My cutting table this morning has these squares laid out ready to be made into blocks.
My squares are cut 6.5" square, the width of the ruler! I find this size just works great for appliqué and piecing. For the projects I have planned for 2013 I decided to cut them up into 1.5" strips
As you can see these will be made into log cabin blocks (so many of you emailed and wanted to know what I was making!) and 4 patches and squares left over will be used in my postage stamp blocks .
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Next I lay them out the way I will use them in the block, I cut the pieces as I am sewing the block
Sometimes they come out Perfect and sometimes my mind wanders and I am not paying attention, the size is right but the block is wonky (its ok in my book I will use that block on the left!) Thank you Gwen Marston for changing my opinion on perfection!
did you notice the 4 patches are using these same fabrics, yup keep making those 4 patches too!
And YES I trim back those 1.5" strips a lot, for me I don't want to paper piece and have to tear off the paper , this works for me and I don't mind wasting bits of fabric to do this. and 1.5" is a size I use a lot. Keeping in my system I don't want left over sizes of 1.25 or 1" I would rather trim and keep my strip sizes consistent.
Yes there are still left over strips they go into another pile they will be used for another scrappy quilt down the road.....being organized and having strips ready to go means I can just start sewing. For me its worth all the effort of precutting all year round...I have been using my system for at least 10 years works for me!
hope you enjoyed a little view of how I work and what my next scrappy quilt will be :)
I often wonder if people like posts like this? do you????
process vs just seeing finished quilts?
thanks for stopping by
56 comments:
It was a great post! Very helpful! When I make a scrap quilting pull stuff off the shelves and the room is a total mess! A great idea to cut them up and make a scrap pile as you bring them into the room! ( I think that's what you mentioned in your last post?). And now you can easily work on the scrap quilt! I bet you use a bit of ALL of your fabric also, instead of having pieces you have never touched! Great idea! Thanks for explaining. Now, when you cut the 6 1/2” squares are you using every bit of the strips? Or do you have more scraps at the end from that too?
Of course I like those posts, I'm glad to see that over the big ocean there's someone as 'crazy' and addictive to scraps as me :)
Have a nice Christmas,
Jeanneke
Yes! I definitely like this type of post. It gives us ideas. I have a basket for 1 1/2" strips and 4 patches, but I keep it all in the same basket, which is too messy. I really need at least 2 baskets or boxes, one for strips and one for 4 patches. That book looks wonderful. I went to my favorite repro shop yesterday and got some fabric. Some of it will be for my log cabin blocks (I'm using 1" strips and they come out to 5 14". I'm getting my log cabin box ready with more strips to work on when we go to our son's for Christmas (& will stay about a month). It will be one of my travel projects. Thanks for all your posts!
I really like these organizational posts. I'd like to think that I have taken some tips away.
For the past year or two I've been cutting 1 1/2" from almost almost every fabric I use. So the strips are growing but now to go the next step!
Oh, I love this type of posts - keep 'em coming. We can't have finished quilts without the process.
I enjoy learning from others via their process. In fact, I'm going to go back and read your post again because it has so much great information. The whole idea of precutting and prepping your fabrics all year intrigues me.
I am also addicted to organizing but since I sew and cut by hand, I mark all my blocks with a template before storing them. (and I usually only cut up scraps and not new fabric until it is used as planned).
I love seeing how you work! You have given me lots of ideas for how to improve my productivity and how to organize my fabric. Having precut pieces makes it much easier to use a wide range of fabrics which is what makes scrap quilts so wonderful. Of course, it's fun to see the finished quilts too.
Love seeing the process!! I am always so inspired by your posts - thanks!
Seeing and hearing about your process is very helpful to me. Being more organized just means more quilts will ultimately be made so I really appreciate you sharing! Of course finished blocks, tops and quilts are always a delight to see! I also love hearing about books that have been particularly inspiring! Thanks and Merry Christmas Kathie!
You're so organized! I love that you share your process with us. I've learned a lot from you!
Absolutely...thanks for the insight on how you work. I definitely need to change my sewing habits!
I do love posts like this!
I love organization! This is a great post - I think we all enjoy seeing the process.
Okay Superwoman:) Is your cape patchwork? Looking great!
Smiles,
JoeyLea
I keep my small scraps in a basket, great for when I want a piece of something or for making mini quilts.
Debbie
I love seeing the process. It makes me rethink my chaos, and try and get more organized. And I love that r&w quilt in the book, too! The setting is gorgeous.....doesn't even look like a log cabin, until you really look!
Oh yes - I like process posts. It's fun to watch your quilts develop. That purple ,green and red fabric in the 1st picture is wild! I love it :0)
I love seeing the process! We all like to connect in some special way as we compare this to our own. The lint roller is a great idea.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. I love seeing how others approach their work. It gives me ideas and helps me improve my efficiency and productivity. I am always inspired by your blog. Thanks.
