Making Fabric For New Quilt

The Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge for 2019, hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, is right around the corner.  This is Sarah's 9th year .... with participants growing in numbers.  

I have the cutest little pattern for the challenge this year...so it is time to make some fabric, using the Mile-A-Minute/M-A-M method. The pattern requires several 6 1/2" Blocks and 4" Units (to make HST's later trimmed to 3 1/2").  Not to mention...this will help tame the scrap stash.

The pattern will remain under wraps for now .... however, if you are "making fabric" from your scraps, I just may have a idea for you.  More hints will come as we get closer to March 10th (the kick-off date of H2H).  

I also found this cute little basket at the Dollar Store, to keep next to my sewing machine.  As I continue sewing on other projects, I will keep making fabric from the basket.  

Love Handles Quilt

A couple of months ago, this  pattern started calling my name.  With an over abundance of tropical fabrics in my stash, I knew this design would be fun to make.  "Love Handles", designed by Judy Dohrman for Black Cat Creations, is a modern version adapted from an antique block.  

The quilt, now at home with my daughter in law Rachel, was gifted to her at Christmas.  With all the rain and cloudy days, the final pictures had to wait for the sun to come out.  

Linking up with Sarah, at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Freedom Flyer, Rainbow Version

The Wednesday update to the Scrap Control Challenge -- can't say this is an annual challenge, more or less a LIFE-LONG challenge.  With Sarah's guidance (Confessions of a Fabric Addict) and Angela's Rainbow Challenge, it seems the projects are growing, but so is the scrap bags.   

The above "Freedom Flyer" was born from some of the blocks made for the 2018 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Glittered Nine Patches and Framed Double Half Square Triangles are alternated; 7 across and 9 down.  The rainbow blocks are now labeled and sealed in a Ziplock for future to-go projects at our guild's Sit and Sew.

The first version was made with the Red/Blue Blocks for a Quilt of Valor.   

Scrap Control Finish, Glittered Nine Patch

With the continued inspiration of Sarah, Confessions of a Fabric Addict / "I May Have a Scrap Problem", I am plugging along with more Scrap Control projects.  The above "Glittered Nine Patch" of blues, greens and whites came together quickly.  For this variation, I added a scrappy sashing.

Using 2 1/2" strips, I started with simple 4-patches of blue/white, green white and combos of green/blue/white -- very scrappy.

The block is a simple variation to the "Prairie Queen Block".  To make, use the diagram below and  combine (5) 4 1/2" squares with the four patches described above.

I have also made these blocks all year with the 2018 Rainbow Scrap Challenge, using a little more a more planned color combo for each block (LINK).  

Linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Whoop Whoop!

Scrap Control - Kids Quilt Tutorial

On the wall, another scrappy Kids Quilt - this one started with a plaid Focus fabric (horizontal strips shown above).  I pulled from my 2 1/2" strips and cut (72) 2 1/2" strips of those matching and/or blending with this plaid.  Randomly sewed the strips together until each of the four rows have (18) 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips across.

For the horizontal strips, I cut (8) 2 1/2" X WOF white backgound strips.  Each of the plaid strips will be bordered by this white. Those will be trimmed to 36 1/2" strip sets and sewn between the scrappy rows. Also trim the two remaining 2 1/2" X WOF white strips to 36 1/2", then add to the top and bottom.

The top will finish at 36" X 46".  Fabric for backing, 1 1/2 yards and (4) 2  1/2" X WOF for binding (I will use the focus plaid). When I finish this quilt, I will link back to these instructions.

This project is coming together so quickly, I am already digging through my stash to start more.  

Scrap Control Update

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I'm sharing my little turkey (still needs feet).  A tiny dent in the scraps.

A "Quilt for Kids" start - rainbow colors of 6 1/2" squares.  A couple of borders and then done.

Another "Quilts for Kids"  using blocks left over from a Family Quilt made in 2015 -- just enough for a small quilt and reduction of orphan blocks.  My goal for "Quilts for Kids" (Baton Rouge Chapter) is almost done - most are quilted, bound and ready for delivery.  Pictures as soon as the last binding goes on.  

Next goal .... Our guild was introduced to the  Petite Bijoux Project, who is collecting quilts 24" square, 36" square or 36" X 45" -- or sizes close to this, for babies in the Terrebonne General Hospital NICU Unit.  

