This is my barrel rack. My old pottery drying shelf full of snack barrels and yup, those yummy eclairs. My final step to the scrap fabric food chain. 1.5", 2", 2.5", 3.5", and 5" squares in the barrels. HSTs by size in the eclair boxes. I just gifted my aunt a number of my 5" (mostly left over charms) for her current project - why should she cut them, when I have them at the ready.
I'm working little 9-patches with the 1.5" squares with the RSC16. BUT I noticed my 2" barrel is crammed to the hilt.
Since my Scrap Challenge is completed - yup, cleaned that red basket right out. Some blocks made and the rest sorted/stored in proper places or cut down for the barrels. SO I CAN PLAY!
See, that barrel just exploded when I took the lid off! Now what to do with them - I've made too many postage stamp quilts? I have seen where people are having trouble working some of these QALs with tiny pieces - the secret? I find that some blocks just SHOULD NOT be made tiny - period! Too many cuts and seams and fussing just makes for trouble. Also, work with a shorter stitch. Slow down! Let your machine slowly feed those tinies instead of pushing them (off kilter).
So I know of some very easy, simple, and few seamed blocks that will help use up some of these 2" squares. Remember, I am a scrap quilter - I don't want to use all these up, just tame them. I have been seeing such cute bow-tie blocks around the internet - so, simple block. 2 focus squares and 2 background squares. For my little 'knots' I just sliced a square. And I am not worried if those "knots" are the same as the focus - I'm working scraps.
And I always just finger press when working small blocks/units. Finger press those triangle corners and then trimmed the corners. Now I could leave those little background corners, but I chose to clip them - it's just personal choice.
In 15 minutes I had 6 little bow-ties. I don't but these little blocks under the iron until the are completed - finger pressed right to the finish. A lite spritz of starch and then put under the iron to PRESS - I just lean on that iron and that's it.
As you can see, my knots are not all the same in some ties and they are not all the same size as I am just eye-balling those flip corners, but they are scrappy and they are fun and I am using up some scraps. (they are 3.5" unfinished).
It's 70 today!! So I will make sure to get a walk or two in, also. My furkids have found some wonderful sunny spots to nap in. And I have my windows open!
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon
15 comments:
I love your scrap barrel organization. Great idea.
QuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com
I had a feeling you were heading to bow tie land! I love that you are mixing up the knots, as they are cute that way. And who could ever tie a bow tie perfectly, anyway? Great barrels of fun!
I love that you just slice a square to make the flip part of the bowtie. It is too much work to make a separate size of little squares that get cut off.
Happy Birthday! Love your use of scraps. I am still coraling mine.
You always come up with such creative projects!
xxx
ya got me singing roll out the barrel...we'll have a barrel of fun.... it is fun working in the scraps. great projects coming along have you seen the 365 challenge quilt? one block a day for 365 days and they are 3 inch blocks. it is an awesome looking quilt. right up your alley....
You got me thinking about bow ties a while back, now they are every where. I'm just finishing a scrappy, wonky star quilt that would be so cute with tiny stars, I told someone it wouldn't be possible and immediately a voice in my head said "Sharon could do it" LOL.
Great way to reduce the volume. Thanks for sharing your "process". I think my problem is over thinking what I'm going to do with a set of scraps.
Cute bowties. I am in desperate need of scrap management. I haven't even begun to get them organized...I've just been collecting them.
Looks like you're having fun with them.
"Knots" don't have to be perfect - I doubt any real/tied knots are!! It gives them more character. Yesterday was just gorgeous here as well - as opposed to today's rain and gloom. Boo.
Crazy warm weather, right? My dad sat out on the porch with his morning coffee yesterday - first time in a long time!
I enjoy hearing about your scrap system. Your wonderful projects are proof that it works!
I love your little bow tie blocks, and especially seeing your organization system! Very inspirational!
Your bucket system reminds me of my little red buckets...yet I cut 2", 2 1/2" or 3" inche strips....yes there is a string quilt in my future....just still reading the best way to go about it. :)
Your bucket system reminds me of my little red buckets...yet I cut 2", 2 1/2" or 3" inche strips....yes there is a string quilt in my future....just still reading the best way to go about it. :)
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