Oh Scrap! : Focussing on some Finishes

 I feel like I haven't had a finish in a really long time.  I find myself juggling a number of projects each month and don't feel like I am making much progress.  So I feel think it is time to focus on a few and get a few projects to the finish line.

A quick and easy finish is the baby quilt I just started.  This week I finished cutting all the scrappy squares and put it up on my design wall.  Now all I have to do is start sewing!

I also decided to direct some attention to finishing up my Well Suited RSC quilt.  (Well Suited is one of my Scrap Mixology pattern modules.)  I dug through all of my scrap bins this week and pulled all the solid colors I haven't used yet.  I sewed up eight more blocks this week but ran out of white on white fabric so I ordered a bunch through Connecting Threads.  Eight yards is already headed my way!

I moved all of my finished blocks into my sewing room.  I have 34 blocks completed and an additional 14 blocks cut out and just waiting to be sewn.  I think that will leave 15 blocks to finish up once my fabric order arrives.  Lots of older scraps are going into this one!

I am still looking at a few of my other unfinished projects to see if there is something else I am in the mood to finish.  Right now I have 22 WIPs to choose from!  Yikes!!

I am curious, how many projects do you juggle at a time?

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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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Seeds for a Scrap Quilt

 I am always on the lookout for what I call "seeds" for a scrap quilt.  I think of seeds as the inspiration that sets me off on my next scrap quilt.  While I was digging through a bag of scraps, I found a tiny seed for a baby quilt.

I found this cute little piece that measures about 9" x 10".

I got lucky and found this weird dark taupe solid that I can use to frame the piece and bring it out to 12 1/2" square.

Then I plan on floating that panel in some 3.5" squares.  I found all these fabrics that I think will look great - once I get started on the project, I am sure I will dig a bit deeper for more pieces.

I am hoping for a quick finish!

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Need thread?  this a great deal on Essential Thread from Connecting Thread.

Also don't forget to check out the new fabrics they just moved to their clearance section.

I love a good sale!

Oh Scrap! : Look at me Go

 After being in a heat induced funk for a couple weeks, I have finally found my found my mojo and started sewing again.

I finished three of these scrappy blue and turquoise blocks for one of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilts.  These blocks are made using my Two Bits Scrap Mixology pattern module.  I think these blocks bring the total completed up to 23 - which is about half of what I need for the quilt.

I also finished up two more of these color blocks in turquoise.  I am making mine with 2" strips and trimming them to 12" square.  I think I am only halfway done with these blocks too.

I am getting tired of working on the same RSC blocks for months now so I started something new.  This quilt has been tumbling around my brain for months.  The block is actually made using my Scrap Mixology Chaser pattern module.  I have been wondering what would happen if I added a few flip corners (Note: this is not in the pattern).

.Isn't that fun?!  My plan is to make a rainbow of blocks where the center strip and the flip corners for each block are colors located across the the color wheel.  I am guessing that next month's color will be orange so the blocks for September will have orange centers with blue flip corners.

I love starting something new!

I also finished a big quilt top which will be one of the samples for my next Scrap Mixology pattern and I finished my quilt for Kelly's new book release blog hop happening soon.

I hope everyone has a Scrappy Sunday!

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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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)

Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

So Scrappy for RSC21 

Oh Scrap! : Turquoise Blocks

 The month of August is Teal/Turquoise/Aqua for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge over at So Scrappy.

So I dug through my turquoise color bin and found two solid shades that I haven't used in my Well Suited RSC project.

(Well Suited is the first module of my Scrap Mixology series patterns.  

A total of three have been released so far.)

I put them up on my design wall with the other blocks I have completed so far.  I definitely need to do a deep dive into all of my color bins to find more solid shades.  I think I want a total of 56 blocks for this quilt (a 7 x 8 block configuration).  That means I still have 30 more blocks to make.  I am not sure it will get completed this year.

