Scrappy Patchwork

After a very hectic work week and the day's invigorating discussion over on Instagram, what felt manageable when I had a little time to sew last night was a Patchwork Bucket. I had made one before using the tutorial by Chase/quarter inch mark, though this time I dug through my scrap basket to piece it together.

This one has an 8" diameter and is 8" tall - perfect for the neutral scraps I've gathered working on my modern sampler blocks. The only change from Chase's tutorial is that once again, since I didn't have the suggested webbing, I used Noodlehead's handle method from her Cargo Duffle pattern {check out Step 4}. It was handy that once I trimmed down my quilted scrap piece to size, there was enough to use for the handles. All in all a relaxing little project, which has since been filled with the aforementioned scraps, finding a home on one of my RÅSKOG carts. Mission accomplished.

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday.

Progress

Progress seems achingly slow 'round these parts. But I did manage to piece a back for the minimalistic log cabin quilt I showed you several days ago, using the same interweave chambray in pepper that I used on the front. Instead of the cabin logs being neutrals - this time they are all bright solids, and all scraps - thus the random use of color.

Since the logs on the front of the quilt were quite skinny, I decided to make the ones on the back chunkier, and I'm regretting that choice. Still, I moved forward with quilting, and now I'm working on binding this piece up. Already I know it's not turning into quite what I had seen in my mind's eye at the start, but so it goes ....

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday and W.i.P. Wednesday.

Improv

For Faith Circle this month, we were asked to make 2 improv blocks, each 12 1/2" square. What a great chance to dig into my scraps!

When I posted my blocks on Instagram, there were quite a few comments about them that left me feeling like maybe some folks aren't too comfortable making blocks like these.

I thought it might be helpful to share a few tutorials, so you'll find some links below. The first couple will guide you to make blocks similar to mine here. The others are additional improv techniques I like to incorporate into my work.

Scrappy blocks
Improv block
Improv log cabin block
Wonky curves
Curved Piecing

So how do you and improv get along? Best friends, or still getting to know each other?

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday.

Heart-Speak

The mini quilt top I began piecing at QuiltCon with the Gee's Bend quilters was so very nearly done, that it didn't take long at all to bring it to fruition.

Small as it is - 14"x16" - there's a few things I really like about it. For one, the mix of fabrics - 1 of hubby's shirts (don't worry, I asked first!), some linen-blend and chambray, and then some modern scraps that certainly aren't representative of that used in an original Gee's Bend quilt. That little incompatibility gives me a sort of satisfaction somehow.

I like that little gold triangle - enough that making it the focus of my quilting design was an obvious choice. And I really really like what the quilting did for that blue shirt fabric. It gives a movement I really didn't anticipate, but love.

Remember in my QuiltCon Abbreviated post, when I mentioned the lack of direction in our class? Well from the wonky center square to that scrappy binding, I found that indeed, my heart directed each step, just like the quilters told me it would. Fancy that.

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday and Fabric Tuesday. On Wednesday.

Those Scraps

Scraps were a big part of the action in the studio last weekend, which was quite fun and timed well, don't you think, since today is link-up day for Scraptastic Tuesday. First were my improv blocks for Faith Circle. We were asked to "think modular and send an equivalent amount of blocks" to equal 2-12" blocks. Half or less were to be low-volume, and half or less were to be scrappy brights. You can see what I was in the mood for!

Come Wednesday at our guild meeting, we're having a Valentine postcard swap. Louise/I'm Feelin' Crafty did a nice tutorial on Quilted Postcards, which was also timely, and even though I'm not going to show them off in their entirety quite yet, trust me, they are scrappy!

I also got a few more Inside Addition blocks cut out, but I've discovered that as much as I like the concept of leaders/enders, I just don't do it. So I've got a nice stack of blocks ready to go when I'm in the mood.

I've also discovered that even though you actively use your scraps, the amount really doesn't decrease if you are doing other sewing too. Even grandgirl noticed the other day, "Grammy, you've got some new ones in here" as she was rummaging through the scrap basket. Hmm. That could be a problem.

