Drunkard Path :: Petal Power!

I've got another finish!  This time it isn't a little mini mini or a small wall hanging, it's an actual real life lap quilt!

The quilt top has been finished since the middle of April (Solids + Scraps), yet I let it simmer and stew until I had a semi formed plan on how I'd quilt it.  Yes, it took a while as many of my larger quilts do.  But I think it was worth the wait!

PETAL POWER
48" X 63"

It was very enjoyable making each and every Drunkard Path block.  For some reason curves and circles are fun to make.  Plus, I was able to a lot of my blue/green scraps as well as some neutral scraps too!  That's always a win!

The quilting isn't mind blowing, but it fits nicely with the design.  I used your basic white thread and made vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines.  Sweet, simple and finished.  

After I quilt a lap quilt that I've put off quilting for far too long, I always wonder what the heck took me so long!  I don't suppose that'll change anytime soon.  But it makes me wonder why!

  

Some of my favorite colors are in this quilt.  Kona Wasabi, Sour Apple and Pool.  But honestly, if it was in the scrap basket and the color was in the 'theme' I threw it into the mix.   

And with a little ingenuity I was able to incorporate the remaining DP blocks into the back.  Scrappy with flair!  It's a good way to use every block, every scrap and come away with a double sided beauty!   

Although it wouldn't be a true scrappy quilt without the added bonus of a scrappy binding!  So yea, I did that too!  

Now that I'm banished to the kitchen nook for my sewing, I have to plan when I can get photos of projects.  My one stipulation after turning over my old room to my son as that my photo wall has to be accessible for whenever I need it.  So far so good!  In truth, he understands and probably feels worse about me being displaced than I do.  He's a good boy!

  LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING 
MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY  

Scrap Magic :: Bits-n-Pieces

As promised, I'm sharing my finished table runner that I made from scraps.  Scraps from a secret project that has since become 'not' a secret project!  That project is here:  Scattered, and the process of how I used the scraps from it is here:  Improv Scraps.  

I'm a sucker for using every last piece I can and its not unusual for me to use the 'cast off' pieces and finish it before the original project.  When I was making the panels for the Scattered quilt, there was an excitement brewing inside me as I trimmed down the blocks and saw the scraps grow!  Gotta love a challenge!

Stained Glass
14" x 54"

I use gray as a background in so many projects, don't I?!  Usually I go with a very light grey, but decided to use the charcoal gray leftovers for this.  And I'm super glad I did!  It makes me want to replenish this one again. 



The black binding gives it more definition, or frames the pieces as if it were a stained glass window!



I quilted a combination of straight lines and free motion pebbles using a dark gray thread.  



You can see the quilting a little better on the back.  Pretty simple and easy to do!  The back is three different shades of gray pieced together.  I often have large scraps laying around that aren't large enough for one project, but when pieced together they certainly are!



Scraps of all sizes can become something.  By adding a larger piece of fabric to a small piece on one side or all sides become instantly more manageable.  Try it!  Once the piece is bigger you can trim it into a shape such as a square and piece several together.   



You could add strips between each scrap and make a long row and leave it as is, or it could be chopped up again.  The hardest part is letting go and letting it happen when faced with a golden pile of bits-n-pieces! 



This type of piecing and playing with scraps isn't every ones favorite thing to do.  You may look at it and think 'what the heck was she thinking'!  Imagine if we all did the same thing, imagine how boring that would be!

I tend to appreciate a style, theme or technique regardless if its my thing or not!  Its about the journey, the dedication, the time and work that goes in to a quilt.  

If it weren't for our community and it's support of one another, we wouldn't be who we are now or who we will become in the future as quilters.  So, a huge thank you for all the support I've received over the years.  This community has made me a better quilter!

