Sunday, December 18, 2016

Speaking of Small Pieces...


I made a couple of pumpkin seed arches from scraps to see if I was going to like them.  I certainly love the quilt on the cover of this book.   I first saw the quilt on Carla's blog, A Few of My Favorite Things.  and I asked her what pattern she was using and she gave me the name of this book which I promptly purchased. 


I don't know about you but my scraps seem to accumulate out of nowhere.  I have a cutting mat on the desk behind my sewing machine and when it gets too crowded to even cut or sew any more because of the scrap piles I throw them into boxes and/or bags to sort through at a later date.  These need to go...


One bag of scraps that was once behind the sewing machine...


...and another.   I sorted through them for scraps in autumn colors big enough (at least 3.5 inches long, I think)  to sew on to the inner arch paper template I traced on to a couple of phone book pages taped together.  I tried alternating light and dark scraps as suggested in the pattern but I'm not sure I'll continue that way with all of the rest of the arches.  We'll see. I'm a little light on light scraps. 


Then I laid them on a plain coral background to see if I liked them.  Maybe. But I wasn't inspired. 


I tried this background and think I like it better. Not sure yet. I have lots of time to decide.  The pattern actually calls for a light background. I know my background won't be light. 

Which background do you prefer? 



17 comments:

gayle said...

I like the second background better, too. Or maybe a dark indigo print?
Those arches look like a really fun thing to make with scraps!

Cherie in St Louis said...

I like the first one as it lets the arches be the stars but really they are both good 😊

Jeanne said...

I prefer the second (print) one

Kathy S. said...

I've seen a couple of those quilts done on cheddar print background and they were gorgeous. I LOVE your little scraps! I think as long as there is contrast between the pieces it only matters if the light/dark is relevant to the previous fabric. That quilt is on my bucket list. I can request it from my library. I have a bazillion quilts on my "to be finished list" this year. But now that I need something to do by hand, maybe I could justify starting one. LOL. Always looking for reasons to start another project. Thanks for inspiring me. That actually would be a good project for my "to go" bag once I had all the little pieces pieced. Hmmmmm. You've inspired me!

Larry said...

I like the coral background - your arcs seem to glow! You are inspiring me . . .

Quiltdivajulie said...

OOPS - that last comment was from me . . . sorry!

Lazanna said...

I liked the layout in the first photo, where the units are on the Ironing pad.

Helen in the UK said...

Super use of small scraps. I prefer the first, plain background as it allows the arcs to shine rather than competing for attention with the busy print. But ultimately it's whatever appeals to YOUR eye most :)

Julierose said...

I like the 2nd one--being the scrappy junky that I am...this pattern looks like a bear though...hugs, Julierose

Quilter Kathy said...

I have the same scrappy mountains around my cutting table and I really love having that problem!! LOL
I would probably go with a solid background to let the scraps shine.. not a light neutral though...
maybe a dark grey, or a pumpkin colour like Carla had, or a navy?

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I like them on the print--go for it!!

phxquilt said...

I'm for the coral or the dark background suggested above. The print seems to detract from the arcs. JMO

Ann said...

I saw that book recently and was quite taken with the quilt, too. Your colored backgrounds are much more striking than the muslin of the original. Keep going.

em's scrapbag said...

Great use of scraps! I also have this problem if you want to call it that. Thought I don't really see it as a problem. I like the print

Monica said...

Love that scrap with the ginger cats on it! What a cute fabric.

I prefer the pink print. I remember Carla had a cheddar background, which was nice too. I think your solid pink is just a little bright. Looks good so far!

Kaja said...

I love the arcs. If it were me I would use background number 2 - the pattern does't detract at all for me but I have a busy sort of brain. Maybe if you're not sure it's because you haven't found just the right thing yet.

Linda Smith said...

Somebody suggested an indigo print. Hey, an excuse to go fabric shopping!
Love the arcs.