Friday, January 08, 2010

Colorful Scraps



9 patches don't take long to make, especially when you don't even try to make them match.  I think I like them set 4 blocks together with a wide sashing.  Wider than I could make them fit on my kitchen floor.  Each 9-patch is 6.5" unfinished, so combining them would give me 12" blocks.  At this point in time, I've used all the "easy" scraps of this size.  I would really like this quilt to be another row long and another row wide so now I have figure out if I have enough of these scraps left to do that.  It will involve cutting 2.5" squares (instead of strips) from what scraps remain.  I am thinking that I actually do have enough fabric to do that - it will just take a bit of time.
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But really - look at these fabrics - where else will I use these scraps if I don't take the time now to cut more pieces to make this quilt bigger now?  And besides - I want to empty out that scrap tote!  Definately an odd combination of fabrics.  Usually I like to sort my fabrics into color schemes, but remember - most of these were alerady pre-sewn strips from a previous project (where I wanted big contrast), so sorting them wasn't an option.  I thought for sure that the end result of these mis-matched 9 patches would be ugly.  But I figured - what did I have to lose?  Some thread and a bit of time, that's all.  And now look, I am thinking that it is pretty!  I wonder what color I should use for sashing?  How does one decide on such a quilt?


13 comments:

Paula said...

I think they look great. I love squares for some crazy reason... I would pull out some fabrics that you like for sashing and audition them. Sometimes the only way you can make a decision is to actually see it. Are you thinking a solid or print?

Saska said...

I have a similiar project with crumb blocks and I'm thinking scrappy red fabric for sashing.

Laura said...

I think those blocks look awesome@ I was thinking of doing something similar with my piles of 1 1/2 inch squares I have cut from my scraps. As far as sashing goes, I am seeing something bright, like a hot pink or lime green, but I like those colors, so that may not work for you. Maybe red if you don't like brights?

Not Lucy said...

They look great! Here is one I did that shows what I did for sashing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucysquilts/2566621104
Mine was 1.5" squares. I used various neutrals for the sashing. I tried some other options but didn't have enough of anything else that I liked on hand and didn't want to buy something.

Brenda said...

I really like these blks!! then again, I love to see all the colours play well with each other, so..... lol!! I think it will become a family favorite - it already feels like a comfy, cuddly, creature of love!!
Sashing.... hmmmm. You can't go buy something, so what do you have there to use??? I think what ever you choose, is going to be perfect!!

(I was thinking dark - like black, but manybe not........)

Andrea said...

You're right - they are pretty. I would maybe go for a pale colour for sashing as lots of those squares are quite rich and dark. Oh I've just had an idea. How about a row of 6 squares sandwiched between 2 neutral strips - sort of a triple sashing. Not sure if I've explained that right - lol !

Shelina said...

I think decorating with food would make me very fat indeed, although it may be a way for me to eat healthier! These are beautiful - I think any color you have will look good in a sashing, you could do plain or hourglass blocks. It will pull out the colors from the blocks.

Jeanne said...

Hi Evelyn!
I am reading your blog entries, but having problems with comments and replies ... we'll see f this goes through.
Happy 2010!
Jeanne

Julie in the Barn said...

Hi Evelyn
I stopped by to tell you to e-mail Hetty over at Friday Block Party so she can add you to the membership. Now I've gotten all engrossed reading your blog posts! I just love scrappy quilts and simple 4 or 9 patch are my favorite. Love how your new one is turning out.

Becky said...

Great use of scraps! I agree, so often it's easier to buy new fabric and cut it instead of using our stash. I worked on cutting fabric today from my fat quarter stash. Like you, I want to use what I have. Take care!

Lori in South Dakota said...

something soft and plain that lets all the prints shine!

Marla said...

I like this and cant wait to see how it develops as I too have square scraps that I have cut and are ready to be used!

Mary Johnson said...

Wow, those are colorful -- what a great way to use them. You'll probably be done with your top before me because I'm heading out of town again but I think I'm going to start with the twisted set of 9 patches and then go from there.