Showing posts with label scrap busting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scrap busting. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Solids + Scraps = A Big Quilt

I wasn't sure I'd ever get back to making something big again!  I've literally been isolated in my home for 34 days, and after a while you start to lose focus not to mention your mind.  

I've made many mini mini quilts, but just could not bring myself to go big.  Happily the drought is over!  It might have had something to do with sitting and making 90 face masks in just a few days.  I think I was ready!

While cleaning my sewing room I came across some pieces from the scrap busting Feedsack Quilt I made last month.  Needless to say it motivated me!  



I rummaged through my scraps and picked the tote that had the most.  Okay, then...aqua, teal, chartreuse, pickle and whatever else I thought might work in the mix.  I gotta say the color combination is pleasing to the eye!


If you've ever made Drunkard Path blocks, you know these little gems are the aftermath of the process.  Never would I ever discard something that has the potential to be worked into another project.  


I gathered the quarter circles (convex) of white, snow, ivory and bone and prepared a concave template.  I knew I wouldn't have the perfect templates for my convex pieces and I certainly didn't want to trim all the pieces I already had. The concave template was traced onto cardstock as I knew I'd need to cut many pieces.


One rule I made myself follow was not to cut from yardage.  This was all about scraps, all about busting the stash.  You'll notice that some of my concave pieces have been pieced with several different scraps.


Doing this helped me stay on the straight and narrow!  I stitched together scraps that only needed to be slightly larger than my template.  Which meant I could use a lot of smaller scraps.



The only way I would have enough Drunkard Path blocks to make a generous sized lap quilt was to supplement!  I could have made circles with four DP blocks, but it would have been a baby quilt size and that was not the plan.  

I did have to cut the squares for these blocks from yardage.  It hurt my heart...but I had to do it!  The good news was I still had plenty of skinny scraps for the edges!    



Each block measured 4 3/4" unfinished and each four (4) patch block measures 9" unfinished.  The quilt should be approximately 51" x 68" when it's all said and done.  

Tomorrow I will figure out the backing, cut the batting from a fresh roll and hit the quilting bandwagon!  



This was one project I didn't have to worry too much about color or block placement.  I slapped it up on the design way in a very satisfying haphazard way with very few changes.  Delightful!



I was literally 3 border blocks short after it was on the design wall!  That's cutting it close!  I didn't want to make more, at this point I was done with piecing, but I did have quite a few Drunkard Path blocks left.  I switched the four corners to have the curve action and that freed up just enough border blocks to make this work!  Now that's what I call close...and it felt great!  

I think it ended up being a fun and gorgeous quilt (top at this point!), and I'm looking forward to moving to the next stage!  Bring on the quilting!


Stay safe and stay home!

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