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday.

About those Scraps

So what qualifies as a scrap in your little sewing world? Usually any piece of fabric less than a fat-eighth or so goes right into my scrap basket under my cutting table. No sorting for me. But occasionally I find a piece of fabric in my stash that really qualifies as a scrap but for some reason got special treatment. And I found just such a perfect piece when I needed a last-minute gift bag for my mom on Saturday. What you see below is pretty much all I had of that unknown fabric. I loved that I could get a sweet and unique front and back from what little I had.

Another use of scraps this week was a mixed-white binding for a baby quilt I'm making. Really subtle details here, but among other things, I was pleased to find a scrap with stars to include (the mama-to-be's favorite), and of course I was able to use up some scraps - several white on white prints plus 1 solid.

And I was super pleased that I was able to dig into my scrap basket for all the colored bits for FAITH Circle's 9-patch and snowball blocks this month.

Lastly, I've determined that making "Inside Addition" blocks will be my 1st scrappy quilt project for the year. Not sure how long/how big I'll go, but I've got a start. I really wanted to use this as a leader-ender project, but I've discovered you really need to have blocks cut out and ready to go to make that happen. So I spent some time cutting through scraps the other night, but you know how slow that can be. But anyway, here's where I am today. (Not too keen on that upper-left block - maybe it'll fit in eventually, we'll see.)

By the way, if you're inclined to make some Inside Addition blocks too, here's the simple "pattern" by Jessica/a little gray {alittlegressica on Instagram}, and we're tagging blocks #insideadditionquiltalong.

used by permission

So I'm feeling pretty good about how I've been using my scraps. Just can't use them fast enough! grin

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday at she can quilt and mrs sew & sow.

Caution: Scraps in Use

Inspired by Leanne/shecanquilt and Nicky/mrs sew & sow, I've really begun trying to use my scraps in earnest. Most recently, I collected all the random binding bits I'd saved, and stitched them together, and am using the result to bind my current scrappy quilt.

Also for said quilt, I made a fairly scrappy backing, this time inspired by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, who I had the distinct fortune of being able to hear speak in person last week. AND I saw many of her quilts. AND I was reminded that #15minutesofplay a day makes a difference, and can be hugely motivating. Obviously I got carried away, and it took a few more than 15 minutes, but everything you see below except for the solid was sewn directly from my scrap basket. oh yeah.

So no, the basket isn't anywhere near empty yet. But I'm working at it.

Scraptastic

One of the projects I was anxious to work on at retreat was my cross-stitch blocks, and happily, I finished all that I needed for the quilt pattern I had drafted up.

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough background fabric to finish the top, but once home, I divided the pattern into a grid of nine 20" "big blocks" and at least started on what I could.

I'm going pretty random with the color placement of the crosses, so hopefully that works out ok. But considering the crosses came straight from my scrap bin, it seems fair enough.

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday at she can quilt and mrs sew & sow.

Scraptastic

It was a happy coincidence that when I read about the new Scraptastic Tuesday linky at she can quilt and mrs sew & sow, I just so happened to have a scrappy finish to share!

These are Log Cabin Hexi Potholders, made from a free Craftsy pattern by SewCanShe. Aren't they fun? I literally pulled from my scrap basket for these, which was alot of fun. For the backs, I used the same Boysenberry Linen Mochi Dots, which with a layer each of cotton batt and insul-bright in the middle, made for nice sturdy potholders.

You've probably already guessed that a couple of y-seams are necessary for each potholder, but they are quite manageable with Caroline's terrific tutorial. I quilted serpentine lines in a bright Aurifil 50wt #2535 (Magenta) - simple, quick, and fun! Chevron twill tape made perfect coordinating hangers, and without binding, these were a pretty fast project.

As I was making these, I kind of chuckled to myself at the palette I had chosen, as these were made for a family gift-exchange last weekend and not one of them has a pink, orange, and purple kitchen. Well wouldn't you know, my 6'6" brother-in-law ended up with them, and was actually quite excited. Pretty much made my day.

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday and Fabric Tuesday.