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 

Scrap Mixology : Two Bits

 Behind the scenes, I have been working diligently to complete more of my newest pattern series and their supporting quilts.  

Today I am ready to announce my second Scrap Mixology module - Two Bits.

This module is to help you turn some of your scrappy strings into some fun and colorful quilts.  

You might remember this RSC quilt I finished in 2019.  

This quilt was the inspiration for this pattern sheet.

The Scrap Mixology pattern series all follow the same format.  They are designed to help you sew up your scraps so don't expect to find yardage requirements (not that you can't pull fabrics out of your stash).  Each module is designed around a standard block with cutting and sewing instructions for the block.  There is also a convenient table with block requirements for standard quilt sizes to help you determine how many blocks you need to make for the size quilt you desire.

In subsequent pages, I share some ideas on how to use color and block placement/rotation to create lots of fun layout designs.  Hopefully these ideas will trigger some ideas of your own.

Also included in the pattern are additional ideas on how to change the look of your block through some simple changes.  I include new cutting requirements for these ideas and share how this change affects the look of a quilt.  

So one block can be made into dozens of layouts!

You become a Scrap Mixologist like me :)

In fact, I have recently shared a quilt using the Mixology concepts published in this module.  This soft scrappy quilt swapped out the 9-patch with some orphan blocks and was laid out using a stacked block design.

Essentially the same block but with two very different looks.

One of the materials included in the Two Bit pattern is the formula for figuring the inset triangles for on-point or diagonal block layouts.  I always have to hunt for this so I am happy to know I can easily locate it now just by referring to my pattern.  

All of my Scrap Mixology available patterns (including Two Bits) can be purchased through either my Payhip pattern shop or through my Etsy store.  Once you pay, they can be immediately downloaded and you can start sewing those scraps.

Enjoy your weekend by sewing up those scraps!

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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)

So Scrappy for RSC19 

Soothing the Anxiety

 Once I finished my client longarm quilting today, I found myself a little lost and feeling a little stressed.  So where did I turn?  To my scraps of course!

I sort all my scraps by color in rainbow order - so I just grabbed the first bin.  Looks Like I am starting a quilt with red.

Cutting is probably my least favorite of all the quilting stages, so I decided to use my AccuQuilt fabric cutter to speed up the process so I can get to the sewing quickly.

I looked through my dies and decided to get out my 2.5" by 4.5" rectangle.  In no time at all, I had about 100 pieces cut.  Next I think I will get out my blue bin and continue cutting.  I should be able to start sewing before dinner time!

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For those of you curious about my fabric cutter, I have the AccuQuilt Studio cutter.  It was the best option for me when I purchased it years ago.  When I am cutting in bulk like today, it really keeps my hands from getting sore...and makes cutting scraps super fast.

I still love my studio cutter, but if I was buying today, I think I would go with the Go! Big Electric.  They now have die starter sets available that are a great deal.

I have been wanting to add a couple dies to my inventory so I was happy to see they have the Studio dies and bundles half off right now.  Just use code 50STUDIO.   Of course, if you are interested in buying one of the Studio cutters, they are on sales for a limited time too.

I am an AccuQuilt affiliate.  When you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I may make a commission.  I don't endorse products I don't believe in and I appreciate the siupport!

Oh Scrap! : Scrappy New Starts

I really haven't been sewing much this week.  But I did get the butterfly scraps I previously talked about cut into 4.5" squares and started framing them in some coordinating blue scraps.  I think I have a plan in my head for a small baby quilt.  It shouldn't take me long to finish it up - I just need to get into my sewing room.

 

I have also been planning some Christmas gifts.  Here is a sneak peak at one of them.  This block is made with 1.5" squares.  Now I only have 14 more to go!

I hope you have lots of scrappy projects to share!

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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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From Trash To Treasure

Every once in a while I dig through my orphan block and spare parts suitcase and see if I can put together a quilt from some of the items.  

Not too long ago I pulled a bunch of green and gray items to play with.

I started in the center with a 12" leftover RSC block I had.  Then I just added some strip piecing and HSTs and flying geese to build out the center.  I used a gray solid where I needed to make some blocks fit or to add some separation.

I then used some green improve blocks I was gifted to add a bit of drama.  I didn't have quite enough blocks so I had to recreate a few from scraps.  Thankfully I had some of the green solid I could use to make this section the correct size.

Then I went back to some gray blocks - 9 patches and flying geese.

I kept all the pieced blocks in each round toward the center of the quilt.  I like that the final gray round creates a nice framing border to the quilt.

I found a nice gray for the backing and used a solid gray for the binding.  I quilted swirls over the entire quilt in a gray thread.

I came across some gray 2.5" x 8" strips that I used as a border on the top and bottom - Just to make the quilt a bit longer.  I think the size of this quilt is about 60 x 64.

I enjoy these type of projects that require me to design as I go.  It challenges me to be creative.  When I make myself use only the bits I have, I take more chances - which results in me learning new skills.

Not bad for a bunch of leftovers headed to the trash and about a yard of solids!

(And if you are curious, I think 6 different quilters donated blocks that ended up in this quilt.)

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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)

Oh Scrap! : Some New Projects

 I am always kind of sad when the end of October gets here.  That means that there are no more Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors until January.  I know many use the last two months of the year to finish their quilts, but I rarely follow that schedule and never seem to have enough blocks to finish up into quilts.  What else can I do except start some new projects!

 I decided to dig through my scraps and see what inspires me.  

Often, when I am looking for inspiration, I rarely choose fabrics I love.  I am usually trying to focus on those fabrics I know I will most likely not use in my regular scrap quilts.

Like these dinosaur prints above - I rarely use novelty scraps.  They find their way to me in scrap bags from others and they are not something I put in my regular scrap quilts.  

So I decided to use them as the "seeds" for a small scrap quilt.

The same is true for these butterfly prints.  

I think I will start cutting and see what evolves.  Once I get going, I will probably pull some more scraps in coordinating colors.

I like to have a few small quilts for kids on hand.  They are nice for gifts or to hand out to organizations that need them.  And I love that I get the entertainment of making them!

What inspires you to use your scraps?

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

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 thru Email          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)