Scrap Attack #3

Continuing on with more scraps! I started this quilt at the end of last year to use up some 2.5 inch squares. The inspiration came from SOTAK, her's was simple and fun. She went crazy on the hand quilting, mine is more basic. I love how the all over hand quilting really added to the project. Now that I have built up my calluses, it's time to do more quilting by hand. 

We are currently getting 3 to 6 inches of fluffy snow in New England. Schools are closed for the day, for me, no work! I did brave the cold and snow to venture out for some photos. This one has been waiting for some good light (hard to find this time of year) for weeks now. 

Friday we close on the house. I am getting so excited. Instead of being able to use my extra day off for sewing I am doing the practical thing, packing and school work. What I am not so excited about is moving, and unpacking. That whole process seems daunting. 

Dog Days: Finished

At the beginning of the month, I participated in the Cloud 9 New Block Blog Hop and created the block Dog Days.  At the time of the blocks creation I was in the midst of those dog days of summer. Now with fall in full swing, how I wish to go back to those lazy summer days. 

Instead, I will enjoy pumpkin spice everything! 

Block Tutorial

While visiting my parents last weekend, I got in a quick photo shoot of a couple recent finishes. More on the other one later. The backing from this quilt came in the mail and I spared no time getting the quilt finished! 

Mike and I had drove North to attend my Uncle's auction. He had some cool thread displays for J & P Coats and John Clark from before they became Coats & Clark! Both displays sold way over my budget. So disappointing. Although I did get an old quilt made from feed sack prints, it's in rough shape. I just loved the pattern and colors. Any advice on repairs and washing? 

Details:

Finished Size: 48 inches x 60 inches, Pattern: Dog Days Fabric: Scraps, Batting: 80/20 blend, Thread: Connecting Threads - Sky, Quilting: Swirling Wind

... and just because I love that tractor :) 

Scrap Attack: Part II

FIVE.

Five scrap quilts have been made in the year, five. How do I still have scraps hanging around? Where are the scraps coming from? 

I have been wracking my brain around multiple conspiracy theories these last weeks.

On one of my many rants about scraps {sorry} lately, one commenter had suggested using one fabric and pulling all the scrap fabric to match to create a cohesive quilt. In lieu of dumping all the scraps on the floor, yet again, I tried this approach. It works and requires less thought. Thank you to whomever gave this sound advice. Please comment and I will give you credit for this amazing idea. 

Choosing Granny Squares wasn't the best approach to tackling lots of scraps. Actually, it made virtually no impact. Either way I have been itching to make another. 

Details:
Finished Size: 55 inches x 55 inches, Pattern: Granny Squares, Fabric: Scraps, Batting: 80/20 blend, Thread: Connecting Threads - Parchment, Quilting: Stipple + Paisley 

QUESTION: Does anyone know what size these are supposed to get squared to? Mine all came out at 8.75 inches using 2.5 inch squares. Someone please confirm I am not going crazy, or confirm I am crazy. Either way is fine, but I need answers!

Quilt Net: - 6.75 yards
Year to Date: - 91.25 yards

Scrap Attack: Finished

Welcome to The Year of the Scraps! 

How many scrap quilts does a girl need to make in order to work through a scrap bin? Clearly, too many! This is my 4th scrap finish and the bin is half full {or half empty}. One of those quilts was twin sized, clearly I though more progress would be made!

Here are all the details about inspiration and progress on this quilt. Also some tidbits on making scraps into cohesive quilt. 

Details:

Finished Size: 47 inches x 51 inches, Pattern: Mock Up by Glass Snail Crawling, Fabric: Scraps, Batting: 80/20 blend, Thread: Connecting Threads - Parchment, Quilting: Diagonal 1.5 inch 

Oh, and don't look to closely.  Two of the blocks are rotated and I didn't realize until after they had been quilted. ARGH.

LINKING: Needle and Thread Thursday

Net: - 3 yards

Year to Date: -83.5 yards

On the Issue of Scraps

Lately I have been contemplating the best use of scraps in quilts. Many times I get complements about how my colors look like they "go" together for scrap quilts. 

