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,

 

 

 

 

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,