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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? 



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17 comments:

  1. gayleDecember 18, 2016 at 4:49 PM

    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!

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  2. Cherie in St LouisDecember 18, 2016 at 4:59 PM

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

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  3. JeanneDecember 18, 2016 at 5:03 PM

    I prefer the second (print) one

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  4. Kathy S.December 18, 2016 at 6:24 PM

    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!

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  5. LarryDecember 18, 2016 at 7:07 PM

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

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  6. QuiltdivajulieDecember 18, 2016 at 7:08 PM

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

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  7. LazannaDecember 18, 2016 at 7:31 PM

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

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  8. Helen in the UKDecember 19, 2016 at 2:35 AM

    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 :)

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  9. JulieroseDecember 19, 2016 at 6:48 AM

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

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  10. Quilter KathyDecember 19, 2016 at 9:02 AM

    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?

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  11. Karen in Breezy PointDecember 19, 2016 at 9:08 AM

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

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  12. phxquiltDecember 19, 2016 at 11:56 AM

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

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  13. AnnDecember 19, 2016 at 12:00 PM

    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.

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  14. em's scrapbagDecember 19, 2016 at 8:20 PM

    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

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  15. MonicaDecember 20, 2016 at 12:04 PM

    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!

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  16. KajaDecember 24, 2016 at 2:44 AM

    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.

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  17. Linda SmithDecember 26, 2016 at 7:58 AM

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

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Thank you for your time. I enjoy comments and try to respond to them all.