Sunday, February 25, 2018

Oh Scrap! : Lucky Number Eight

I had a nice big block of sewing time Saturday afternoon so I thought I would cut and sew another Burgoyne Surround block.




This one is block number 8 out of 9.  It is probably my favorite so far.  Not just because I really like the fabrics in it but it is the first block that I completed without having to get out my seam ripper.

I am sure that now means my next block will be a total mess!


******************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 
  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do!

Quilting is more fun than Housework

So if you love scrappy projects, feel free to grab my button for your sidebar or posts and get ready to share all your wonderful projects from scraps.  And if you have a great idea for using scraps and would like to be featured, feel free to contact me!




Linking Up:


Posted by at 20 comments:
Labels: , ,

Friday, February 23, 2018

A Quilt Flimsy

Last Sunday, I shared my process on how I came up with a quilt design for a stack of scraps.  

I was hoping to have a finished quilt to share today but I decided to take a day off and lunch with a friend.  So all I can share is the quilt top.


I started out with these orange and blue batik scraps.  Some were wide strips and some were chunks of fabrics leftover from previous projects.



I had to wait until the bit of snow we got melted so I could snap a photo.  The light was fading fast!
The quilt measures 48 x 54 so it is a nice size lap quilt.



Even though the quilt is only two colors, I was able to find fabrics in varying shades so there is nice contrast  between the blocks.

Wait until you see the backing!  I don't use batiks anymore and I have no large batik cuts in my stash so I made do with what I have.  I did try to trade with a friend but she didn't have any in her stash either.

  So the backing will have orange, but I paired it with a color that is not on the front.
Crossing my fingers it will look okay!
(....maybe next week it will be a finished quilt and we can all laugh!)

Have a wonderful weekend!



Linking Up:


Posted by at 17 comments:
Labels: ,

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Oh Scrap! : Right Design for Your Scraps

Just this last week, I was gabbing with a few quilty friends and the conversation turned to scraps.  It often comes up that they feel my scrap quilts always look better than theirs and they want to know my secret.

I don't think I have any secret but maybe it has to do with how I approach my quilts.  So I thought I would go through my thought process on my latest scrap quilt.



Last week I received two Island Batik stash builder rolls I won from Vicki's Crafts and Quilting.  (Thanks Vicki!)  Each roll contained four 5" x WOF strips.  They contained mostly oranges with a dark and light blue and my plan is to turn them into a donation quilt.

So now I have to figure out how to make these work together and what deign to use.



I don't have a lot of batiks anymore but I did find a few larger scraps that I thought would work in this quilt.  I knew I needed more darks - both in orange and blue.  I didn't have any dark blues so I looked at what I call "close to".  I found some black and orange and some grays.  Once they get into the quilt, they will appear to be orange and blue. (I promise!)



 The next step was to come up with a design.  When I evaluate a pile of scraps, I always look at what sizes I have and if they blend or contrast.  These fabrics definitely contrast.

I decided to cut them into 2.5" strips.  Why that size?  It yielded the most out of the strips I won (I simply sliced them in half) and the new fabrics I added were all WOF and narrow chunks.  Because the fabrics contrasted, I felt it needed a design that created color blocks.



I decided to go with a color block design that is fast and easy.  I cut the strips to length as I watched the Olympics Friday night and used them as a leader project as I worked on some secret sewing on Saturday.  I told you it was a fast and easy design, I already have the 6" blocks finished and am working on the 6 x 12" blocks.

I don't know if I shared any secret here but I do believe that ANY pile of scraps can be turned into a lovely quilt.  I try to let the fabrics speak instead of forcing them into a design that won't let them shine.  Just like a "planned" quilt from new fabric and a pattern, you have to pick your scrap colors and approach the scrap quilt with a plan.  Easy Peasey!


******************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up:

  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do!

Quilting is more fun than Housework

So if you love scrappy projects, feel free to grab my button for your sidebar or posts and get ready to share all your wonderful projects from scraps.  And if you have a great idea for using scraps and would like to be featured, feel free to contact me!





Posted by at 24 comments:
Labels: , ,

Friday, February 16, 2018

ColorMaster Bowtie Finish

Just a few days before Christmas, I won a Color Master fabric box over on Instagram from Art Gallery Fabrics.  Have you heard of these?  They come in fat quarter and half yard cuts and contain a collection of different designers all in a single colorway.




I won the one called Clean Slate in the fat quarter size.
I tried to tuck it away in my stash but it kept calling my name.



I added in some dark plum from my stash and cut the prints into some 8" bow tie blocks.
Can you believe I already have a finished quilt top?  This layout has been swirling in my head for months now and it worked so perfectly in these two colors.



I quilted it on Valentine's Day and decided to quilt in a heart motif into the two negative focal points.  The rest of the quilt I quilted horizontal irregularly spaced lines
I pulled a soft lavender and gray fabric for the backing out of my stash.  It wasn't quite big enough so I added in some gray fabric.  


I decided to get "fancy" and after doing some math, placed the gray on the back so the heart quilting on the top would show on the back.  It is a fun little detail.


 And the timing is perfect for me to enter the Art Gallery Color Master Contest over at The Jolly Jabber (Fat Quarter Shop).  If you want to join in, you can get your own Color Master box here and read more about the contest here!




One more picture because I am really happy with it!
(BTW - The fat quarter box works perfectly with this layout.  I just had a few bits leftover.  If you would like a pattern sheet for this quilt, you can find it for a small fee in my Payhip Shop))

Have a wonderful weekend!



Linking Up:



This post contains affiliate links.  I appreciate the support!

Posted by at 27 comments:
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
01 09 10