Scrappy scrappy scraps

In an effort to get organised, I'm attacking my scrap basket.

I want to be frugal and I want to embrace the make-do attitude of generations of quilters that have come and gone. But, like most of you I am tempted by shiny new fabric. A few years back I made a crumb quilt that was mostly made of scraps, some quite tiny. I enjoyed the process, but prefer a more controlled style.

I've been thinking about postage stamp blocks for a while now and had been dutifully cutting 1-1/2" squares when a scrap was the right size. I haven't done this for a while, so I attacked the scraps again adding 2-1/2" squares and sorting out the bigger pieces and strings.

This weekend, for a Monday Modern challenge, I put together a zippered bag using a tutorial at Noodlehead. I thought I'd use some of my little squares for the top half and a linen (leftover from some window treatments I had made years ago) for the bottom half. I drew a grid on some lightweight fusible interfacing and this made the squares easy to manage (not my idea, but lots of instructions out in blogland if you're interested).

I'm not totally happy with the zipper top-stitching and tab (I might redo these if I have some time) but I am totally in love with the little squares. I tried to fussy cut when possible and all the little faces make me smile. Apparently the bag's cuteness has not gone unnoticed and DD has claimed it already.

Meanwhile, my pile of scraps does not appear smaller even though I've cut hundreds of little squares. I suspect the scraps were pretty compressed in there, so now they have more air to breath. I too will breath easier when this job is done.

Plaid quilt #1 finished

Last April I won 48 blocks from Block Lotto. The blocks were plaid and white with thin strips of color inserted between. Many of the plaids were recycled from old shirts.

I sashed 24 blocks with some striped shirting fabric that I found in my mom's stash that she's had for as long as I can remember (30 years?). I'm not convinced it was 100% cotton, but in the spirit of recycling I thought it would work well. I added some plaid squares in the corners of the sashing. These fabrics were leftovers from shirts made for me and my grandfather (also 30+ years ago).

When I returned home I pondered the border. I thought I needed one to make the quilt big enough for a single. The two thinner borders were fabrics from my stash and the plaid outer border was purchased from my local fabric store. I admit it was a bit hideous, but I think it works. And besides, my theme of 'making do' and recycling includes fabric that nobody else would buy.

The pieced back is a big plaid made from a few fabrics. Mostly leftovers from other projects. Even the batting is pieced from leftover pieces (big ones).

I had it all put together months ago and even started the quilting before Christmas, but it has taken me a little while to finish it up - silly, because it was probably only a few more hours to quilt and then a few more for the binding.

The end result is better than I thought. I was sure the big plaid border would never work. Or, maybe it's grown on me and my quilt survival instincts have kicked in and convinced me that it's turned out fun and quirky, not tacky.

Either way, it is destined for our ski house where plaid is appropriate and warmth is required.

The remaining 24 blocks will be laid out very differently. I thought it would be fun to avoid the obvious layouts and try something new. Stay tuned...

Monday Modern Hexi-in-a-hexi bee blocks

This past month was my turn to organise a bee block for our Monday Modern group. I've been thinking about hexagons lately but the whole English paper piecing thing is not for me - one hand-sewing project on the go is enough for me. I have had some luck with using 60-degree triangles, so I thought I'd work through using them to make hexagons.

After some playing and some surfing, I decided on a block that results in one hexi inside another. I made this by cutting 2 fabric strips the full fabric width and swing them together. From this I cut the triangles and ended up with two hexagons.

My fabric choices were based on a fab green print that I found. Each hexagon includes a green print and a black & white one. The hexagons have either a green centre or a b&w centre, and I left it up to the maker to select the relative proportions of each fabric.

The hardest part was figuring out how big the triangles should be so that I made the most of the full fabric width. I ended up using 4-1/2" tall triangles which leaves enough fabric for a few extra triangles (just in case). I probably could have gone with a slightly bigger one, but wanted to make sure that if a cut went wonky, there was enough to make another one.

Here are the instructions that I shared with the group.

Most of my blocks are back and I have 3 more sets to receive next month. I think I should have a total of 30 when they are all in. I knew that this block was going to be a challenge for some of the girls, and there were some slightly funny mishaps along the way (too small, too large, 8 sides?). Still, it was fun and I'm looking forward to putting them together.

