Leaders and Enders - Some Scrap Management

It is no secret - I am one to have several projects going at once all at various stages. This allows me to choose a project based on time availability, particular interest at the time, or to truthfully succumb to my attention span issues.  But no matter what project I choose to work on, I am always working on a scrap project using the leaders and enders concept.

So you want to know what Leaders and Enders are?

It is a great way to avoid the long, tangly threads requiring trimming from your blocks and to eliminate having your needle come unthreaded when you start sewing on your machine. 

...because you essentially never lift your presser foot.

Basically you keep a few scraps of fabric by your machine. When you are done chain sewing some of your adorable quilting blocks (or whatever it may be) you grab one of these scraps and feed it under your needle and stop with that fabric scrap under the presser foot. Then just use your scissors to snip the little bit of thread running between the block you are working on and leave the scrap (or ENDER) under the needle.  Then the next time you start to sew, you sew off that scrap of fabric and continue on into the blocks you are really working on.  The process is repeated usually using the same scrap of fabric as the ender until it is entirely filled with stitches.  Then you just start using a new scrap of fabric.

 
While I liked the concept of saving time and thread, it always annoyed me to sew across that little piece of fabric.  My manufacturing background just saw it as waste.

Well, I quickly realized I could use this process to gradually sew those pesky scraps together and make various blocks to be made into quilt tops.

String blocks are a favorite of mine to work this way as I always seem to have bins full of strings and any necessary cutting is minimal.  So instead of using a small piece of scrap fabric, I just sew a string onto a foundation block.

I just finished this big twin size sting quilt.  It was made entirely using the leaders and enders process. 

Another block I make using this method is to pair up and strip sew leftover binding pieces together and make these fun 16 patches.  I just pile them up until I have a big stack of blocks and a creative mood to play around with a layout.

If you have lots of scraps, I hope you try this process.  There are tons of blocks you can make and it is a very painless way to keep on top of those pesky scraps.  You will be surprised how quickly a quilt top comes together!

 I will be linking up with Freshly Pieced and My Quilt Infatuation.  

Can't wait to see what others are up to.

Scrappy Stairs - 100 Quilts for Kids

With September quickly coming to a close, I wanted to make a few more donation quilts in support of  the 100 Quilts for Kids quilt drive hosted by Katie at SwimBikeQuilt. A big thanks to some friends who helped piece some of these blocks.  Because of them, I was able to put together and quilt up two more quilts for the cause.

I chose this fun stairstep block.  Each block uses just 2 fabrics and is easily strip sewn.  Once completed, you end up with a fun 16" block.

A total of 9 blocks made a 48" square quilt.  A great size for an older child.







For this one, I just pieced 4 of the blocks in a kind of a barn-raising pattern and added a scrappy pieced border.


This quilt measures 38" square.

These quilts will be donated to a local group called Comforts for Children. They distribute quilts right here in the Eugene area to various agencies for at risk children of all ages.

As the quilt drive doesn't end until September 30th, there is still time for you to get some quilts made and donated.  While it really isn't about the prizes, you can link your finished quilts up to enter into a drawing with some great sponsors.  Thanks Katie for hosting such a great quilt drive.  I am already looking forward to donating more next year.

A couple of winners...

First off, I want to say hello to all the new followers that have joined me over the last few weeks.  (Can you see me waving?!)  I am also waving to those who have been following me for a time now.  (Now I am switching hands.)  I appreciate each and every one of you.  Every September, I always take some time to update my business plan and make goals for the following year.  I have lots of fun things in the works so I am pleased I will be able to share them all with you.

If you follow along, you know I recently held a giveaway to celebrate this quilt being published in Quilty magazine's September/October 2013 issue.


Want to know who the winners are?

(Drumroll please....)





Congratulations Lindsey Rodems, who won for following on Bloglovin'.  Here is what she said about my pattern.  "I think I would try navy blue and green for some Irish love. Navy blue being the "sashing"."







Sorry Lindsay, I rarely work in green so my stash is a little lacking but I did just get a big shipment of Kona solids so I decided to send you a nice big cut of navy for your chain sashing.  Enjoy!





Also, congratulations  akainik from Argentina who says "I'd make it red and aqua".  Last I saw, Quilty magazine is not being shipped internationally so I am happy I get to share this issue with her.








With the magazine, I am also going to send off a few fat quarters in these fun colors.  Yay! 

Both winners have been contacted and have responded.  A big thanks to everyone who entered.  As I said, I have lots of fun things planned for next year and I am sure a lot more giveaways are going to happen.  

So be sure and stay tuned!