UFOs Are Calling

There's nothing like that New Year = New Projects feeling!  At the start of the new year, you look forward to entering your tidy and organized sewing space, ready to roll with an exciting new quilting project.

That does not describe my 2023 Quilting New Year.

Definitely not a tidy and organized sewing space - because there are too many UFOs!

Time to tackle the boxes and bins of projects that have been languishing.

First up:  Antique Tile blocks.  I started making these in late 2021 as a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project.  After laying out the blocks in different configurations, I decided to set them on point and use sashing and cornerstones to add some distance between the colors and fabrics.  

 

My calculations told me I needed to make some additional blocks to get 5 rows of 4 blocks and 4 rows of 3 blocks (got that?).  Since my 2 inch strip bin was overflowing, it didn't take long to assemble the block components.  I found additional background fabric in my stash, so I should be good to go for the sashing and side triangles.  Can I finish up this flimsy by the end of the month?

Another Rainbow Scrap Challeng (RSC) project that got set aside:  Blackford's Beauty blocks.  I started these just to play with the block construction, but I didn't have a specific layout or finish in mind.  I love the chain effect created by the four-patch blocks, so I think I'll speed up my production of these and go for a large-ish quilt (the blocks finish at 16 inches).  The RSC color for January is blue - brights and darks - and I've already prepped two blue blocks.

And then there are the Blackford's Beauty blocks in reproduction fabric scraps.  These might languish a bit longer, mostly because my repro scrap stash is not huge.  I'm thinking this will be a smaller project - wallhanging size, for example.

Then there's this good-sized bin of purple, green, and gold/yellow scraps left over from the Mardi Gras Memories quilt.  I'd much rather use up as much of this fabric as possible than return it to the shelves.

What do do when you want to use up lots of scraps?  Pull out your AccuQuilt 5 inch tumbler die, of course!  

That's just scratching the UFO surface, but these should keep me busy for a couple of weeks!

Just a Few Green Scraps

 I haven't cheated on my devotion to UFOs...these Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects were all completed earlier this month. 😀

The RSC color(s) for May were sage and forest green.  

I have been making two Blackford's Beauty blocks each month, one in reproduction fabric scraps and one in bright modern fabric scraps.  I decided to just make the reproduction block this month.  When the RSC focus is on bright greens I'll use the modern green scraps for another block.

Most of these scraps came from making Stars in a Time Warp blocks and from a Halloween table runner that still needs quilting.  Oh no - two more UFOs!

 

I did pull some sage and forest green scraps from the modern fabric bins to make 2.5 inch squares for checkerboard blocks.  I only made two blocks, but will make more when the RSC focus is on bright greens.

 

While I was digging through the scrap bins, I went back and pulled scraps in previous 2022 RSC colors and cut those 2.5 inch squares as well.  Now I'll have plenty of leader-ender blocks to stitch up as I'm working on other projects.

 

See?  They work up just that quickly!

 

 

Pink Scrappy Fun!

 How can playing with pink scraps not be fun?!

This month's color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge was pink.  I had plenty of fun stitching up pink scrappy blocks, and even started a new scrap project.

The oldest batch of blocks in my current RSC collection are Antique Tiles blocks.

Blackford's Beauty was an unexpected RSC 2022 block.  I didn't think I had enough scrappy variety for multiple blocks, but one block per month (in each fabric style) still uses up a bunch of scraps!

Modern Blackford's Beauty

Reproduction Blackford's Beauty.

And thanks to Pat Sloan - I started up another RSC project.

These are 36-patch blocks, constructed of 2.5 inch squares.  After seeing Pat Sloan talk about this on a YouTube video, I pulled out my Accuquilt and started cutting.

All my see-through project boxes are currently occupied (imagine that!), so I pulled out a tin and a wooden cigar box to keep the pieces tamed.  As soon as the next RSC color is announced, I'll cut another batch of squares and pair them up with light squares to use as leader-enders.

I've been waiting for just the right project to use this Crabtree & Evelyn tin.  This makes me smile every time I see it!

March Comes in with the Scraps

 I don't know about you, but for the past two weeks I've been struggling to stay focused on long-term or complicated quilt projects. It's not that I've lost my sewing mojo, just that complicated pattern instructions or large piecing projects just seem overwhelming.  Simplicity has been the rule of the day.

In that case, hurrah for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!

Antique Tile blocks couldn't be simpler.  A couple of squares, a couple of rectangles, sew everything into 9-patch components - pretty soon you have a finished 12-inch square.  

BTW, this month's color for the RSC is yellow. 😎

 I was able to use up some vintage scraps here - the blue and yellow print is 20 years old.

 The sunflower print is another vintage fabric.  I'll be sad when I've used up the last of these scraps!

The Blackford's Beauty blocks require a little more concentration, but after you've made a few of them, they're not that difficult.  Just assemble the pieces into 9-patch units and sew everything together as you would a 9-patch block.

 After making a BB block in bright yellow scraps, dig out some reproduction yellow/gold scraps and make another block.  I think most of the scraps here were generated during Barbara Brackman's Stars in a Time Warp BOW.  Which reminds me I still haven't assembled my SIATW blocks.
 

