Scrap Basket 2 - Step 2

Gradients in value really shine with this block!

Take 8 different values of one color - rotating dark to light clockwise around the perimeter of the block and light to medium clockwise in the centre of this 8" finished block.

There are 6 blocks in the quilt (only 5 are shown in the photo).  

This block utilizes leftover 2 1/2" strips.  This is a simple block to construct.  The challenge is in the selection of fabrics with enough of a value change to show each quadrant of the block.

Lay out your fabrics on your work surface with a full strip showing when you are auditioning your fabrics.  Only when the full strips are visible will you see the value gradients that will be shown in the final block.

Take the time to audition your fabric choices with your phone before you start to cut and piece the block.  Our phones will detect those subtle value changes that may not be as visible to our eyes.

Take the value challenge!

Download the instructions for Step 2 from the link below.

Scrap Basket 2 Step 2

Circle Sampler Month 5 - April 18, 2020

We had a great turnout for the demo on gentle curves.  After today, I hope everyone will approach these curves with enthusiasm and confidence.

Patterns for this month's blocks are available from Addies in Cochrane.

Attached below is the link to my PowerPoint slides from the demo.  The slides include the references for YouTube videos on gentle curved piecing and a book you may want to add to your library.

Don't forget the community links for Mask Makers YYC Facebook Group for details on making masks for our community.


I look forward to our next demo - Month 6, the final step of the Circle Sampler on Saturday, May 16th,  2020 at 11:00 am via Zoom.  After you have registered, look for the link to the meeting in your email.

Circle Sampler Month 5 Slides

Remember it's not about keeping busy, it's about being at "piece"!

Scrap Basket Quilt Along 2 - A New Scrap Project

With all our quilt production our scraps are multiplying like rabbits.  I'm running out of bins to gather up my scraps.  It's time for another scrap project, join in the journey!

It never seems to amaze me how well the scraps from many projects just blend together as they were intensionally purchased for the same quilt.  For this quilt I am using a monochromatic grey color palette and a monochromatic cream color palette.  

Consider using a monochromatic color palette in 2 - 3 colors.  

This quilt will include one Solid fabric per colorway to ground the design and bring together the various scrap fabrics.

The first step is to sort your scraps.  If your scraps are not sorted by color, the first step is to sort the scraps by color.

Once sorted by color the next step is to sort your scraps by value.

So here are "some" of my grey and cream scraps.    They look a little overwhelming.


Lets's take this chaos.....

And turn it into this!


Join the Quilt Along and tame your scrap piles.

The quilt will finish 60" x 72".  The quilt is constructed in blocks 6 - 24 1/2" square blocks and 6 - 12 1/2" square blocks.

We will explore block scales and monochromatic color palettes.




Download the instructions for Step 1 from the link below.

Scrap Basket Quilt 2 - Step 1

Feed your soul, take time to create,  It's not about keeping busy.  Its about being at "piece"!

Scrap Basket Quilt Along - Step 5 Final Step

I'm spending more time in my studio, it is my happy place.

I am working on a number of projects, from finishing up UFOs to my upcoming demo project and filling it in with my Scrap Basket Quilt for leaders and enders.

Why use leaders and enders?  Again it goes back to ensuring we have that elusive 1/4" seam.

Without a leader, we often have tangled threads at the back of our blocks at the beginning.  These tangled threads can also result in a change in the tension of our stitches.

Without an ender, we often tend to have our stitches veer off to the right at the end of our blocks.  This can make joining together seams between blocks more difficult.

The added benefit of leaders and enders project is also saving thread which would otherwise be wasted on a "pig" or "bunny tail".

Just think about being able to complete a second project as part of your primary project.

I always have testers for my patterns.  I am grateful for all the help of my pattern testers - some are even so keen, that they work from a picture of a quilt and then take a look at the written pattern.

As everyone's fabric choices have been different, so every quilt will be different.  As you finish your quilt, don't forget to post your quilt on the Facebook Group - Modern Blended Quilts Virtual Show and Tell.

If you are not a member of this Facebook Group, sign up today.

Linda, has been really keen on this project and has already quilted and bound her Scrap Basket Quilt.  Linda's chosen solid is the lighter teal fabric.

Additionally, Linda has incorporated a signature print throughout the quilt and in her binding.

Linda quilted the vertical rows of the quilt with different quilting motifs.  The final result is just stunning!

So, finally is the schematic of the entire quilt.  It really is a "happy quilt".


Download the instructions for Step 5 from the link below:

Scrap Basket Quilt Along - Step 5 Final Step

Stay tuned for the next quilt along - details will be posted on Instagram and Facebook.

Feed your soul, take time to create.  It's not about keeping busy, it's about being at "piece"!

Circle Sampler Demo - Month 4

Today I hosted my Circle Sampler Demo on line with Zoom.

It was great to connect with our quilting community in a very interactive way.  I hope everyone on line enjoyed the online demo as much as I did!

Here are two of the blocks we discussed at our demo.

Color can be the one thing that can make or break a quilt design.  On our interactive call today we explored the concept of "Relative Color".

Joseph Albers in his "Interaction of Color",  states "Color is the most relative medium of art". Through experimentation, you will discover certain colors are susceptive to change when placed on a background of different colors.

If you would like a copy of the pattern for month 4 - please reach out to Addies Creative Fabrics at 2addies@gmail.com

Attached below is the link to the PowerPoint slides from the presentation.

  Circle Sampler Month 4 Demo - Powerpoint slides

"Feed your soul, take time to create.  It's not about keeping busy, it's about being at peace ("piece")!