LINKING:

Oh Scrap  Main Crush Monday  Freemotion by the River  Let's Bee Social

Mid Week Makers  Needle & Thread  TGIFF  Crazy Mom Quilts Can I get a Whoop Whoop

Scattered :: Stash Statement Blog Hop

It's finally my turn to share my Stash Statement quilt and I couldn't be more excited!  Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation  asked if I would like to be apart of her book release blog hop and naturally I said yes of course!  Stash Statement shows you that improv can be achieved by anyone.  I'm not new to improv, and throughout my quilting journey so many people have said they were scared to try!  This book shows you three different methods for improv piecing with step by step instructions.  Plus, it focuses on using your stash and scraps.  improv and scraps for the win!  

I recommend and encourage those who have always wanted to try improv to get Kelly's book.  You can purchase the book on Etsy and Amazon.  Check it out, it could be a game changer for you! 

SCATTERED 34 1/2" x 46"

You all know I love solids and sewing small pieces together.  No scrap is too small to keep or use!  Once I pulled out my solid scraps, I saw a beautiful rainbow appear before my eyes.  I had to do it!

Isn't it pretty?!  It not only has the rainbow I was hoping for, but it has a stained glass thing going on too!

The rainbow isn't as apparent in this picture, but with my other scrap baskets...it did appear!  I opted to make the quilt a smaller size than what is in the book.  That way I could make less blocks and accomplish the rainbow look I was going for.

The improv method for the Scattered quilt uses the panel method of improv piecing.  That method requires a big pieced square that you can cut many different pieces from just one panel.  With the rainbow theme I choose, I had to make one panel in each color and then cut.  It takes more time, but in my opinion worth it.  Another great thing about this book, once you learn the basics you can take what you learned and adapt it to fit your needs. 

My panels were trimmed to size and with that, I had more scraps!  Me...I saved and used them!  Check out this post:  Bits-n-Pieces to see what I made from them. 

The blocks went together so fast!  Once I started the quilt it was hard to stop until it was finished!  The back ground fabric I used is a Charcoal Gray from Moda.  I wanted a dark background without going with black.  

However, black did make it into my quilt!  I used it in the binding as a frame and on the back.  

How could I resist using a rainbow of thread to complement the rainbow theme?!  I couldn't!  I pulled out my Aurifil 50wt thread and had all the right colors.  Twelve to be exact.

I free motion quilted a funky 'improv-ish' design in each panel.  Since I used black for the back I knew the colors would create yet another beautiful rainbow explosion.  I do love a black backing for that very reason!

The Charcoal Gray received the straight line treatment.  One side of each panel I used a dark gray thread and the other side I used a lighter gray.  Something different and hopefully it enriched the overall design.

It looks complicated, doesn't it?!  It really isn't.  My quilt is made using twelve (12) 12" finished blocks.  I rotated and placed the blocks until I found a placement that I was happy with.  This quilt finished at 34 1/2" x 46" after washing.  Perfectly baby sized!

This design has me thinking of the next version I might do.  Perhaps prints, possibly a scrappy version like the original.  You never know!

Now that you have seen my version of Scattered, I hope you catch the improv bug and check out Stash Statements!  Capturing the improv vibe couldn't be easier with this book.

You can check out Kelly's original version of Scattered on her blog.  You can also see other quilts from the Stash Statement Blog Hop:

4/16- Grand Bazaar    Shelley @ Cora's Quilts

                                    Connie @ Freemotion by the River

4/23- Louvered           Lindsey @ Primrose Cottage Quilts 

                                    Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts

4/30- Precarious        Jess @ Quilty Habit                       

                                    Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

                                                            

5/7- Beach Retreat    Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts                               

                                    Liz @ Savor Every Stitch 

                                                           

5/14- Fire Pit               Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts                                          

                                    Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts

                                                            

5/21- Detour               Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts                         

                                    Shelley @ The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts

                                                            

5/28- Murrina             Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl             

                                    Leanne @ Devoted Quilter

                                                            

6/4- Scattered            Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal      (you are here)                

                                    Christine @ Triangles and Squares 

                                                            

6/11- Bloom Chicka Boom   Chris @ made by ChrissieD            

                                               Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

                                                            

6/18- Regatta             Susan @ Quilt Fabrication                             

                                   Debbie @ A Quilter's Table    

                                   Christa @ Christa Quilts

                                                            

