I've been digging through the blue chunks, strips and scraps this month to fulfill the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for July: dark blue.
I have an abundance of blue fabrics of all types and sizes; revisiting them this month was enough to create a desire to do some serious scrap-busting. I've played with several block patterns, looking for good candidates to use up lots of scrappy chunks and bits. I haven't completely decided on a plan of action (I find it hard to stay focused on anything for long these days), but I've had fun playing!
One block I played with is called Wishing Ring in my resource book (501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks by Judy Hopkins). I started with the large size, trying to use up bigger scraps of fabric; it finishes at 10 inches. Maybe it was the fabric choice, but I didn't love the 10 inch block, so I tried the smaller size (finishes at 7.5 inches). I'm putting this idea on the back burner for now, but will probably return to it at some point.
I started making these blocks as a prototype for a much larger version of the block I was mentally visualizing. I pulled some 2 inch strips to cut for the HSTs and 1.5 inch strips for the center parts. After making a couple of these, it occurred to me they looked like a Bonnie Hunter pattern. Turns out I was making Little Monkey blocks.
I may keep making these as an RSC project, but I really want to try making a larger version, maybe something in the 10 - 12 inch finished size.
Speaking of Bonnie Hunter, I also made a few Carolina Chain blocks with dark blue scraps. This block has been a leader-ender project for me for the past year or so. I have more than enough blocks to make a quilt, but I don't have a complete set of rainbow colors yet, so I'll keep making these a little longer.
Now here I may have found something that will keep me occupied for a little while! I found a big chunk of scrap fabric with blue and white seaside scenes. They're the perfect size for the center of an Irish Chain alternate block. There's enough fabric to fussy-cut 20 or more of the vignettes, and I have some other fabrics I can use to fake it if I need to. The Irish Chain blocks go together quickly using strip piecing, and I have lots of light and dark fabric combinations to use up. This could be the Project of the Week!
For more scrappy quilt inspiration, check out the Rainbow Scrap Challenge weekly link-up.
