Colourful Spools

The Project: Runaway Thread

--PART THREE--

As one would normally create the blocks that make up the quilt top first, and then add the borders, this project allowed for a change in this process. This pattern works... no matter in which order you wish to do things....  So even though instructions still need to be followed, no one will know you changed things up.

I just happened to do it in reverse, as the blocks for the border are smaller and more of them. So you can see, that my wish was to finish this quilt top successfully, rather than getting tired and being stuck with an unfinished top.

Main Block Construction

 

These begin with 6.5" background fabric squares. Then adding scrappy squares to create the spool. When you look at the overall design, the spools in the border are created with the light fabric and the center spools with the scrappy fabrics.

To complete the blocks, they are created the same as the border blocks; however, the fabrics used are just done in reverse. The scrappy fabrics will create the spool, after assembly.

Adding Scrappy Blocks

Cutting Off Extra Fabric

Block Placement

Ooops... Fixing A Dilemma!

Only at this point, did I discover that I had three of these pieces...

 when I actually needed three of these pieces...

If I had not cut off the extra fabric on the blocks, all I would have needed to do was separate the larger scrappy piece and be done. However, since I had cut them, I had to adjust these blocks by thinking up a way to do that...

Not having enough leftover fabric to just cut three more blocks, I decided to add the same background fabric, creating a seam where there actually shouldn't have been one.

Replacing Corner

Now that I had make the adjustments, I could have stopped there. However, to make it look like less of an error, I did the same for all four corner blocks, and the two center blocks on the left and right sides of the quilt top.

Adding Balance at Side Center

Center Blocks Complete

Now, here one could have just added several plain borders until the size was what you wanted. However, the pattern is designed with a more creative touch... a unique block border creating a reverse effect from the center blocks.

Don't you agree, that simple borders would not have been as pretty as this one, here!

Fancy Border Added

I definitely enjoyed this project. There are lots of fun projects in this book. And, since I have more scrappy squares I'll need to revisit the list and see which one I'd want to make next time.

Now, if one wanted this quilt a bit larger, adding additional borders with fabric strips, would be simply easy. The image below shows how is fits on a queen size bed. It wouldn't take much to make it the proper size, if one desired. As I am leaving it as a quilt top, that could still be a possibility.... 

Finished Quilt Top

 

Runaway Thread -- (66" x 78")

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this project... until next time, have fun and do something creative!! For more on the book or the scrap therapy system, visit these links.

 

Happy Quilting,

 

 

 

 

Empty Spools

The Project: Runaway Thread

--PART TWO--

I began with the 3" block sizes as they will be more time consuming. Then made the 6.5" blocks for the main part of the quilt. However, here I will cover only the border strips in Part Two, and then the main part of the quilt in Part Three.

 

Block Construction

To complete the blocks, first a diagonal line is drawn on the wrong side of the background fabric (light). Then placed right sizes together with a scrap fabric block. I stitched just to the right of this line, so when it was pressed it was the proper size.

Stitching the First Corner

The instructions leave both layers as is; however, I cut them off. It worked out prefectly because I was short on the yardage and was able to use this cut off piece to do the opposite corner. I just had to align it properly to complete the blocks.


Trimming the Block Layers

Because I was using the pieces that were cut off, I did not have a square piece to align with the corner of the scrap square (as above pieces with the drawn line). I first sewed one (orange/white below) and then measured it as shown. This edge was used to align the light triangle piece so it would turn out the proper size.



Stitching the Other One

Trimming To Create The Stitching Line

Attaching the Other Corner

 

Border Construction

This was the first time I've ever worked on completing the borders of the quilt before doing the main part. With this pattern, this is possible as it is all calculated out for you in the instructions.

All the blocks are complete!! Next step, was to arrange all the pieces as shown in the book. Then, sewing together three blocks in rows and continue until the border strip was done.

Arranging Borders

Sewing A Row

Sewing the Rows to Make the Borders

Now that I have the rows stitched together into the final border strips, I am ready to stitch together the larger blocks for the center of the quilt. Coming in Part Three...

Ready For the Center

Next week... I will show you the remaining part to complete this quilt top. And also, show you how I fixed a serious error I had made in my block construction. 

 

Happy Quilting,

ScrapTherapy Project

Book of the Month
January 2012
Cut the Scraps! by Joan Ford

Since I bought this book to see how to do the ScrapTherapy(tm) system, it was all about cutting up my fabrics. I learned the "7 Steps to Quilting" and what sizes work best for these projects. Now that I have cut lots of squares of fabric in 5", 3.5" and 2" sizes, I'm ready to choose a project.

What I like to do is first browse through the quilting book and see what projects are featured. There are many lovely projects in all books, but which one will you actually make. I find it easy to get distracted and one should try and make this fun, not difficult. So... I choose to make the one that draws my attention first.

The Project: Runaway Thread

--PART ONE--

I chose "Runaway Thread" on page 81.  It grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go, so I knew I'd want to make this one for my review. It is a lap size quilt (66" x 78") that if anyone wished to, could add more outer borders to increase its size. Even though it looks really complicated, it is actually listed under the Easy level. So, don't be surprised when others will 'ohhh' and 'ahhh' at this quilt, because it truly is stunning.

