Well, despite all efforts to avoid it, Tuesday snuck up on me, and I almost forgot to write a scrappy blogpost for Wednesday! But here I am, with a little bit of a fun quilt to share! Here's the story...
It all started with this picture that I found on Pinterest. Suddenly the huge pile of strings we have at church took on a different glamour! And so, using a 5" square for the center, I started going around the square with those strings. My only requirement was that they be straight and even. Round and round and round I went, until my block measured around 18" square, and I could get a full 8.5" block from the center of the 5" square towards all four corners.
After I finished two of the 18" blocks and cut them into quarters, I arranged this on the design wall. Back to the sewing machine to make more blocks....
...and after cutting them into quarters, I decided to try a different arrangement. I like this a little bit better, and it makes the blocks more like log cabins than bento boxes. Awfully busy, though, with not much place for the eye to rest.
I decided to add sashing strips to two sides of each block (much easier than trying to keep the blocks in line with long sashing) and came up with this arrangement. I like this - it calms it down and lets the scraps shine a little brighter!
Some setting triangles and corners (thank heavens for the Robert Kaufman quilting calculator app that does the math for me!) and a border, and this quilt top is in the books! I was working at church every morning last week while the kiddos were in Vacation Bible School, and managed to finish this in probably about 8-10 hours of work.
So that's my scrappy accomplishment for the week! I'm sorry to say it didn't make much of a dent in the strings bucket, though - we may need to have a sewing day where we make a lot of these blocks and turn them into quilt tops. I think that might make a dent!
What do you do to tame YOUR string box/bin/hamper/closet?
Hugs!
Sarah
I do like it with the sashing, the strings and blocks shine on their own that way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean! And gray is one of my favorite "neutrals" - I was happy we had enough for all the background on hand!
DeleteLove that you added the sashing.
ReplyDeletethanks for mentioning the app. I'm a new quilter and know it will come in handy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun quilt to make. I love using strings. I made 100 string blocks for Covered In Love's winter block drive. They are addictive, but they didn't make a dent in my string pile. I'll have to try your idea to use more of them.
ReplyDeletecutting up half a canvas tote full of muslin scraps....determined to see it empty!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I am definitely going to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteThe grey really made the scraps pop-nice move!
I do like how that turned out. I would be interested to see a before and after picture of the strip bin when you ladies have worked together a couple of days on them.
ReplyDeleteI love it---but "scraps" NEVER go away. They are like clothes hangers in the closet--they just keep multiplying in the dark :-) So always keep a light on in your sewing/stash area :-)
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great and I do like it better on point with the sashing!
ReplyDeleteThe on-point setting really punches these scraps up a notch! Very dynamic and fun. So far, the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is keeping my string scraps under control, since I try to empty the bin with each month's color in it. Occasionally I just purge a really stuffed bin with a big project. It really helps to have them pre-sorted by color!
ReplyDeletelouise dot hornor at gmail
The grey is just right with those strings, Sarah. Right now I'm actually making more strings of batiks. They are for a 60x60 wallhanging for my bedroom. So they will get used. I'm donating from my stash to a church Quilting group. Unfortunately I would feel ashamed to donate my strips, so they just sit and wait.
ReplyDeleteYes the addition of the gray sashing is perfect. I like the idea of using up the bits that way and may try to find time to do that myself.
ReplyDeleteIam a scrapoholic,One of my favourite methods is to use my mile a minute blocks in the disappearing 9 patch patterns .I always colour code my scraps
ReplyDeletethe sashing really tamed it down. Looks great.
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