6/25- Catch a Falling Star  Cynthia @ Quilting is More Fun Than Housework        

                                              Anja @ Anja Quilts

                                                            

7/2- College Prep      Hilary @ by Hilary Jordan                 

                                   Lori @ Crossquilt

                                                            

7/9- Take Flight 

(bonus digital pattern)  Kelli @ Seriously, I Think It Needs Stitches 

                                     Paula @ The Sassy Quilter

LINKING:

Oh Scrap  Main Crush Monday  Freemotion by the River  Let's Bee Social

Mid Week Makers  Needle & Thread  TGIFF  Crazy Mom Quilts Can I get a Whoop Whoop

Bits-n-Pieces :: Improv Scraps

I have to say...there are never any scraps that are too small to use in my book!  And, I really have a hard time setting aside scraps from an original project.  Most of the time I share the projects from the scraps before I show the original project!  Maybe that's a little abnormal, or maybe that's me! 



All these original bits and pieces are from a project that I can share with you on June 4th.  I really, really hope you get a chance to see that one!  For all of you who swear you can't do improv...I swear you can!  I'm really excited about it and I think you will be too!  



After my secret project was finished, I was left with so many amazing bits and pieces!  It's not that I don't have plenty of other things to work on, but when confronted with scraps that are pure gold...a girl has to do what a girl has to do!  

As you can see, I was working with a rainbow theme for the secret project.  What ever was in the cards was going to be an explosion of color!



There were different shapes and sizes. Long skinny pieces and some larger chunks.  I was very confident that I could puzzle together each scrap and make something that was interesting.

I'm very comfortable working on projects without detailed plans.  I love the challenge and enjoy the process of figuring it out as I go.



My plan was to make a table runner.  I like making runners for a number of reasons.  One of which is they are relatively small and pretty quick to put together and quilt.  And if you only have a limited amount of scraps, you can easily stretch them throughout by adding background.

It's a good idea to have plenty of background fabric on hand when using scraps, especially if you need to make a little (scraps) go a long way.  In the case of this runner, I had a chunk of Moda Charcoal that I wanted to use and had to be very careful not to waste any of it.  Thankfully I had just, just enough to make a decent sized table runner!



I started with this panel of funky scrap shapes by adding strips of the background fabric in between each shape.  The results stretched the panel and evenly dispersed the color spots.



I tried to keep the larger scrap pieces as large as I could.  I didn't see any reason to trim them any more than I needed to.

  

The skinny uneven strips were trimmed down and separated with grey to extend the length.  For some reason I felt the need to keep these two sections true to a rainbow spectrum.  All the other panels I didn't worry too much about color placement.



I felt it needed a little more length before I called it done.  With a small chunk of background left at this point, I divided it in half and added a skinny strip to finish.




As you can see I have it basted and ready to quilt.  There isn't a design plan as of yet, but we all know I really like lines...I've never been adventurous!



It turned out rather crazy, don't you think?!   Gotta love those scraps!

LINKING:

Oh Scrap  Main Crush Monday  Freemotion by the River  Let's Bee Social

Mid Week Makers  Needle & Thread  TGIFF  Crazy Mom Quilts Can I get a Whoop Whoop

It's Happening Again :: I can't Leave Well Enough Alone

I tell ya!  I get tunnel vision when it comes to quilting and scraps!  This isn't the first time, nor will it be the last...that I'm sure of!

Here's the deal.  I was working on a quilt made of Half Square Triangles.  I pieced that top together, but had a good stack of extra blocks left over.  Of course those were going to be used.  I went from a big quilt to a baby quilt in one seamless transition.  For the smaller one I had to trim the HST's an inch smaller, which left me with a pile of scraps.  At first I threw them in the trash...and then I didn't.  Yes, I did go through the trash and pull them out.  So much for vowing not to hold on to tiny pieces!  It's a sickness!

  

I saw these corner pieces while I was trimming and for some reason I thought why not stitch them together and make a mini mini quilt.  It was a bit stupid and I wanted to do it for no other reason than...they were there.



