Scrap Basket 2 - Step 11 Final Step

Inspired by a Tile

The inspriation for this block, came from an unusual place, the tile on the walls in the Vancouver airport bathroom.

Picture this, the tile has grabbed my attention.  I can't stop looking at the tile.  I don't have enough time to sketch out the block before I have to board my flight to Phoenix.  My family can't hold the boarding long enough for me to sketch as I was travelling alone this flight.  So snap, I did it.....I took a picture of the tile in the bathroom.  I quickly looked around, phew I was safe no one saw me snapping the picture.

Here is the picture.  Its not the greatest picture, but you can imagine the need for a quick snap!


Whilst this block is likely one of the easiest blocks in the quilt to piece, it is one of the hardest blocks to select fabrics to make it shine.

When I have taught this block before, I have
preselected some of the fabrics for the cuts and had chosen 2 - 4 fabrics for each of the remaining cuts.

Using the cameras on our phones, we auditioned the fabrics for the different cuts.  It was interesting to watch the debates over the fabrics and color choices.

Our quilting personalities sure came out.  It was great fun.



With this block, fabric selection and placement are key to creating movement.  Consider using:

1. Large scale print
2. Medium scale print
3. Small scale print
4. Geometric or striped variation
5. Random dots.

Try the technique to select the fabrics for your blocks.  But, above all have fun!

This is the last block for the Scrap Basket 2 Quilt Along, just in time for the summer.  Don't forget to post your photos of your quilt on social media!

I started the first Scrap Basket Quilt Along January 18, 2020 and the Scrap Basket Quilt 2 Quilt Along launched April 18, 2020.  I hope you enjoyed these projects as we have navigated through our new normal.

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

Download the instructions for Step 11, the final step from the link below:

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 11 Final Step

1.   

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 10

Sliced Square

After last week's marathon of 36 blocks, I have a simple 6 blocks to complete this week.  With this week's blocks, the 6 - 24 1/2" blocks can be sewn together.  We are then down to the last 6 blocks to complete the entire quilt on June 27th in time for our summer break.

Back to this week's block.

A simple pieced strip is all that it takes to make this block pop.  The inset 1/2" finished strip is simple when it is cut from a larger strip set.

Slicing the blocks for the inset strip are entirely random, creating more movement in the quilt.

You start with a 5" square, slice it up and inset the 1" solid strip with the dark solid square of

This block would be great for an entire quilt of 5" squares of scrap fabrics.  Consider insetting a black on white slice with a black solid square to bring it all together.

Consider this block as the reward for all the sewing last week's 36 blocks.

Here is a shot of two of my 24 1/2" blocks I completed this week.

We are in the home stretch!

Download the instructions for Step 10 from the link below:

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 10

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 9

Square in a Square

Simple solids surround an offset print centre square in this classic block.  We have our work cut out for us this week, as there are 36 square in a square block in the quilt.

The use of solids can have a calming effect in a busy quilt as they provide a place for our eyes to rest.

Square in a square blocks can be a challenge to keep the points on the offset square.

In this block our centre square is 3 3/8".  This odd sized square will take a bit of time, and glasses to cut.

A couple of simple tips can assist with ensuring you have a full 1/4" seam allowance at the points for the centre square.

The first tip:  It all starts with a larger triangles for the sides of the centre square.  You start with a    3 1/4" solid square at and cut it in half along the diagonal.

These triangles will be a fair bit larger than the centre square.  You will have "dog ears" over 1/4" beyond the edge of the centre square.  Ensure the long side of the triangle is centred on the side of the centre square.

The second tip:  When you sew the long side of the triangles on to the centre square, have the centre square on the top as per the photo at right.

If you are like me, my natural tendency would be to have the triangle on the top when you sew the seam.  However, this contributes to less than accurate block.

Why?

It's hard to sew an accurate 1/4" seam along the centre square if you can't see it.

Third Tip: Before you press the triangle away from the centre square, run your fingernail along the seam to flatten the seam.  Press and lightly starch.  My go to starch is the Acorn Easy Press Pen.  This pen doesn't over wet the block.  Over wet blocks tend to ripple as opposed to lying flat.

Once sewn, the block will be oversized.  A slightly oversized block can be trimmed to an accurate 4 1/2" square.

You will get a lot of practice making this block, by the time you complete the 36th block you will have perfected this technique!

Download the instructions for Step 9 from the link below:

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 9

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 8

Simple Strip

One of my favourite technique's is strip piecing.  I've been know to study a block and see if I can rework the instructions so that I can strip piece a block instead of sewing smaller squares of fabric.  This week's block is simply two different strip sets.

The strip sets are constructed slightly longer so you can "clean" up the left side of the strip sets before cutting the 2 1/2" strips.

Even when we align strips carefully, we still can end up with the left edge being that are off about 1/16" to 1/8".

A couple of years ago, I participated in the Tula Pink's 100 Blocks in a 100 days challenge.  There were squares in the various blocks that were cut as small as 1".  I don't enjoy piecing those little squares.  I can get a far more accurate block if I strip piece those small squares. You can bet that I studied those Tula blocks to see if I could construct the blocks in strip sets.


After looking at the secondary patterns produced with last week's block, curiosity got the best of me and again what would happen if....

 I tried the same partial piecing block with this week's block and the layout at right was the result.

There are 6 Simple Strip blocks in the quilt.

Download the instructions for Step 8 from the link below:

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 8