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.

FLATHEAD QUILTERS GUILD SHOW

This year's gorgeous raffle quilt. Raffle will be held tomorrow at 3 pm!

Detail of this year's raffle quilt....beautiful quilting by Vicki Ibison!

Next year's raffle quilt was organized by Josie McCollum. Isn't it a cheerful quilt? Next year's theme is "Good Old Four Patch". Guild members made the blue four patches for this quilt. Josie and her mom, Jane Anderson, fused and blanket stitched the poppies and daisies.

Closeup of next year's raffle quilt

Shot of our booth. If you look closely above the "One Moose Open Sleigh" quilt, you will see the tiny painting upon which the pattern is based!

Traci's ready to demonstrate fusible applique!

Putting the finishing touches on the booth just before opening.....

Mo Harrah made the beautiful sample of "Stella Blue". She worked so hard to have it ready for the show. Thanks, Mo!

The Flathead Quilters Guild Show is going on right now! If you haven't had the chance to come over yet, you have one more day! The show is open Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm. Here are just a few shots...our booth, this year's raffle quilt, and a preview of next year's raffle quilt! I'll be posting a slideshow of the quilts from the show soon!

VARIATIONS OF MYSTERY QUILT

This variation has little contrast between the background and diamond fabrics. Looks more "snowflakey" to me....

A Patriotic version.....

This version uses only the star block.

Just another color variation.

This is an alternate layout. Blocks are on point. This requires pieced setting triangles.

Another version of the above quilt.

This version uses only the alternate block.

A brighter version...no pieced border or focus fabric border yet.

I just want to say how much I love EQ for designing quilts. No, it doesn't do everything. I am going to have to learn Adobe Illustrator because I just can't write my instructions the way I would like with EQ. But for initial design and general "playing around" with blocks and layouts, it is great. If you don't have it, you are really missing out! We're thinking of starting a monthly EQ workshop at BBCC. If you're local and would be interested, let me know....

MYSTERY QUILT UNVEILED!

The Mystery Quilt was unveiled last Saturday! It has been a long nine months since we all started. This was a "piecing intensive" quilt. At times it was hard to keep up. I have to admit that my second one won't be finished for a while. I have decided to make it a king size quilt, which means I have quite a few more blocks to make. Before I show you my finished quilt top, I thought you might like to see some of the fabric choices people are working on:

This is Sandi's star block. The focus fabric is so fun! And her stars are going to pop!

These are Bonita's blocks. The fabric is from the Moda collection "Portobello Market". I just love this group of fabrics. Her quilt is going to be breathtaking.

These are Jane's blocks. Notice that she used the same focus fabric as Sandi, yet the quilts look so different! It will be bright and fun!

Notice that in this one, Jane swapped her light and dark. I love the results!

Finished top! In this one I swapped the light/medium fabric and the dark....

Here's a close up that shows both blocks within the quilt.

I played around with some other colors in EQ. I'll post some of those soon.

GREAT MACHING QUILTING BLOG

I don't remember what I was doing when I stumbled upon this blog, but it's a great machine quilting site. The concepts apply to all quilters, longarmers, as well as mid and short arm quilters. This quilter has challenged herself to share a different free motion filler design for 365 days in a row! This began on August 14th. It's easy to go back and see what she has posted already, and now that I'm hooked on her site, I'll be checking it daily! Many days have videos of how to do that day's entry! The site is http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com. Enjoy!!

NEW PATTERNS FOR FALL QUILT MARKET!!

Photography by John Stalowy Productions

Spirit by Toni Whitney

Photography by John Stalowy Productions
Amur by Toni Whitney

Photography by John Stalowy Productions

Savanna by Toni Whitney

Photography by John Stalowy Productions

Serengeti by Toni Whitney

Photography by John Stalowy Productions

Tulips by Brenda Yirsa

Photography by John Stalowy Productions

Violas by Brenda Yirsa

Well, I have been away from blogging for awhile....just a bit too much on my plate with the mystery quilt and our move.... Thanks for sticking with us...I'm back in the saddle again!

These are our newest patterns, the ones we will be introducing at Quilt Market in Houston next month. (I have included the eagle, Spirit, which was released between spring and fall quilt markets.) I know that many of you have had sneak previews of these quilts in various stages of completion, but here they are...done! The patterns are being printed, the fabric kits are being cut, we are VERY CLOSE to being able to ship! There are some fabric issues; we are awaiting some key fabrics that may not arrive until mid October. But we are taking preorders now, so if you are interested, hop on to our website for pricing info, www.bigforkbaycottonco.com ....you can order either online or give us a call at 406-837-2399 or 866-245-5718!

If any of you are going to Quilt Market or Quilt Festival next month, please stop by our booth, #662 to say hi! and to view these quilts in person!

Eureka Montana Quilt Show 2009

Well, the 2009 Eureka Montana Quilt Show is history! This show just keeps getting better and better. The town of Eureka comes together each year and puts on this wonderful outdoor show. When we arrived at 6:30 am to start putting our booth together, they were already hard at work, and when we left at 6:30 pm they were still at it! (Not to mention all the months of planning that goes into such an event!) Thanks to all for their hard work, for giving us the opportunity to vend at their show and meet so many nice people, and for the pleasure of viewing over 400 beautiful quilts!

I'll post a few pictures here.....I will be adding a slideshow shortly, so you can view more of my photos. Unfortunately, I had to limit my photos to the historical village, to stay close to our booth. I didn't get a chance to view or photograph the many quilts hanging in town....