I love seeing the process! WE can find great quilt tops for inspiration all over the web.
Love the idea of the sticky roller!!
Definitely love posts like this. Gives me so many ideas on organization. I am learning to make a regular habit out of precutting my favorite sizes.
many blessings,
pam
Yes, I definitely like to see the process. Thanks for sharing your stripping system. I'm going to start cutting some of my Christmas fabric into strips and squares now so I'll be ready for next year. It's so much easier when the strips are already cut, and, like the 9-patch, log cabin is a very versatile block.
I loved your post. You give me ideas that I might want to use. You do have a unique approach to making quilts inspired by antiques with repro fabric -- you've moved on from trying to exactly copy an old quilt, although you do that sometimes, too. Very refreshing and inspiring. Thanks. Keep these posts coming.
I like posts on not just the what but also the why and how. Thanks. Best wishes this holiday season.
what a great idea.....i usually cut 1" & 1&1/2" strips from new additions but now i'm going to add a 6" square pile........ cheri
Organization must be the key bcs you are so prolific.
How did that logcabin book escape my eye?! The red and white is in another of her books, and I've been in love with it, too.
Oh, yes! This is a great post. It's one thing to have the scrap-saver's system described, but quite another to see it in action. Very helpful!
Snap. At least one log cabin quilt is one of my goals for 2013.
I like hearing how people's minds work. We are all so different and it makes the finished product/quilt that much more interesting.
if anything, i'm a log cabine person. And I really love to see and hear about your system of working. Best!
welll I like progress and then something finished somewhere in between - I like mistakes and "how I fixed tha trouble I ran into" kind of things. It's hard being a beginner, but it's even harder if everyone around you is so darn perfect ..
We work in a similar manner, Kathie! Maybe we are related and don't know it! It's so nice to have fabrics prepared in advance to take advantage of odd moments of free time (which really aren't frequent enough!)
I love to see the progress.It`s just great!!
WOW that looks like an awesome book! Fun project:) Having a Civil War Sampler Giveaway! http:www.sewscissorhappy.blogspot.com
It's always fun to learn new steps and procedures...then i sometimes have that duh moment and wonder why I didn't think of that! I am currently saving 1" strips for my ultimate log cabin.
Posts about how great minds work and how prolific quilters get so much done--that's the best kind of post. As already mentioned above, we have all the inspiration we need as far as specific patterns. Suggestions on how to organize ourselves to get a lot done -- that's the key for those of us who need a push to keep going.
I've enjoyed looking back through your last several posts (how did I miss all of them?). Cutting those strips and squares and sewing those 9-patches -- you're halfway to a couple more quilts already!
log cabins seem to be very popular lately - I love them.
I like process posts!
You're so organised! It obviously works well for you - great to see how someone else works. Always fascinating to me!
I LOVE posts like this. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love the process, to me that's more interesting than the finished piece sometimes. When I teach, I focus on technique rather than a finished pattern. Thanks for sharing.
Of course we love these posts! Everyone wants to see the 'behind the scenes' photos!!
Enjoy seeing how others work - always fun to know time saving steps. A great post!
Judy
I enjoy very much reading posts like this, they are very instructive. I use the lint roller for clothing, but didn't have the idea for the cutting mat :roll:
Thank you, and looking forward EVERY post on your blog! :)
I thoroughly enjoy reading about the process from a to z in quilting. So interesting through each different quilters viewpoint! I love seeing finished quilts too, but sometimes I get tired of the lack of in between struggles and work involved. Poof! Another perfect quilt on the web appearing out of thin air and a perfect studio.:)
Yes definatley seeing the quilt grow and other peoples ideas is my idea of quilting show and tell...finished quilts are good also, but like being along for the ride!
Oh, I definitely like posts like these---seeing genius at work is very inspiring!
I like this kind of post. Keep them coming.
Log cabin block has to be my favorite. I love your choice of color. Can't wait to see them coming together.
Have a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the New Year Kathie - Big hugs
Nat
It seems you need to do more of this type of post! It always motivates me to see how other people work and you reminded me I have a log cabin project started that I might just pull out after Christmas.....
I love your posts. They are always very inspiring.
It is nice to see your quilt growing.
Oh yes....teeny tiny pieces.....I.LIKE.
Oh yes....real and live process....I.LIKE.
Log cabins.....I.LIKE.
If 'my' log cabin were finished....I.WOULD.REALLY.LIKE.
I love post like this. I'm also working on a log cabin : )
Thanks for sharing such great info. I will also take this on board for my future scrap quilts.
Thanks for sharing such great info. I will also take this on board for my future scrap quilts.
That looks like a must have book. It's great to read about being organised, but then I love all your posts, you have a great balance of processes, finishes, reviews, humour, etc.
I love seeing the process! I am so disorganized though. I have bags and bags of scraps, but no plan of action.
You've given me something to think about-thank you!
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