scrappy log cabin finished!

This little quilt that I started a few weeks ago as a scrap buster was so fast and fun.  Being able to use scraps and not have to fuss over size allowed me to play with colors and enjoy my block as it grew.  Follow Red Pepper Quilts Tutorial to find out how!

I found the perfect backing to complement my multi-colored top called Modern by Robin Zingone for Robert Kaufman Fabrics o used black and white polka-dot for the binding.
AND.......its up for sale in my re-opened etsy shop, featuring "little quilts"

MBOM #2

April Modern Block of the Month Pattern

little bits finished quilt pictures

 As I was going through my old blog list I realized that I never posted a finished picture of my little bits quilt.  One of my first projects on this blog.  Well its been a few years and the boys have changed a little but as you can see they still are excited about their quilts, even little boys like to have nice things and they feel special when its made by mommy...

this is the quilt with the emphasis on "blue", the backing and the binding have more blue details

This quilt has the emphasis on "red", with a red backing and red details in the binding

It may not seem like much of a difference, but when you have twins you learn you have to color code things and so for quite a while we have stuck to it, but lately Mr. Red has been wearing and asking for blue and its confusing everyone, so now its just whatever color you like, its a new phase and the color coding has served its purpose.

This next photo is of the backing and a label I made, it was really cute when I put the quilts on their bed for the first time, I showed them the label and their name and they hugged it and like to sleep holding that corner because it says love mom....how cute are these little guys?

 

So I have to say that I am happy with this fabric, it has not faded much, through all the washing's  and believe me they have been washed!

scrappy log cabin update

rainy day and a change of plans gave me the perfect unexpected opportunity to sew

love it when that happens....

so here's where I'm at, I was debating on 9 or 12 squares, but think I'll keep it at 9, perfect wall hanging, lap or floor throw for baby

I went ahead and bordered in 2.5 white strips and like how that set off the blocks

now a trip to my favorite fabric shop for the backing and binding, they have had many fun and unusual juvenile prints lately, hope to find something tomorrow!

scrappy log cabin blocks

After all that talk yesterday about scraps I thought maybe I should use some! So inspired by red pepper quilts bright log cabin scrap quilt I got started on my first log cabin quilt.  Something that I personally am really attracted to is taking classic patterns and making them modern with new techniques and fabrics, since I'm a vintage modern girl ;)

red pepper quilts inspiration

Here is what I did this morning, I seem to have many children's novelty prints and polka dots...

 

4 blocks completed and I don't have a finished plan for this quilt, I am just going through my color boxes and completing one block at a time, since it is obviously a juvenile quilt I am guessing it will stay small, lap or crib size, might even be a nice "I spy" floor quilt, adding sashing would expand it also so who knows?

BOM2 Block #1

OK....so I wanted to make my BOM2 blocks with scraps.  But...how do you define scraps?
Well, I buy designer fabrics most of the time, so if there is a scrap 1" wide after I cut, it goes into the :small" scrap bin, if it i large enough to be used again it gets folded back in with the large piece of fabric.  Why do you save such small scraps? I get asked frequently (especially by the shrapnel police) and I have even pulled out scraps I've found in the trash! I shout "hey, that's Amy Butler"and  my kids giggle.  Well if I paid $8-17/yd I want to get every bit used out of that yard.  If I need to make a greeting card, or little gift and have the opportunity to use a 1"x1" scrap of some of my fav fabric from my fav designers then the whole project just became a designer piece, even if its background is drop cloth.  I have many examples of this in action here on my blog.  It's kind of like tossing the bacon grease for a chef, don't do it!

This example pretty much sums up what I'm trying to say, my friend made me this bunting...

spot any designer prints? I can name three off hand.

ok enough about the idea of scraps....what I am getting at is when I thought I would do this quilt with scraps, I had to define scraps.  The BOM2 quilt has JUMBO blocks that measure 24.5" each so the blocks pieces are 4.5" wide and run from 4.5"-16.5" so my "scraps" need to be pretty big, but this does not mean I have to buy alot of fabric, just be using my "large" scraps for this one.....that all being said I did not have enough Kona solid to finish even one block...hahaha no problem I have not purchased my 5 yards needed of background fabric to complete this quilt, so now I have a reason to get out there and buy it!

Here is where I had to stop, I was short the 4.5"x16.5" pieces to complete the block

I followed the instructions she gave in great detail about starching, cutting, and "scant 1/4" a little extra prep work but I like the results.  I plan on making each block in one colorway.

modern block of the month

I'm thinking about trying this out, making a quilt a little at a time! Block #1 is out...lets try it!!! Anyone with me??? Here is the BOM2 Flicker page to follow others progress