Play Time :: Frivolous Fun!

I've been longing to make a quilt where I could let loose and have fun.  Not that most of my projects aren't fun.  I wanted a creative release and what better way than combining improv, scraps and circles?!

Enter Frivolous Fun!  And it was just that...a lot of fun!  I grabbed some Kona Haze for the background,

Flipped open my scrap bins, and began picking larger pieces for the half circles.  I didn't want to cut from yardage, so whatever was in the bins was what I was going to use.

Once the half circles were cut I began piecing background sections.  With each background I tried to use a different color.  And, since it was pieced together I could position the pieces so that they filled the curve section in a haphazardly way.  As long as I could cut the size I needed I was good to go.  

I ended up making five different circle sizes, 8", 6", 4 1/2", 3 3/4" and 3".  The largest being half circles and sewn together, but the four remaining sizes I wanted to use the six-minute circle method.  I love this method and have used it many times.  It's simple and very satisfying.  Who would have ever thought freezer paper could be used in quilting?!

I cut out background squares in four sizes for each circle, making sure that after they were inset I had enough border for trimming when it came time to assemble all the blocks.  I ended up making two solid circle sizes

The 6" and 4 1/2" circles were first pieced with scraps and then inset.  Keeping with the background of the half circle theme but different.  

Last time I made a similar quilt to this one I actually pieced together a black and white stripe because I didn't have fabric I could use.  I learned my lesson and ended up buying some 1/4" stripes just in case I might need it one day.  

This was the day!  I cut 1 1/2" (1" finished) strips of the stripe fabric and began the design layout.  After randomly placing my circles on the design wall (by randomly I mean I rearranged them over and over and over again) I started adding the stripes.  I didn't want to go overboard and add too much, so I slowed down and tried to think logically!

One thing about designing a quilt like this that needs to be puzzled together is I can trim my circle blocks to any size I need them to be.  As long as there is enough background, I can make each one work.  Which is the perfect way to make the stripe fabric work too!  

Since the stripes are 1/4" wide, I was able to trim the stripes so that they started and ended with black using the 1/4" to my advantage for the seams.  Because I allowed for extra background, I could trim my circles to the exact size needed to make the stripes work.   

 

Nothing is ever set in stone when 'puzzling' together a quilt.  Having the leeway to adjust and trim so that each circle or background piece fits together is both fun and stressful!  I try and plan out sections that line up without having to do partial seams...that would be a whole different level of brain power for me!  All in all, I'm pleased with the results.  I fulfilled my desire to have some frivolous fun!

I have the top pinned but will have to put off quilting for a few more days.  We have our quarantine partner family coming today!

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Scrappy Snowball Quilt

Here I go again!  Busting the stash!  This time I was inspired by a stack of white charm squares I've had for nearly a year.  The have been staring me down almost daring me to use it, and so I did!

But first I had to come up with a plan.  What would I make?  After weighing my options the idea of a snowball block smacked me in the head.  Not only could I use the charm pack, I could use more neutral scraps and...my stash of 2 1/2" print squares.

SCRAPPY SNOW BALL
34" x 43"

Knowing that the charm pack wouldn't be enough to make something substantial, and knowing that all whites are never the same white, I opted to use more neutral scraps to round out my plan.  The subtle variation of the white, snow, natural and whatever I had on hand is pleasing to my eye!

The first thing I did was trim the 2 1/2" squares to 2".  Crazy I know, but I felt that size would best suit the 5" neutral squares.  I was able to pick and choose which prints I wanted to use from my previously cut stash, plus I was able to use other scraps that I crammed away.  A lot of trimming and cutting, but I was sure it would be worth it.     

The white charm pack wasn't going to be enough as I needed 80-5" squares for this quilt.  I gathered other fabric and in no time I had all I needed.  

The basic block is simple.  Sew a square in each corner.  There was a lot of mindless chain piecing involved.  I didn't want to put too much thought into each block, so by randomly picking a print each time, I cut my 'overthinking' out of the process.

Once I had all the corner blocks sewn on trimming soon followed.  It seems like this was going to be the quilt that I wasn't going to stress about sewing, piecing or assembling.  I decided right from the start that if at all possible I wanted my seams to nest together.  That way I didn't need to worry about pinning.  I was hoping for the best!

With each block I pressed two opposite corners in, and the remaining two to the outside.  Nesting 101!  This was going to be a breeze to assemble.  

I guess the most difficult part of this quilt was making sure the blocks were oriented the same way in order to achieve the seam nesting.  Other than that it was stress free.  I rearranged a few blocks here and there, but for the most part it was totally random.  

There seems to be a cohesive 'modern meets vintage' vibe to this quilt.  Modern because of the open airiness and vintage most likely because of the mixed neutral background.  My opinion of course!  

Pile up!

This was my opportunity to add some FMQ ruler work by adding the circles.  With a small quilt I actually feel in control when I'm using rulers.  Not so much with large quilts!  I've never been able to maneuver big quilts with FMQ...ever!

You aren't seeing things!  The top and bottom are different shades!  This was another way for me to use more stash squares and keep the theme throughout.  

I've significantly depleted my scrap squares and I couldn't be happier about that!  I'm not sure how many more stash busting quilts there will be this year, but I know I have significantly worked through my stash.  From unloved fabric to fabric I love...nothing is off limits this year! 

