It's that time again, to bring out our scrap materials and see what we can do with them. 😊
Back before the real heat of summer settled in I decided to deal with the accumulation of 1.5" scrap strips here in the Magpie's Nest. I spent days sewing them into 6" blocks. They were built as liberated Courthouse Steps blocks. Which means I didn't keep to the traditional distribution of colors/values. Some blocks turned out to be framed squares, some more closely resemble traditional Courthouse Steps blocks.
I cut my longest strips into 6.5" and 4.5" lengths. I already had plenty of 1.5" x 2.5" strips. In most cases I used a pair of the shortest strips to start a block. Occasionally I used a 2.5" square patch leftover from my efforts to use up that accumulation. I sorted the strips into this large tin (which you may remember from the previous patch busting sessions). It was chock full when I began. The photo below is when I was close to the end of my efforts. Full disclosure: there are still some strips in the tin (but not many!).
I made several blocks at a time. Each set went up on the design wall in no particular order. In the end I had 61 blocks.
I haven't had the motivation to do anything with these blocks until now. Sixty blocks weren't really enough to make a quilt of any size so I thought I'd try alternating them with some of my other scrappy blocks.
If I follow through with this layout I'll have a flimsy that would finish at 54" square. With 3" borders all the way around I'll have a 60" quilt top. I find that a very versatile size. It works for children, it works for adults. I just have to get all the blocks sewn together!
Kate is the organizer of this blog hop. As you can see, this monthly deadline can be very helpful. Not everyone in the link list below works with fabric but everyone has wonderful things to share.
Kate, Eva, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Tracy, Jan,
Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys,
Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen,
Sunny, Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera,
Ann, Dawn 2, Carol, Preeti,
Viv, Karrin, Alissa,
Hannah and Maggie
That is going to be a great quilt!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the chaos of the first picture.. I'm really drawn to that... But then i like when you have it mixed with the other blocks too... Great use of your scraps! :) I like your slow stitching posts too... where you make your scrolls... Would you ever consider making a post of how you put those together?? My problem is getting started... and i know you've tried to explain.. lol I'm a little dense and nervous to try to start.. Maybe show how you layer the base together... show the materials you use and how you layer it or put the base together.. ?? I don't know.. I know i'm making this more difficult than it actually is i'm sure.. Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteA most excellent idea to add the additional alternate scrappy blocks! And yes, 60" is a very versatile size.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I liked it as courthouse steps on its own, but combined with the new ones, it really sparkles. Once again, magic is created from scrpas!
ReplyDeleteThe mixed blocks are very pretty, really like that is not so busy.
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