I also turned the bonus HSTs from the geese components into these cute little pinwheels.  They will eventually go into another project needing my attention.

I am still making basket blocks.  I finished up this one in dusty teals.

And decided to make a couple of blocks in navy blue.

I still need a few more turquoise blocks for some of my RSC projects.  Now that the turquoise color bin is on my cutting table, I hope to get them this week.

How about you...Did you have a productive scrappy week?

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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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

What a Hoot (BOM Mondays)

Inquiring Quilter (Weightloss Wednesday)

So Scrappy for RSC21 

A Twin Sized Finish

 I feel like I haven't been sewing much lately but I did manage to finish a scrappy twin sized quilt.

A whole bunch of 2.5" squares went into this!  

I pulled a bunch of gray, turquoise and limey spring green prints and dug through my low volume scraps for some additional coordinating pieces.  I was surprised how many I actually had.

I used some 1.5" solid strips to frame every other block.

It turned out a bit busier than I was planning.  I should have used only darker frames so they didn't blend in so much.  But my mission is to use my scraps so I went with the colors I had.

I used one of my favorite extra wide Word Play fabrics (from Connecting Threads) for the back.  I didn't have one single print in the right color for the binding so I alternated a dot and swirl fabric.  I really like how it turned out.

I used a soft gray thread and quilted up some swirls.  

The quilt measures 70 x 90.  It is hard to get a photo on a quilt this large!

I knew I had a made a similar quilt many, many years ago.  I hunted down a photo.  For this quilt I framed every block.  Looking at this, I wished I had framed every block on this new quilt.

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Stay Cool!!

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Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)
Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

Taming those Scraps - Part 3

 For the past couple of weeks, I have been sharing some of my methods of storing and using my scraps.  Today I thought I would share another of my secret weapons and that is my "specialty bins"

As I shared in my first post, I sort my scraps by color.  I do this immediately as I make them right at my cutting table.  And because I have a lot of scraps, sorting through big piles to find certain fabrics can take a lot of time.  So a couple years ago, I started creating what I call my "specialty bins" that I tuck around my sewing room.

The first bin I created was for leftover binding strips.  I mainly cut my binding at 2.5" wide so I will also toss in any leftover jelly roll strips.  

I can use these strips to create a scrappy binding or use the longer lengths to create a 16 patch quilt like this one (which one of my Scrap-A-Palooza quilt designs).

I made this quilt when I saw a lot of blue and green strips in the bin.  They make great charity quilts!

I also store some 2.5" squares in a project box.  I use some silverware trays I got at Bed Bath and Beyond that fit perfectly. The squares are stored by color and stood on end so it makes it easy to quickly find the perfect piece.  I take this with me to share fabrics when I teach my Geese Migration classes.  Lots of my students will pull fabric from here and some will leave some for me to find when I get home :)

(I am starting to book some classes around the PNW for the balance of 2021 and into 2022.  I am so excited about getting back out there and teaching again!)

 

When my project box starts to get a little low, I get out my AccuQuilt Studio cutter and the 2.5" multiple die and start cutting from my color bins.  I can easily see what colors of scraps I need to cut.

Two other types of scraps I keep sorted out into their own bins are low volumes and black/white fabrics.  For me, I need rather large bins for these.  In fact, my B/W is needing some attention soon.  These both reside right under my cutting table so I can sort the scraps into them as they are made.  I am in and out of that low volume one almost daily!

I love using black and white scraps with my color scraps.  Here is one of my Well Suited quilts. I have made a couple of quilts from this pattern just like this one but in different colors.

Here is another scrappy example.  This one is made from the Chaser pattern.

I have one other specialty bin I use.  The contents of this bin changes - right now I keep Kaffe Fassett scraps in them.  For a long time, I was sorting out 30s reproduction scraps.  Using this bin means I can start to prepare for a quilt (or a series of quilts) and start sorting scraps as I come across them working on other projects.  Then when I am ready to start the project, I just have to sort through this bin for my scraps.  It is always a time saver!