New scrap/stash project:  I have a huge stash of stripes and dots ... to add variety, we had a fabric exchange this year with our guild .... more stripes and dots.  One of our members, Lynn had a program making a quilt with a small half-seam block (6" finished) - such a versatile block.     Then I came across the same block using stripes and dots, called Sticks and Stones by Pamela Dinndorf.    I fell in love and quickly purchased the pattern - although I did enlarge the block to 12".  If I make 35 blocks, it will size up to a twin bed.

Scrap Control - Quick projects from B'Box

After finishing Kitchen Sink #2, I had several of the wedges left over.  I finished a little table topper and will quilt it later.  

Kitchen Sink #2 is complete except for one side of the binding -- hoping to share a picture on Friday.

Then, I dug a little deeper in my B'Box (Box of Blocks) and found 6 1/2" nine patches left over from a Southern Sky quilt made a few years ago. Alternated the nine patches with bright squares from backing left overs --- I'm sure there is another piece in my stash that will work for the border.  A quick child size quilt.

Fall Table Runner and Rainbow Blocks

"Glittered" Nine Patch in dark/sage greens are done -- Fall colors are my favorite, so I had several greens to choose from.  Looking forward to putting  the rainbow quilts together.

Also finished a small table runner for my daughter in law, Rachel, who just received a promotion at work.  I am so blessed to have this young lady in my life -- and she loves Fall colors too.

Linking with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and So Scrappy, 2018 Rainbow Challenge.

Love Handles - Top ready for quilting!

The "Love Handles" top is complete - I even weighed it....almost 2 pounds before batting/quilting!     The designer, Judy Dohrman (Black Cat Creations), used one fabric for her sashing and large border, however I made a  piano key border to use as much of the scraps as possible.    All of the dimensions are the same as the pattern - except I have gone totally scrappy.  

I am so happy with this colorful project -- Judy's blocks were so much fun to make.  Each block had its own unique personality.   My long arm has been busy lately with charity quilts, which means the Love Handles will need to wait her turn.

And....since this is the first Wednesday of the month, its time for sharing with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict (who keeps many of us accountable in the war against overflowing scrap buckets).

Love Handles - Scrap Attack Update

The blocks are sewn together and the first border is added.   The designer, Judy Dohrman (Black Cat Creations), used one fabric for her large border, however I'm choosing  to go with a piano key border.  The border will be the same size as the pattern.  All of the strip sets are done, so by next week, the top will be done.

While sewing the miles of strip sets, I pieced together "Quilts for Kids" using 6 1/2" squares.  I had enough fabric to make two of the colors above and a third is almost done.   This project has been adopted by our guild, using our own stash or kits provided by QFKs.  I then sew together 3 backs and load them on the long arm for quick quilting. 

Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

Keep reading to the end -- there is a giveaway alert!  The Blocks and sashings are done.    The designer, Judy Dohrman (Black Cat Creations), used one fabric for her sashing, however I still needed to use up a box of strips, so I went very scrappy while maintaining Judy's size of sashing. 

Next Wednesday's goal is to have the top sewn with borders.  Do I go scrappy???? --- maybe a piano key border.  We shall see.....  either way, I can't wait to have the top sewn for an OUTSIDE picture.  The indoor lighting just does not do the colors justice.

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, just finished her Summer Wedding Quilt Top and is giving away an extra copy of the pattern!  Be sure to leave a comment on her website and good luck!

Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

Almost done with the blocks...just four left of the total 24 needed.    The designer, Judy Dohrman, used one fabric for her sashing.  Since I have gone scrappier with the backgrounds of each block, I am heading in the direction of scrappy sashing.  

Next Wednesday's goal is to have all the blocks and sashing together.  Then comes the auditioning of the borders.   Is it too soon to start thinking about my next scrappy project?  Maybe not, but I have just enough time to make one more before Bonnie Hunter's Mystery, which is always the ultimate scrap buster.

Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

Making progress on my "Love Handles" ... twelve done.  I like the way they look butted up against each other on the design wall; however the pattern has sashing that I like too.  I have some of the sashing pre-cut (scrappier version) and will wait until more blocks are done before adding them.

