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Sunday, February 11, 2018

Scrumptious Scraps Quilt-Along - Creativity With What You Have!

Hi, all!

Are you ready for another installment in the Scrumptious Scraps Quilt-Along?  This week I'll be talking about using what you have, with some tips about how to figure out what you need to make a quilt, etc.  So let's get started!

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Here's a picture of the quilt I made for this week. Well, ok, it's just a flimsy, but I PROMISE I finished this quilt!  I didn't realize I had not taken pictures of the finished quilt until today, and it is a soggy mess in my yard right now, so no way to take nice pictures.  I do have proof that I quilted it, but I'll show you that later.


And here is the box that started it all.  For some unknown reason, I have a shoebox FULL of pieces cut 2.5" x 5.5".  This picture was taken after I made the quilt above, so you can get an idea of just how full it was.  I think there's enough left in the box to make at least two more quilts the same size!  So I decided to make a quilt using these pieces.  

Inspiration Shot!
This quilt was my inspiration shot - my starting point.  I didn't know the sizes of these pieces, but using a little (gasp) QUILT MATH, I could use my pieces to create something similar.  

And here's the quilt math:  My pieces measured 2.5" x 5.5", and paired up with a background fabric, one of each sewn together into a 2-patch block would measure 4.5" x 5.5", finishing out at 4" wide x 5" tall. I wanted my quilt to finish out at approximately 60" square, so how many of these 2-patch blocks did I need?  Divide 60" by 4", and you get 15, so I needed 15 blocks across.  Divide 60" by 5", and you get 12, so I needed 12 blocks down.  Multiply 15 x 12, and you get 180 of the 2-patch blocks to make this quilt.

First step is to pull 180 print pieces from my tub.  That was an interesting process, because there were many of these that had multiples, and I didn't want to load the quilt up with a lot of repeat pieces.  So I went through the stacks, pulling one of each print and adding them to my "quilt" stack.  When I got through the piles, I went back through doing the same thing until I had enough to make the quilt.  One tip here - most of my pieces were green-oriented, but I threw in a few other colors for "POP!" - some purple, pink, and graphic prints.  Those bits will provide a place for the eye to stop and perceive all of the quilt, instead of wandering over it aimlessly.


Then I laid these pieces out on my cutting board and auditioned background colors.  I tried a lot of different things - several different grays, cream, khaki - all the traditional neutral background colors.  Now, I love neutrals, but I think we tend to limit ourselves to the traditional.  Nothing really wowed me - until I stepped out of the box and pulled a vivid blue burlap-look print left over from a long-ago quilt project.  But did I have enough?


Say hello to my little friend!  This is one reason my phone is never very far away when I'm working on a quilt.  This little app by Robert Kaufman is absolutely the most useful thing on my phone.  (Search the app store for "quilting calculator" and you'll see it - and best of all, it's free!) It contains a great selection of calculators you need for quilting. This is the calculator I used to figure out how much fabric I needed...


As you can see, I entered the number and size of pieces I needed, and hit Calculate...



...and here are the results!  You get two different fabric requirements, based on the direction you cut your pieces.  Sometimes they are the same, most of the time they are slightly different.  Fortunately, I had enough of my deep blue fabric to make this quilt, so I got to work cutting, and then chain piecing my blocks.


Isn't chain piecing fun?  Those 180 sets went together pretty quickly, and soon I was pressing all the seams towards the background pieces.  


And how about another bonus?  I used a bunch of partially full bobbins to piece this quilt, and look - SEVEN empty bobbins all ready to be loaded up again!  It pays to remember there's all kinds of scraps to use up in your sewing area!


I arranged the blocks on my design wall, moving them around until I was satisfied with the layout.  Assembly began - I like to sew columns together rather than rows but that's just personal preference.  However you like to do it is the best way for you!


And here's the proof that I actually did quilt it!  I really wish I had taken some pictures when the weather was so beautiful yesterday - it turned out wonderful - bright and warm and cuddly!

So now, how do you make your own?  Well, if you are fortunate enough to have some rectangular cut pieces already, you're set!  I've given you the math to figure out how many pieces you need and how to figure out how much background you need.  Don't have any rectangles in your stash?  Don't fret!  There's still hope!

