Revisiting RSC Maverick Stars

One of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects last year was Maverick Stars (or Liberated Stars). 

 

After making colorful, scrappy stars all year, I decided I needed some string-pieced alternate blocks to add to the quilt design.  Since I didn't want to start any new orange RSC projects for April, I decided to focus on finishing the alternate blocks to go with the Maverick Stars.

 

I still don't have all the string-pieced blocks finished, but I pinned everything up on the design wall to take a look.  Once I had the blocks tentatively arranged, I started thinking about the next step in the design process.  I've played with a few "liberated" border ideas, such as free-pieced spiky (rectangles) and dogtooth (square) blocks, but haven't decided for sure yet.

 

I did trim and piece a few blocks together to get a better feel for how everything is going to fit together.  Now to finish all the necessary string-pieced blocks, trim them and pull off the paper foundations.  Sounds like the perfect job for a rainy afternoon - which is just what the weather forecasters are saying about today and tomorrow! 

If you need some more scrappy inspiration, stop by the RSC link-up for this week!

 

Orange Sugar Bowls

I haven't run out of orange scraps, but I think I'm finished with my orange scrappy projects for the month.  At least until some new quilt block calls my name and I have to at least try making one!

 

I added a few more orange Sawtooth Star blocks to the collection.  These only require a 2 1/2" scrappy strip - about 10-11 inches long - to create, so they are easy to put together from the 2 1/2" strip box.   I still need lots more colors for this project: pink, yellow, green, and aqua come to mind.

 

I also made some Sugar Bowl blocks using Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  These didn't photograph too well, I think due to the variation in color depth between them.

 

I added the two orange Sugar Bowl blocks from last year's RSC and they really overwhelm the new blocks!  It will be interesting to see how all the blocks play together when I try to assemble them into a quilt.

And now I have miles of quilt binding to make.  I was planning to do the binding for two more memory quilts, but there's also a t-shirt quilt that needs binding.  Good thing I enjoy hand-stitching quilt binding!

Linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, where lots of orange inspiration is lurking!

 

A Little More Selvege Play

Even though I've been collecting fabric selveges for a few years, I wasn't truly inspired to play with them until I participated in a blog hop for Diane Knott's book Scrap Quilt Secrets.  Prior to making a mini basket quilt for the blog hop, I practiced stitching selveges together to experiment with the process.  My practice yielded a few pieces of selvege fabric, but I had no plan in mind for them.

After the blog hop, I decided to use some of the practice fabric to make a zipper pouch.  I was inspired by Kelly's pouch made from a vintage Florida dish towel.  At Kelly's recommendation, I purchased and downloaded the Lola Pouch and assembled all the supplies.  I had everything I needed already stashed in my studio, so I was able to jump in and sew.

 This is the large size pouch, about 11" x 7" finished.  I used a heavier fusible batting than the pattern called for; it was what I happened to have on hand.  The pouch turned out fairly stiff due to the batting and selveges, but I'm happy with the results.  Next time I'll use the recommended fusible batting.  I'll definitely be making more of these, using both selveges and vintage dish towels!

Scrap Jar Stars Visit Cheddar

One of my ongoing Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects has been a Scrap Jar Stars quilt using reproduction fabrics.  I made two blocks in most of last year's RSC colors, but decided I needed a few more blocks before the quilt was a good size.  This year I'm making those extra blocks when the appropriate RSC color comes around.

 

This month's RSC color of orange translates nicely to the color cheddar in reproduction fabrics.  

 

Since the design wall was empty, I pinned up all the repro SJS blocks to date.  There will be sashing between all the blocks, along with cornerstones to make 9-patch style blocks in each corner.  I'll be making 4 additional blocks as the year goes on: red, pink, gold and green.  My only frustration is that I'm about to run out of my ivory-colored background fabric.  I started with a fairly vintage fabric from my stash, so I have no idea if something similar is still available.  I need to check with my LQS and see if they have anything that comes close to my original fabric.

If you are looking for lots more Rainbow Scrap inspiration, stop by the RSC link up at Angela's Soscrappy blog.