My plan is to add triangles in between so that can piece in strips. (Imagine the wood in another color.)

I went online and impulsively bought a yard of 'light citron' solid. I was swimming in a sea of celery, honeydew, zucchini, parsley, olive, artichoke, green tea, tarragon (is this a quilt or a salad?) It's tricky matching colors online, but I think is should work. Then again, maybe I don't want to dilute them with a 'background' but will have to contend with the dreaded Y-seam.

This one will have to wait because I am determined to get some other projects finished.

2012 in review

I know that there are a few days left in the year, but I seriously don't think I'll manage to finish anything in that time. This year has been interesting - I spent 3 months in the US and did very little sewing during that time (except for keeping up with Block Lotto monthly blocks). And, after last year's push to finish a lot of UFOs, I feel like I've started a lot and finished little.

That said, I have actually started and finished a lot of smaller projects but some of those WIPs are turning into UFOs. And, I seem to have started some more projects recently, so the problem is getting worse. Regardless, I still have something to show for this year, and am not disappointed with what I have accomplished.

Finishes in 2012

Crumb Quilt: I started this one with Jo's crumb along with me. The goal was to use up some scraps, which I did, but it seemed to create scraps too. Before I ever posted the finished quilt, DD (and the dog) adopted this one and it's been on the bed ever since. It might be time for another one.

AMQG Baby Quilt Challenge: I did this NY Beauty based on the pattern from Sew Sweetness. I didn't win the challenge, but enjoyed making it - I hope that the baby/family that received it have enjoyed it too. One day I'll do another NY beauty for myself.

Cotton Robin Round Robin: I participated in a round robin and besides my finished quilt which I started with the appliqued bird (a NZ black robin), I added borders to two other quilts and did the quilting/binding on a third. Julie has started another round robin and I've been working on my center block this week.

AMQG Raffle Quilt: I organised this one and had members create the star blocks. We did a working day to piece and sandwich it and then I did the FMQ on this bed-sized quilt. After that, I dropped the ball on this one. Although I organised the making of the quilt, I felt like I had invested so much time and was not reaping much benefit from the group, so I stepped away.

Ukelele Bag: I whipped this bag up one weekend after discovering that DD's ukelele was being unprotected in a box with the rest of the school instruments. I confess it is a little too short, but it's so cute, who cares? And it safely carried said ukelele to the Ukelele Festival a few weeks back to be played with thousands of other school children (and a few celebrities).

Mug Rugs: I made these 5 big mug rugs (or tiny placemats?) from scraps that I acquired at a Monday Moderns meeting. I gave 4 of them away to my office mates as Christmas presents as we all seem to sit at our desks and eat during the workday (sad but true).

Suji's Quilt: My friend and hairdresser left for Melbourne with a month's notice. I made the large throw quilt for her as a going away gift. Unlike most of my work, this one was planned from start to finish and I did a lot of assembly-line work on it to get it finished in time. I hope it keeps her warm and cozy in her new home.

Advent Calendar: A response to DD asking for an advent calendar this year. I had one as a kid that my mom made with felt ornaments that we decorated the tree with. (It was destroyed by the cats but my cousin's is miraculously still around and brought many smiles when she posted it on Facebook.) My new version is more modern but I only managed to make two animals for the pockets (the rest were filled with chocolates).

Christmas Stocking: A Monday Moderns challenge. We filled them with gifts and donated them to the women's refuge. I kind of wish I had kept mine - I ended up putting a bit more time into it that I had planned and I hated to see it go. I hope at least that it brightened someone's day - someone who needed it more than me.

Bags for Christmas Gifts: I made 6 of these - 4 large ones and 2 kid's sized ones. They came out very cute and I am determined to make one for me and one for DD. So often I make gifts for other people and never make one for myself. I guess that's what happens when I have a deadline to meet and run out of time.

Block Lotto: I made blocks every month and won 48 blocks in March and have started 2 quilts from these blocks. I keep up with Block Lotto not so much to win the blocks but to continue to try new techniques and see how others deal with the design guidelines each month. There's always something to inspire me.

One more thing to add to this list is the Monday Moderns bee blocks that I have done for the past few months. I don't have pictures of some of them, but I've finished 4 sets since joining this group. Hopefully, this will be an ongoing monthly thing.