So. It's time to share the secret. 

My scrap bin in comparison to others is quite small. This little pail from IKEA is the max I keep around. When it starts overflowing, then it's time to sew some of those fabulous bits up! 

The secret to getting a pretty scrap quilt vs. scrap vomit ... 

Don't put in every bit, curate the scraps you use! 

What does this mean? To start, I dump all my scraps out and scatter them around the table. Then I start sorting the fabric into color themes that would look good. When I made the quilts below, I noticed my scrap bin was heavy on vibrant/bold colors.

My theme was born. I pulled all the bold colors and then pulled support colors that would work with my initial color scheme. Not all my scrap fabric got used. It was ok. What was left behind didn't work for this quilt. They were saved for something else. Check out the final products here.

This time around with many of my bolds missing, my bin had a lot of pastels and low volumes. When planning a pattern I first assess what my colors would be and the size of fabric. After deliberation I went with a square boxes pattern from Cluck Cluck Sew forgoing the outermost box. 

Once again scraps got left behind, right now my bin is heavy on navy's, warm colors, bright greens, and small bits. When working out the plans for my next quilt I will find something that works with a quilt heavy in that color scheme/size. 

Of course these stacks don't prove my point! 

What do you recommend for these remaining beauties? 

More HST's for Charity

Last one for a while ... 

The end has arrived.  Throughout the last year, I have systematically worked through my WIPs and quilted all my finished tops. This last check in the charity column was super rewarding! 

The quilt started with 40 - 10 inch square scraps and became HST's. Shamefully, I remember there being no dent in the scrap bin, even with the scrappy binding. 

Quilt Stats: 

• Finished Size: 48 inches x 60 inches 

• Pattern: Half Square Tringles

• Fabric: Scraps

• Batting: High-Loft Polyester 

• Thread: Connecting Threads - Lavender 

• Quilting: Straight Line

Usually with charity quilts, I like to experiment with something new. 

For this quilt, I tried high-loft batting. Truth be told, it wasn't my favorite. The back puckered as the spray basting stopped holding. It looks very fluffy and inviting, but a pain to quilt. 

Verdict: not again. I am going to stick with my beloved 80/20 blend. 

Net: - 4.5 yards

Year to Date: -21 yards

Pouches 2.0

And, I'm back at it. After completing my first round of pouch production some family members decided they wanted some to give away to friends as well. So, back on the assembly line for 14 more. This time I used decor interfacing and found it too thick, last time the interfacing I used was too thin.  Does this mean on my third production line I will get it right? Too bad there will not be a 3.0 version of this post! 

Although this time around I made some of larger size from the same Lola Pouch pattern by S.O.T.A.K. and smaller coordinating bags. The large bag is perfect for travel, while the small pouch is great for the purse or pencils. Just like the smaller version these were super easy to make. 

Then sometimes you just need a Christmas present for yourself. I couldn't part with these lovely strawberries, so they are mine! The other awesome gift I splurged on was a new DSLR camera.  Yay, I will be patiently waiting by the door to see the mailman arrive. The new camera comes with some great upgrades and cannot wait to see how the pictures turn out.

- Patch & Chels 

Sew Your Scraps: Part II

Happy scrappy sewing!

Lately, I have been working through my scraps.  The last project (check back to Monday's post) used both 2.5" squares and 6.5" x 2.5" rectangles, and I cut too many rectangles.  Way to many!  From the extras I was able to create a second quilt. This actually worked out perfectly because I never have a blanket or quilt when I go to my boyfriend's place. He has a comforter or the cat's blanket to snuggle with, which is complete nonsense! 

Materials: 
240 - 6.5" x 2.5" rectangles

Sew the rectangles into columns of 15 rectangles, make 8 columns. Then sew the columns together. The quilt top should finish about 48" by 60". This second quilt was super quick and easy to sew up!