See you next Wednesday for an update to my endless supply of scraps.

Working on those Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

I have several large bins of different sized strips that have taken over my sewing room and closet.  I have used up some of the  2 1/2", 1 1/2" and 3 1/2" strips for the Kitchen Sinks #1 & #2 (Kaleidoscopes).  Has there been a noticeable reduction????  Well .... the lids to the bins close now, BUT THOSE LOVE HANDLES ARE STILL BULGING!   

It's time to get serious and start a major reduction of those bulging bins - what better way than to use this cute little pattern called LOVE HANDLES, designed by Judy Dohrman, published by Black Cat Creations.  The cover photo has a light background of all one fabric -- but that won't help the bulging "Chunk" bin (those pieces  smaller than fat quarters, but not yet cut up). So, as you can see, there are different backgrounds for my blocks. 

My fabric choices will be on the Tropical Side -- after all, losing those LOVE HANDLES will help someone in a bikini (just not me) ....but how about a cute beach quilt?

 I also have these four Kaleidoscope blocks below from the left overs of Kitchen Sink #2 -- my thinking cap is on as to where they will end up (table topper, small wall hanging, baby quilt???)  For now, they will just hang around on the design wall.

Scrap Control Update and Charity Quilting

Off the design wall and on the long arm, this charity quilt is almost done and ready for delivery to our  Helping Hands Program.   Our local guild, Cane Cutters,  has a large membership who make quilts for local children's homes, women's shelters and  Quilts for Kids.  

Quilts for Kids, Baton Rouge Chapter, transforms donated, discontinued and unwanted fabrics into patchwork quilts that comfort children with life threatening illness and children of abuse. Volunteers in Baton Rouge kit the quilts (except for batting) and distribute them for completion.  

Because I have a long arm, I am able to sew 3-4 backings together and load them on the frame at one time.   The three quilts below are fresh off the long arm and ready to send back to the makers, who attach the bindings.  After they are finished, they are collected by our local guild coordinator who delivers them to Baton Rouge.  

My next Scrap Control Project will be working on my "Love Handles" .  My strips have been cut, backgrounds are pulled and several bobbins are wound.  Can't wait to start chain sewing!!

I follow along with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, who helps us stay accountable to the growing scrap bins.  

Scrap Control Update

A little detour -- I need a QUICK charity quilt with blues and green.  Time is short, so I pulled out my blues, greens and lights from the pre-cut 4 1/2" and 2 1/2" strips in the scrap bins.  The block is a variation of an oldie, "Prairie Queen" without any HSTs and finishes at 12".  I have them all cut out (a total of 30 are needed; 5 across, 6 down to finish at 60" X 72) -- it really pays to have bins of strips already cut.

And....if you notice what is on the long arm frame above, Kitchen Sink #1 --  almost done. 

After the Charity detour, I will start working on my "Love Handles" , designed by Judy Dorhman with Black Cat Creations -- a great diet / stash reduction. I love this little quilt and can't wait to dig in.

I follow along with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, who helps us stay accountable to the growing scrap bins.  

Scrap Control Update - Kitchen Sink #1!

Kitchen Sink #1 (i.e. I used about everything but the kitchen sink from the 3 1/2" scrap bin) is ready for the long arm except for joining one seam down the middle.  There is another quilt loaded on the long arm underneath, so it won't be long -- and I found the perfect striped binding.  The blocks are 6" finished, 9 blocks across and 13 down, for a total of 117 blocks.  If I don't add a little border, then it will finish at 54" X 78".  I had a little of the light pink left, but can't put my hands on it (maybe that is a sign I'm done!).

The blocks are also ready for "Kitchen Sink #2"  to make a top. These blocks finish at 10"...I used strips of (2) 2 1/2" and (1) 1 1/2" -- more detail on the assembly of the blocks are here.

Now is the time for me to start thinking about my September Scrap Control Project --- I have a choice of two.  The first is Love Handles, a pattern designed by Judy Dohrman, published by Black Cat Creations.  I purchased this pattern thinking it would  kick start another attack on the scrap bin.  The other pattern is my Summer Wedding Pattern, which may be perfect to reduce a large Oriental Stash.

        

 I follow along with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, who helps us stay accountable to the growing scrap bins.  It is a never ending task .... one that I hope never ends!!!