a big stack of string blocks.  





With October being yellow, I decided to start my quest a bit early.  My yellow bin was so stuffed it no longer closed so I decided there was no time like the present.  I cut up a huge stack of 10.5" muslin foundations and started sewing using this method.  As I pulled my fabric, I tried to focus on using up some of my really old and tired looking scraps.  In no time at all, I had completed 14 blocks.




 So I decided to stop there.  Why 14?  No reason - it just felt like a good stopping point.  The challenge that I am taking on this year is to see how I use these blocks throughout the year.  I may add in older stash yardage, use different colors in combination or even make more blocks in a certain color at a later date.

All I know right now is that my yellow scraps are now down to manageable level and I am happy!

 So as a reader, I hope you like string quilts because there might be quite a few in my future.  For those of you who don't, no need to worry.  I have lots of other types of quilts planned for the next year too!







Linking Up:

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37 comments:

Seams French said...

I really like your idea of making a bunch of string blocks. It's effective in reducing the stash quickly and the resulting blocks you created from your yellow stash are quite stunning. Good luck.

Jen said...

The string blocks are a great idea! They will find their purpose along the way. You will be able to mix them or put sashing in. You can make as many or as few as you like. Great stress free destasher!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

What a great way to work through your stash and help bring it to "manageable" one month and color at a time. It will be fun to see how you use the blocks and if the number you create each month varies. :)

Libby in TN said...

I love string blocks. I also love that you are using a muslin foundation. I've been using paper and I HATE tearing off the paper at the end. My mother always did crazy piecing on muslin so I should probably go back to that -- as long as I've gotten rid of all her polyester scraps that melt under the iron ....

Katie said...

I find that colored string block make great string scrap busters and turn into great quilts in the end, I made one for my dad last year that was all blue strings and it's a full size of 8.5 inch blocks and I did a large throw of rainbow order blocks for a friend

Patti said...

What a happy bunch of blocks. Just like sunshine. Would brighten any room.

Kathy's A Quilter said...

Cynthia, that is like a ray of sunshine. I look forward to what you have going here. I am almost finished with collection of yellow string blocks I have for myself...stand by for the reveal. Perhaps by Sunday.

Barb N said...

I'very never made string blocks so I think it's high time I learned. First step? Separate my colors. One of these days . . .

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Those just glow! And they are such a good idea! I was actually thinking about making string blocks for my next RSC project, too. I get tired of making them all at once, but over several months and colors, it is doable. I may be a copycat! Lol!

Gretchen Weaver said...

What a great idea! You can use the string blocks so many different ways. Using muslin make it even easier, no paper to pull off. I think I can see some string blocks coming up. That's what I need, another project! Blessings, Gretchen villacrestfarm@gmail.com

Kate said...

You got a great start on at least one of next year's project. Those should use up lots of scraps.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

LOVE all the yellow!!!

Frog Quilter said...

I love me some scraps. I regularly use them in quilts. Great yellow blocks.

Elana Robin said...

You must check out Katandcatquilts.com and her Covered in Love charity. In her September post she called for october's request to be string blocks. Once I began making some, I couldn't stop! I actually just mailed her 8 blocks in multi colors, but also made myself an entire throw quilt with purple, yellow and green scraps. I got out of control cuz they were too fun to make. I backed mine in an ugly kona solid color that I never liked. I adore the quilt top that I made all from scraps, but my hubby says its "too busy" for him. Guess I will just have it all to myself on the couch! Kat, a nurse, does wonderful work and each month requests a specific block design. She later combines all our blogs together into gorgeous quilts for terminally ill patients at her hospital. Not only do I love getting to participate when I can, and that's been monthly, but I always learn a new skill or technique from her in the process. I had never made a string block until now and it was very satisfying to play with my abundant scraps. Check out her site and maybe send her a few blocks from your stash. You will be supporting a worthwhile and personally rewarding cause.

Jo said...

