Layercake Leftovers Baby Quilt Tutorial

Whenever I use a layercake, I always seem to have a few leftover squares.  I hate to toss them in the scrap bin because they are such an expensive cut of fabric so I usually lay them on the end of the ironing board and ignoret them.  

During my last clear out, I decided to do something with them and get them out of the way!

I started with ten Daysail squares.  First, I decided on a general layout I liked using nine of the squares.

Next, I sliced the squares 2.5" and then 5" from the bottom.

 I cut a 2.5" square from a solid fabric and inserted it into the center strip 2.5" from the edge.

I then sewed it all back up together using a scant quarter inch and squared up the block. as large as I could.  I think mine measured 9".

 You end up with this cute little block.  I made four of these blocks using all of the blue print squares.

The rest of my squares were striped fabrics.  I could have made the same block but the stripes not matching would have drove me crazy so I had to come up with another plan for these.

 I simply cut along one of the stripes and put in a strip of a solid fabric.

 Once again, I just had to sew the pieces back up and square up the block to the same size as the blue blocks above.

 The next step was to add some Kona Ash sashing.  You can rotate the blocks into whatever configuration you like.

Then to add a bit more detail and make the quilt a bit larger, I added another Kona Navy and Ash border. This quilt took no time at all to make!

I quilted it with some simple swirls in a light gray thread. 

A fun navy print for the backing and more Navy for the binding really gave the quilt a finished look. 

 I love how it turned out!

I used the same method to make a quilt from seven Airmail squares I had.  I did have to dig in my stash and find one coordinating fabric for two of the squares.   I think I used Kona Coal for the sashing this time.

 I chose to not use the square insert on any of these fabrics as most were somewhat directional.  Once again, I went with my favorite swirl quilting.

 ...and found some real fun prints for the backing!

Now I have two sweet little quilts just waiting for a special someone and a bit more room on my ironing board!  

Do you have a favorite use for those leftover layercake squares?

Linking Up:

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Richard and Tanya Quilts

Crazy Mom Quilts
A Quilted Passion

A Bit of Housekeeping

First off, I want to thank everyone who participated in the Quilty Orphan Adoption Event.  It was great to see that about 14 unfinished and unloved projects found new homes and many are once again being made for various charities across the US.  I have plans to hold the event again next March so keep that in mind if you become uninspired with a project you are working on.

I have been quite remiss sharing the new items that have entered my stash.  Some have been from giveaways or prizes for participating in a blogging event and I always like to recognize the wonderful bloggers and generous sponsors. So here goes....

Back in July, I won this Airmail layercake from Melissa at Happy Quilting.   Melissa was one of the first bloggers I started to follow and I still enjoy reading her blog.  This layercake was a prize on her Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Days.  It was sponsored by The Scarlet Thread Quilt Company.

I have already sewn this up into a quilt that is waiting to be quilted.  I am hoping to get it published either in a magazine or as a pattern so I can't share it quite yet.  But maybe I will try and share a sneak peek soon!

Also in July, I found out I was one of the winners of this Mixology Fat Quarter Bundles sponsored by Massdrop for the Scraptastic Tuesday link up.  Leanne at SheCanQuilt hosts this event every second Tuesday of the month.  I still haven't broken into this one yet but ideas have certainly been percolating.

Very recently, these two items came in the mail.  The Modern Neutrals layercake I picked up on sale from Craftsy.  I love the mid-century feel of the collection by Amy Ellis.  And I was just notified that my name was drawn for a gift certificate from Gotcha Covered Quilting.  I thought I would use it to get a backing to go with the layercake.  Now I just need a plan.

Thanks to SewBitterSweet Designs and Fiber of All Sorts for hosting A Lovely Year of Finishes.  I was one of the August winners.

September is my birthday month so I bought myself a little present in the form of this big stack of fabric from the Good Neighbors collection (designed by Amanda Jean at crazy mom quilts).

I have no idea what I am going to make but I am very tempted by all of the pincushions I am seeing in the Good Neighbors Pincushion Party Blog Hop going on right now.

...and there are giveaways so go check it out!

Another big giveaway going on right now is the Craftsy School Supplies Giveaway where a lucky winner will receive a mystery box full of supplies from the category of their choice (art, cake/baking, sewing, quilting, knitting or crocheting) and a class of their choice.  Wouldn't that be nice to win!

In my sewing room, I have been having a hard time focusing on one project.  Right now there are pieces for about a half dozen quilts scattered around my machine, all being worked on at once.

 And this Bear Claw quilt is what has me a bit stuck.  I can't decide between a light or dark gray solid for the sashing and the pieced border.  I am leaning toward dark...

 Off to go sew and ponder a bit more!

Linking Up:

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