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Precision Heaven :: DP Circles

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!

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!

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Sweet Dreams :: Woven Stripes

How can it always be that I have a stack of quilts that need quilting?!  They stack up so fast!  I guess when you are on a stash busting mission there are bound to be a backlog every once in a while.  

My woven stripes stash was bound to get the 'busting' treatment...it was only a matter of time.  'Stash Busting Woven Stripes' I shared my design idea and how I tackled the blocks as well as how I prep the thin woven fabric to maintain its shape.  At that time I had all the blocks, sashing and setting blocks pieced together.  But I wasn't quite done yet!

WOVEN STRIPES
47" X 62"

At the time I was hesitant to say I wanted to add a border to finish it off.  It doesn't matter how much prep work you do to wovens, they are still going to distort!  Starch is great, but wovens have a mind of their own.  I added a 3 1/2" border using Kona Chocolate and by the time I finished I could see how wonky and wavy it was going to be.  But I stuck to my guns and decided to pin it anyway.  If after quilting it was still awful, I was fully prepared to cut it off and chalk it up to a lesson learned.



Somewhere along the way the quilting gods shined upon me and the border ended up being a non issue.  Don't ask me how or why...I was just thankful it happened!  

  

I always have a moment of panic when it's time to quilt woven fabric.  The stretch is real and I never want puckers!  It didn't happen!  Whew!  All that worry for nothing!

The backing is Kona Pickle which I love so much!  A few extra blocks placed and pieced and it was ready for quilting!  But how should I quilt it?! 



I stitched in the ditch around the blocks and sashing to start with.  Then decided it would be best to quilt each block with straight lines.  Although you can't tell from the photos, I used 
8 -10 different thread colors throughout the blocks.  The lines are all random which seems to fit with the fabric and design.  The saving grace was the border quilting.  I quilted 1/2" lines that seemed to anchor the border and take care of any wonkiness much to my surprise.  
  


I had planned on using the same brown for the binding, but after the 3 1/2" border I didn't have enough.  The next best thing I could come up with was using more woven stripes, and I just happened to have a big piece that would work perfectly! 



Washed and dried!  And DONE!  There's something about these stripes and chocolate brown together that scream comfy, cozy warmth!  It's a good combination!  I could see myself in front of a blazing hot fire wrapped in this quilt! 

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Stash Busting Woven Stripes

As I slowly make my way through my stash, I still get that tingly feeling of great accomplishment that I'm doing it!  With each quilt, each fabric line, there is a big sigh of relief that I've finally used what's on hand.

This latest quilt began as an idea for a long term project, but soon spiraled out of control and I found I couldn't stop making blocks!  Good intentions!  I don't know what made me think I could make a block or two here and there.  In the end it doesn't really matter since I ended up with a fun and pretty lovely quilt in the end.  As for the woven stripe stash, let's just say there will be another quilt or two in the future!

This photo almost looks like its computer generated!  I promise it is not!  I've sewn together all the blocks and sashing thus far, but plan on adding a border.  When it will get quilted is another story.  Maybe that should be my long term goal since I always seem to let these quilts sit for weeks on end until I quilt them!



I had a lot of the stripes already cut in strips in my stash, but there was more work to do.  Cut more!  If you've ever worked with Kaffe Fasset woven stripes you know they can go wonky just by looking at them!  I always starch before cutting and hope for the best.  I doesn't take much for this fabric to become distorted no matter how much starch you use. 



My plan was to use a foundation of paper in an effort to keep the stripes as straight as possible.  I found some newspaper print in the basement that was originally packing paper that I ironed flat, cut to the size I wanted and marked with guide lines in pencil.  Drawing the lines ended up being a big waste of time for the most part.  I could have saved myself time by drawing one line to work from as I really didn't use the other lines at all.  It was all for the greater good of keeping things straight. 



My strip width varied from 2 1/4" to 1" for the sake of variety.  After I stitched the first two strips on to the paper using the center marked line, I could make my way across the block by adding the remaining strips which turned out to be a pretty quick process.  I did have to fold the foundation paper back and trim much of the time, but I found my rhythm and couldn't seem to stop.



After making a stack of blocks, I would neatly trim each one to 7".  I used the 45° line on my cutting mat in order to keep the diagonal the same on each block.  Again, once I found the rhythm of cutting it went fast.

Something I don't often do with my quilts is add sashing.  This was destined to be a quilt that required it in order to bring it all together.  I auditioned several color options, but ended up using my go to accent color for woven stripes...Kona Chocolate.  It always seems to be the perfect compliment to the colors of the stripes.  Plus it feels 'comfortable' to me.
    


The sashing is 1 1/4" finished, with a different color setting square in the center of each one.  A little added pizzazz!  The blocks are pretty gorgeous I think!

Even though this is a random scrappy quilt, I still laid out the blocks before sewing could begin.  I wanted to be in control until the very end scrappy or not!  

As it stands it's all pieced.  But I think I'll add a border for containment sake!  It'll be a big surprise in the end!

With all the starch prep, there was still a lot of stretch with the stripes.  I hope when it's time to quilt it that it won't be an issue.  I see lots and lots of pins in my future!

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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!

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