In progress / unfinished projects

Butterfly Hearts: Hand-stiching on the hearts has been slow and I realised that they were all heading in the "wrong" direction. I'm also not convinced that the hand stitching will hold up and may rethink the applique method. I'm wondering if I should take all the hearts off and restart them. his one has been set aside for a few months. I definitely need to pick it up again.

Blue Snowflakes: I've hardly made any progress on this project this year. I started it in April 2010 and have managed to finish about 7 blocks. Needle-turn applique is not something I enjoy, but I do like the results. Part of my problem is that I need really good light to do this work and daylight is my best option. Unfortunately, it's a luxury for me to have a few quiet hours during daylight hours without being interrupted by something.

Block Lotto (quilt 1): I questioned my choice of bold red/black/grey plaid borders, but it will be a good quilt for the ski house once I get it done (somehow plaid seems okay near the snow). The second quilt I have planned with the remaining blocks will have a more "sophisticated" setting.

Green Triangles: After cutting and assembling 1,452 squares, I have made up 15 blocks (each one has 36 squares). This one is taking a while, but is one that I pick up on a rainy weekend at the beach house. I'm hoping to have this one done this winter (fingers crossed).

In January it's my turn to have the Monday Moderns make me bee blocks. This past weekend I worked through making my block and will write up the instructions before our meeting in 2 weeks. (Sorry, no photos yet). I went out and puchased fabric for this project which I wish I hadn't done - I have so much in my stash. I know it will make a stunning quilt, but it will be added to the pile of WIPs.

I also have started another round robin and this block is ready to be sent off. I seem to be involved with a few things and although they are fun, social, and test my creativity, they also have a habit of getting in the way of me finishing the big projects. I have yet to strike a ballance between the two things...there's always next year...

Bags of bags

I finally finished the Christmas presents that need to go to the US. I should have sent them weeks ago, but they weren't done then. They will be in the mail by tomorrow morning.

I based the design on one I saw on an old Quilting Arts episode, although mine are a slightly different size and shape than those. Each one is different and is reversible. One side has some patchwork and the other is split into two panels. There are two sizes - one for 'big' girls (about 12" tall) and one for 'little' girls (about 9" tall).

My favorite is this one in green and grey. The focal fabric has jars filled with fireflies and other bugs and snakes.

I did a mix of walking foot and FMQ on each panel. It would have been faster to do the same simple design on every one, but I always want to experiment, so every one is different. Each side is quilted separately before joining them together so there was plenty of opportunity to try a few things out.

Here are the four that I have made so far with a few different angles and inside/outside of the two I made for the little girls.

I have 3 or 4 more to make before Christmas, depending on whether I make one for myself. I have the fabric picked out for 2 of them, the other 1 (or 2) are still undecided. I think I'll take a break and start on them in a week or so. The next batch are being hand-delivered locally, so I can have them done as late as Christmas Eve. They do go faster as I've progressed through them and learned what not to do.

There are a few optional projects that I'd like to finish before Christmas but the weather is finally fine and I might just spend some time in the sunshine instead.

Empty pockets

Most of us are rapidly emptying our pockets doing Christmas shopping, but my empty pockets are on the now-completed advent calendar. I finished this yesterday, with 2 days to spare before December. (Yay me!)

I quilted the background with silver metallic thread using inspiration from Leah Day's Icicle Lights FMQ design.

But the pockets are empty, except for one. I have changed my mind about 1,000 times on what to fill the pockets with. My initial (and ultimate) plan was to make little critters to live in the pockets and get moved to the tree each day. But, making 24 critters in the next few days is not possible. I've also changed my mind about these critters - use fussy-cut novelty prints like the pockets, make them out of felt, buy them, no...make them out of felt, maybe I should just buy them, make them out of felt using the novelty prints for inspiration, buy pattern for felt ones (you get the idea).

I stumbled across these on Etsy and bought all three of the woodland animal patterns. They are by Aimee at Little Dear Tracks and are super cute.

DD and I put together one little bird last night using the few bits of wool felt that I had on hand. I have ordered some more but won't see it until Monday. So, one critter down, 23 to go! Maybe I can make one a night and keep ahead of the game (I think not). Somehow I think that most pockets will contain chocolate Santas.

