Meanwhile: Red Schoolhouses

The last time I wrote about my red schoolhouse quilt blocks, they looked like this:

Shortly after posting that picture, I went ahead and added white sashing between all the blocks, creating a small quilt top with six schoolhouse blocks.

Then I was stuck.  I auditioned several red fabric borders, but didn't like the look.  I also tried some red and white HST configurations, but I didn't like those, either.

I sat back and pondered my original idea for the quilt: it was meant to be a wallhanging for my sister.  She has several of my quilts already, but says she doesn't have the wall space to hang them for display (forget the fact they are all bed-sized quilts and should be used on a bed - she wants to hang them, instead).

The schoolhouse wallhanging is already well over 40 inches wide, and any added borders are just going to make it bigger and more difficult to hang on a wall.  What if I (gulp!) cut off two of the schoolhouse blocks and made a four block quilt?

It only took a matter of minutes to rip out a few seams, stitch up a few injured seams, and press everything into shape.

Now the red border looks fine, and the quilt is a manageable wallhanging size.  

Since my inspiration quilt was hand-quilted, I decided this one should be hand-quilted as well.

After visiting one of my favorite quilting resources (Quilting with Style by Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham), I designed a simple cable design to fit in all the sashed areas.  I also worked out a fan design for the borders.  Everything else will be outline quilted, with maybe some improv quilting here and there.

Now to get the quilt marked and basted.  Should I start quilting it immediately or put it in the queue behind some finished quilts that need binding?  Thoughts to ponder...

A Dent in the Red Scraps?

I think I made a dent in the red scraps this month as I worked on Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects. On the other hand, I definitely made some new red scraps, as I cut into yardage I purchased for a red and white quilt.  

I finished the red and white Schoolhouse blocks I started last weekend.  I decided on mini Ohio Stars (3 inches finished) as cornerstones, and got those finished up today.  Now to cut the sashing and piece everything together.  

For what it's worth:  I couldn't have made those mini Ohio Stars without a couple of handy resources.  The All-In-One Quilter's Reference Guide has a wealth of information including cutting guides, piecing techniques, and other technical know-how for quilt making.  And thanks to Generations Quilt Patterns, I learned a speedy new technique for making Ohio Star blocks.

I wasn't sure I was going to participate in this year's Rainbow Scrap Sampler project, but I guess I am!  I've done each week's Tiny Tuesday blocks and added two extras that were experiments.  Before I started in on the 3-D Bow Tie tutorial, I pieced a practice block to make sure I remembered how to do it.  And I wasn't sure if I wanted to make 3 inch Ohio Star blocks, so I tried a 4.5 inch size first.  The cutting instructions for the 4.5" size are in the Ohio Star tutorial linked above.  You're welcome!

I think I'm done with the red scraps for now.  I'm looking forward to next month's RSC color and Tiny Tuesday blocks.  In the meantime, you'll find some more red scrappy inspiration here!

RSC 15: Playdate with the Stars

I was lucky enough to play around in my sewing room all day today!  I put needle and thread together in several ways, but for now I'm going to share some Rainbow Scrap Challenge goodies that were creative fun.

 

Sawtooth Stars in indigo were assembled.  It's so hard to photograph these dark fabrics.  Even tweaking them with a photo program doesn't entirely help.  

 

I also started piecing red, white & blue 16 patch blocks for a Scrap Jar Star quilt.  I stacked RWB squares next to white squares and used the pairs as leader-enders.  I haven't pressed these open, so you're looking at the wrong side of the fabrics.

 

I'm thinking about using the Ohio Star block as an RSC project next year, so I played with sizes and piecing again this week.  I want to make 9" blocks in an effort to use up bigger scrap pieces.  This is the most basic Ohio Star variation, using 3.5" blocks for the corners and centers.  I used 4.25" blocks to make the Quarter Square Triangles (QST).  The only drawback to this method is cutting the 4.25" blocks from scraps every month. 

I like this Ohio Star variation better than the one with the plain center!

Since I practice Bonnie Hunter's Scrap User's System, I wanted to try making the star using scrappy strips I already had cut.  I went to the stash of 2" strips and pulled a light blue strip and a dark blue strip and used the Companion Angle Ruler to cut QSTs.  Then I went to the stash of 3.5" strips for my center and outer corners.  I was lucky to have the light blue fabric in both strip sizes.  Sewing the Companion Angle QSTs is a little more finicky, because sewing on the bias is required.  I reckon I can handle it!  If not, I'll go back to the other method.  It's always good to have several piecing techniques up your sleeve!

The Rainbow Scrappers have more inspiration on view over at Angela's Soscrappy blog, so take a peek over there for more colorful delights!

 

RSC 15: Indigo Stars

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for August is indigo.  And if indigo won't serve, we're encouraged to use gray and/or black scraps in our scrappy projects.

I checked my stack of 2015 RSC projects and decided I did not need to add any more blue blocks to the Maverick Stars, Sugar Bowls or 9 Patch Variation blocks.  I probably will add an indigo Scrap Jar Star block - in fact, I may go back and make additional blocks in all of this year's colors just to ensure I have a large enough quilt at the end of the year.

Since I've decided to continue making 4" Sawtooth Star blocks through next year, I figured I would start this month with some indigo star blocks.  I haven't checked the gray and black scrap stash, but there are probably enough scraps there to make a few more star blocks. 

It wasn't difficult to find plenty of dark blue fabrics, although they may not technically be indigo.  I've got all my parts and pieces cut, so I can sew these up when I have a few extra minutes during the week.

 

I was cycling back through earlier RSC colors and made these two light blue sawtooth stars this past week.

 

I have already been thinking about RSC projects for next year and decided Ohio Stars would be a good block for scrappy play.  I randomly grabbed some scraps to practice a speed-piecing technique for the Quarter Square Triangles (QST).  This is a 6" block, but I think my choice for next year will be a 9" block.  I'm kinda sick of 6" blocks, as I have made a lot of them lately.  I'm also hoping 9" blocks will make a more noticeable dent in the scraps.  Hahahaha! 

I'm linking up with the other Rainbow Scrappers over at Angela's blog today.  There will be lots more colorful, scrappy quilting to inspire you over there!