Roll out the Barrel

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