I'm not sure anymore if my desire to sew little pieces of fabric together is a passion or an obsession, but it’s all I want to do. I have completed my pre-migration south 'must finish' list, so I have a couple of extra weeks to just play, sort, organize, and pack away my sewing mess. This is often when I make blocks I've always wanted to try but never took the time for.
Action: Motivated by Tish's Adventures in Wonderland to buckle down and tame my stash/scraps, I unearthed the first bin to work through. Slightly larger than a shoebox, it's been taking up space for quite a few years, containing leftover layer cake fabrics and scraps from a Connecting Threads' kid's quilt kit that I made 8 or 9 years ago. Sorry, no picture to show it was stuffed full.
Reaction: But instead of cutting it up into more manageable pieces for storage purposes, I ended up cutting it all up and sewing it back together.
This quilt was inspired by the Knee Socks Quilt Block
that Elizabeth Hartman designed
for the Modern Quilt Guild a number of years ago.
I have always wanted to try it.
I am straight line quilting it, FMQing a row of ribbon candy
in one strip per block to break it up. It's kind of tedious, so it's going slowly.
But I'm loving it!
And that led to this. Not scraps, but charm packs. I thought, "Why can't I do the same thing with some of those charm packs that have almost rooted to the shelves? I rarely use them, except for applique, because they aren't really and truly 5" square and it frustrates me to work with them.
And here's a little closer look, just so you can see I used text fabric as my background.
Two charm packs will give you a pretty good size. I only used 63 charms because there wasn't an equal amount of solids, and it will end up being 40.5" x 49.5". I cut each charm into 3 pieces measuring 2.5", 1.5", and 1". I used 40" of text print.
At this rate, I will never tame and organize my scraps and leftovers,
but I am sure having fun!
Hope you are, too!
XO.
karen
33 comments:
love it and love text prints although I have very few in my stash. Yes not all pre-cuts are created equal - I hate when a 5 inch charm is not 5 inches and that goes for jelly rolls especially it seems - so often they are not a true 2.5. I guess one just needs to understand that in advance and be ready to use them for something where you can adjust the measurement.
Love that quilt you are working on
I have been gathering information for blocks to make for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge that are easily pieced and quilted. A variation of this block would be perfect. It's a keeper for me.
xx, Carol
That is an interesting looking block and it is always good to use up scraps. Your quilt and quilting look great. Two weeks and off to the warmer weather!!
that looks so good, I really like it and the modern look it gives..... I understand your obsession... I feel the same! haha..
Hugz
Looking great. Good luck getting ready to head to a warmer climate. Wish I could come with you.
I love both designs, the scraps really work well with the patterns and create much movement with the stripes.
Lovely to have such wonderful distractions that turn into great quilts!
I think your obsession to work with scraps has produced a really charming quilt , you definetly have a way with scraps ! I love textured fabrics too :-)Fantastic job !
Lovely! I am with you in spirit cutting up the precuts and doing something-anything with them. I want this year’s Scrap Mountain tamed, too! Enjoy these last few weeks of sewing peace, and safe travels as you start your journey south. Smiles to you!
Aw, making a quilt is SO much more fun than organizing scraps! Isn't that why we save them anyway? That's a great block: versatile, simple and modern. I love what you've done with it :)
Your quilts are fabulous! Love the way you quilted the first one and love the text fabric you used in the second. Gorgeous quilts!
Love the quilt! I'm not a fan of using precuts either, but there are a few in the house. I may have to try this pattern. Safe travels while migrating!
That is really great. I love the clean lines and your quilting is perfect for it.
Good for you to be so organized and ready for your return south. I think it's great how you find all these blocks and patterns that you want to try. Of course, Knee Socks was long ago printed by me, and I've never done a thing with it. So happy to see how it's worked out for you! Gosh, this makes such a pretty quilt. But the best part is that you're having fun! Yay!
At least you are tackling your scraps. I really need to act on my scraps. Good job on the Knee Sock quilt. I love it! Maybe I should react with a quilt like that!
Thank you for this post. I have a lot of charm squares hidden away, out of site. Time to let them see daylight and make themselves useful. I your quilts and the quilting. Make care you enjoy the warm if not not weather when your away.
Two good projects and one WAS from scraps. You could actually consider the charms as scraps, too, they are so small and weren't going anywhere. =) I like the way you are quilting that socks pattern.
I say play away! I love what you decided to do with those scraps and sneaking in the ribbon candy. It just adds a little more fun. And what a great idea using the charm packs in that same manner. I've reached a point where I'm ready to start using all the pre cuts I have laying around. Hope you have a safe trip south.
So you haven't migrated yet...ha ha.... love what you are doing.
Hi Karen wow i am loving ypur blocks they look fantastic,this will be a beautiful quilt,well done my friend.
Oh No I just love love that idea, is it another top I just have to make one day ?????
Great pattern, and your quilt is beautiful! Love your quilting too
What a great design! And doesn't it feel good to Use It Up?
At this rate, you will not need to tame any scraps or organize them - you are using them up! Even better. I have so many charms Karen - this would be a great use for them. I like the linear pattern. Great job!
You cut up fabric and sew it back together??? Me too. I have this pattern saved in a folder marked Pattern/Inspiration from 2014. The moment I read charms, I started wondering how did you cut them. Silly me. Only if I had the patience to read the whole thing. You know me so well. We should talk :-) or I can tell you just now - I love this quilt. I am going to totally copy this idea of cutting up charms. Oh and when you can think of nothing else to do with your scraps, call me and I will make a scrap vortex quilt for two.
Waste not want not. I really like this block!
Such a fun quilt. Love the text!! As for 5" charm squares...they're only good if you need 4 1/2" or less. Scrap quilts are the best -- such a fun mixture of print and pattern and color. You do it very well.
Very pleasing to the eye! Somehow I missed this post...Im sure you are settling into life in TX by Now! Happy sewing.
These quilts are so fun--and they must be taming something! I hope your migration went well. Have a Very Merry Christmas and Quilty New Year, Karen!
Pretty quilt! Ilove the pattern, and your fabric choices, so beautiful!
Fun is the main point to quilting usually, or should be! I, too, have a couple (ha) charm packs taking root on my shelves, so with H2H imminent, I'm thinking this may be another good one to make. I already cut up one charm pack to make Sarah's first rectangles palooza or whatever she's calling it. I give up on taming scraps; no matter WHAT I do they just multiply like crazy, kind of like my selvages strings, and my tiny bits to stuff into dog/cat beds! Love the text background. Hope you're okay; saw you in a DrEAMi! post comment and thought yeah, where is she? Warmer than I am I'll bet and I read that you're focused!
Love what you have done Karen, Regards Binsa aka lyn
I love it-the bright, colorful fabrics against the neutral text fabrics looks great.
Take care, and happy sewing,
Judy
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