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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Scraps :: To Save or Not to Save

So I have a scrappy project to share today and the crazy part is, they aren't even my scraps!! I admired the Oakshott Italy that Cindy/Live a Colorful Life was working with a while back, and she responded by sending me her scraps! Yay for me! But before I show off what I did with them, I need to share a little tale . . .

So I was at a quilting retreat a week or so ago, and I came to a point where I had lots of little triangles left from what I was working on. So I asked the gals if I should keep them or toss them, and Joan, sitting next to me, piped right up with 'toss them!' So I did, you know, not really sure if I'd get around to using them or not. So whatever. Though I was a tad surprised at Joan's response, being an avid scrap-saver herself.

Well wouldn't you know but later in the weekend I caught Joan gathering up scraps even smaller than I had tossed. And the truth came out! Linda laughingly suggested that Joan might just be planning to raid my 'discard' bag after I had left to head home! Can you imagine?! haha. Well I don't really know if she did or not, but if she did, here's to enjoying what little leftovers I tossed.

Now on to what I did with that awesome Oakshott! My inspiration came from a photo I took of a chair at a local coffee shop. I take odd photos like this all the time, but this might be the first time I actually went on to create something!
So here's my first block, which my quilting buddy Sharon identified as a "Greek key" so that's what I've been calling it.
The scraps Cindy sent consisted of 7 colors and I used 6 to make the larger improv blocks, using Essex linen in natural as a background. It was after I'd sewn those 6 blocks together than I came up with the idea for the small unraveling 'key' in the bottom corner. Kind of a random element, but I think it added a bit of fun to the quilt. And for the record, those Oakshotts together with the Essex made for such rich texture in these blocks.
Backing was a stash find, 'garden spiral' in chocolate by Alexander Henry Fabrics, chosen for the pattern as much as the subtle color. For the quilting, I used Aurifil 50wt #5021, which is light grey by its number label but looks more like camel, and I am seriously thinking it might have been mislabeled. At any rate, it is a lovely match for the Essex natural, subtle enough not to be distracting on the colored spirals.
I began quilting there at the intersection of the top 4 blocks, then did a wonky, uneven square spiral around the quilt. Dare I say this was FUN?! I did very little marking, so lines are a little wobbly here and there - just the look I was after.
To keep the focus on the spirals, I used more Essex for the binding, while using the last little piece of the reddish Oashott Italy to make a short bit of matched binding.
One little added comment on this project . . . when completed, the  little "Keychain" quilt measured 24 1/2" x 29". I usually don't compare quilt measurements before and after a wash, but I was curious considering I was using the linen and shot cotton. Color me surprised! After a cold wash and a warm dry, the quilt measured 23" x 27". whoa. That's quite a difference. Note to self.
Despite the shrinkage, I love this little quilt even more now that it's super crinkly!
AND it's the last project on my 2015 Q1 FAL list! Double the fun.

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.

21 comments:

  1. Congrats on a great creation and finish! Love the way you displayed it for the pics!

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  2. Hi Debbie! Fun post! Absolutely 'to save'! I'm sure your friend picked later the scraps you threw away. Your NEW 'key' design is fantastic and I love the crinkly look! I'l always looking for to wash the quilt to get the 3D look. x Teje

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  3. Love that Essex linen with the scraps you used - gives a lovely soft quality to the quilt

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  4. I love it - a beautiful finish, and loved hearing the story behind your inspiration.

    And I hope Joan did raid your toss bin . . . that would be hilarious and so "maline" of her or kind of naughtily clever as they say here in France.

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  5. one of my favorites of your awesome quilts EVER! I love this...

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  6. This is such a fun little piece! The unraveling block might be my favorite thing.

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  7. I am beginning to struggle with saving scraps as it seems that I haven't been getting around to any new projects! But, yes! Yesterday a new quilt on the design wall and yes scraps played a part. Now, your quilt has inspired me! I love it. I love linen and have a couple of pieces and this could be a springboard to it! Thanks so much! I've pinned it so when my current project is finished I can get a fresh start. This just looks like so much fun!!!!

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  8. Over the years I have gone thru my share of discard bins and bags others have discarded at classes and retreats. It is amazing how much people throw away! I once found a fat quarter of really nice fabric. Love your little quilt and really like how you quilted it.

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  9. I really, really like this one. You should show it.

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  10. How fun! I have gotten really bad about just tossing scraps that aren't very big. They take up room, take time to sort, and rarely get used, but I do save all of my most previous fabric scraps and anything that is decent sized.

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  11. How fun! I have gotten really bad about just tossing scraps that aren't very big. They take up room, take time to sort, and rarely get used, but I do save all of my most previous fabric scraps and anything that is decent sized.

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  12. Fun fun fun!!! What a fabulous little quilt! I adore the additions of the red in the binding and the extra little key and the off center quilting :)) I am always filing your work away in my mind to look at for all of the things that really make a difference! XX!

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  13. How fun is this! It's just so appealing to look at...draws a smile out of me :o)

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  14. Love the quilt. Fresh and modern interpretation of the greek key design. Great improv style. Micki@2dogsstudio.us

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  15. This colour palette is really beautiful. I love the softer muted tones. Fabulous use of the scraps with a fun, original design!

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  16. Gorgeous, as always! Love your design, and the matched binding, and that unraveled key!

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  17. You know I love this quilt. I also find that all my quilts shrink several inches in each direction.

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  18. That is so funny about your friend and the scraps! I would have said keep them! And what fun to get those great scraps sent to you! I'd love to get a package of fantastic scraps in the mail! And I love what you did with them!

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  19. Such a great finish. The matched binding is just the thing!

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