After so many improv projects I was ready to get back to a little more precision quilting. It's funny, when I do a lot of one kind of quilting such as improv, I can't wait to get back to something that requires a bit more structure. Going back and forth between different methods and techniques is what keeps things fresh and exciting!
It was also another opportunity to bust more of my stash. It's been a great year for stash busting and I've lighten my load enormously! After collecting, hoarding and accumulating over the years, there's nothing more satisfying than finally...finally using what I have!
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SCRAPPY LAP QUILT
51.5" X 63" |
I totally love circles! So picking the Drunkard Path block was an easy choice. I grabbed my totes of less than loved fabric along with some that I love but could part with, and decided I'd use a 5" DP block. The background is a combination of neutrals such as Kona white, snow, ivory, bone and natural. I've also accumulated random pieces of neutrals that were either too small for quilt backs or not enough for a full size quilt. Turned out to be a win win!
Once I had all my DP blocks pieced, pressed and trimmed I was ready to lay them out on the design wall. My original plan was to simply stack the blocks in neat and tidy rows, but that soon fell by the wayside. The size was not at all what I wanted if I went that way, so I brainstormed and decided to stagger the circles. By adding side strips on each horizontal row I was able to increase the size. It's a simple fix that works every time!
One thing I love about scrappy quilts is you can basically throw the kitchen sink of prints and colors together and it always looks amazing! Isn't that true? Or is it just me?!
Another way to use up scraps is in the binding. I had plenty to work with and always have skinny strips of prints that are waiting to be used.
But let's not forget about the back! It's a good way to use up bits and pieces or stray blocks. If I have a backing that isn't quite large enough, I often add a strip or two to enlarge the backing and make it work.
The quilting was all about lines. Vertical, horizontal and diagonal. Nothing too crazy, nothing too special, but effective and perfect for this quilt.
What would a post be without the obligatory quilt pile?! Probably not my post! It was fun seeing the different prints while I was making the blocks. I got to reminisce about when I bought the fabric or what quilt I used it in. Many times I was doing a happy dance to have finally used every.last.piece! Rewarding, exciting and done! LINKING:
so good! great stash busting. I love the staggered rows, adds so much interest. nicely done my friend
ReplyDeleteturned out great!
ReplyDeleteI love circles as well. I also love this quilt!
ReplyDeleteThe staggered layout gives it a nice movement to compliment the scrappiness. I really like the varied background, too!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first started quilting, before I realized all whites are not created equal, I made a quilt that I was so disappointed in because of the variation of the white. Now it’s a thing and thank goodness for that!
DeleteI love it! All the elements - staggered layout, scrappy palette, varied backgrounds, quilting - Perfect!
ReplyDeleteI agree -- a pattern/design/block that requires attention and precision keeps me from getting sloppy. I like your bright circles!
ReplyDeleteI love that one, Jayne, and totally agree that is the fun of scrappy quilts - everything fits! Do you have a favorite tool for cutting Drunkard's Path blocks?
ReplyDeleteFor this quilt I made my own templates. I’ve got rulers for DP’s, but none fit the bill for this quilt.
DeleteWonderful post! I need to make a scrap quilt, but never seem to get around to it just yet. You can enjoy this many-faceted quilt now, too, and reminisce while using it, too. Fun!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a lovely quilt! Did you use the Accuquilt die to cut your DP pieces?
ReplyDeleteScrappy quilts are the best, and circles make them even better! I still like to look at scrap quilts that my mom or grandmother made and think about the fabrics and what was made from them. I'd like to say I'm busting my stash like you, but nope. Well, I might be making a little dent, but not much!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your super scrappy finish, Jayne!
ReplyDeleteScrappy quilts are my favorite and I love the prints & colors in your quilt. Love how the different whites add to the design.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love how all of the colors and prints play well together. The mix of white background fabrics looks great. I enjoy making scrappy quilts, but have always used one consistent fabric for the background, thinking that it would give the quilt some cohesiveness. I have been seeing a lot of quilts lately that use a mixture of background fabrics in one color family. It's definitely become one of my favorite style elements for a scrappy quilt. Thanks for sharing your beautiful quilt and providing some scrappy inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think that your having "collected, hoarded and accumulated fabric over the years" is what makes your stash such fertile ground for your imagination. I love your DP! The last quilt I made without EQ software or a design wall was a scrappy drunkard's path that was meant to have the traditional layout, but once all the blocks (ALL of them!) were made and l laid them out together for the first time, I realized that I had no value contrast whatsoever and the twisty path look that I was going for was just not happening. I was CRUSHED but landed on the offset circles layout as the best way to make the most of the blocks I'd already made. Seems like a lifetime ago: https://www.rebeccagracequilting.com/search/label/Drunken%20Dragons%20Quilt. Your quilt looks totally different with the neutral backgrounds and having the rows offset horizontally instead of vertically. Makes me want to give this one another try, but "on purpose" next time!
ReplyDeleteScraps and circles, what a great combo! I like the staggered layout, very cool.
ReplyDeleteLove this quilt. And I agree with everyone's comments about scraps, background and off setting. My big question is did you wash it before taking pictures? It has such a nice light crinkle much different from the last bunch of quilts I made that seemed to look totally worn out crinkled. What batting do you use? There are so many factors in a quilt (and the washing machine-hand wash question) that can impact the finished product. Just curious.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome! Just the perfect palette cleanser.
ReplyDeleteScrap quilts are the best! I really like that staggered layout - it shows off all those pretty colors so well. Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Although it's scrappy, it doesn't look scrappy. I need to start making scrap quilts.
ReplyDeleteI like this blog. Thank you for sharing this information.
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