Often when I post about Rainbow Scrap Challenge Projects I get comments that the blocks or units I am working on would make a good leader/ender. Well, it probably would if I were a leader/ender kind of girl. But I'm not. I've tried and tried. I prefer to say I multitask. When I'm working with scraps I'm normally really working with scraps and I arrange my scraps by size. Then I use the scraps in various projects based on size. So, for instance, this week I will dig into the 3.5 inch scraps and cut them for Snowballs, Bow Ties. Then I will chain piece both blocks at the same time.
But then sometimes I multitask by fabric or by color. For example...I saw a block that involved nine patches on Nann's blog (With Strings Attached). It's in the top row above. I have a lot of nine patches and Nann is one of the ladies I have swapped with for years with the Block Swappers Yahoo Group. When I am inspired rather than pin to a Pinterest board or bookmark it a lot of the time I just make a block to see how it goes and to see if I really, really am inspired. If I'm really, really inspired then I make more at some point and if I'm not the trial block goes into the orphanage.
So, to see if Nann really did inspire me, I grabbed a few of the bright 3 inch nine patches since I'm using the darker ones in a Jack's Chain and decided to use some tone on tone fabrics I would have to cut for the borders plus make the corners from 2.5 inch scraps.
And while I had the tone on tones out to cut I decided to use the same fabrics on two other UFOs - Happy Blocks with 4 inch centers and 1-3/4 inch sides and 10 inch Owl and Pussy Cat Sawtooth Star blocks which requires a 3 inch tone on tone piece.
So, as I pulled each fabric then I cut a 1-3/4 inch strip for Happy Blocks, a 2.5 inch strip for bordered nine patches ( or sometimes a 3.5 inch strip depending upon yardage) and a 3 inch strip which I then further cut into the pieces necessary for each block.
Then I chain pieced them all at one time - multitasking. Then I started over again with a different fabric and so on until I got tired of making these blocks.
And three projects moved forward in no time.
This is the new start that I saw on Nann's blog. These blocks will then get sashed with some kind of stripe (maybe or maybe something else to be determined) and corner stones and set on point.
I think I will have a wilder version than Nann is making.
But we are both having fun, I'll bet.
A few years ago I participated in an I Spy Happy Block swap. The blocks have four inch centers and 1 - 3/4 inch sides to total a six inch block. Over the years I have participated in 4 inch novelty charm swaps too. So, from all the swaps I pulled the ones with critters on them and into Happy Blocks they go.
I have a bigger pile of them now but to make a BIG quilt you need a BIG pile.
Strange Bedfellows will be a quilt for me. The rest of the charms/blocks will go into donation quilts.
And these are the new additions for the Owl and the Pussy Cat quilt. The centers are owl and pussy cat scraps.
And now I've also made a few tone on tone scraps of various sizes that I will add to their respective scrap boxes. I don't have many 1-3/4 inch scraps to add to so depending upon the size of scrap I further cut those into 1.5 inch postage stamps or a 1.5 inch strip.
15 comments:
I like those new blocks you're making - a nine patch within a nine patch! Your multi-tasking definitely helps you get a lot accomplished, and by chain piecing, the pieces are their own leaders and enders. Thanks for describing your process!
I like them all! and yep! I think multi task is a better word ;-)
Your design wall never fails to bring a smile to my face. LOVE your I-Spy blocks!!
Your blocks and quilts are always so bright and colorful. You inspired me to buy some brighter background colors this morning so I can pump up the volume on my own quilts! Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
Goodness me! I love all the blocks you are making, thanks for the explanation of how you work. I think they could use you brain and logistics in the running of the Government - anybody's - not pointing any fingers!
You are definitely a multi-task gal; I don't do leader-ender very well either--I make mistakes dodging between two projects (ye olde brain needs ONE thing to concentrate on at one sitting--yep, and even then...!) You have a lot of fun stuff on the go. I have a couple languishing on my wall and some strips
waiting to be sewn...but today is for lotus eaters--rest and relaxation...hugs, Julierose
Just reread your blog. When you say you "pull your 3.5" scraps" are they all 3.5" strips, squares or larger pieces you know you can cut 3.5" pieces from? Intruiged.
Clearly, I'm not keeping a close enough eye on Nann, because I'd totally missed seeing this quilt. (And I'm a sucker for nine patches, so I would have noticed!) Love love love your bright version! Both are going to be beauties.
And love all your other blocks, too. I think the multi-tasking is basically just a different version of leader/enders! I always have a bunch of blocks cut and handy by the machine to sew off onto (like spools or nine patches); or if all else fails, I've got a little box of 1.5" squares that I'm turning into 4-patches. Whatever you call it, please keep it up because it's obviously working like a charm! I'm always happy to come see all the terrific blocks you're magicking up!
It's so interesting to me to read about how different quilters tackle their projects! Your multitasking is very productive and creative and clearly works well for you :)
I like using leader/enders after I finally figured out what they actually were. I seem to get a lot more accomplished without really trying and it does save a lot of thread, which I believe was the original purpose. The only problem is that I never seem to have enough of them prepared ahead of time to sew, and before I know it, I've sewn them all up and need to use something else. I can't believe how many get sewn up in no time flat without even trying. I wish I had found out about it sooner, but I also realize that it isn't for everyone.
Great work and fun colors and prints!
I just remembered you got that new washmachine, how's that working?
I also remember you got frustrated with the sewing machine repairman
and said something about getting a treadle sewing machine?
I enjoy your adventures, thanks for sharing.
Wonderful blocks! Love the fun colours.
A bright and happy post! Love the I Spy blocks.
I'm flattered! And your version looks soooo different from mine -- that's the magic of quilting, isn't it? (And by sheer coincidence I'm working on variable stars with novelty prints, too. Posted on my blog today!)
Thanks for sharing the measurements of your Happy blocks! I've seen several quilts you've made with those blocks and think they turn out so great!
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