Scrap Attack Strings Winners #5 & 6

Happy Friday!

Dropping in to share the winners from the Scrap Attack Strings Show-and-Tell #5 & #6 post. So, without further ado congrats to ...

Sharon at Vroomans Quilts and

Maree at Mareenz!

Thanks for stitching away at your blocks and sharing them with us ladies!  I will be emailing you to get your address so I can send you a special package!  :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #5 & 6

Hello again!  For those of you that are new around here, at the beginning of 2012, I introduced a QAL to help us use up those scraps we all have stashed away. I am working on getting caught up and will post some pictures of all my blocks so far next week ... but wanted to give y'all an opportunity to link up and show us what you've got! 

You can read more about the QAL here and find a tutorial for the blocks as well. (They are easy!) So ... show me what you got or get started!  :-)  This linky party will close on 7/18/12.  And I will choose two random winners this month since I totally forgot to post a linky in June.  

Happy Sewing! :-)

Catching Up & Weekend Sewing

Hey friends!  How about that awesome tutorial Amy did for her Design Challenge?  I have several friends who've recently announced that they are expecting and I am eagerly awaiting to hear whether or not I will be able to use some pink on one of those bobby pillow covers!  :-)  

Did you get any weekend sewing done?  I did get some work done on my Scrap Attack Strings this weekend.  (More on that later this week.)  And, I am a little embarrassed to say that I totally forgot to post a linky for that in June.  So, I will be posting the new linky on Friday and be giving out two prizes this month to make up for that.  Sorry y'all!

I also got started a special pillow project with some super cute Get Together prints that I need to mail off tomorrow.  I had this "pleat party pillow" idea rolling around in my head for a week or two and am happy to report that it is coming out just as planned.  (I can't say that this always happens! :-)  I will show you the completed project in a few days.  Would any of y'all be interested in a tutorial for this one?

Speaking of tutorials, I will be posting over on Rhonda's blog with a quick and easy tutorial on Wednesday.  Just need to finish editing some photos for that.  And on the topic of photos, my mister loaned out our DLSR to a family member for their vacation (gasp!) and man what a difference in my pictures this week!  Can't wait to get that back!  LOL

Anyway, enough rambling for tonight ... hope you all had a wonderful Monday!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #4

Hi friends!  At the beginning of 2012, I introduced a QAL to help us use up those scraps we all have stashed away. Are you stitching along with us?

You can read more about the QAL here and find a tutorial for the blocks as well. (They are easy!) I will be posting a linky party once a month for a little show and tell of your blocks! I've been enjoying seeing your progress over the past few months ... I can't wait to see how you are doing on the project! So, whether you are just getting started or stitching up a storm, share your progress on your string blocks. I will select a random entry for a little surprise. This linky party will close on 5/18/12.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Weekend Sewing

Hi friends!  Hope you've had a great weekend!  I told my mister on Friday afternoon that I was going to get some sewing done this weekend and he was sweet enough offer to play some video games so I wouldn't feel bad for ignoring him.  (Let me tell you ... it was some serious arm twisting to get him to play those games ... NOT!)

Anyway, I did get quite a bit accomplished this weekend ... some bee blocks (I'll share those later this week) and finally started getting caught up on my Scrap Attack Strings blocks.  Here's my newest set of blocks ...

I really enjoy that fussy cut strip of tulips ... what a fun surprise that will be in a big quilt when it is all done!  Are you stitching along with me?  (Or maybe ahead of me - geez!)  There is still one more day to show me your progress on the Show & Tell Post. :-)

I also finished the second installment of the "2 minis from one charm pack" series today as well.  Love how this one turned out.  It's current hanging out next to my machine...

(Probably should've emptied my trash bucket before I snapped a photo!)  Look for a tutorial on that mini on Wednesday! :-)

What did you sew this weekend?  I'd love to see what you've been working on!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #3

Hi friends!  At the beginning of 2012, I introduced a QAL to help us use up those scraps we all have stashed away. Are you stitching along with us?  (I have a few blocks to catch up on myself ...)

You can read more about the QAL here and find a tutorial for the blocks as well. (They are easy!) I will be posting a linky party once a month for a little show and tell of your blocks! I so enjoyed seeing your progress last month ... I can't wait to see how you are doing on the project! So, whether you are just getting started or stitching up a storm, share your progress on your string blocks. I will select a random entry for a little surprise. This linky party will close on 4/16/12.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #2 Winner

Scrap Attack Strings Series 

Hi y'all!  Happy Wednesday ... its one more day closer to the weekend.  (And in my case, only 6 more days of school before Spring Break!  Both my students and I are ready for that week off!  LOL)

I'm stopping in tonight to share the winner of the Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #2.  Congrats to ...

Linda from Eat, Sleep, Quilt!  :-) Linda has a really great collection of blocks going!  I will be sending her a fun pattern and a pair of Good Fortune fat quarters.  (Linda, please email me with your contact info!)

Thank you all so much for stitching along with me!  I have to catch up on a few blocks but I promise to share my stack soon!  And we'll have the next Show & Tell post on the 5th ... I hope you'll share wherever you are in the project ... join us!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #2

Hi friends!  Back in January, I introduced a QAL to help us use up those scraps we all have stashed away.

You can read more about the QAL here and find a tutorial for the blocks as well.  (They are easy!)  I will be posting a linky party once a month for a little show and tell of your blocks!  I so enjoyed seeing your progress last month ... I can't wait to see how you are doing on the project!  So, whether you are just getting started or stitching up a storm, share your progress on your string blocks.  I will select a random entry for a little surprise.  This linky party will close on 3/16/12.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Update

Scrap Attack Strings Series

Hey there fellow stitchers!  :-)  I wanted to update you all on the Scrap Attack Strings QAL project.  I was so excited to see that some of you are stitching along with me on the project.  I loved seeing all the scrappy blocks from the Show & Tell Post #1.  As promised, I did choose a random participant for a little prize and the winner is ...

