Doing another scrap challenge quilt

This is my latest project….. it’s going to be a very scrappy quilt using mostly 30s, shirtings and novelty scraps in softer colors. This is a scrap challenge I’m doing through IG @retroquiltlover

She organized a nine patch scrap change last year and this year it’s these economy (or thrift) blocks.

I bought a new acrylic template to make cutting/trimming these blocks easier. I cut the center using my 

2-1/2” template then cut 2 three inch squares which I then subcut on a diagonal. Those are added to the 4 sides of the center piece. I  press then my new template is used to trim. 

 

 

After trimming I add 4 more triangles and use it to trim again. It gives me perfect little 4” economy blocks. 

I’ve decided that I’ll need about 250 of these blocks to make my quilt. So far I have 70. And of course that hasn’t made a dent in my scrap basket🫣

But I’m having a great time digging through these …making fun little blocks. 

Tomorrow I’ll probably put these away so I can make my next RSC2025 block (rainbow scrap challenge). Plus it’s time to pin baste the thousand pyramids quilt!

March rainbow block

The color for March is yellow, for the rainbow scrap challenge. These are really large blocks (18”) so I’m only doing one a month. I’ve decided to use Kaffe, Amy Butler, Brandon, type fabrics… But this month, since I was short of yellows, I tucked in a couple Dr Seuss scraps

Three months in and I’m already loving how this quilt is looking.

This is my other “current” project. I have 12 rows done, 15 total needed for this Thousand Pyramid quilt. I’d love to have this completed this month. It’s gonna be close. I’m also hand quilting a top that I’d also like to finish up. 

It’s going to be a busy month with all this and helping my brothers with maple syrup. They have a farm in northern Michigan with 40 trees they plan to tap. 

This pic is of Lake Michigan as we were heading into the U.P. of Michigan. The frozen lake is so beautiful. It looks cold but it was a beautiful warm (57 degrees F) day. Perfect to start collecting maple drippings.

Blue February block

 

My current projects: 1. Hand quilting my vintage style quilt 2. Making monthly rainbow scrap challenge blocks (above), feb is blue 3. Still making triangular blocks for my Thousand Pyramids quilt. 

I decided to do a very large Bear Paw block for this year’s Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I really love these blocks. It’s going to be scraps of Kaffe or Amy Butler or whatever brighter pretty scraps are hanging around, then a coordinating solid. The background fabric is one I found as I cleaned and unpacked my sewing room. It was supposed to go with an animal quilt that I decided not to make. So I have plenty. These are 18” blocks, so I figure I can make one a month for 2025 and I’ll have a bright top for quilting in the winter of 2026.

I’m trying to make a few blocks a day for the pyramid quilt. It’s really fun digging through old fabrics to find 3 that look good together and work with the quilt. Some of these fabrics are REALLY old like that Wamsutta in the photo… might be 90s? There’s also a bunch of shirtings thrown in plus text fabrics, Kaffe stripes, and even Jinny Beyer. Of course it’s mostly Judie Rothermel and Paula Barnes, my favorites!

And this is what I’m hand quilting… I’m not the best at it but it works for me. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be so I’ll be happy just to have it done. I’m taking it on my trip to Florida when I go. It’ll give me a nice project to work on if we have any rainy days.

 I have a finish for 2025!! This is the first of what I hope will be many finishes this year. This quilt started in 2019 or 2020 as something to keep me busy in Florida.  I had planned to just do the curved applique pieces but quickly got bored so I put it away. 

In 2024 I was unpacking and cleaning, and I found 16 of those petals. I played around with them and came up with the block with the plus and 4 petals. After that I thought I'd design something Swedish /Scandinavian looking and drew up the pieced block to alternate with the petals. Those were time consuming...I think there were about 69 pieces per block. But, Al really liked them so I made more. 

And I'm glad I listened to him (dont let him know I said that, it'll go to his head). Im really happy with this. The red and white quilts have always been a favorite of mine... glad I now have one.