Do you have charm (5") squares?  Remember those random charm packs you bought without a plan?  Can they play well together?  Then cut them in half and get started!  Or how about leftover jelly roll strips, or leftover binding strips?  I even have a precut bundle hanging around in my stash - I think they used to call it a dessert roll - that is an odd size but might be perfect for this project.  Think creatively about what you've got and use. it. up!

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Do you feel inspired?  I hope so!  There's so much potential laying around our studios, just waiting to become quilts.  And don't laugh when you read studio and think about your own sewing space - any place you sew is a studio, where you create using your God-given artistic talents!  So be proud of your space AND your creativity!

And I promised a box of scraps to one of you last week - let's see who the lucky recipient is...



Congratulations!  I'll be contacting Liz to get her snail mail address so I can send her out a package of scraps to play with!

And since mailing out two packages of scraps hasn't made a dent in my scrap stash, I'm going to offer up another one this week!  I'll choose from the people who leave a comment below - if you DON'T want scraps, be sure to say so, and if you DO, be sure to leave your email address!

Happy Scrappy Sewing!!

Sarah

72 comments:

  1. Great quilts! Thanks for inspiring me. I keep saving scraps for some future project, not even a specific one ..... and then the pile grows! Seeing what can be done with them is good. Today is a perfect day to start a new scrap quilt! :) louisesjodinshort@gmail.com

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  2. Love this quilt! I'm working on a scrappy comforter top right now but I can definitely see your pattern getting used sometime this year! I love the blues, you are right, we get stuck using the same back ground fabrics all the time. Time to break out of the rut! Oh yeah, almost forgot, no scraps please, enough of my own.

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  3. Love your tutorial. I would love to receive your scraps.

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  4. Great tutorial, thanks for the quiting calculator tip. Oh Yes I will love your scraps ♥

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  5. Love your quilt. I've made a similar rectangle quilt in the past, but I went with traditional white. I think I'll have to try it again with color.

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  6. Hoping to get lucky this time when you give away another bunch of your scraps. I have made 2 quilts using 2.5 by 3.5 scraps and the math is 1200 pieces to make an 80 by 90 quilt. So I named these "My 1200 Rectangles Quilts". Fun to use up scraps while chain piecing!!!

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  7. Love your quilt. And I'm going to go search for that app. I would love a box of scraps to play with.

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  8. great looking scrappy quilt - I have made one like that and it used up a lot of my scraps - it was queen size - and I still have enough left to make more and more and more - so no scrap win for me please LOL

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  9. Imagine my surprise when I saw I had won. Haven't seen the email yet. frog2quilt@gmail.com
    Thanks.

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  10. A great scrap buster quilt. I like the colored background. I get tired of white or cream for the background. I am trying to use the million scraps I have so no box of scraps for me.

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  11. Nice scrappy quilt. Would love a box of scraps. dorthac at aol.com

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  12. Interesting how you calculate the number of units you need for your quilt. I'm must be a complicated person because I go reverse. Size of block X (pick a number, any number) let say 12 to see how big the quilt will be. Ha! Yes, would love your box of goodies. Thanks for the chance and for the math course. ;^)

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  13. Another wonderful scrap quilt idea! You could also scrap the background if your stash is full of blues! I have enough scraps, so please don't put my name in the drawing. Thanks for the wonderful ideas!

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  14. They way it glows with the sun behind it!! Love! I need to rig up a line to hang tops from to get this effect.

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  15. Me me me!,! Lol. I like this quilt because you use an efficient way to use your scraps. Cutting charms in half and no new baby scraps!

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  16. Oh great idea for all my(unused and languishing in a box-0 charm packs--I will be using these as leader-enders...hugs, Julierose

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  17. I like this quilt a lot and chain piecing is the bomb!!
    Throw my name in the hat for scraps;)

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  18. I LOVE scrap quilts and this one is going to be added to my ever growing list of "to dos". Thanks for keeping us inspired.

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  19. Love your quilt, and would love to win some scraps!
    katfishb@yahoo.com

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  20. I really like this quilt. Thanks for the tutorial. Please put my name in for the chance to win a box of your scraps. Thank you very much.

