Category: scraps

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quilting scraps Uncategorized

Continuing a Sampler Spree Quilt again…5th time is almost a charm

I am still working on the 100 blocks from the Sampler Spree book. Only 18 more blocks to go!

Here are the 35 blocks that I created during the month of October. I was incredibly productive. We were at the cabin in Michigan on Long Lake. I made most of these blocks while my DH watched football. I am loving retirement!

Here is my tracking sheet. There are fewer and fewer plain white numbers left that have not been made. I am a little late getting started on November blocks…only one so far.

I had a serious brain glitch when I put this block together. The picture on the right is the correct assembly for the Buoy block. I incorrectly 1) added the corners and 2) assembled the block on the left. I think it looks like a butterfly or a beacon. I am embracing my stupidity and counting it as a bonus block!

I REALLY like the shape of this block. I think I will translate it into a larger size and make another scrap quilt. I am drawn to weathervane and quatrefoil shapes.

I also like these blocks. Who knows…maybe they will show up in some future scrap quilts, too.

This one has that four pointed shape that I am drawn to, but it doesn’t actually have the points. It was not an accident…they are not part of the block. This block would be fantastic for a fussy cut center.

Time to get back to making on this blustery last day of November! I have enjoyed making these blocks, but I am ready to be finished!

What are you making today?

Later,

Lorrie

If you would like to review the first installments, here are some links to follow:

  1. It starts!
  2. Second installment
  3. Third installment
  4. Fourth installment

Categories
quilting scraps

Continuing a Sampler Spree Quilt again and again

Here is the fourth installment of Splendid Quilt sampler blocks! This time I started with off-white solid scraps and a small piece of tan with taupe print. These were squares and chunks…not worth measuring.

Here is my tracking sheet. I got 10 blocks out of the background pieces. There may be more coming, but there were only 10 blocks that had a background and 1 other color of fabric. These block numbers are highlighted in blue. Please be tolerant of my sideways picture. I could not get it to load with the correct orientation! Aarrrgh!

Here are the 10 blocks. Some of these had 1″x 1″ pieces! That is a challenge, even for me…the lover of small pieces of fabric!


I did add a piece of black to the lightening bolt block. I wanted to use up that piece of purple paisley swirl, but did not have quite enough. I like the way it turned out with the extra color added.

I am to 48 out of 100 blocks! That is 48 percent of the blocks are made. Time to go plan which blocks to make next!

What are you planning to do today? (Nothing too devious, I hope!) Have a great day!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps

Continuing a Sampler Spree Quilt again

This batch of Sampler Spree blocks has an off-white background with a tan rose outline on it. It was a quarter yard piece width of fabric, plus a chunk that was 9″ x 12″.

I made 13 blocks using this background and scraps. Here is my graphic list.

I started with this olive green calico as the scrap.

Then I switched over to purple sparkling princess fabric.

I finished with green batik.

Here are the scraps that were left to add to my bin.

That is my eye candy for this week. Hope it inspires you to work on a project that you love.

What are you making today?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps

This One Time at Quilt Camp…

This one time at quilt camp, I assembles 256 blocks into a quilt. When I finished the block set, I posted about them here.

During a weekend quilt retreat at Camp Frame in Hedgesville, WV, I assemble the complete quilt top. It is 96” x 96”. My friends tell me that it is in the bright colors that I always gravitate towards.

Over the winter, I will assemble the quilt and bind it. I think I am going to gift it to our wonderful West Virginia neighbors…and then borrow it back to show it off at quilt camp in May. I will add another post when it completed…until then don’t hold your breath!

What project are you getting close to completing?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps

Continuing a Sampler Spree Quilt

While waiting for a new toilet to be installed and the septic tank to be pumped, I had to do something to keep my mind off wanting to use the bathroom! Being a teacher for many years was good training for this sadly.

I started with this pile of red and white scraps from a baggie of yard sale goodies.

These are from the Splendid Sampler book:

I made fifteen blocks.

Fourteen from the book and one from bonus half squares…

Here are the leftover red and white scraps…quite a reduction to the original pile!

Here are some other scraps. I think I will use them to make a placemat for Meals on Wheels.

My tracking sheet is looking more colorful!

What have you been doing to keep yourself busy?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps

Beginning a Sampler Spree Quilt

This week I am challenging myself to make something different. I have made sampler quilts before but not one that had so many blocks. This quilt has 100 six inch blocks.

from Martingale Press

I have used this book before now. I constructed 256 Coxey’s Camp blocks that are waiting to be assembled into a rather large one block quilt.

