This past year I’ve done very little fabric purchasing because, like many, I want to use up more of what I have here. And so for ages now, I've been putting all my random leftover strips into a basket, it's overflowing! And I've been waiting for inspiration to hit.
After a little research I found plenty of scrappy quilt ideas using strips (see here for ideas). I decided it was about time for (another) scrappy trip around the world - there are lots of different tutorials and tips for making this quilt, like here at quiltville.
I'm aiming for controlled scrappy... and it's been very interesting.
My strips are 2 1/2" wide, so smallish really, meaning I have to consider carefully which fabrics I chose to mix up together. I didn't want the fabrics to all be competing with each other, and I didn't want a lot of large-scale florals, so I've included quite a few quieter no-so-exciting prints.
After a bit of faffing around, I made up a couple of test blocks using the strip method. However, as you can't really decide how you feel about it until you’re at least 4 blocks in - 'cos the magic happens only after they are put together - I actually swopped over and cut everything into squares and arranged them up on my design wall.
After a bit of faffing around, I made up a couple of test blocks using the strip method. However, as you can't really decide how you feel about it until you’re at least 4 blocks in - 'cos the magic happens only after they are put together - I actually swopped over and cut everything into squares and arranged them up on my design wall.
I'm enjoying working with these softer colours, lots of muddy muted (well, muted for me I guess!) blues, green, greys, tans and neutrals, with little accents in pink & yellow - just channeling my inner @blue elephant stitches with this vintage vibe here!
I have gotten way too much fabric over the years and go scrappy all the time now adding bits of new fabric off and on to the stash. We need to use what we have for sure
ReplyDeleteI really like the way the paler pinks and the tan/brown fabrics move the eye around this grouping. I think I would have to work with squares not strips too.
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing how much careful thought and planning go into a successful scrappy quilt, isn’t it?! The best ones are never just “random” as non-quilters might suppose. I think your quilt looks great so far.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely way to use those scraps. Love the softer result.
ReplyDeleteReally pretty combinations of fabrics. This will be a beautiful soft-looking quilt.
ReplyDeleteI like the planning here. Like you, I lay out the squares first; it works better for me. Yours are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThis looks SO GOOD! Very much tempts me to try one of my own, but I just don't think my fabric would make me quite as happy as seeing it in your version.:)
ReplyDeleteThese blocks are beauties and I love the blocks in your last post too. Always a wonderful eye for fabric and colour combinations here!
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