Friday, October 16, 2015

Get Out of my Head!

I confess, it took 3 whole days after declaring I was going to focus only on finishes for me to start a new project.  But in my defense, I really needed to get an idea out of my head.




 Back in 2013, I had purchased a rainbow of chevron fabrics.  I used them as the lining for the denim fabric buckets I sort my scraps into at my cutting table.  Since then, I have had a small stack of these leftover fabrics and have been trying to figure out how to use them.  
(I can even admit to being a bit obsessed about coming up with a clever way to use them.)

I have tried to work them into scrap quilts but I always felt they visually stood out.  Well, over the last few weeks, an idea has been forming in my head, and I just needed to see if it could be translated into a project.




I thought maybe a strip of chevron could be fussy cut and a cute tree could be made....
and look, it worked!




 I decided to just go ahead and make a second one and turn them into a big table runner.  Certainly not traditional holiday colors, but I was just using up some scraps.  They remind me of the really vintage tinsel trees.






Of course, the more traditional green was the only big piece of fabric I had so rather than make a second table runner, I decided now that the idea was out of my head, I would just use it up on the back.


I think these are the medium size chevrons and it worked out perfectly to cut them at 2 1/2" wide.  You just need to cut 1/4" above the points of the chevrons.








A single tree would make a great wallhanging but that will be for someone else to do.  I am happy just knowing it can be done!  Finally, I can sleep at night....


Linking Up:


Crazy Mom Quilts
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33 comments:

sue said...

Well how fun is that! So clever, charming, and efficient too. Bravo!

Colleen said...

What a great idea! I love how your trees turned out. Smart and scrappy.

Jo Ferguson said...

You found an incredible, creative way to use them. The table runner is gorgeous.

Cathy said...

Great idea! I have some rainbow chevrons left and I know what you mean about them standing out..

Sherry said...

I have some of the orange chevron fabric. . . .now I'll have to play around with it to see what I can come up with.

Gee, thanks. . . . I don't get enough sleep as it is!! ROFLOL

It is wonderful that you created a reversible table runner. . . .very cool idea.

Thank you for sharing.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

At least the idea is out of your head and another project has been made quickly. It looks great!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That is adorable and I want one! Lol! I do know how it is to have something stuck in your head, and you just have to fogure out how to make it or go crazy! Glad yours turned out so well!

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said...

I love that idea. I've never known what to do with those zig zags and so haven't bought them. Think I'll still pass.

Susan said...

That's a great tree!

Jasmine said...

Super cute! I see that you saw a squirrel too. Sometimes I focus better after a fun little break.

Vicki in MN said...

What a fun, clever idea!! I might be looking at chevrons differently now, LOL

Unknown said...

Love your tree!! Creative!!

Gina said...

That is an awesome idea. I've some scraps with chevrons on so I may copy it if you don't mind

Sara said...

What a clever idea and your runner is reversible!! The tree side is just so modern and fun.

cityquilter grace said...

very creative....gee i've got some chevron prints....thanks for the inspiration!

Kris said...

you are brilliant! this is so cool. I have a few scraps too and might have to give this a try. So cute.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

What an awesome idea. Glad you were able to translate it into a workable project.

JanineMarie said...

I'm glad you scratched that itch, because now you've made all kinds of inspiration for the rest of us!

gayle said...

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do! I refer to it as making my brain stop itching... 8)
Sweet runner!

Lisa J. said...

great use of chevron material. I like this modern take on a christmas runner.

Kay said...

These are funned so different too from a lot of usual Christmas things. x

Teje said...

Hi! Beautiful trees and great idea to for chevrons! x Teje

Jayne said...

There is nothing better than getting those 'voices' out of your head! And I'm so glad you did! I love this, so cool Cynthia! Thank you...for sharing, but dang it...now I want to make one! You know I don't have time for this!! Well done!!

tink's mom said...

What a brilliant idea. Love it. It doesn't matter that the colors aren't traditional since the tree is. There really is no mistaking it for a Christmas runner.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

I think it's a genius idea and a wonderful way to use chevron fabric. I love the way the runner turned out - it will look so cool on your table this year. I never buy chevron fabric because I think the boldness of the print is difficult to use with other fabrics. I really like this runner!

Mary Marcotte said...

Yep, those ideas in the head can be a problem. They are one reason I try not to commit myself to one thing. Well, that and I am a squirrel magnet. Your table runner looks great! I would have no problem understanding that they are Christmas trees. Say the colors represent the colors of ornaments. Problem solved.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Oh Cynthia...right...ometimes we just have to clear the idea. These are great and enjoy having space to create! :)

Kathleen said...

You are one clever lady!

Cheryl said...

I love this! The chevrons make such an awesome Christmas tree layer!

Sandra Walker said...

OMG don't know how I missed this one...ya I do, I stayed out of QBL for a week! Going back to find the link to your Half Hexies quilt and I saw this! Ingenious! Love it! You rock, my friend.

Brenda said...

I really like these. I have a fq package of smaller chevrons that I didn't know what to do with, but now I've made 35 5 inch square trees. thanks for the inspiration!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

THANKS for rejuvinating this post under our tablerunner theme this week!!

FVITH said...

Great idea. So cute and cool at the same time.

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