The stocking for Monday Moderns is not quite finished. I did the quilting for the front and will do some quick quilting on the back before I can sew them together. DD saw this stocking and wants one just like it - that gives me 25 days to get it done. (Sorry, no pictures.)

Meanwhile, I saw a tote bag on an old episode of Quilting Arts and decided it would be quick and easy to 'throw together' for some Christmas gifts. Finding the large eyelets/grommets in Auckland has proved a major job and after going everywhere and an aborted attempt to order them from Amazon, they are on their way from Fabric.com. I hope they arrive quickly - I have to get these bags made and shipped to the US last week. (I love Auckland, but I'm amazed at how hard it is to find easy things and how easy it is to find hard things - I found a sail maker who could put marine-grade stainless eyelets on for me but thought that was overkill and I'm not sure the boys in the workshop would have appreciated my bags.)

My plan is to do something less angular than this. But I liked the construction method and want to make big ones for the grown-ups and little ones for the girls.

Linking up to Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday.

Christmas projects

The advent calendar is pieced together and I hope to sandwich it and start the quilting this weekend. I really wish I had a wall to hang things on for photos, but the effect of the light through the window is pretty cool too.

The other Christmas project is a stocking challenge that Monday Moderns are doing. I designed some tiny paper-pieced trees that finish at about 2-1/2 inches. They were inspired by a few things I saw on the web, but I did draft them myself. I absolutely love them and need to come up with lots of things to use them on.

The rest of the stocking was pieced with bits of red, orange, and coral that I had. The front is sandwiched and ready for quilting.

I'm going to experiment with some metallic thread. I know it can be troublesome, but a small project like this is ideal for experimentation.

Christmas presents are not happening. I finally had some inspiration but no fabric candidates are jumping out at me. There's still time, isn't there?

Linking up with WIP at Freshly Pieced.

Advent calendar

The other day DD asked me - can we make an advent calendar? Years ago (many, many, years) my mother made one out of felt and each day's pocket held a handmade sequined ornament to pin to the tree above. I asked about it when DD was little but apparently it came to some untimely destructive incident. I loved it as a kid and even though I had to take turns with my brother I made sure that the ornaments that I liked best were strategically placed in my days.

My mom apparently said that she would make another one, so I called her: "It's started," she replied. Hmmm... "Like, in the mail in 2 weeks started?" - no. I love my mom and she does great work, but here's the deal - an advent calendar has a limited life span and timing is everything. So, I am making one instead.

The recent Auckland Festival of Quilts provided some fabric inspiration. DD has been collecting owl prints and with the addition of a few more woodland critters I had enough to do something with. Still unsure of the exact design, I started with the centerpiece tree.

I have a wide variety of greens and greys and quite a few whites with silver designs. These scraps formed a foundation-pieced tree. Each row was started with a strip of lightweight muslin and a center green scrap. Then I added more green pieces ending the tree row with an angled piece of green. The grey/white/silver scraps finished each row for a snowy background. (No, it never snows in Auckland and Christmas is the start of our summer, but snow still seems right.)

I will add a trunk to the bottom once I figure out the final layout and how much trunk I need.

The pockets are all made of fussy-cut squares using the woodland prints (okay, one is a koala, but it's woodsy enough) and lined and backed with a coordinating blender fabric. I took a hint from Elizabeth at Oh, Fransson! for the construction. Her method for making the pockets allows the whole calendar to be constructed like a quilt - other approaches make the areas with the pockets a non-quilty add-on.

The pockets are in various stages of completeness. The zig-zag stitching around the numbers was a challenge - and swapping the thread for each one was a hassle. Each pocket is sashed in the same grey/white/silver prints as the background. The pockets will surround the tree.

Progress is good and I'm confident that it will be finished by December 1st. I decided early on, in the interest of time, that I would not make ornaments. If I can find some mini ones, I'll put some in the pockets and fill the rest with treats. Eventually, I should be able to collect enough ornaments with a woodland theme to fill each pocket. Better start shopping!

I have not yet started my other Christmas presents. Time is running out quickly - I like to have gifts in the post to the US by the first week in December. Could be a buy-stuff-on-Etsy-and-direct-ship year.

One other Christmas project is in the pipeline - a stocking challenge with the Monday Moderns. I have the design sketched on the back of an envelope and a pile of fabric picked out - maybe next week's post will show some progress on that one.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.