Seeing Orange Stars

It has been a slow sewing week.  With more hours of daylight in the evening and warmer weather, it's been hard to resist the call to be outdoors - even if that means doing work in the yard!  We did a lot of pruning and cleaning up last weekend, but still had to deal with smaller jobs during the evening this week.  We love this time of year because it's great to be outdoors without the bugs, heat and humidity of summer!

 

I did work on some Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects, finishing the alternate white blocks in my 9 patch variation pattern.  At the end of the year I'll have 16 blocks in each color.  I'm not sure if the final version will be color blocked or have some other layout.  I'll figure that out later!

 

I also pieced a few orange Sawtooth Stars.  Since Angela mentioned monarch butterflies as this month's color inspiration, I pulled some scraps of monarch fabric I used for a quilt back several years ago. 

 

I also pulled some cheddar scraps in preparation for making a Scrap Jar Star block this week.  

I'm heading out for the Gulf States Quilting Association show when I finish this - can't wait to see what inspiration I will find there!

More orange inspiration can be found at this week's Rainbow Scrap Challenge link-up.

 

Scrap Quilt Secrets Winner!

The Random Number Generator has spoken and the lucky winner of a copy of Scrap Quilt Secrets is Maureen, who said "I am going to start saving my selvages!!".  Thanks to everyone for their comments - I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on selvages and selvage quilting projects!

Orange for April

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for April is orange - with hints of black or brown if one desires.  The inspiration for this month's color was Monarch Butterflies and I happen to have some fabric featuring those beauties, so I'm sure I'll have to find a way to use it!

As the month is just getting started, I've only had time to start pulling orange scraps in preparation for this month's blocks.  Having a bin full of 2 1/2" strips and squares really helps shorten the prep work.

 

I try to make the time to cut my scraps into usable pieces and sort them by color.  I store them in clear plastic boxes so I can see what I've got without having to open the box.

 

I made these 9 patch blocks for last year's RSC, then decided I didn't have enough blocks for a quilt.  This year's project is to make reverse blocks: color in the center, surrounded by white.  I can pull from the strip stash to make the orange centers and the white borders.

 

I also started making these 4" Sawtooth Star blocks for last year's RSC.  I'm going to make more blocks this year and eventually they will all find their way into a quilt.  Again, I can pull from the 2 1/2" orange strips to cut the components for these stars.   

 

Since we're on the subject of scraps, I thought I'd give a shout out for a great new book focused on scrap quilts.  Scrap Quilt Secrets by Diane D, Knott has lots of inspiration for using up scraps.  Check out my blog hop post about Diane's book and leave a comment before April 5th for a chance to win a copy! 

Lots more scrappy inspiration can be found at this week's link-up for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

 

 

Quilty 365 Loves Spring

Spring has sprung in south Louisiana, and my Quilty 365 circles for March definitely show it!

 

Here they are, reflecting the March calendar page, with lots of fresh, Spring colors, textures and flowers.  I'm up to 148 circle blocks as of the end of March.

I don't have as many stories to tell about my circles as last month.  My fabric choices were a little more random and less related to specific goings-on.  Of course, a few of them do mark special occasions.

March 3rd was the anniversary of the "Star Spangled Banner" being officially declared the national anthem of the United States.  I thought this fabric was a perfect way to honor those broad stripes and bright stars!

 

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day.  The Irish have a long and colorful history in New Orleans.  We don't just have one St. Patrick's Day parade - we have several!

 

Another fabric that's been in the stash forever.  There were so many cute kids celebrating Easter on this fabric I had a hard time deciding where to cut.  I figured the sheep had to be included!

Last but not least, I created a selvage circle to mark my blog hop post for Diane Knott's book Scrap Quilt Secrets.  Hop on over to my post and leave a comment before April 5th and you might win a copy of Diane's wonderful book!

I'm still hand-stitching all my circles.  Well, not the selvage one, but all the rest!  I'm a little behind - my usual sewing time was taken up with some travel and another quilting project with a deadline.  I'm looking forward to catching up this weekend and taking breaks to look at everyone's circles over at Audrey's Quilty 365 link-up.