This book features directions for 106 blocks. I don’t want duplicates. I want an assortment of background fabrics and dark scraps. I made myself a lovely grid to keep track of my progress. I decided to start with the two color blocks. I circled all of those on my chart.

Handwritten tracking chart

Time to pull a background fabric to begin…a strawberry covered light peachy pink fat quarter. How many blocks can I make from one FQ? The answer is nine!

Here are my blocks. Can you tell which one I had to “fix”?

These are all pinkish fabrics. The dark is a plum color.
The strawberries are easier to see in this picture.
A frame is a great fix!

Here are the left over small scraps and 4 bonus half square triangles. Yes, those little bonus pieces are only 1 1/2 inches. I will admit that I pieced some of the backgrounds in the blocks. My grandma would have done that.

teeny tiny pieces…all that is left

What new challenge are you tackling today?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps

The Last Dresden

Over the past two years, I have made 11 lovely dresden blocks from scraps…lots of scraps! Here is the last block, before it is trimmed out on my accu-quilt cutter:

This one looks a little more distinctive than the others. I was going for a high contrast compass rose look.

Here it based onto its background square, just waiting to be appliquéd on:

To finish it, I am thinking about using a lattice setting with organic shapes…vines, flowers, etc. as a contrast to the sharp points on the dresden blocks.

What have you been making with scraps recently?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps

Flower Power

This week I am trying my best to finish a quilt camp flower challenge project. I showed the huge rose covered center of the quilt in a previous post. It will add to the suspense and mystery if I do not repost that picture today.

I will be adding these three dimensional flowers to the outside border.

I made the petals using a clover device:

This is incredibly easy to use. I wish I could invent a simple gadget like this.

I also used a clover yo-yo maker:

Both of these products are available on Amazon and a variety of other fabric / craft stores.

What are you working on this week?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps thrifting/ yard sale

Weekend Treasures

I found many goodies this weekend. Let me share a few of them with you:

  • 99 cents at a thrift store

This book is interesting for a variety of reasons. I always look at all of the pictures first. Then I start to read patterns, like they are a story. I know this is weird, but true. The measurements are written in inches and centimeters….hmmm. Wadding? What? That must be batting. Sometimes the fabrics aren’t cotton…Use silk for the yellow blocks? Then I looked for the copyright…London, Australia, New Zealand in 2002. Ah, ha! That explains it! I have many quilt books, but none from so far away.

49 cents at local thrift store…from 2008

This has a couple of nice star quilts that will make great patriotic themed quilts. Much better price than the original one!

Fabric! In a free bucket!

All this for a dollar! A yard and a half of Nightmare Before Christmas fabric, seven uncut fat quarters, four uncut handkerchiefs, and some other scraps. Score!

On Saturday we found organizers and kitchen treasures. Nothing that I can share…Some of them are surprises for other people who love treasure, too!

What treasures have you found recently?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps sewing

Coxey’s Camp blocks

I started these six inch blocks last summer. It takes a little while to make 256 blocks…just a little while. They are made from scraps, scraps, and more scraps. Each block has 17 pieces. That is a lot of little scraps. You can do the math.

Here is the heap of completed blocks, just waiting to be assembled:

Large stack…a small mountain, really…

I was inspired by several blocks in this book: Sampler Spree by Susan Ache. You will see more blocks in the future. (I retired from 32 years as an elementary teacher. I will have lots of time to sew…finally!) Directions are well written and easy to follow. Sometimes simple sewing is just what is needed. All the blocks in this book finish at 6 inches. I made 256 Coxey’s Camp blocks out of scraps to make a 96″ square quilt, if I don’t add any borders.

Here is a sample of a completed block:

As I worked, I stored my finished blocks in a large storage bag from the Dollar Tree. The bags come in various sizes. (L…3 to a box, XL…2 to a box, and XXL…1 to a box…it is the size of a pillow). They are heavy ply. They also have a convenient handle. They are a bargain at $1.25.

I usually assembled 20 or so blocks at a time to maintain my own sanity. I parially assemble them and press them. Small steps that can be completed in about an hour are my best work sessions. Sometimes I get called away and let all the pieces on the ironing board. (The sections for an individual block are attached so there will be no problems picking up right where I left off.)

Time for dinner…or I’ve just had enough fun for the moment!
I love little trays for blocks that are waiting for the last 2 seams to complete the them…

I am taking this block set to Quilt Camp to assemble the top in September. I have lots of other projects to work on in my retirement. What will be next?

What big project have you been working on…even if it is taking a year or so? Leave a comment.

Later,

Lorrie