I looked up how to make crumb blocks on Bonnie Hunter's blog and tried that method. I prefer using long strips and making more uniform looking blocks. Linda may get the short crumbs after all.
I made a mistake when I went back to the project. Instead of cutting 6 inch foundation pieces, I cut 5 inch squares and ,happily, made many 5 inch blocks. Bummer. I have 20 6 inch blocks now. I guess they will await companions. I need many more to make a quilt. BUT. I could make small quilts and use them for something else. Perhaps a tote bag?
I doubt that putting a pile of cotton scraps into the landfill has much of an environmental impact. It is cotton and will decompose readily. But it is so much better to use up stuff. My mother loves to quote: Make it do, Do without, Use it up, wear it out." She grew up in the Great Depression. This is the same mother who thought I should throw away all these scraps. HAH I showed HER!
I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I can use my right hand now for the rotary cutter. I must wear a brace and cannot flex my wrist. I will start on a real quilt today. Oh good, more scraps.
Sometimes I would use a narrow, one inch strip. I hate to lose it to seam allowance. I would then use the 1/8 inch side of my piecing foot.
Even though I have a gizmo to hold my nippers, I would often lose them amidst all the scraps.
The squares look veritably ugly before trimming.
I just love how they "clean up."
I have some five inch squares stashed away, all set to use. I will add these blocks to that stash. Perhaps there will be a way to use them in a quilt.
I have been sewing for a while now. I love it. Just the same, I miss messing with machines. I can't get back to the shop yet. I have been instructed to avoid vibratory stimulus. That means no chain saws, no weed whackers and no dog clippers. I am not allowed to flex my right wrist as that will risk ulnar nerve scarring. I am comfortable with the brace on. I can't yet lift heavy objects. Once all healed, I will be back in the shop. I want to dig into that Singer 101. Mostly to see how that wicking system works.
As a lifetime seamstress/sewist, I have never been attracted to quilting but this method of using fabric scraps may just have me quilting like there's no tomorrow! I am also a big time recycler and this is just great...thanks for opening my eyes. Also, I plan to use my quilting square rulers as a guide.
ReplyDeleteLamar Mendiola from Texas
You can add strips all around the 5" squares as sashing and use those as a border or center of your 6" block quilt. It would be quick to chain piece all the strips on. I think it would look real neat- change of scale and framing.
ReplyDeleteIf you want more strips, I can send you a nice big envelope. I don't know what rotary cutter you are using, but I bought a Martelli that you push ahead and it has helped my shoulders and wrist immensely. You need to buy a right or left hand one. I use regular blades, not Martellis in it.
Phone book pages work awesome as a foundation. Harder to get though.
Linda beat me to it! Exactly what I was thinking. Here and there a bordered block- tres moderne (sp?). I've not had a yen to do a crumb quilt yet, but you have me considering...
DeleteI actually considered adding enough sashing to make the fivers into sixers. We'll see.
Delete...because I am a bit of a sloppy cutter and not a meticulous measure-er, I cheat by using wrapping paper with the one inch grids printed on the back for the paper foundations. The last bunch I got after Christmas at Wal Mart for very little $$.
DeleteI'm hoping for a speedy recovery for you ...can't wait to see you tackle the 101 and it's fantasmigorical spider whick system. (Thread companies must love all of us who quilt with tiny pieces - wondering how many miles of thread we use every year - maybe enough to go to the moon and back ...maybe more?)
ReplyDelete