Scrap-A-Palooza! Quilt #16 Finish

I have to say, I have really enjoyed working on my Scrap-A-Palooza offset log cabin quilt.  

In Part One, I shared the cut sizes and a tutorial on how I sewed up the blocks.  I have been wanting to play around with scrappy low volume backgrounds and this block worked out great for doing so.

I made a total of 24 blocks in 9 different colors in Part Two.  These are also the 9 different colors I sort my scraps into so these blocks helped to lower the level of all of my scrap bins.

 

In Part Three, I shared some of the different layouts you can use with these blocks.  I really love the visual curve these blocks have! So much fun to play with.

And here is my finished quilt!  I just went with some simple fun circles.  

For the quilting, I went with a freehand swirl and feather combination in a cream colored thread.

Thanks to the input from many of you, I put a light print I found in my stash on the back.  For the binding, I went with a mustard yellow solid.

I will say I enjoyed experimenting with more of a scrappy background.  I did learn that when you are using low volume prints in your backgrounds, you should use strong colors in your designs.  In my quilt, I just tried to make the three circles that blended in more with the background a design element.

Um yeah.....I meant to do that!  ;)

And now for a few quilt statistics:

Lap Quilt

Size: 54 x 63"

42 - 9" finished blocks

4 ea of 9 different colors

6 ea of all background fabric

Not sure what I will make for my next Scrap-A-Palooza quilt.  I do have a number of leftover solids chunks from previous projects so I might try and do something with those.  Thanks to quite a few rainbow scrap quilts and my scrap vortex work in process, my color bins look pretty good!

I thought I would never get to say that!!

 

 

Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation
Free Motion Mavericks

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

TGIFF

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Richard and Tanya Quilts

Crazy Mom Quilts
Sew can she

Scrap-A-Palooza! Quilt #16 Part Three

With my 24 scrappy offset log cabin blocks all finished, it was time to play with some layouts this week and choose a favorite.

First up was a traditional barn raising layout. The curved appearance to the blocks make such a visual difference than the more traditional block.

Chevrons are popular - how fun is this!

Any time I make these blocks, circles and half circles always make an appearance.

Once I started playing around, I decided I needed some background spacers so I made a few blocks in all low volume prints.  When I do this, I like to use the same scrappy block layout rather than just put in a square of fabric.

Here is the layout I ended up with.  I love those big circles of color!

I also found because my yellow, pinks and chartreuse blocks blended in with the background a bit,  when I created other patterns, they were distracting.  While I wish the colors were a bit stronger, in this layout, I don't mind them so much.

One of my reasons for making this quilt was I wanted to play around with a scrappy low volume background.  As I was cutting my strips, I fought the urge to use fabrics with very little prints on them.  I am really happy with how this turned out and will definitely be more adventurous in the future.

 Now I need to make a final decision on a backing fabric.  Two fabrics from the stash will work.  The dramatic one on the left is a recent purchase - a black fabric with bright polka dots.  The one on the right would be a softer choice.  Speak up if you have a favorite!

 And did you see Linda at The Road to Oklahoma made a block in these pretty teal colors.  I can't tell you how happy I always am when I see someone sewing along.  Once she made one, she says she is ready to make more!

Here is an example of what can happen when you start playing around with these blocks.  Here is my Strawberries + Cream quilt that was published a while back in Quilty magazine.

Scraps are perfect to just play with!!

Linking Up:

Blossom Heart Quilts

QuiltStory

Sew Fresh Quilts
Freshly Pieced  

My Quilt Infatuation

Oh Scrap! : Scrap-A-Palooza Quilt #16 Part Two

Last week I shared the offset log cabin block I was going to use for the newest Scrap-A-Palooza quilt.  Last night I finally finished sewing up all of the blocks in the 9 colors I have planned for this quilt.  I made four blocks of each color.

This is really the first quilt where I have explored a scrappy low volume background.  In the past, I have always used very safe prints together like white on white or all light gray prints.  While I am still keeping this one subdued, it has been fun stretching my wings a bit.

One of the questions I get asked fairly often is into what what colors do I sort my scraps.  These blocks represent 9 of the 12 colors.  I like to sort out turquoise from blue and lime from green.  Add bins for brown, black and low volume and these are my 12 color bins.

Now for you to share your scrappy projects.  I hope we some some Scrap Vortex posts.  I forgot to take a photo with my camera but I will share mine later this week.

Here are the details for linking up with Oh Scrap!:

• 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!

<a href="http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54Z8EyMCoCg0j1sBoz_APBotiRQveh32vQoL2dCSO4nQFAi8du60IuUCQp3Hb18vGD8IrM0W6_vmuufImGcr4Pf2Ve2dNIWd5LbQJfyDTRjtcekT6coT7c2nSCOG_9dvjiKGVAnuTN70/s1600/Oh+Scrap+Button.jpg" alt="Quilting is more fun than Housework" width="125" height="125" /></a>

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!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking Up:


Love Laugh Quilt
Patchwork Times
Cooking Up Quilts

Freemotion by the River

Scrap-A-Palooza! Quilt #16 Part One

I have expressed the desire to get more practice at using scrappy low volume prints in my quilting.  So I thought for this Scrap-A-Palooza quilt, I would plan something that enabled me to do that.  

I have decided that I am going to make an offset scrappy log cabin quilt!

 The first thing I did was sort out my low volume scraps and cut them to 1 1/2" wide.  I will be using these light prints on all of the blocks.  I am planning a large lap size quilt so I know I will need quite a few strips.

 For the other half of the log cabin blocks, I will be cutting out various colors of scraps.  For each colorway, I will be making 4 blocks.  I already have all four of my red blocks cut.

If you are following along, here are the cut sizes:

Low Volume prints are all 1 1/2" wide and the cut lengths are: 2 1/2",  3 1/2",  5 1/2",  6 1/2",  8 1/2",

 and  9 1/2".

Color prints are all 2 1/2" wide and the cut sizes are 2 1/2" (square),  3 1/2",  5 1/2",  6 1/2",

and 8 1/2".

 Above, I have exploded out the block for you.

 And here it is all sewn up.  This block measures 9 1/2" square (it will finish up at 9").  By using the two different widths of strips, you end up with a curved illusion.  So the layout of these blocks, when they are finished, will be fun to play around with.

Over the next week or so, I will be busy cutting and sewing up blocks.  Once I have the blocks finished, I will share them with you.

Now for a few things going on around here you might have missed.

The Orphan Adoptions are still open if you have the desire to adopt a project.  You can find all the wonderful quilters with projects up for adoption here.

I am participating in the Scrap Vortex QAL.  As I pull scraps for this Scrap-A-Palooza quilt, I am sewing up pairs of fabric for my vortex project.  Working on two scrap quilts at one time sure saves time but my sewing room is a mess!

 

Linking Up: 

Patchwork Times
Cooking Up Quilts

Freemotion by the River

Blossom Heart Quilts

QuiltStory

Sew Fresh Quilts
Freshly Pieced