And so I did.  Cute, scrappy and oh so not perfect!  But I did it and had to finish it...because that's what we do as quilters.  I opted for just over 1/8" seams because it isn't like this is going to be draped over someones lap!  The HST's finished at about 1/2" in the end.



I grabbed the trimmed strips from the baby quilt and figured if I just 'log cabin' it around the center for a few rows it could be done.  My addiction would be fed, my scrap happy heart would be satisfied.  

...or so I thought...



The more rows I added, the more excited I became.  Where a few rounds was my goal, it eventually changed to 'once it's big enough where my scrap strips can't make it around the sides' ... I'll stop.  

It continued to grow by adding seven rounds of 1/4" (finished) strips.  So, let's add a border and call it good!! 



Which led to the tiny piano border...



...which led to 1/2" Logs, which led to another border...which led to 3/4" logs.  You get the idea!



It just got away from me!  I did not intend for this to happen.  And secretly...I was loving it though!

As much as I wanted to keep going round and round, I had to put an end to the madness.  If I took it further what would be the point of the center?  It would be lost and mean nothing.  

I stopped.  My 'crazy' was fed and I was full.   




It ended up being a just over 22" x 22".  Much bigger than that little center square and way bigger than I ever intended it to be!



Next up is quilting.  I grabbed a few thread options and decided I'll use all three!  Aurifil #1231 Spring Green, #1148 Light Jade and #2730 Delft Blue.  How I'll quilt it is up for debate, but I've fit it in with my stack of 'to be quilted' quilts and hope to share it soon!

Scraps.  I was so sure I could resist...

LINKING:

Oh Scrap

Main Crush Monday

Let's Bee Social

Needle & Thread

TGIFF

Finished or Not Friday

Crazy Mom Quilts  

Drunkards Path :: Getting My MoJo Back

It's taken me a while to get back in the swing of things lately.  I feel like I've done very little in the way of quilting the past couple months.  I thought the best way to get back into the thick of things was to work on a scrap project I started back in July.  My Clammed Out & Scrap Magic post talks about what to do with scraps from a previous quilt.

If the fabrics and color seems familiar, they are!  They all came from the infamous Glam Clam quilt I recently finished.  So many scraps!  

While cutting out the Clams for the Glam Clam, I was left with a ton of scraps.  It seemed like the perfect time to make some drunkards path blocks.

I had a tub full that I glue basted and quickly set about chain piecing those pesky curves. Except...they really weren't that pesky to sew!  

  

I choose to glue baste the curves to save myself from getting frustrated, and so I could put the pedal to the metal while chain piecing.  It seemed like a great idea...and it was!



I marked the center by folding and pressing a crease in each piece.  Here, I marked it with pen so you can see it better.



A small bead of glue goes a long way!  It doesn't take much to hold the two pieces together.



I line up the center point and with the tip of the dry iron I slowly move the top piece around the curve.  It doesn't take long for the glue to set.



Repeat the same process for the other half.



Before you know it...it's done!  There is a little fussing that has to be done when attaching the two pieces, like holding the top piece out of the glue when setting the glue with the iron.



Its worth it to me!  Usually when making this block I would press the seams towards the white. This time I pressed towards the print.  I didn't want the print to be seen through the white, which happens when you are doing just about any block.  



I did a lot of trimming so my blocks were good and square.  These ended up being 4".  I'd like to say they stayed that size!



They did not!  I wasn't terribly consistent with perfection when I slapped these together! When I put four blocks together they were a little askew!  I was only concentrating on lining up the curves for one big circle.  

After assembly, I trimmed all the blocks to 7".  Now that's something I can work with! 

I've played with several layouts since making the blocks, and even had to make more.  The top layout is a possibility, but this last one is not.  In order to do that one I would of had to sew each row together and hope all the seams lined up.  I love the layout and know that one day...it to shall become a quilt!

LINKING:

Oh Scrap

Main Crush Monday

Freemotion by the River

Let's Bee Social

Needle & Thread