Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long Finished

I finished!  I decided yesterday to bite the bullet and machine bind it.  I really prefer hand-binding, but there just wasn't enough time.  I'm pleased enough with it.  I'm so glad I chose pink.  I was going with green, but my 11 year old son (of all people!) suggested pink and I think he was right on!  :)

 Little Miss Ava has claimed it as her own.  She luuuuurves it...

Oh!  Here is the back:

Happy Monday!  :)

Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long: Week 5

I used a light gray Kona solid for the sashing (not sure of the name because it was in my stash already) and I'm so pleased with the results.

I think the light gray really makes all the color pop.

I used a standard 1/4" seam when sashing.  If you are making one exactly like mine, here are the cuts:

• Cut 15 pieces that measure 3" x 12" for in between the blocks
• Cut 4 pieces that measure 3" x 58" to seperate the rows
• Cut 2 pieces that measure 3" x 72" for the sides
• Cut 2 pieces that measure 3" x 60" for the top and bottom

I had plans to have this quilted for me by a local woman who helped me when I was quilting for the new book.  But she is booked up for the next few weeks.  ;(

I'm thinking diagonal straight line quilting using blue painters tape since I'm going to end up doing it myself?

Either way, I'll be quilting it over the weekend.  I can't wait to see the final results!  :)

Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long, Week 4

I got the bug to finish this up!
I am in the midst of making lots of products and designing my booth to go here next month, and I decided I really wanted to bring this quilt along to display.  So I have been sewing, and sewing, and sewing!

SO. MANY. SCRAPS!!

My original plan was to make 30 blocks, but today I stopped at 20 and decide to play around with the arrangement.

Ava walked in and said, "why aren't you putting that in rainbow order?"

So I tried it...

and I'm swooning.  :)

I'm stopping here at 20 and sashing with a light gray fabric.

I'll be back next week with a step by step on the sashing...

If you have followed along at all but haven't gotten that far~five in a row would make a really pretty table runner :)

Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long, Week 3

Hi!
Happy Sunday.
I've got a crock-pot full of beef stew cooking for dinner, a loaf of banana bread made from scratch in the oven, and I've been sewing on and off all afternoon.  I love Sundays at home, with no where to go and no where to be!  :)

Here is my second row of blocks made this week:

These blocks are totally time-consuming but I still love them so much.  There is something so satisfying about using all these scraps that may have otherwise been thrown away to create a beautiful quilt.  My goal this week is two blocks a day, although that may be a tad unrealistic.  ;)

Have you made any yet?

Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long: Week 2

Are you ready to start making your scrappy rainbow blocks?
Depending on the size of your scraps, it can get a tad bit tedious if they are super small.
I like that kind of work.  It's so satisfying to me to use up all my scraps ;)
I suggest before working to set up your ironing board, cutting station, and sewing machine as close together as possible...

1.  Start with  a few scraps that are about the same size.  Sew them together using a 1/4" seam.

2.  I like to sew my seams open, because it will cut down on the bulkiness of your block.

3.  Trim it all the way around so it is nice and even.

4.  Find your next scrap that is about the same size and then sew it onto your first pieces.

5.  Iron and trim like before.  Continue with another set of scraps.

6.  You will continue with this process until your whole block is complete.  I lay it out on my cutting matte so I can see how close I'm getting to 12" x 12".  There is no right or wrong way to lay the scraps.  Each block will be completely and totally different.  Mine are not straight and perfect at all.  I love them wonky!

7.  Once you have sewn everything together, trim the final block 12" x 12".  Press really well.

Ta-da!

This one is in the blue and turquoise color group.

Now make one in each color group.

Meet me back here next week with five complete blocks if you can.

  If you get really ambitious, of course you can keep going.

 Remember you are making six blocks in each color group:

pinks/reds,

oranges, yellows

greens

blues, turquoise

purple, lavenders

You will have 30 total.

Have fun and if you have any questions I will answer them in the comments :)

Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long: Week One

(working on the orange and yellow block right now:)

Welcome to week 1 of the Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long!

I may be the only one doing it, but that's ok!    ;)

I know some of you are joining in, and some of you may do so later when you have some time.

Either way, I will document everything as I go, just in case!

I have so many scrap pieces of fabric that I'm using only scraps from my stash.

Each block will measure 12" x 12", and there will be 30 blocks all together.

(If you don't have a large fabric selection but still want to make the quilt, you will need 30 pieces of fabric cut to the same size 12" x 12".)

The first thing you need to do is sort through your fabrics and divide them into five different piles:

1.  pinks and reds

2. oranges and yellows

3.  greens

4.  blues and turquoise

5.  purple and lavender

We will me making six of each, for a total of 30 blocks.  It will be sashed and will end up being a twin size quilt.

Get your supplies ready:

• rotary matte and cutter
• fabrics divided up
• sewing machine
• small scissors
• iron and ironing board

(This is all you will need to get started)

Once we are nearing the block completion, I will tell you what else you will need to finish it up.

I will be back next week for block construction.  :)

Have fun playing with all your colorful fabric!

If you have any questions, I will answer them in the comments.

Scrappy Rainbow Quilt-a-long

After wrapping up the new book, I took a break from quilting for awhile.  (...and as soon as I can tell you more about the new book, I will, I promise!  Soon!  :)

Now, after weeks of making lots and lots of Pillows for Davis, I have found my scrap piles of fabric to be out of control.

One day last week I was playing around with some of the scraps and created this 12 x 12 block.  The next thing I knew I was drafting up a new quilt!

Here is my chicken scratch template...

The deets are:

The final quilt will be twin sized...

It will include 30 blocks, all divided up into five color palettes:

pink and red

orange and yellow

greens

turquoise and blues

lavendar and purples

The blocks are all made up from scraps, and will be sashed with white or dark gray.

If you are a beginner quilter, you could use fabric pieces cut into 12 x 12 and this would be a great beginner quilt.

If you are scrap hoarder like me, this is a great way to use up all those tiny pieces of fabric.

Either way, it will be a beautiful rainbow themed quilt.

The quilt-a-long will be set up for a six week "class".  Every week I will post the next set of directions.

I will include lots and lots of photos and step by step directions.

I will begin next Friday, with a material list and all the info you will need to start.

It will be so much fun!

If you think you might play along, will you let me know?  ;)

Have a beautiful weekend!