WOVEN RINGS SCRAP QUILT

This is another one of those scrap quilts that can be very simple to make, but with a little extra planning, can be a WOW quilt. The elements used in the block are very simple. You will use the same three basic units I talked about earlier, 2 1/2 inch square, 4 1/2 inch square, and 2 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch rectangle. Or you can use one of the alternate sizes I posted a few days ago. Your finished block will be twice the size of your larger square, so my finished block measures 8 inches. You will use the "connecting corners" method to make the quarter snowball unit. The block I have shown is completely scrappy, but you can choose to calm things down with one background fabric, as shown in my "finished" sample. Another way I have calmed things down in that quilt is to make each ring out of one fabric. This takes some planning as you are making your blocks, but the extra effort, I think, is well worth it.




In this multicolored version I have once again used the same fabric for each ring. In addition, I have "finished off" the rings with two pieced borders. This sounds much more complicated than it actually is. It is easily accomplished using snowball blocks and rectangles.

SCRAPPY COLORBLOCK

This block is a great way to use up small squares cut from your stash (see previous post). One great idea passed along to me from a coworker is to keep a basket of your squares next to you at all times when you are piecing other blocks. Instead of using odd pieces from your garbage for your "starties" and "stoppies", pick up a pair of these squares and sew them together whenever you stop some other piecing. Then just place them back in the basket. You can either pick up another pair next time, or add on to the pair you've already sewn together!

Now, it looks like there are eight half square triangles in each block. But you can not piece them as individual half square triangles or they will turn out too small. Instead, treat them as you would if you were making flying geese with the flip and sew method.


First, sew two colored squares together.

Sew one background square on the diagonal, flip, trim and press.

Repeat for the other side.




There's no special trick to putting these projects together. The tablerunner is quick and easy, and of course you can make it as long as you want! For the inner border, you will want to cut your strips 1 1/2 inches. That way the math will work out to be able to use your squares for the outer border also. If you choose to use a print for the outer border, you can make the inner border any size you like!

THOUGHTS ON SCRAP MANAGEMENT

Most quilters discover very early on in their quilting careers that they have a great need to manage fabric....most specifically SCRAPS! Larger pieces, even fat quarters, fold up nicely to be stored in bins or on shelves. But what about the smaller pieces? How do you keep them from being crumpled up in the bottom of a basket with creases that make pressing and cutting a dreadful chore?

What has worked well for me is to cut my scraps up into commonly used sized. This was a huge endeavor when I first decided to do it, but I just picked away at it until the project was done.

The sizes I cut are:

4 1/2 inch squares
2 1/2 X 4 1/2 inch rectanges
2 1/2 inch squares

(Any pieces narrower than 2 1/2 inches do go into a basket for log cabins and other strip quilts....nothing gets thrown away!)

It's amazing how many blocks can be made from just these three pieces! I have been cutting my scraps up this way for years manually, but I'm thrilled now that I can cut these with the Accucut machine!

When I started this, 5 inch charm packs didn't exist. Perhaps if I had seen that craze coming, I would have made my largest square 5 inches. You can do this with any size large square. I have listed some common sizes below.

4 inch square, 2 1/4 X 4 inch rectangle, 2 1/4 inch square
5 inch square, 2 3/4 X 5 inch rectangle, 2 3/4 inch square
6 inch square, 3 1/4 X 6 inch rectangle, 3 1/4 inch square

One of the reasons I love this idea is that I always have pieces cut and ready to sew. Check back often....I will be sharing some of the blocks I've designed for using these shapes. It doesn't matter which size you use....the blocks will still work.