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,

 

Year In Review

A look back...

Since I had taken a quilting break through part of 2010-2011, I wasn't quite sure how to begin again. I still felt the need to stick with the materials I had on hand; and therefore, it was clear that I would need to figure out how to proceed.

Many people have already discovered how enjoyable SCRAPPY quilting was, and since that wasn't an area I had worked in, thought, why not try it!! Here is what transpired...

Click on the images or links below for more details on these projects: 

 Images--for my original blog entry   /   Links--for the designer's website/blogs



Storm at Sea

John Flynn's, "Storm at Sea" was such fun to create. I love it when any fabric choices made can still turn out a great look!!

Visit his website to see more color choices and the quilting lines used to create a perfect flow for that stormy sea.  Or check out the opportunity to attend a quilting seminar next summer, in Montana.

 

Fabric scraps taking over your life... then this scrappy method is just one medicine the quilt doctor would prescribe for you!!

 

 

String Quilting Primer

I really enjoyed this process... actually it is quite addicting, so be advised that this may affect you the same way!!!

Bonnie Hunter's, "String Quilting Primer" instructions are great to get you started. For more quilting fun, check out her books, free patterns, and her 10-day Bali adventure in 2012 on her website.

Here are two more inspiring sites to visit for this technique, a guild challenge and a video:  SelvageBlog, Quilty.

String-X Quilt!

Bonnie Hunter's, "String-X Quilt!" instructions are great to get you motivated to try more string quilting.

This design was fun, with the added challenge of setting my blue pieces into a uniform effect.  I still like a balanced look. Not yet ready to try going totally random.

  

Four Patch & Furrows

So many great free patterns on Quiltville, I had to chose a few more to try. This one used up more of those scraps.

This one challenged my color selection process, and in time, I dug up enough yardage to create the furrow section. It was a joy to make. Check out the instructions for "Four Patch & Furrows!

 

Scrappy Mountain Majestics!

This quilt was really fun!! This was my second favorite design from the scrappy quilts. 

Bonnie Hunter's, "Scrappy Mountain Majestics!" instructions are super easy. These start out with 8.5" blocks. There are several options to reveal different looks--like creating magic, it is!!

Crumb Chaos

I found Patti Chartrand's "Crumb Chaos" featured on the Quilting Gallery and it looked so delightful. However, this technique has my lowest votes, as it simply isn't for me.

If you have lots of tiny pieces and love this technique, the results can be truly awesome. 

Check out the tutorials for Bonnie's "Crumbs, Crumbs, Crumbs" and Patti's "Crumb Chaos" on their blogs: Quiltville, Patti's blog. 

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog!! More to come, next year!!

I wish you all a very bright future as the year "2012" dawns. May it bring peace and prosperity to all. Cheers!!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!! I will be back next week to do a Quilting Review of 2011 and what may be ahead for my quilting journey in the New Year.

May you enjoy the festive energy of the season and carry it forward with you into 2012.  Wishing 2012 will be a very fabulous and magical year for you....