This has been a bit of a rough year for me and I didn't always feel in control. As the year is coming to an end, I find myself starting to focus on getting a few things back under my control. And it seems like this also includes my scraps.
I have one bin in my sewing room that is full of what I think are hard to use fabrics. I throw in my novelty (including holiday) scraps, bits that don't really fall into any specific color, and brown. I don't really like to quilt using brown - I far prefer colors like purple, pink and orange. Happy colors!
The first step was to sort out all the brown scraps and get them all into one place. My plan was to cut them into 2.5" squares and then give myself permission to toss everything else. I quickly realized there were just too many strings getting tossed in the garbage and I really didn't want THAT many 2.5" squares. Hmmm...This just might mean more than one quilt!
When I started, I thought I would begin with a light/dark brown 4 patch and surround it with various green squares. I already had the green squares cut and just pulled them out of my storage.
But the block really didn't do much for me.
I decided to just jumble up the colors and see what that looked like. I still didn't love it but I think that had more to do with the colors than the design.
I made a few blocks of each design and started placing them in a staggered layout on my design wall. I decided it was easiest to just jumble of the colors and get them sewn up.
I do however like this staggered layout. So I think I have some motivation to get this quilt finished.
So I am filling my design boards with squares and sewing these up as a leader/ender project. (I found if I just sewed squares, I was filtering out the brown squares and ending up with mostly green blocks. This way I can make sure I am using up those browns!)
I have around three other projects all in process in my sewing room right now. It is a chaotic mess but because I am seeing progress on lots of fronts, I feel like I am in control!
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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!
20 comments:
Brown can be beautiful, especially in combination with blue. Or just all your shades of brown from brack (brown that's almost black) up to the lightest tan in one quilt.
Those combinations make me think of camouflage! Maybe this will turn into the perfect donation quilt for a man who loves to hunt. Good for you for deciding to work with those hard-to-work-with colors!
I don't really use brown all that much either
Browns go well for cabin quilts! In fact, my first real quilt had a lot of brown in it. However, browns have not invaded my stash since then, lol. Your square will be fun to put together!
I admire your determination to use your browns. Even if you don't love it, the colors make a beautiful collection that someone else may really enjoy. The staggered layout looks like fun. Best of luck taming that bin.
Honestly, there are SEW many green squares that I can hardly see the brown ones. It definitely sounds like using them for leader/ender is the way for you to go (if you want to get those brown scraps used up!)
I admire that you are trying to tame your scraps. I think if I had a brown tub of scraps it would be shoved way, way, way in the back of the closet! You'll make it work, I know you will!
I'm sorry you have had a rough year! I can totally relate, but I can say it does get better. When you are a vibrant and independent person, losing control can scare the hell out of you! I hope that your getting back to you again, and I'll be thinking about you!
I don't like brown either, but you're doing a great job pairing it with greens. You seem to be using mostly subdued greens that don't outshine the brown; perhaps that's the secret.
I have brown fabric and every time I think, I'll try to incorporate brown into this quilt it seems to get edited out. It's interesting that it always seems to happen like that. Perhaps using brown is a challenge I should really embrace for a quilt next year. Sorry to hear you had a rough year. I hope 2018 eases out on a smoother note and next year is better for you.
Here's hoping 2019 is a better year for you.
I can't believe you have that much of an aversion to brown! Your blog post made me laugh. You act like you are sewing together worms and bugs or something. Of course I can't relate because I love brown. But it looks like you've challenged yourself to use those scraps. Good for you. You'll probably end up with another fantastic quilt and maybe even like brown a little when finished.
I understand that feeling of not being in control. You've made good use of the browns you don't really like, and I am intrigued by your design process. I always wonder how people come up with new designs. I'm also curious about your small design boards. What are they exactly? I think I need one to keep beside my sewing machine to keep my Depression pieces in each block in the right order.
Life throws us some hard curves sometimes, and it’s often hard to get through those times we can’t control. We’ve all been there, so accept all our ((cyber hugs)). Hopefully 2019 will be a great year for everyone.
In the meantime, I relate to your wanting to clear out dark neutral scraps. I’m mixing my browns with grays to see if I can knock out at least a couple quilts in the coming months. I first did a quilt called November Rain for my son in 2016, and it turned out to be one of the most fun quilts I ever did! And then my friend Julierose (at Julierosequilts.blogspot.com) finished a quilt in April called “Campfire Songs” which you can see at Https://julierosequilts.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-friday-finish-html. That got my juices flowing. I have a Pinterest board called Quilts in Neutrals (pinterest.com/catkiz). Take a look and get enthused!!
Oh you are brave going with brown, I find this colour difficult to work with and of course bright KF Collective fabrics are my fabric of choice, but he does have a few lovely designs incorporating brown with other colours, these I can handle!!
We are kindred spirits-- I like brights, too. I have a few chunks of brown in my stash, but they are from my early days of quilting. I bought my Accuquilt GoBaby to cut scraps into squares, just like what you are doing. It was taking too much of my precious sewing time squaring up scraps into 2" squares. Good luck making do with these browns. Your blocks already have a soothing earthy feel to it and it will bring comfort to somebody! xoxo
Oh, my! I love brights, too, but I also love browns! I'm still plugging along on my Challenge 365 quilt using a red/blue/brown color scheme and am very happy with it! 8)
I personally love your greens and browns quilt, so please carry on making it! I'm enjoying watching it grow!
I relate to the brown --- blah. Although I haven't put my scraps into color bins I bet I have more than I would like! Now I'm wondering what you will put in with them. Maybe reads like solid tan or gold or maybe just throw caution to the wind and use a bright purple with them! Have fun and yea for making progress on multiple fronts.
Not a fan of brown either so my scraps tend to pile up also. I really like your solution. I’ll give it a try to tame the Scraps!
Brown is not my favourite colour either, but I like it more when it is paired with a blue or even pink. I made a wonderful Civil War reproduction quilt using pink and brown and love it! Green and brown isn't a great combination for me since I'm not a big green lover either!
When I was making the Colorwash quilt, I realized that I was severely deficient in browns. Not a favorite color of mine.
Like you, I prefer pinks and oranges. I'd say go with the staggered layout. I suggest throwing in some bright yellow/cheddar to brighten things up.
I made a design board and it was such a big help. Thank you!
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