Congrats to Vroomans Quilts!  Check out all her scrappy blocks here.   I put together a little prize package my stash ... a fun layer cake pattern and a little bundle of fat eighths. 

I will be posting the next Show & Tell on March 5th ... I hope you'll jump in adn stitch up some string blocks with us and give and update on your progress.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL - The First 8

Hi there!  Last week, I added a linky post for you to show & tell your Scrap Attack Strings QAL blocks!  Well, I figured I'd better show you my blocks too! :-)

Here are my first 8 blocks ...

I am really loving the scrappy-ness of this project.  And I like knowing that when I am all done this quilt will be like a walk down my sewing memory lane! Even while I was assembling blocks I was thinking about the people and the projects that these scraps came from. 

There is still time to enter the drawing for the first linky - all the details are here.  And if you're just now learning about the Scrap Attack Strings QAL or planning to start in, don't feel like you're late!  You are welcome to jump in any time!  :-)

Later this week I will share how I am storing my blocks for this project. Until then ...

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #1

Well, hello there!  About a month ago, I introduced a QAL to help us use up those pretty little bits we all have hiding in the scrap bin.  (Of course, you could make this quilt with yardage too!)

You can read more about it here and find a tutorial for the blocks here.  (Easy peasy!)  I will be posting a linky party once a month for a little show and tell of your blocks! Today's the first linky!  You'll have until 2/19/12 to share the blocks you've made so far ... or if you are just getting started, show me your scraps and share a link to the QAL project on your blog.  I'll select a random entry for a fun little surprise!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings - Paper Piecing (Updated)

Hey y'all!  Hope you've all been having a great weekend!  I have one more day off and I am thankful for the extended break.  :-)

Last week, when I posted the tutorial for the Scrap Attack Strings QAL block, some folks had some questions about what I am doing with the paper during the process of making the block.  So, I made another block and took photos of the step-by-step process.

Ok, so you'll need to cut a 6" square and mark it as shown in the first tutorial. Once you've sewn your center strip and first side strip together (through the paper), here's what you do ...

With the fabric facing down, fold the paper away from the where you will be adding the next strip.

It should look like this ...

Now flip the block back over so the fabric is facing up.

Pin a fabric strip to opposite side of the white center strip. (Note the paper is folded back and you're only pinning through the 2 layers of fabric.

And stitch the seam. Notice the paper is folded so it is away from the needle.

Now press the seam open.

Ok, let's flip the paper back the other way so we can keep adding strips.

Turn the block face up and pin a fabric strip.

Note:  the paper is still out of the way and you are pinning through just the 2 layers of fabric.

Stitch and press.  And add another strip. Remember to keep that paper out of the way!

When you finish with the one side it should look like this ...

You'll still only have one seam through the paper ...

Finish the other side in the same way.  Flip the paper back and add each strip of fabric one at a time.

When you are finished adding all the strips, the paper should be covered.

Trim the block to 6' square and rip out paper along the one seam. (Please excuse my ugly ironing board cover!)

And you have another completed block to add to the mix.

Hope this helps you understand the process better.  If this doesn't answer your questions about my method, please let me know! :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL - Block Tutorial

Welcome to the block tutorial for the Scap Attack Strings QAL.  I introduced the project here.  I am choosing to semi-paper piece my block.  I say semi-paper piece because I like the accuracy of paper piecing, but I don't like ripping out all the paper!  LOL  And I don't want to rip paper from 80 blocks later.  So, here's what I am doing...

For each block, you'll need a 6" square of relatively thin paper.  I am using some scrapbook paper here, but will also use notebook paper, etc.  You'll also need one 9" x 1.5" white solid strip of fabric.  And assorted scraps - strips ranging from 1" wide and larger.  I am aiming for 3 strips on either side of my center strip.

Step 1:  Use a ruler to draw two diagonal lines on your paper 1.5" apart.

Step 2: Place a 1.5" wide strip of solid white fabric on the paper between the lines. Tack the strip down using a couple pieces of painter's tape on one side.  (Painter's tape is easily removed and reuseable for this project.)

Step 3:  Select a scrap and lay it on top of the white strip - right sides together.  Make sure the strip will cover the piece of paper! :-)  Use a 1/4 inch inseam and shorten your stitch length for this seam.

Step 4: Remove the tape.  Press the seam open away from the white center strip.

Let's get ready to repeat the process on the other side of the white strip.  Fold the paper out of the way so it won't be in the seam you are about to stitch. 

Stitch the two strips together (I go back to my regular stitch length now that I am not stitching through paper - it's faster!)

Step 5: Keep adding strips on each side - moving the paper out of the way until you have enough fabric to cover the square of paper.

Step 6:  Once you have enough strips added to cover the paper, press your block.

Step 7:  Place your block face down on a cutting mat.  Line it up with your mat's grid if it has one.  And slice the edges off to square up your block.  (Note - I use the grid as my guide, not just the paper.)

Step 8: Gently rip the paper off the block.  I like to hold the seam at the top to make sure I don't rip out any stitches with the paper.  :-)  Using thin paper and a shortened stitch will make this easier.

Repeat!  Again, I will be making 2 per week for a total of 80 over the next 10 months/40 weeks.  :-)

If you have any questions, please ask!

Happy Sewing! :-)