Threequel

It feels great to have another quilt finish before the summer is quite over here in the Pacific Northwest. My third plaid-ish quilt (see Scrap-ish Plaid-ish and Twofold), the Mini Plaid-ish quilt pattern is also the creation of Erica/@kitchentablequilting, and is a free tutorial that uses several different scrap sizes. 

The Mini Plaid-ish is basically a smaller version of the original Plaid-ish, which was 64" x 82". The mini is 58" x 66". And just for reference, the Plaid-ish2, which is similar yet different from those two, is 69" x 86". So yeah, the mini is definitely the smallest of the three, but still a very nice lap-size. I'm more than pleased I was able to create my quilt top entirely from scraps from the scrap basket. Where Erica did not repeat fabrics in her version, my goal was strictly to use the scraps, and there are definitely some repeated prints, and I'm ok with that.

Cutting the scraps for a quilt like this is no-doubt the most tedious part, with the smallest pieces measuring 1.5" square.... smaller than I usually choose to work with. But there was really never any doubt in my mind that I'd make this third plaid-ish version. By now, it's tradition. haha

Rather than over-worry about value, I focused on choosing 'light' fabrics that were low-volumes, 'medium' fabrics that were pretty much any non-neutral color, and 'darks' that were primarily black or gray. Erica said, "even if your values aren't perfect your quilt will turn out great." and I trusted that to be true. And I do see that the plaid in my finished quilt top may not be quite as pronounced as others, but I'm totally fine with it. I let my scraps speak, and that was my goal.

For the quilt backing I combined a mix of Denyse Schmidt fabrics that I'd long had stashed. And wouldn't you know, I had just enough of the trimmings to make a scrappy binding from them. A few of the prints can also be found in the quilt top, though I don't think all. Still, it was a satisfying choice.

For quilting, I went with an uneven grid, which I'd done on the original with good result. I stitched along with seams for some lines, and marked others with my hera marker. It was all quite stress-free quilting, for which I was grateful. Now, whenever I quilt a grid, I use Erica's method: from center out to the right, then rotate 90-degrees, and repeat, etc. etc. It works so well, and I really like how the grid quilting suits the quilt design.  Probably the biggest surprise might be that I used Aurifil 40wt 1148 [Light Jade] thread for quilting. While piecing the blocks into a top, I'd felt like there was a lot of pink in the mix. But when I started considering quilting thread choices, that jade just really worked. Plus it was fun! I like to think by using it and the binding which has plenty of teal and green in it, I've changed the focus somewhat from the pink to the cooler colors I prefer. That part could be wishful thinking on my part but let's go with it, ok?

So anyway, this was a satisfying finish. I expect this quilt will be used around the house as we head into fall.

The Mini Plaid-ish Quiltalong

After making The Plaid-ish Quilt with Erica @kitchentablequilting back in 2019 and then her Plaid-ish2 in 2020, I really could not help but make the new version, The Mini Plaid-ish Quilt, now could I? Besides, my mom claimed the original Plaid-ish, so I am all in for making the new, slightly smaller version, for myself. 

Erica's hosting a quiltalong, where you're welcome to make any of the three versions of the Plaid-ish Quilt. Here's The Mini Plaid-ish Quiltalong Info and the schedule.

Though the quiltalong just started on July 10, I'd been between projects and a couple of weeks ago decided to start cutting scraps for my mini Plaid-ish. I'm using black and gray prints for the dark value scraps, low-volume prints for the light value scraps, and a variety of colorful scraps for the mid value

Honestly, I probably could have paid better attention to value as I was cutting scraps, but I'm taking Erica at her word. "Just remember that you even if your values aren't perfect your quilt will turn out great. I like to prioritize using my scraps over a perfect quilt, but do what works best for you." So that's the route I'm going! I'm deep in a project with a deadline right now, so the Scrap-ish will be on the back burner for a bit. I'm hoping to join in the quiltalong with piecing blocks later in the month.

Scrap-ish Plaid-ish

Unfortunately I let making a back for my Plaid-ish quilt stall progress, but once I got that done, it was smooth sailing to a finish. 



The Plaid-ish Scrap Quilt is the creation of Erica/@kitchentablequilting, and is a free tutorial that uses several different scrap sizes, which makes it a great one for working through that scrap basket.



As for that backing, I pieced it from stash, including a length of Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy I'd been hoarding for quite a while. I figured there's no time like the present, right?

For quilting, I went with an uneven grid, following along with seams for some lines, and eyeing others, with meant for pretty stress-free quilting. For the first time, I quilted a grid using Erica's method: from center out to the right, then rotate 90-degrees, and repeat, etc. etc. It worked really well, though I didn't realize till I was done that in her tutorial, she quilts a diagonal grid. Whatever, it worked like a charm, and I'm really happy with how the quilting suits the quilt design.  I used Aurifil 40wt 2024 [white] which provided a pretty subtle look while still coordinating well enough with all of those scraps. 
  

And then when it came time for binding, I actually started in with piecing some scrap bindings from other quilts, but I just wasn't feeling it. So out came the tried-and-true Michael Miller Clown Strips. Considering there IS quite a bit of black in the quilt, I think it turned out being a good fit.

Sooo.... it feels great to have a summer scrap quilt complete.  It finished at 64" x 82", and if you take a peek at the #plaidishquilt hashtag on Instagram, I daresay you might find yourself making one for yourself soon!

This quilt is on my 2019 Finish-A-Long list!

Summer Scraps

Not quite sure why summer seems the perfect time to concentrate on working from the scrap basket, but it seems it's been that way for me. In Oh Scrappy Day, I focused on lots of neutrals and different substrates (love that mix!) but in the Plaid-ish quilt top I just finished, anything was fair game. In fact it was important to specifically choose low-volumes, medium values, and darks.



Erica/@kitchentablequilting's Plaid-ish Scrap Quilt is a free tutorial that uses tiny squares, skinny strips, rectangles, and charm size squares. And at 64" x 82", I does use alot of scraps!



If you're worried about the plaid effect 'working' with your scraps, don't be. Erica provides plenty of tips, and honestly, I was more interested in using scraps than I was about having the perfect values, and I think the 'plaid' still shows up pretty well on mine. At the very least, it's colorful and fun and served the purpose at hand - using those scraps!

So are you working on any scrappy projects lately? Do tell, as my scrap basket isn't empty YET!