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!

Scrappy Hexagon quilt progress

The Scrappy Hexagon quilt is progressing. HOW-TO post is the one before this.

 I'm digging through the final 1-1/2" scrap strips to make enough triangles to complete the top.

I took a little time away from the quilt to make a mug rug. Ever feel the need to just have a finish? Me too. 

I had a pile of little short scraps collecting on the cutting table. I was ready to toss them in the garbage when it occured to me they might make a scrappy block. I don't need just one odd scrappy block so I decided on a new mug rug....can't have too many of those.

 So now I'm at the final part of the top. I have 5 rows of hexagons. The quilt is about 60" long and 70 wide. 

I've been looking at it, trying to decide between a top/bottom border, no border with an extra row of hexagons or something else.

My daughters both said NO BORDERS! Well, I guess I'll take their advice and do one more row of hexagons, which kind of throws off the symmetry that I usually do. The top will now end with a row that has diamonds on each end. Personally, I would of liked DIAMOND rows to be interior rows. But to do that I would have to a 7th row after this addition. Too large for my purposes and for the amount of scraps I have left.

I'll add the 6th row today and see how I like it. (I call it the 6th row even though it's really the 11th and 12th rows...2 pieced triangle rows needed to make a hexagon row)

I'll let you know how it goes🙈

And...I'm back to sewing

Maybe it's a cold weather thing but my sewjo is back. And so is winter! We just had 6" dumped on us! It's beautiful and cold and it makes me want to curl up in a nice warm quilt by the fire...but also to sew!

I added a few more rows so my Thimble Quilt about 31 rows long now.

All the scrap fabrics were cut into thimble shapes so I just need to sew...just keep sewing...just keep sewing (reminds me of Dory in the Finding Nemo movie)

When I finally have the last row on, I know there will be leftover thimble pieces. Do I make a second quilt like this? Or do I give them away? I considered that but it's such a specific template... Maybe I'll do a few mug rugs. Those are always fun to have and to give. 

Here's the entrance to my backyard...a bit of snow, you say? 😂 Yes! It is! But that's why I love living in northern Michigan. It's alway so beautiful and the weather is always changing.  

 

Early sewing on a Scrappy Saturday

Got up early to sew a bit before work. Working on more Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks in aqua. When I figured out how many blocks I would need for this quilt I figured about 64. So if I have 10 colors that's about 6 each...maybe 7 or another color. I have 5 purples...and pieces to make one more. Same with my aqua/sea green. I really like the blues...any blues ...might do one or two extra aqua.

I put a pattern for this block on my February 18th blog entry... scrappy block tutorial

As I was digging through my aqua scraps I found this old piece of Peter Pan fabric. It's REALLY old!  Quite possibly from the 80s. I'm inserting a little here and there. Sure hope it doesn't bleed. I know I prewashed it years ago...crossing my fingers.

Ready to stitch up a couple more then I've got to leave...wish I could spend more time quilting!

Januarys purple blocks are becoming a quilt!!

Here's my purple Scrap Jar blocks with the setting I decided on. This decision took FOREVER! 

Last night I played with my EQ program trying out different colors and setting blocks but they were all too traditional or too bright or too white. I wanted to bring in a little gray or black to tone everything down but still let the purples shine. 

So I brought out all my little pieces of low volumes and black or grays on white. Loved it!

Then I had to decide if I still wanted setting blocks or just sashing. Since I wanted this quilt to be a lap size, the sashing made sense.. Now the cornerstones....I wanted something modern but something that used up more scraps so I played with the little leftover pieces from the star centers. 

The plus signs were more modern than a regular nine patch and if I added a different purple center then I would get the design I wanted AND use up lots of purple pieces. Added bonus...when I cut the sashing I had lots of little black on white scraps to use in making the cornerstone background. 

With any luck I'll have the top done tomorrow!