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! :-)

Scrap Attack Strings QAL - Introduction

Hi there!  I am so excited to get started on this Scrap Attack Strings Quilt-A-Along (QAL)!  Are y'all ready?

So, for this scrappy QAL, I've decided to use a simple string block.  By no means is this a new design or new process to making the block, but I did prepare a tutorial to show you how I will be assembling mine.  It is a very easy and quick block ... which is the goal as I want to make a two blocks a week (2 for the size I want) for 40 weeks.  Also, by making blocks over many weeks, I will have new scraps and fabrics to work in I am sure!  :-)

My blocks wll finish at 5.5" square and my quilt will finish about 44" x 55" (80 blocks).  And here's a mockup of the general idea ...

If you want to make just one block a week, your quilt will be approximately 22" x 27".  I have chosen a fairly small size block so that I will be better able to work in those smaller pieces of favorites.  And if you don't enough scraps, just slice some strips off fat quarters or yardage and work them in! :-)

To add to the fun, once a month I will host a linky party so you can show us your blocks for the previous month (4 weeks).  And I'll choose a random participant to win a fun little surprise package.  The first linky will go up on February 5th and you'll have a week to add your first month's blocks to entered in the giveaway drawing.

Ready to join the fun?!  I hope you will!

Happy Sewing! :-)

New Fabric!

Happy Friday!

Just stopping in to share that we have some new stuff in the shop.  :-)

Summer Breeze II by Sentimental Studios - yardage, fat quarters, jelly rolls and charm packs.

Urban Cowgirl by Urban Chiks - yardage, fat quarters, layer cakes, and charm packs.

Good Fortune by Kate Spain - charm packs and jelly rolls for now.  Yardage coming soon!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Finish-A-Long 1st Quarter

Hey there!  I'm going to be working on a lot of projects this year, including attacking my scraps (more about that this weekend!) as well working to finish up some WIPs that have been laying around for awhile.  Rhonda has challenged us to a Finish-A-Long and you can check out all the details here.

So, for the first quarter of 2012 here are the projects I plan to finish (beleive me there were a lot to choose from! haha) ...

1. Monochromatic Castle Peeps Quilt

I made this quilt top awhile ago and when I first showed it to my mister he said "wow, when did you get that fabric?! The middle ages?!"  Whatever!  I have the backing, binding and top draped on a hanger just waiting around for quilting and binding.

2. Zoology Baby Quilt

So yea, I probably made this about a year and half ago and just need to hand stitch the binding.  Lame, I know.  :-/

3. English Paper Piecing Hexies

I got on a hexie kick and enjoyed stitching these together.  I have a plan for using these which I hope to share in a tutorial soon.  But I think these have been sitting around about a year too.  Many of these are favorite prints and this definitely represents my personal stash-o-prints. :-)

4. Primary String Quilt

These blocks are from a Flickr bee and I really need to finish this project and hand it off to special recipient.  :-)

Ok, so there you have it ... the WIPs I intend to finish this quarter.  I'll keep you posted!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Leftovers

Hello, hello!  Well, it was back to the real world today and man that alarm clock was not welcome.  Can y'all relate?

Just sharing a leftovers project ...

Didn't think I should let the center of my Flurry Tree Skirt go to waste!  I think it will be a cute oversized coaster/mug rug.  :-)   And, can I just say ... I used to be biased about bias binding.  Didn't like it.  Didn't want to make it.  But, now I am a fan.  And I think my corners turn out better when I use it.  Which do y'all prefer - bias or straight grain?  Or does it depend on your project?

Back tomorrow with my WIP list for Rhonda's Finish-A-Long.  (You think hand-stitching the binding down on this one will count?!  LOL)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Solution

Hey y'all!  I have to first admit that while attempting to think of a good title to this post I ended up with a Vanilla Ice song in my head.  You know the one, it goes a little somethin' like "ice ice baby" - hehe!  Anyway, mostly because of the part that goes ...

"if there was a problem

yo I'll solve it"

... see, I have a problem.  You might have the same one.  It's called Scrap Attack! 

Do you have a box that looks like this?  Did I mention there's more where that came from?!  Oh, dear. 

Well, I have a solution to this problem.  And I plan to stitch through this box (and the others I didn't photograph!) one block at a time.  A little each week this year.  Know what I'm hinting at yet?!

Yup, a scrapbusting quilt along.  I will post the details this weekend.  But its going to be easy.  And its going to be manageable.  And if your scrap box looks anything like mine, its going to turn out as an awesome scrappy quilt with little bits of memory lane in there.  And I hope you'll join the fun.  :-)

Details coming soon!

Happy Sewing! :-)

p.s.  In case you need a trip down memory lane - Vanilla Ice Lyrics.

Happy New Year + a Winner!

Happy New Year!  :-)

I am just stopping in to wish you all a wonderful 2012 and to announce the winner of our December Stitch & Share Challenge.  :-)  And the winner is ...

Congrats, Lesley!  Thanks to everyone who participated and entered a project!  We really appreciate you sharing your handmade projects ... I am sure there were lots of happy recipients on Christmas thanks to all of your talents!  :-)

We'll be switching up the format of the Stitch & Share Challenge a little this year and I will be back on Tuesday with details on the next challenge. Until then, you should check out all the great deals we have in the shop ... new markdowns on some great prints ... some as low as $4/yard!  Help us make some space for new bolts. :-)

Happy Sewing! :-)