Piecing Tip: Just like last quit, when sewing your rows together always grab different colors to place next to one another. Make sure you include a good variety of lights, mediums and darks every 5 rectangles of the row. This will spread out the colors so the quilt will look balance when all the columns are sewn together. For this one you may want to lay out your columns so no two fabrics or similar colors are touching one another. 

This quilt could also be made from one jelly roll (42 strips) by cutting each strip into 6 - 6.5" x 2.5" rectangles. You will have 12 extra parts to play with or you can remove 2 of the strips before cutting.

Check back this weekend to see these two quilts finished up. I'm planning on photographing them up at my parent's house with the foliage :) Should look amazing with all the bold colors in the quilts.

-Patch & Chels

Sew Your Scraps: Part I

Ah, Fall. The leaves are in full display, the pumpkin flavored everything is out, and the crisp air has moved in for the season.  Last night my sister and I showed two little girls how to make pillow cases. It was so much fun. The oldest was able to make hers all by herself, 8 years. Both to her Mom's and my surprise! She had asked about making a quilt.  Any pointers? I was thinking it would be another fun project for us all to do together. I shamefully forgot to take pictures of the experience they were so stinking cute too!

Ok, away from soliciting free information, and onto giving free information! Are you like me with too many scraps you don't know what to do with them all? It got me thinking about a quilt pattern that uses a lot of small scraps.  Typically I cut down scraps to 2.5 inch squares for easy use later so the bulk of this design uses 2.5 inch squares. Over last couple of months I have also been cutting scraps down to 6.5 inch x 2.5 inch rectangles.

Here is what I came up with ...

Piecing Tip: When sewing your blocks together always grab different colors to place next to one another, so you have a good variety of colors in each blocks. Don't worry about matching or if the colors "go" together. Make sure you include a good variety of lights, mediums and darks in each block as well so there is always something bold in each block. This will spread out the colors so the quilt will look balance when all the block are sewn together. I never lay out a scrappy quilt I just go for it :)

The Blocks:

Materials: 
640 - 2.5" squares
128 - 6.5" x 2.5" rectangles

Layout: 
Each row will have the following block layout, make 8 rows in total.

A   -   C   -   B   -   C   -   B   -   C   -   B   -   C   -   A

Sew each of the rows together to create the quilt top, should finish about 64" by 64" inches. 

The "Sew Your Scraps" series will have a total of 3 parts over the next week, well because I had cut too many 6.5" x 2.5" rectangles and the whole point of scraps is to not be wasteful. So, there was actually enough to make 2 separate quilts. The tutorial for the right quilt will be coming out later this week!  Check back for another scrap de-stash idea.

- Patch & Chels

Another Sew Together Bag

Lately my scrap bin has been overflowing, so I decided to make a scrappy project.  Too bad these little projects didn't make a dent! Guess I will need to make a larger project. Once I was about half way through this little set the boy decided it would be a perfect gift for his sister who also quilts. So Happy Birthday Sis. The bag was made in a scrappy manner so I could use as many of my favorite prints as possible. 

I am so happy about finally overcoming my fear of zippers because every time I make a new bag it becomes my favorite! All the contrasting colors actually play nice with one another. 

This week the boy and I are headed up to Acadia National Park in Maine.  I'm pretty excited to do some camping and hiking around the island. I will be sure to post the journey once I get back or follow Patch_the_Giraffe on Instagram! Any recommendations from those who have been?

- Patch & Chels

Friendship Bags

My guild hosted a yankee swap at our meeting last night and I needed something cute, quick, and easy to whip up as a gift. This little pattern from ps. i quilt, was everything I was looking for! Added with a charm pack of white fabric, it was good to go. Even through I only needed one, they were just too cute not to make a couple! 

All the fabric was pulled from my scrap bin, very good way to use up scraps!! Except the bottom fabric, that got pulled from my stash. Isn't it awesome!  When I picked it out, I thought more would show.  I guess not. There was a bunch left over so it's going to become part of another Christmas gift. Secret holiday sewing is well under way :) 

-Patch & Chels