Scrap Basket 2 - Step 7

Simple Twist

Sometimes, it is the simplest of blocks that add visual interest to a quilt.  This week's block is well suited for leftover 2 1/2" strips.  It all starts with a 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" strip and 2 1/2" square of a light fabric and a 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" strip and 2 1/2" square of a medium or dark fabric.

The block is constructed with a simple flip and fold medium square on to the top left corner of the light strip.

Repeat with the light square on the top left corner of the medium strip.

The key to the flip and fold squares is ensuring your stitching line is two threads to the left of the diagonal line drawn on the 2 1/2" square.

In the past few weeks, I have researching techniques for increasing the accuracy of quilt blocks.

Flip and fold corners are really susceptible to distortion when they are pressed.

Try pressing the seam by dragging a fingernail along the seam before you bring out the iron. Whilst I have finger pressed seams before, using my fingernail along the front side of the seam to "press" a seam before you iron the seam really works well to flatten the seam without stretching the block.  Give it a try.

Simple blocks also lend themselves to secondary patterns.  With the blocks on my worktable, I wondered what would happen if,.... and the result was the block right.

There are 6 Simple Twist blocks in the quilt.

Download the instructions for Step 7 from the link below:

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 7

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 6

Switch it Up!

Take two blocks, slice them in quarters and switch two quarters and we have an even more interesting block.  To end up with either a 1" or 2" squares in the centre of the block we need to upsize our starting blocks to allow for the seam allowances.

Start with a 5" centre square and surround it with 1" strips and follow up with 2"strips.  The challenge with this block is piecing and pressing the 1" strips around the centre square.

Whilst it would seem to be simple, an over or undersized seam allowance is even more noticeable when you are sewing 1" strips.

Ensure you don't veer off the 1/4" seam allowance at the beginning and the end of the strip.  Refer to my April 4th post for more information on "veering off" our seams.

Save yourself some "unsewing" and check your seam allowances before your sew the 1" strips.



Once sewn, take care not to distort the 1" strips with your pressing.  A careful finger press before pressing with your iron, will help to reduce distortion of this small strip.

Apply a light touch of starch from an Acorn Easy Press Pen to help the strips lie flat before you add the next strip.  Don't overwet the block with starch.

The distortion of the 1" strips will be more noticeable in the the corners of the block.

Pair the first block with a block with a 3" centre square and reverse coloring.  Again we surround the centre square with 1" strips, followed by 2" and 1 1/2" strips.  As we increase the number of surrounding strips, the potential for distorting the block increases.

Slice the blocks into quarters and make the switch of two quarters and we have an even more visually interesting block.

This week we will make 3 pairs of two contrasting blocks; slice, switch two quarters in the pair and sew the blocks back together for 6 - 8 1/2" blocks  for the quilt.

Download the instructions for Step 6 from the link below:

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 6

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 5

Experiment, be curious!

What would happen if, ...... the geese square was not a single fabric block?

Using the four at once flying geese technique, we start with a large square, in this case a 5 1/2" square and four 3" smaller background squares.

When I designed this block over a year ago, I experimented with using three strips - one 3" x 5 1/2" rectangle and two 1 3/4" x 5 1/2" rectangles.  Sewing the two smaller rectangles on either side of the larger rectangle, the resulting 5 1/2" square is striped.

Follow the technique to the end and we have striped geese!  What was interesting was the combination of stripes both vertical and horizontal.  Makes sense given the technique, but nonetheless a surprising result.

This time I made the block, a new question.  What would happen if the background squares were two different fabrics?

Step 2

So, I chose two 3" squares of the same fabric in step 2 and chose two 3" squares of a second fabric for step 3.  The result was two sets of two identical geese with alternating background fabrics.

A happy surprise that would not have happened, had I not gave myself permission to be curious, to waste fabric had the outcome been a disaster.

To ensure your geese have "points", lay the 3" squares right sides together about 1/16" out from the corners of the 5 1/2" square.

This project is about experimenting, not worrying about the outcome,..... you might be surprised at the result.

Take time, be curious and most of all have fun!

Download the instructions for step 5 from the link below.

   Scrap Basket 2 - Step 5

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 4

A twist on a simple postage stamp block.

Why make a simple postage stamp block when you can change it up with simple strip pieces and add some movement and color.

From your sorted scraps, dig out 1 1/2" strips of lights, mediums and darks and create 2 1/2" pieced squares that are a combination of:

* Light/Light
* Light/Medium
* Medium/Medium
* Medium/Dark
* Dark/Dark

By strip piecing the strips first a bit larger and then trimming them to size, you will have a more accurate 2 1/2" square to piece into your block.  See the pattern instructions for full details the piecing and numbers of each pieced block combination.

This block made larger would also be a great pillow top background for a collaged appliqué.

There are three pieced postage stamp blocks in the quilt.

If you are using 2 colorways, you will have 1 block of the first colorway and 2 of the second colorway.  If you are using 3 colorways, you will have 1 block of each colorway.

I hope this block warms up your creative soul on this chilly May weekend in Calgary.

"It's not about keeping busy, its about being at piece."

Download the instructions for Step 4 from the link below.

2. 

Scrap Basket 2 Step 4

Scrap Basket 2 - Step 3

This 12 1/2" block expands our value play with crazy patchwork. There are three crazy patchwork blocks in the quilt.

Origins of crazy patchwork dates back to the mid to late 1800's.  This early patchwork combined irregular shapes, haphazard fabrics scrounged from uniforms, scraps from silk manufacturers, silk ribbons from cigars and clothing.  Surface embellishment of bead and meticulous embroidery covered these largely ornamental quilts.

To check out some of the historical crazy patchwork quilts, visit the International Quilt Museum website:   https://www.internationalquiltmuseum.org and search "crazy" in the patterns box under the Collections tab.  

Whilst the fabric was sourced in what would be described as frugal means, the surface embellishment was anything be frugal.

Crazy patchwork became be more utilitarian and much of the surface embellishment has all but disappeared.  Today's crazy pathway has evolved again; we now refer to this patchwork as the "made fabric" of Virginia Findlay Wolfe and the "slabs" of Cheryl Arkison.

What is really interesting is that we are now more frugal with our time and it is now a technique for dealing with an abundance of left over fabric.  A complete reversal of the block's early origins.

The challenge with this block is utilizing a value change between the irregular pieces to make a block that sparkles.  Without the value change, the block will become "muddy".

What is common to then and now, is the calming or soothing impact of piecing irregular pieces of fabric.

Download the instructions for Step 3 from the link below.

Scrap Basket Quilt 2 Step 3

Don’t forget to post your blocks on the Facebook Group “Modern Blended Quilts Virtual Show and Tell”.

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"!