Details:

4 1/4 yards - background fabric
4 1/2 yards - backing
70 inch x 82 inch - batting
5/8 yard - binding
ScrapTherapy scraps (64 -- 5" squares; 316 -- 3.5" squares)

 

After checking my fabric cabinet, I did indeed have enough of a light background fabric and lots of scrap squares. For this project, I will only be making the quilt top for now, so the other fabric requirements are not necessary at this time.

Pictured below are the fabric squares needed for the center blocks of the quilt. There are 80 background squares along with the necessary scrap squares to construct the three types of blocks needed for the center of the quilt.

Fabrics for the Center of Quilt

The block shown below uses one light background fabric square with one 5-inch scrap square and one 3.5-inch scrap square.

Finished Block -- 6.5" Square

This is the finished result for the quilt top center blocks, some have two scrap squares; some have only one scrap square added.

Center Blocks of Quilt Top

After completing both block sizes, I stored them in ziploc bags so they would be ready for the next step in construction. The construction process is the same for both block sizes.

Border Blocks -- 3" Squares

Next week... I will show you how these blocks are constructed; I will begin with the 3" block sizes as they seemed more time consuming. One shouldn't always leave the most difficult portion to the last. Do it first and then it'll seem the project is soon to be completed.

Happy Quilting,

 

Scraps Turn Into Quilts

Time to Quilt?

Have you decided which quilting projects you will work on this year? Whether it is finishing those "works in progress", taking a quilting class, or starting something brand new; let's just enjoy the journey, shall we?

I will be reviewing several books in 2012 and the posts will begin on the 23rd of the select month. At this point, I do not know how many quilts I will be making, but I'll try and review one book each month.

Scrap Quilting

If one has no idea were to begin with this quilting process... why not start with scrap quilts. They are simply beautiful, and in most cases, the fabric selection is whatever you have on hand!!

Near the end of 2011, I decided to try scrap quilting and learnt quite a lot so far. If you want to start without the need to borrow or purchasing any books, you can try some free quilt designs at quiltville. To see the ones I completed as quilt tops, please visit my 2011 Review to view them and the links that accompany them for more details.

Book of the Month
January 2012
Cut the Scraps! by Joan Ford

When I looked into the scrap quilting technique, this is the book that I found that got my attention. I really wanted to do something with all those pieces and cut-up fat quarters I had in my fabric cabinet.

 

 Book: Cut the Scraps!

 

So I started my process... of cutting up these fabrics into a variety of sizes. I love cutting up fabrics with my rotary tools. I had cut up several sizes, but once I was able to read the book, I tried to stick with the three sizes she uses for the projects in this book.

I began by going through my stacks of fabric, (these are sorted into colour families); and selected the smaller pieces of fabric, such as: very small pieces that were mixed into these stacks, fat quarters, and strips of fabric yardage smaller than 1/4 of yard (meter). I was happy to get rid of those FQs, that I really don't like, mostly because they need so much trimming to square them up.

Since they were mostly in colour families, I'd take one colour and start with cutting those up. The next day, I'd choose another colour. This I continued... until I had the selected fabrics completed.

  One Session of Cutting

If you want to get your fabric stash in order, her ScrapTherapy^TM program is a great way to accomplish this. She explains her "7 Steps Method" to get your fabric stash in shape. The book has two sections: Part One: The Seven Steps and Part Two: The Projects to Make.

The three sizes of squares to cut for these projects are: 2", 3.5", and 5". The book has 20 great projects to start you on a great journey to use up your scraps. If you would like to find out more about her system, visit her website for more information.

Fabric Squares: 5", 3.5", 2"

The Projects

EASY LEVEL:

Thrown Together Pillow and Pincushion -- 14" x 14"; 4" x 4"

Once Upon a Scrap -- 37" x 51"

Runaway Thread -- 66" x 78"

Table Stripes Runner -- 15" x 42"

Lucky Chain -- 51" x 60"

Cheap Frills Pouch -- 9" x 10"

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL:

Scrappy Trails -- 64" x 64" 

Feedsack Peaks -- 64" x 80"

Everything Nice -- 60" x 77"

Something Fishy -- 39" x 51"

Lightning Strikes Twice -- 77" x 76"

Scrap Sack -- 15" x 18" x 9"

Fly Away -- 76" x 76"

Bloomin' Steps -- 75" x 87"

Tulip Patches -- 65" x 77"

Star Gazing -- 67" x 82"

Town Tote -- 10" x 9" x 4"

Duck, Duck, Goose Place Mats and Table Runner -- 14" x 18"; 16" x 52"

With Salmon Run -- 70" x 70"

EXPERIENCED LEVEL:

In the North Woods -- 69" x 69"

Next week, I will begin by showing you the project I have chosen, and will continue each week to bring you its progress to the finished quilt top.

Happy Quilting,