The scraps never seem to get any smaller. There are so many great string quilt designs I'm sure you will find something amazing to make...

Dorothy said...

I hope everyone realizes just how heavy a quilt will be when using "muslin"/fabric as a foundation for string quilts Give me phone book pages to be used for "foundation" for string quilts--ala Bonnie Hunter style. Remember that paper is recyclable, what doesn't get totally torn off will "wash away" with the first wash.

Cindy said...

LOVE THE YELLOW!!!!! and love love love strings! Been collecting yellow men's shirts from thrift store to make me a butter yellow quilt. Really enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing!!!!

Vicki in MN said...

I am glad you are doing string blocks, you might have some ideas I can use to whittle down my stash a bit more next year!

SandraC said...

Wow, Cynthia!...how timely this post is! I just wrote blog post saying how I'm ready to dump my stash (http://crosnestquilting.blogspot.ca/2016/10/is-it-time-to-dump-stash.html)....now I think I'll use your idea instead!

Debra said...

Such pretty colors - love all the shades of yellow. Glad you were able to turn your scraps into something so pretty - what a great feeling of accomplishment that must be!

Jayne said...

I don't think I will ever tire of string quilts! I know you will come up with some beauties throughout the year! I keep saying I'm going to make one, and one day I will! Thanks for the inspiration!!

Peggyinno said...

I LOVE string blocks! Easy to make and they ALL work together to make beautiful quilts.

Jasmine said...

That is a brilliant idea for making a dent in your scrap stash. I look forward to seeing what you do with them.

legato1958 said...

Love your yellow string blocks!
Susie

France Nadeau ❅ inspiration imagination creation said...

Beautiful blocks! Simple but with lots of character. :-)

Melanie said...

Your blocks look great and good you had fun reducing your scrap bin. Curious what you will come up with next year when you stick to your idea with all those color strip blocks. I am sure there will be goreous quilts in your future.

Vic in NH said...


Charming group of yellows that glow with scrap bin fun! Thanks for the idea and the eye candy!

Barb C. said...

my scrap bin is also overflowing- string blocks to the rescue!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Cynthia! I love stripe quilts even still haven't made one. I love your yellow blocks! y scrap bins are almost empty ... I guess I need to make a 'not scrap' quilt to get scraps! x Teje

Nicky said...

Strings are great and make lovely quilts on their own or combine well to make so many other different things! Love the yellows! Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Fantastci Idea - and yay for being able to close the drawer now - ha ha!

tisha @ quiltytherapy said...

Great use of the scraps and so quick. Funny, I just found a huge stack of string blocks I started over the summer in solids. My solids bag is overflowing again. Inspiration!

Cathy said...

I love that method of sewing string blocks. It's the one I've been using the past few months too. Your yellow block are awesome - really bright and happy. And I know you're going to knock our socks off with RSC ideas for these as the months roll on!

LA Paylor said...

I love a string quilt, and Mama! Do I have strings!!
LeeAnna

Sheila said...

I absolutely love string blocks. My first ones were on muslin foundations. The thick seams were difficult to quilt over so I switched to phone book paper foundations.
String blocks can be used so many ways. I never tire of looking at string block quilts. String blocks can quickly be turned into Hot Pads, Pot Holders, baby quilts, lap quilts, big quilts, sashed blocks, blocks with no sashing, sew four blocks together for Eye of God large blocks, table runners, row quilts, borders, so many possibilities.

PaulaB quilts said...

You are off to a great start with those yellow strings. They will work well with whatever you end up doing. Plus, a load of scraps pieced. I don't really have enough skinny strings to make more than one or two blocks, so will leave them to folks like you.

Marsha Cooper said...

I love yellow. Oh my, 14 blocks of it!
I could make more than the 5 I am working on, but honestly, 5 is the most I've been able to do in the other colors with only 3 in purple.
I still have to complete those 5 yellow string blocks before the end of the month.

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