Any quilt with 100 blocks is going to take a while, and this one did.
But, it was worth it! Every block uses a unique fabric for the “dash” and a unique fabric for the center. The backgrounds and sashings have some duplication, but all came from the scrap boxes. These blocks are based on 2-1/2″ squares, and the borders started at 1-1/2″, giving 7″( finished) blocks.
I love the alternating borders around each block.
And the pieced (not perfectly, but fun) sashing.
A tutorial for the block, in ANY SIZE coming soon. So, dust off that box ...
read morePurple Pickle Dish Blocks |
I tried to get them to line up so there weren't too many of ... read more
Saturday the weather here was not out-doorsy type weather…high, gusty wind all day. Oh, YAY! I don’t even need to make up an excuse to spend a little more time than usual indoors quilting.
First, I finished the top of a new Second Chances quilt I call “Have a (Few) Hearts.” Yes, it was inspired by the three applique heart blocks that were gifted to me. More information coming on that one soon.
And, there were tiny pieces left that didn’t want to be trashed. They became this improv log cabin-ish pin cushion.
And, another Windspinner block ...
read moreScrappy purple blocks |
Last week I visited Little Penguin Quilts, another RSC participant, and was inspired by the adorable heart blocks she is making with her rainbow scraps to do the same. Several years ago I started cutting scraps into standard sizes when I am cutting fabric for projects and I have a box full of 2" squares. I am going to start making heart blocks and filler blocks with my squares in each month ...
read morePurple scraps ready to sew |
The March color for the RSC is purple. I sorted through my purple basket and cut the pieces for 4 pickle-dish blocks. I also pulled out all the purple 1" strips in my basket to do 6 log-cabin blocks this month.
I had expected to make a purple pieced border for the round-robin quilt I did with my bee, but when I pulled it out and looked at it again I decided it needed a simple purple border so that is what it got. I didn't have quite enough of the fabric I had ...
read moreI also used my rotating 14" by 14" cutting mat. This is great if you don't want to have to reposition the template when cutting. You just rotate the mat. Easy! You can also get a smaller 8" by 8" cutting mat.
This tumbler lets you quickly cut your charm packs into the right shape.
Neatly cut and stacked!
I ... read more
I am an admirer of Kim Diehl and her designs–geometric, creative, small scale, lots of pieces.
But, sometimes I want to make a big quilt, and most of her designs are mini or small quilts. I get it. That is a lot of pieces.
But, I am making a Big Diehl. The Windspinner pattern it is based on is in the book Simple Whatnots III, which contains several others that are on my “someday” list.
Why Big Diehl? Because I plan to make the block 25 times, using the suggested border as sashing to join them. I have four ...
read moreThere were 2 bins of batik scraps on my tables in the basement. I decided to go through and divide them by 'keep' and 'don't want'.
I think there might be a third box down there too and I'll look for that today.
This is a top view of the two boxes. I need to use my yardage and stop using scraps that I don't care for.
All of the pieces had been pressed at one time so this is pretty much stacked flat pieces, not crumpled up and wrinkled so there is a lot in these ...
read moreThis quilt started out as a leader-ender in March 2022. You can read more about the process HERE.
In spite of the challenges, particularly it not being as large as I thought it would be, I am happy with the outcome.
It used so many scraps! And is that lovely mix of traditional and contemporary that I seem to lean towards.
Total pieces: 3456. Yardage (cut sizes) in top: 7-1/4 yards (more or less). Scraps are eternal, but they do add up fast. The top finished at 64″ x 72″. The small squares start at 1-1/2″.
read moreMy 1st Pickle Dish Block! |
Before the month ends I will sew up the remaining 3 red ...
read moreScrap Tape is a non-woven wash away interfacing. Have you ever heard of sewing to receipt tape or phone book pages as a foundation for sewing with scraps? Well, Scrap Tape does the same thing BUT, you don't have to take it off before using your scrap piece in your project. This is the part that really appeals to me! I hate ripping paper off the back of pieced fabric units/blocks! It's so time-consuming and messy!
Scrap Tape is currently available in three sizes:
2.5" by 25 yards Scrap Tape ...
read more