Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Improv Scrappy blocks

The past few days have been a wonderful scrappy quilt-a-thon. My sister and I have been sorting through a multitude of fabrics scraps accumulated over several decades of family garment sewing. We decided to use them in improvisationally-pieced blocks to make at least 3 throw quilts, one for each of us plus our mother.

We got together on Sunday and began working our way through a basket of scraps, cutting strips and piecing the first few blocks. We each continued working on more blocks the next day, then got together again today to join forces again. We decided to finish 36 blocks today, 12 for each quilt. Once we got them all done, we laid them all out on the floor to admire our work. 




We all agreed that we preferred the blocks with spacing between, and will probably go with a medium grey sashing similar to the color of the carpet. Unfortunately, when we reduced the layout to our planned 12 blocks, the effect was rather disappointing. However, when we switched to 20 blocks, the result was much more satisfying. That means more blocks to make, but it's worth the extra effort.



Most of the scraps and strips will remain at our mother's house, although my sister took some pieces home to continue making blocks. Our original plan of 36 blocks has now been bumped up to 60, which may require another trip to Wisconsin and mini quilting retreat. It's been a wonderful few days visiting with family and quilting together.

I am linking up to Scraptastic Tuesday at Mrs Sew and Sow and to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced. Check them both out for tons of amazing ideas and inspiration. 


Julie in GA

11 comments:

  1. Those are going to be bright and fun!

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  2. (They look even better at 36 blocks. Sorry sorry sorry)
    What a wonderful project for you two to tackle together!

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  3. Wonderful scrappy projects and to make three quilts is amazing. Bet you had fun.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  4. Lovely way to spend time with your sister! The quilts will be gorgeous. Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday

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  5. Wow fantastic scrappy blocks! They look even better with the neutral sashing. Such fun!

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  6. I wish I had sisters to sit and stitch with, that seems the perfect way to bide time together, chat and catch up!
    Those are striking quilt tops, in years to come it will be lovely looking at them, knowing where the fabrics came from and that it was a joint venture making them. : )

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  7. Wow! Sounds like quite a productive few days! It's amazing what a couple days set aside specifically for sewing can accomplish, especially with more than one sewist!! Best of luck making all those blocks, and another sewing retreat wouldn't hurt anyone! ;) Visiting from Freshly Pieced WiP!

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  8. Lots of great scrappy goodness here! And so nice to spend time sewing with your sister!

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  9. What a fun project. I like working with my sister, too. Enjoy!

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  10. What fun for you and your sister to share a project from the family scrap bag! I think sorting scraps is really good entertainment! and very rewarding if your blocks are the result, great job!! cheers.

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