Sunday, February 15, 2015

Another Flimsy

Remember how I wondered out loud in my Happy to be Scrappy post why I had left Path & Stiles in Thimbleberries in mid assembly mode last winter? As soon as I started working on it yesterday the answer was clear.
So many seams to match! And since many of these block sub units came from a swap there was more than the usual "encouragement" needed to get them to play nice with their neighbor blocks. As you can see... my goal was for reasonable joins.

After pinning the heck out of my 1st two rows and ending up using Mr. Ripper more than I cared to I slowed down and basted those HST joins in 2 passes so I could sew from the light triangle towards the dark (following the pressed seams) with 1 pin at each intersection. That worked so much better - from there I omitted the pins and just matched the other seams with my fingers as I came to them.

Even Elsa liked the slower pace... normally she steers clear when my machine is in action. And when I left the room to press that seam I came back to this. Check out the static cling action going on with her tail!
I had been thinking these blocks were 12" finished but they are actually 14". After pulling some border fabric options and consulting the Nickel Quilts book I realized I was following the twin sized pattern which would end up being too big. So I'm scrapping the borders altogether as 56.5" x 70.5" is just right for a throw quilt. It's way too cold for an outside pic so the design wall pic will have to do... and it's a bit dark at that.
Following that triumph I was anxious to clear my design wall for some new UFOs so I turned my attention to my Blue Slab blocks. I had settled in (I thought) on my plan to leave these wonky and sash them with white before I trimmed them to 12.5" blocks.
Then a comment arrived on THIS post and I couldn't stop thinking about that idea...
Thank you Kate! After all, blue & yellow is probably my all-time favorite color combo. At first I was foiled because I didn't have enough of one yellow but of course scrappy works.
So my plan for today is get these 20 blocks sashed, trimmed and assembled into a top. Evidently I used a lot of yellow for backing quilts in 2013 as I have several nice long pieces in my scrap stash. When they are gone I'll cut what I need from my yellow drawer.
I'm really looking forward to clearing the wall and being inspired by "new" UFOs to start the week! I'll be linking up to Oh Scrap!@Quilting is More Fun than Housework today.

                                                             Quilting is more fun than Housework

15 comments:

  1. Both quilts are looking lovely. Blue and yellow always pops!

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  2. I'd say that is going to be a winning color for the blue quilt top.

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  3. I have to agree. I made that quilt too and found setting all the seams became a labor of love!

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  4. You are a productive person! I love the picture of the kitty beside the sewing machine!

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  5. Elsa is so beautiful. Purrrfect model. The scrap quilt is outstanding!
    LeeAnna

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  6. Oh yes, blue and yellow is a great combo. Elsa is just a lovely cat...what nice company in your sewing room.

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  7. Great progress. I think you were very successful in making those blocks play nicely with their neighbors. It looks terrific!

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  8. I do understand about the P & S, I love the look but all those pieces! I finished up in Dec. a 6 yr long UFO of Pat Speth's. I just was frustrated with all those pieces! I still like those colors but then I guess I like all colors, LOL

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  9. Oh my goodness, look at those drawers of fabric! I am so impressed! I am not nearly that organized, but love how they look. I may need to get to work!

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  10. What a colorful scrappy post! My fabric would stay looking like that for one day. But it sure is pretty. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  11. The brown quilt looks so elegant! And from the distance you were at to photograph it, the "close" joins don't show. Close is usually good enough unless you are doing a serious optical illusion. Visiting from Oh Scrap!

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  12. I agree that the scrappy quilt works well without a border. Well done on all the tricky seam matching.
    And i like the idea of the yellow with the blue.

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  13. Just been catching up on all your posts...lovely to see so much fabulous work. I love scrap quilts and you have some beauties in the works. Also wanted to say what a sweet face your cat has...gorgeous!

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  14. Love the P&S blocks! Another one to add to my list! Just love that yellow text fabric - gorgeous!

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