Monday 16 May 2016

Using small scraps

Those of you who know my work probably know that I have a preference for using print fabrics. Not necessary large or overly bold prints (though sometimes that, too), but I mostly use small prints, or mottled, swirly, dotted or otherwise unevenly coloured fabrics in my quilts. However, I love the look of rainbow projects and I find it very hard to achieve a rainbow combination with my print fabrics.
- though I may have to try that again one day soon, too... -

Anyway, when Cindy of Fluffy Sheep fame had a scrap bundle of solids to give away last month for the cost of postage, I thought it would be worth obtaining some of her small pieces of solids to finally make a rainbow project - thank you, Cindy! -

The scrap bundle that arrived from Fluffy Sheep Quilting's Cindy

The bag had a varied assortment, but I quickly decided on my rainbow colours and I found some solid white fabric on my shelves to go with them.

a rainbow of scraps

Soon I was laying out my friendship stars in a circular pattern.


After sewing it seemed quite uneven (smaller at one end than at the other). I must have been slightly increasing (or decreasing?) my seam allowances as I sewed row after row...


However, after some judicious pressing and blocking it ended up square, and with wonderfully nesting intersections. The perfectionist in me likes that!


Below the end result, and have a look at the scale (my mat marks the inches):


In the mean time I have transformed this panel into a finished item, but since I made it as a surprise for someone I will show that after it has been received.

*edit: Now it has been received in Amsterdam, I can show you what I made:





Even though these scraps were not originally my own, playing with them has given me lots of ideas of what to do with my own as well. For now I am happily linking up for the first time (I think) with Scraptastic Tuesday:

Scraptastic Tuesday

Sandra

25 comments:

  1. Love this! Such tiny pieces - you have patience!

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  2. This is so much fun to see Sandra! Excellent itty bitty piecing work too! Your friend is going to love the surprise! (I love perfectly nesting seams too.)

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  3. Welcome to #scraptastictuesday and hope you come back soon! Friendship star is a lovely block and what can be better than a wreath of them!? Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday

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  4. I love the picture of the back - so perfect. I think it would be interesting to make a quilt with the back on the front.

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  5. I love it when someone else picks out fabric for me, and that's what you worked with in these solids. Love the block.

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  6. I can't believe how tiny the block is and how good it looks!

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  7. Great stars with such small pieces. I love nesting seams also.
    lbcookie1@gmail.com

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  8. you friendship block is so pretty and fun. i love working with scraps also.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  9. I plan on making a larger version of this block

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  10. Great use of scraps. there are always so many of them!

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  11. The ring of friendship stars is so cute!

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  12. You did a great job and your back is so neat ty for sharing... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  13. What a wonderful use of scraps! The recipient of this bag is very fortunate!

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  14. Oh wow, this looks amazing! All these small pieces! Well done and the bag is just beautiful!

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  15. Love the rainbow colors. I never use solids in my quilting but you have inspired me to try something new.

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  16. I never would have thought of such a beautiful way to use little scraps.

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  17. All that seam nesting is impressive! Love your rainbow of colours!

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  18. Just love it! I too have learned to enjoy using solids :*) And I love seeing blocks turned into bags and other useful items. Great job on those points!

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  19. I love the tiny piecing and the colors of this project--and that neat back side after pressing--wow! It's so cool that you could make this with gifted fabric. But beware--working with solids is addictive. :)

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  20. Beautiful work Sandra and it was neat to the perfect nesting on the backside!

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  21. Love the rainbow! I'm working on a similar design for a similar reason--to play with color. My Guild is exploring color this year and that has prompted me to create some kind of color wheel and I thought of friendship stars too because they are simple and easy to arrange. I don't know if I'll be making something as small as yours though--who knows how wonky it might end up being? Wonderful finished project and such a perfect gift for someone.

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  22. Hi, I am visiting you, for the first time, from Lara's blog hop. Your tiny scraps are right up my street! Now I've seen your gorgeous pouch I've got to add this to my "must do" list, but I can see this was tricky to make with so many seams. I hope mine will work out at least half as good as yours, it's a real treasure! Well done you!
    Barbara xx

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  23. Absolutely LOOOOVE your Friendship Star pouch! AWESOME job!!! :D

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  24. Great way to use up scraps...you make it look so easy.

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