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  21. Thanks for a great scrap quilt. I have a jelly roll just begging to be used and this is perfect. Cold and snowy here today so a perfect sew day.

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  22. What a lovely quilt! The blue is perfect! Thanks for the info on the calculator app, I'll download it soon! I'd love an opportunity for scraps, thanks so much! radosevichr@hotmail.com

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  23. I love this super quick and easy looking quilt! Looks perfect for our ministry group members, and of course we can always use more scrappy goodness in our stash.

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  24. I love this post and the quilt and just wanted to let you know that I'm jumping buttons and QAL. I originally was participating in your Scrap Attack but Scrumptious Scrap QAL is much more my alley. I already finished a quilt top yesterday using up the scraps from my son's wedding signature quilt made in 2014 and now my sweet baby granddaughter has a new baby quilt. BTW, I don't need anymore scraps, please.

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  25. since scraps seem to multiply, having some simple, fast and beautiful patterns on hand is a must! count me in for the giveaway! gracemth@yahoo.com

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  26. Sarah, I would love to have some new scraps. Hopefully after a second stent placement tomorrow, I can finally leave the hospital on Tues. since the heart attack last Wed. Would love some new scraps to pet and sew.

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  27. I love the look of this scrap quilt! Using the blue for the background was such a fun choice! Thanks for sharing about that app; What a fantastic resource! I'd love some scraps to play with! Thanks for another chance!

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  28. What a great quilt, I love the idea of cutting up Charm packs. Empty bobbins, what a bonus.

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  29. Have enough scraps of my own at the moment, but thanks for sharing.

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  30. Great post - quilt tutorial, app and scrap fabric offer. I would love to add your scraps to mine, pulling in a new color view.

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  31. I like the scrappy lozenges. And thanks for the info about the calculator app - beats doing math in your head or with pencil and paper!

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  32. What a great scrap buster! lutzcats@yahoo.com

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  33. What a great quilt and use of scraps. I really like the blue, and you've probably just given me another project! Thank you!

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  35. Love the bright blue! Now I want to make a scrappy rectangles quilt! I just made a batch of 20 patch blocks with rectangles instead of squares and it is a nice change. ccbeal3@gmaildotcom

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  36. I've made 2 quilts like that - I started with a bright deeper turquoise Kona that I bought because it was a cheerful colour. Then, every time I cut fabric for a project, I made sure to cut a few extra 2.5" x 4.5" blocks. Cut the Kona to the same size, and before I knew it, I had a top. Just repeated it with the rest of the fabrics - well, all of the ones in my first box...! I have at least one more box full!

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  37. Love the quilt. The list of quilts I want to make has grown again - thanks for the inspiration. I never would have thought to use bright blue. I would love a chance to win some scraps. Thank you.

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  38. I love scrap quilts and yours is great!
    lraetaylor at gmail dot com

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  39. Thanks for going thru the math to get your quilt top done, now I can do that with the scrap sizes I have! More scraps would be awesome - give me more variety to work with. Have a great week!

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  40. Crazy about that blue! Great top.
    Do not want scraps, moving in a few weeks.

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  41. Oh Yes! Fabulous bricks! :) Love the blue. I just decided to do the background of my leader/ender project in VIOLET!

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  42. I’m looking forward to using the app. Thanks for sharing. Would love to have the scraps. Tatispapa at earthlink dot net

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  43. I love scrap quilts, so I would welcome your scraps! Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  44. Thanks so much for the tip on the quilt calculator. I have already downloaded it and I know it will be a big help! I would love a box of your scraps!!

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  45. This is a great quilt! Some other blogger I follow has made one very much like it as a leader ended project. I’m very tempted to make one, but not sure whether to sei down and make it or do it as a leader enter project! Have to think on that for a while!

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  46. Awesome way to use up those scraps...you have inspired me to go through my bins....and I look forward to giving that calculator a whirl! roberta798@aol.com, would love some of your scraps! Thanks for your awesome blog!

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  47. Scrappy quilts are my favorite way to use fabrics. Would love to have some of your scraps to use. retiredgijo@yahoo.com

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  48. What a great way to use up scraps! Would love to add some more scraps.

