Scrappy Butterfly Finish

You know those scraps that never seem to find a home?  I have been attempting to identify them and try and use them to make some quilts while I am waiting for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge to start up again in January 2021.

One of the first scraps I tackled was some novelty bits I had.  The butterfly fabrics I ended up framing with some blue scraps.

And I found a home for them in a fun little quilt.  I knew I wanted to pair these blocks with the blue border fabric I had in my scraps (it was some backing trimmings from a previous quilt).  Some of the lighter blocks were a shade off or were lost up against the fabric so I added a tiny black stop border.

The light blue "background fabric" was only so wide so I had to create that strip in the center - I used that as an opportunity to use up some of the smaller butterfly scraps.

I really like how it turned out - especially because it all came out of the scrap bin!

Even the backing was leftover pieces from a previous quilt's backing.  I had to piece it quite a bit but the black and blue colors went so well with the top, I knew I just had to figure out how to make it work.

The quilt measures about 38 x 44 - a nice little size to have on hand for a gift.

One thing I discovered in making this quilt is I have a TON of blue scraps.  I decided it was time to make a big effort in turning them into a quilt or three.  So I hope you like blue because that is the theme to most of the projects I am working on now!

Happy Friday!

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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)

Let's Talk Background Fabrics

 I have been wanting to make another stacked coin scrap quilt so I thought I would take some time to look through my background fabrics to see what I could come up with to use.

Background fabrics are something I like to pick up when I see good sales and keep in my stash.  I often have people ask me what some of my favorite stash items are.  So I thought I would share some of them today.

I do still keep a lot of Kona solids in my stash but I actually prefer to use fabrics that look at bit more textural.  I use my Kona a lot for bindings.

An old favorite of mine is the Quilters Linen by Robert Kaufman.  This is a printed fabric (not a woven) and comes in a LOT of colors.  Above is a sampling of some of the colors I have in my stash.  The orange and the green are probably some of my favorites.  

Another good basic that comes in a lot of colors is the various Grunge collections by Moda.  This fabric has become very popular and you can pick it up just about everywhere.  I was happy to see Connecting Threads is now stocking wide backing in some of the colors and REALLY happy to see the Fat Quarter Shop has Grunge 20% off this entire month.  I used up a lot of my stash recently and need to replace some colors (like Essence and Bleu).

I also like a lot of the Connecting Threads blender series like their chambray, faux linen and mirage.   These prints change frequently so I have learned to buy it if you like it!

And if you are curious how much I buy?  I like to pick up 2 to 3 yard cuts - that quantity always seems about right for the lap quilts I usually make.

 You can tell I like colorful background fabrics - not a lot of neutrals for me!  

What about you...Do you have a favorite background fabric you like to use?

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Oh Scrap! : I Couldn't Resist

 Last month, I shared my newest Rainbow Scrap Challenge block.  These are the first test blocks I have made using this design and I will work on this quilt in 2021. 

The blocks are one of the block options contained in my Well Suited pattern.

When I shared the photo, Diann (of Little Penguin Quilts) asked me if I was going to make any of these geese blocks to create the "woven" quilt design.  (You can see her version of this block here.)  

I told her "sorry but no".

Well, skip ahead two weeks and as I was staring at a VERY full blue scrap bin, I decided to start another quilt and make a blue quilt from the blocks I just told Diann I wasn't going to make....

I have no will power!

But these two blocks are a great way to share how my Scrap Mixology patterns show how simple changes to fabric placement can create very different looking quilts.

I already have all the blue and white scraps cut and I just need to sew all of the blocks together.  That makes FOUR scrap quilts that I am actively sewing right now.  I just chain piece away at whatever bits are in front of me until I have a pile behind my machine - then I head to the ironing board.

It will be interesting to see which quilt top will get finished first!

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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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Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

So Scrappy for RSC20