That is pretty much the crazy scrap system that has evolved for me over the decades I have been sewing with them.  I hope you found some ideas on how to tame your scraps. 

I always suggest to quilters that they just start with a simple system with a minimal investment.  Then start adjusting it as you go so that it fits your scrap needs.  I have seen too many people start with an elaborate and costly storage system to find it doesn't work for them.  Then they feel they must make it work - which leads to not maintaining because the scrap storage has become a chore to keep up.  Look in your recycling bin for storage ideas or repurpose items already existing in your home.

Keep scrap quilting fun!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions.  

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Oh Scrap! : Hot and Grumpy

 I really dislike summer!  August is always a difficult month for me and I find myself hot and grumpy most of the time.

So I haven't felt like sewing much...

I did decide to get out some soft teal scraps for the August RSC color.  I didn't really feel like making any of my existing RSC blocks so I made a couple basket blocks.

And those did lead to some green and orange basket blocks.

But then I quickly lost interest...

Hopefully next week will be a scrappier week!

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

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! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly

Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

What a Hoot (BOM Mondays)

So Scrappy for RSC21 

Taming Those Scraps - Part 2

 Last week, I shared the first steps I take at taming my scraps.  For many quilters, setting up an initial scrap system will be all that is needed.  I think just being disciplined to organize scraps as they are made and having them as accessible as possible will help to ensure you use them and that they don't become a chore.

But I have a LOT of scraps.

So I have some additional storage areas that I keep my scraps organized in.

I was lucky enough to come across some old locker baskets from a local pool.  I snagged 12 to further sort my scraps.  They fit perfectly on a metal storage rack I already had in my laundry room - which is right outside my sewing room.  So once a smaller color bin is full above my cutting table, I will empty it in it's appropriate basket.  You can see that these are all pretty much overflowing!

When I am ready to work on my RSC blocks or when I start a new scrap quilt, I like that I can just grab the color bin I need.  And because I can easily see into them, I can sometimes just see a piece I can readily snag and get to cutting.

Did I mention I have a lot of scraps?!!!

I have one more level of scrap storage.  These bins are the old way I used to store what I keep in the baskets.  But I found them a bit difficult to use.  They are smaller (so therefore they were always crammed full) and they were hard to get the drawers in and out.  And when a system doesn't work well, you tend not to use it.  I should also mention, these bins are in a closet down the hall and in another room from my sewing room.

Nowadays,  these drawers store larger scrap chunks that I can get folded up and stored on end so I can see them.  These are all pieces that are smaller than a fat quarter (I know many may consider this stash).  You can see they are also organized by color.

So why all of these levels of storage?

Because I like to get the best yield out of my scraps so that means I need to use the smallest piece that works for the cut I need.  So I start by looking in the bin right above my cutting station - then I move to my baskets where smaller bits and strips are kept.

If I still can't find what I need or my baskets are running low, I can look in the "chunky" bin and pull bigger pieces to backfill my scrap system.  This keeps me from always grabbing the biggest piece and never getting to the smaller bits.  Also, because these larger pieces are down the hall, my lazy self doesn't always want to make the trek so I tend to use what I have closest.

I should also point out, that keeping large scraps in these drawers means I CAN use them more as a stash when I want to.  This makes my pocketbook happy!

And finally, when I talk about scrap storage by color, I am always asked what colors I separate by.

Black

Brown

Red

Pink

Orange

Yellow

Lime Green

Green

Turquoise/Teal

Blue

Purple 

Gray

So I think I will end this second part here.  I do have a few more ideas for working with scraps that I will share at a later date.  

Who thinks I have a scrap problem!  :)

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Did you know that the Fat Quarter Shop has basic of the month deals?  There are some great ones for August.  Kona solids (yardage and precuts) and Aurifil Thread are 20% off.  

Do you need to stock up while the price is right?!