Imperfectly Teal

Scrap quilts are the reason that I save small bits of fabric from every quilt I make. Seems crazy, I know. But there's such a high level of satisfaction in using leftover pieces to create an entire quilt.  Plus, you get several extra bonus quilts without spending any more money. I do love a bargain! 

My inspiration for this project was a group of quilts designed by Jo Anne Merrill-Duckworth. Her beautiful creations are scrappy, colorful, and amazing! Her method makes it easy since you don't have to worry about perfect cuts or uniform pieces. The wonkier the better--just choose a focus color and use what you have that fits.

I took a shoe box full of aqua and teal fabric strips to the campground in October to begin these crazy log cabin style blocks. I used leftover black gingham to begin each one, adding random width strips until it was roughly 7” square. Once I got home and finished all the blocks, I trimmed them with a 6½” die before stitching them together.

Imperfectly Teal finished at 48” square after I added 3” borders. I quilted with white thread, using a rolling wave ruler in diagonal rows about 3” apart.

Scrappy imperfect quilts aren't for everyone. Lots of people just can't stand so many prints, or crooked blocks that don't align perfectly. My brain had to reset a bit before I could resist the urge to straighten out those seams. I had fun, though, and gave myself permission to play. And I'll happily do it again.

So thanks, Jo Anne, for sharing your ideas, inspiring us to abandon perfection, and to save and use our scraps!

Accuquilt dies used:
55000 Square 6½”
55032 Strips 3½”
55017 Strips 2½”

Cat Nap Blues

Cat Nap Blues

Shades of blue plus neutrals from my large stash make up this old fashioned quilt. I pulled from my boxes of remnant squares and triangles first, then cut more to balance out the design. Trapezoids from scraps and strips are mainly navy and bright blue.

I pieced the 36 blocks using Laney, my pretty Maui Blue Singer 301. Like working a puzzle, I moved them on my design wall until I was happy with the layout. Cat Nap Blues is 54” square after I added a 3” border.

Quilting this one was a challenge, even with my  Janome machine. I used a new ruler and even though I practiced first, it gave me fits on the quilt. The fabric wanted to drag as I changed direction on the waves, and my thread kept breaking. I persisted, and although there is uneven stitching and several boo-boos, I decided it is good enough.

I do like the double row of waves, so I'll practice more before the next attempt. And I'll use a busy print instead of a solid color backing. After I washed and dried, the stitching looks better. Certainly not show worthy, but it will keep me warm and give the cat a place to nap.

Accuquilt dies used:
55763 Trapezoid
55018 Small value die (2" squares & half square triangles)
55017 Strip 2½”
55032 Strip 3½”

Sometimes perfection isn't necessary

Scrappy Spring Stars

You may not remember, but back in October I started sewing randomly sized star blocks from my collection of scraps.  In January I put some of them together to create this 44" x 54" quilt called Scrappy Spring Stars.

I used white fabric for background, arranged them in rows by size, then bordered the quilt and each row with an aqua cross print.  The backing features sweet little bouquets of flowers in pink and aqua.  The binding is made of remnant strips in coordinating colors.  

Scrappy Spring Stars

Quilting was a free motion experiment in triangular patterns with white thread, done on my Flynn frame.  It's not perfect but was great fun to stitch.  

I like learning new skills and count this one as a success even with a few flawed stitches.  Sewing for me is all about enjoyment of the whole process: design, layout, color, sewing, quilting and seeing the finished product.  

Beautiful things 

come together 

one stitch at a time

+++

When you love 

somebody, or something,

it's amazing 

how willing you are 

to overlook

the flaws.

Caroline Knapp

Equilateral

Colorful and modern describes today's quilt. Splashy prints of pink, aqua, and orange are accented with touches of lime and yellow. Constructed entirely of equilateral triangles, their arrangement creates larger triangular shapes in alternating directions. It's busy, bright and fun to sew.

Perfect points were possible thanks to precision cuts with the Accuquilt die. I cut extra triangles and stitched a row of them to set between two pieces of paisley fabric for an interesting backing. Coordinating striped binding adds flair. I quilted double rows on the horizontal seams in bright pink thread. Equilateral's final 44” x 46” size is good for display or snuggling.

As I worked on balancing the color layout on my design wall, several alternate ideas and combinations came to mind, so you may see more triangles in the future.

Useful Notion:  Scrap pieces from this project came in handy last week.  This little quilted zipper bag didn't take long to sew and made a cute birthday gift for J's sister.  

Embracing Normal

nor·mal

adjective \ˈnȯr-məl\
: usual or ordinary : not strange
: mentally and physically healthy

Dare I say it? I believe my life is returning to normal. Last Friday we moved my mama back to her house. While it's not a perfect situation, we have made it safe for her and it is where she wants to be.

Two weeks ago I listed eleven things that I would like to do in November. I'm happy to report that I'm well on my way to accomplish them. 

I spent all day yesterday in my sewing room! I finished a baby quilt for my friend Lori, caught up on a few other projects, sorted the box of fabric that I bought last week, and started a new lap quilt in shades of brown, ecru, and green.

My stress level dropped significantly after a day spent sewing. The weekend was ordinary, nothing strange or unusual happened. That's a good start on the road to normal.

“Now and then everyone needs a good dose of normal.” – Anonymous