 You may recall a few weeks ago I was working on a tulip block project for my quilt group.  Tulips are not traditional spring flowers in New Orleans because our climate is not all that favorable to them.  However, they can be coaxed into blooming, and we love the results.

The largest park in New Orleans - City Park - shares a tulip garden every year on the shores of their Big Lake.  This is just a small slice of the scenery, taken the Saturday after Mardi Gras.  Happy Spring!

Rainbow Scrap Surprise

 I did not anticipate doing any Rainbow Scrap Challenge sewing this month.

I thought my only ongoing RSC project this year would be to make and assemble Antique Tile blocks.  And maybe assemble some neglected RSC blocks from previous years, but that was really more wishful thinking than an actual plan.

The RSC color for February is teal, and I had already made teal Antique Tile blocks last August, so - no new RSC sewing, right?

Not so fast!  As I was digging through the box of reproduction fabric scraps, looking for fabrics for an entirely different inspiration, I came across a hunk of 2-inch teal strips.  Were there enough strips and enough variety to make a Blackford's Beauty block?

Well yes - another Blackford's Beauty block created!

Hmmm...I also made a Blackford's Beauty block in bright fabric scraps last month.  Are there enough scrappy teal brights to make another BB block?

And another block joins the bunch!

The blocks finish at 12 inches, so if I want a bed-sized quilt I'll need more than just one block per month.  Maybe an alternate chain block?

There's still plenty of time to think about how to put these blocks to use, so for now I'm just going to enjoy making them every month!

Starting with Scraps

 My sewing priorities for the beginning of the year included finishing up two Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects from 2021.

 

I finished making all the blocks for the Flashes of Brillance/Sugar Loaf quilt.  Here they are assembled, and waiting to be trimmed according to the pattern.  I really had to steel myself to cut those blocks in half!

 

Aye-yi-yi - and what am I going to do with these sliced up half blocks?!

 

 

Anyway, here is the finished quilt top.  

 

As I was making the original Sugar Loaf blocks, I thought it would be fun to make another version of the quilt in reproduction fabrics.  I still like that idea, but after working with all the bias edges on the blocks and sashing, I'm not in a hurry to do it any time soon! 

Once Flashes of Brillance was down from my design wall, I immediately started laying out another scrappy quilt top.

I've been making Bonnie Hunter's Easy Breezy blocks as a leader-ender project since July, 2020.  I decided it was finally time to assemble a quilt top.  The framed squares were added to boost the quilt size, as the blocks only measure six inches. 

I have some dedicated sewing ahead of me to get them all stitched together!

I haven't decided on a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project for 2022.  Last week I made a Blackford's Beauty block in modern fabrics, then followed up by making another block in reproduction style fabrics.  

 

I love how the repro fabrics look in this block, but since the blocks finish at twelve inches, I'd feel compelled to make more than one block each month.  That would entail a good bit of cutting/prep work (i.e. making scraps), so I'm not sure I want to commit to the project.

In the meantime, Gayle (mangofeet) showed one of her new RSC blocks - framed stars - which I've always wanted to try.  I haven't tried my own version yet, but that's on tap for this week.

Off to a Stitching Start!

 Here we are, starting a new year of stitching!

I have been working on my list(s) of projects to finish and projects to start.  My plans seem a little ambitious, but I'm excited about trying some new things and attempting to use up my fabric stash.

Starstruck by Gyleen Fitzgerald

On top of that, I'm supposed to be attending an in-person quilt workshop next week.  My small guild has scheduled a class with quilter Gyleen Fitzgerald.  We'll be making her Star Struck table runner, and learning some new piecing and cutting skills.  Plans include mask-wearing and social distancing (and everyone must be vaccinated), but since our state is experiencing a spike in Covid/omicron infections, plans could change on dime.

This will be my first quilting workshop since 2005!  I'm feeling a little intimidated by all the paraphernalia one takes to a quilting workshop.  

My everyday sewing machine is too big to drag to a class, so I thought I'd take my vintage Singer 503A (aka Rocketeer).  It's lightweight and sews a beautiful straight stitch.  Of course quarter-inch feet were not issued with these machines, but there are a number of modern quarter-inch feet that fit.

Unfortunately, the machine operator could not stitch consistent quarter inch seams despite trying several different feet and adding a seam guide hack.  I think maybe one of those portable extension tables would help, but there's no time to order one.

 

I made this Blackford's Beauty block as a practice piece on the Rocketeer.  The block was inspired by Angela at Soscrappy, who plans to use it for this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  The block doesn't look too bad, but I had to trim all the 4-patches to get them to fit correctly, and the finished block is still a quarter inch too large.

Change of plans.  Out came my trusty Pfaff 7550 - my primary sewing machine until a few years ago.  Fortunately, getting a consistent quarter-inch seam with this machine was much easier. 
 

I didn't have enough 2 inch squares prepped for another Blackford's Beauty block, but I did have the pieces ready for an Antique Tile block.  I think I have found my quilting workshop machine!

In other "start the year off right" news - I finally broke down and bought a new cutting mat!  My old mat (on the left) is so worn the cutting lines are barely visible.  Those white marks are not just discoloration, they're grooves worn in the cutting surface!  Happily, I made use of a JoAnn 50% off coupon and saved a little money, too.