Hi, all!
It's fun to be back in the swing of scrappy sewing again - I really missed it in July! I've got kind of a mixed bag to share today, so let's get started!
First of all, I finished the rustic plaid pillow and seat cushion...
I'm really happy with the way these turned out. It used up a lot of plaid scraps from my mother-in-law's stash, which was fortunately exactly what the customer wanted. But I'm most excited about the back of the pillow...
I used a man's shirt front, cut with the button placket intact, to use as the back. No buttonholes to make, and the back can be opened to add a pillow insert! If the pillow had been square instead of rectangular, I would have incorporated the pocket, also, and run the placket vertically instead of horizontally. The pocket would have been a handy hiding place for a book, candy, or a handkerchief!
And today I've been working on these placemats (shown above, top on the left and back on the right). I've quilted four of them, only four to go!
Something I'm adding to my list for the month - I've got a ridiculously large pile of t-shirt backs left over from all the t-shirt quilts I've made this summer, and I want to cut them into squares to sew together for picnic or stadium quilts. I'm thinking I will cut 12.5" squares, 6.5" squares, and 4.5" squares, which should use up most of the left over fabric. I can use them as singles (12.5"), four-patches (6.5"), and nine-patches (4.5") and mix them up for interest. It just seems wasteful to throw those pieces away - there's a lot of fabric there!
And now I've got a great inspiration pic to show you. I came across this on Instagram today - it didn't have a caption, so I don't know where it is, but WOW! You should enlarge the picture to see the detail, particularly in the face. It is truly amazing - and what a scrap buster!!!
So that's what's going on, scrap-wise, around here this week. What have you been working on? Making any headway against that scrap monster? Tell us about it!
Hugs!
Sarah
Love the shirt as a pillow back idea!
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is gorgeous, great scrap buster but I wouldn't have any hair left after ripping it all out. My husband steals all of the left over t-shirt backs to use as rags at work, I get to revisit them when he brings them home for washing.
ReplyDeleteYou've been quite busy with your scraps. I've already mentionned that I like your clever pillows and I must say that I also like your placemats. This black and white scheme will create a chic table setting. :-) I'm looking forward to seeing your back-of-t-shirt quilts. I also have plenty of those. ;-)
ReplyDeletewhat can one say about that picture quilt but WOW
ReplyDeleteThat pillow backing is quite clever and a great re-purpose for a shirt. You have been quite busy with your scraps and seem to be making great progress. The Instagram photo...one word...wow. I can't even imagine the time and planning that went into creating it. I am happy to report I am pattern testing and have been able to pretty much pull entirely from my stash, except for background fabric.
ReplyDeleteUsing a shirt for the back of the pillow is an awesome idea! (why didn't I think of that? lol) It makes the job so much faster. Thanks for sharing. And the Instagram quilt is FAAAABULOUS!! ;^)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I love, love, LOVE that plaid pillow and seat cushion. They are so cute! Thanks for the inspiration photo...I am amazed by what some people can create with scraps of fabric.
ReplyDeleteThe pillow and placemats are sweet. And I love the inspirational photo! Wow!
ReplyDeleteLots of great ideas in this post, Sarah! I do love that idea of using a man's shirt for a pillow backing...how clever and economical, especially if it's a grandfather's or dear uncle's shirt to help us remember. I was thinking those t-shirt pieces might be used in baby burp cloths as the middle layer, or even as the backing. I am currently working on a CrossCut quilt which is a modern, improv style and I'm just loving it! The colors I've chosen are similar to your placemats that you're making.
ReplyDeleteThe pillow back is a fantastic idea! I'm doing a couple pillows from my sister's late FIL, so I'm definitely stealing this idea.
ReplyDeleteI had started a scrap vortex quilt (like Crazy Mom Quilts' one), but with just yellow scraps. I had grand visions of how cheerful and bright it would turn out. It didn't, but still could...when I eventually finish it.
ReplyDeleteBut, my daughter saw what I was doing, pulled several fabrics out of my scrap stash, and started her first quilt. She finished it all this past week, except for binding. It is gorgeous! yellows with some pinks
I'll be posting it on instagram when she's done. :)
My other scraps just seem to be multiplying.
just finished cutting up my entire overflowing scrap basket into workable units and put them away in their shoeboxes waiting for a project! whew....
ReplyDeleteAwesome pillow back!! And that photo from Instagram...wow....I'm speechless.
ReplyDeleteThe pillow and seat cushion are super! I love that you reused a shirt for the backing on the seat cushion. How clever!
ReplyDeleteReally like the pillow back idea! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI also missed you in July - didn't do the quilt along, too many other things going on!
ReplyDeleteThe left over T-shirt parts also make excellent cleaning rags. I give them to friends who use them as such. Some in cleaning homes, some use them in out door sheds or garages, and I've even been told they're good for cleaning guns. The scrappy pieces, like collars and sleeves are cut up and used to make dog beds.
This week just working on getting the last three charity quilts done. Fab idea of using the button shirt fronts for the pillow back.
ReplyDeleteAs someone else said, I use old t-shirts as rags, but making quilts sounds much more fun! I really love the men's shirt as a pillow back. I'll have to remember that little trick :) That IG picture is amazing. What detail!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for the name of the quilter for you and finally found it -- AFRIKAN BRICK ART – BY CHARIS TSEVIS. I love that quilt and technique, too!
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ReplyDeleteI just love them all.
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