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  49. Thank you so much for the info on Robert Kaufman app. I had it on my phone but didn't really know how to use it! LOL I would love to have some scraps!

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  50. Great scrap quilt! We just had a speaker at our guild who talked about how to manage scraps--making this quilt would be a great way to start. I'd love to include your scraps....
    eahorgan@gmail.com

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  51. Wonderful scrap quilt !! Don't you just love that app?? I am very math challenged and it has come to my rescue many a time.
    I don't need any more scraps, I have 50 + years of them already. ;)

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  52. I love this quilt! The blue background is perfect. I follow your blog all the time and get great inspiration. Thank you for taking time to share. I’d love more scrap fabric! I’m at sguhl@att.net

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  53. OMG, I used to have that fabric calculator on my phone, but must have not transferred it over to my new phone. I just downloaded it again, looked around at its possibilities, and I'm in seventh heaven. All my note scribbling can now be eliminated with this app - thank you for the reminder!!! I am very short on green scraps for a project I started working on. Seems green has not been my color, lol!

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    1. Shoot - I also meant to tell you how lovely your scrappy quilt turned out. And great idea to use up the leftover bobbins of thread!

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  54. Never thought to use the partially filled bobbins this way. Although I only have a few, they will be stored in a specific place for that specific use. Great tip. Thanks. I also want to thank your for the app information. Going to look for it on tablet.

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  55. got so caught up in the tips I forgot to congratulate Liz on her great win.

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  56. love this pattern. so happy to know about the calculator app. I usually just wing it and hope. would love to use some of your scraps to make a scrappy look quilt.

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  57. I don't need any scraps, but thank you for the info about the Robert Kaufman app!

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  58. Though a simple design, this scrap busting quilt is a winner! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  59. I've been waiting for you to blog about this quilt, ever since seeing glimpses of it weeks ago! The blue background is what raises it above the fray...so great to think outside the neutrals box :)

    Please don't enter me in the drawing as I still have no shipping address. Good luck to someone else!

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  60. Oh Scrap....are you saying I've been doing the math the hard way all this time? haha I will still be working with pen & paper, however...guess I'm old-fashioned but I like diagrams & seeing exactly how I need to cut up scraps for my projects. I shouldn't sign up for the drawing but it's fun to get mail, and even more fun to play with someone else's fabrics. I am looking at my scrappy 2"x5" rectangles right now to see how they would look as a 3-some (4.5" finished blocks). Wish me luck. Sherry in cold Iowa

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  61. I don't need any more scraps, but I love this quilt. I was looking for an easy pattern to use to make a masculine type quilt and I think this is it. Thanks.

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  62. Love the way you turned those scraps into a great quilt. Scrap quilts are always interesting to look at with all the different fabrics. So kind of you to share scraps, it's always fun to see what others have in their stash. I would love to have the chance to win.

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  63. Lovely scrappy quilt! I'd really enjoy getting some scraps in the mail. I'm making a 1.5" postage stamp and could use more scraps. Thanks for a chance.
    kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

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  64. Oh, I had seen a pic or two of this and I love it. I've got a project that needs background that I can't seem to decide on. I'm going back tomorrow to see if a love not neutral "neutral" will work. Thanks for the idea.

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  65. I am new to the quilting world and am inspired by the scraps you turn into Gold with your quilts. I do not have a very large supply of scraps yet, but would love to receive a box of your scraps to see where their journey takes me in creating the same magic. I love your beautiful work!

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  66. That is such a fun quilt. The vivid blue looks great. Who know where those odd sized pieces come from. I have a stack of 3" by 6" rectangles. Why? I have no idea. (Please -- NO scraps for me!)

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  67. I like your ideas for using scraps--your quilt is great. I would have fun with your scraps!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  68. Great quilt and tutorial--love that you give instructions on how to figure out the fabric needed to make it the size you want.

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  69. Love this quilt and a great app. Thank you. I’d love some scraps please
    Gillpittock@yahoo.com

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Comments make me smile!! If you want a PDF of a pattern, PLEASE leave your email address in your comment, or email me directly at salliesue57 (at) gmail (dot) com!