I got into my box of leftover fabrics early in the week, and dug out pieces of fabric that go together - mostly blues and reds. I thought for a while about how I wanted to piece them together, and settled on random strip-piecing.
I'm using the fabrics from my first Sencha blouse, my second and third Continental blouses, my Souvenir blouse, a Sorbetto top, and the Cambie dress, alternated with the white dotted Swiss from my Violet blouse.
I cut the fabric into strips of 2.5", 3" and 3.5", then cut the strips into varying lengths. For the most part a print strip is alternated with a Swiss dot strip. As a backing, I bought the same Swiss dot but in the reverse colorway: black with white dots. I've been ogling that piece of fabric for quite a while, but I don't really wear black, so I'm happy I found a good use for it!
I'm shooting for a finished width of 45 - 48", and a length of 70 - 72". I've already made 10 strips, which is probably about a quarter to a third of the top. I arranged the strips yesterday (in hopes of sewing them together today) and the result is kind of like multi-colored subway tiles.
My plan is to bind the edges with solid red.
When I sew a garment, I always over-buy my fabric by about a half yard to give myself leeway for making mistakes. So you can imagine how the leftovers start to pile up! A lot of them have been used for making box bags, but the stash accumulation is one of the things that inspired me to start making quilts. I didn't really realize until I got into the box how many garments I've made in reds and blues!
Oooh I like these colors. I'm interested to see how this comes out! My quilt's been shoved in the back of the closet for now while I sew Halloween costumes!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your Halloween costumes!
DeleteI'm excited to see the end result!
ReplyDeleteMe too! That's part of what I love about quilting - the anticipation!
DeleteI love your crafting ADD... Something else we have in common! :-) I can't wait to see how this quilt turns out. You're probably going to have to do one out of knit fabrics too!
ReplyDeleteHehehe - don't think I haven't thought of it!
DeleteIt looks very Japanese somehow! Exciting!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! To me it looks very modern and urban!
DeleteI think you are very smart to buy more fabric than you need, I'd imagine that trying to find more fabric when you run short is a lot like the same scenario with yarn. This quilt is going to be very pretty, maybe it will be keeping you cosy this winter even
ReplyDeleteIt is - and often, like yarn, I don't end up using the fabric immediately, so the chances of the supply disappearing become even greater!
Deletei do the same thing... buying a tad extra because i just don't trust myself! love the idea of turning the scraps into a quilt.
ReplyDeleteI'm so surprised you haven't given it a try. But then, you're WAY beyond sewing straight lines! LOL!
DeleteA scrappy quilt is a great way to use up the extras and it will have good memories too!
ReplyDeleteI think so too. All these items are tucked away in my closet and I only see them when I wear them. Now I can see the fabrics more often!
DeleteOooh, very neat! I've often thought of making quilts out of my scraps. Can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteYou probably have lots of great vintage-looking calicos and stuff like that. You could hand quilt while you're at re-enactments!
DeleteYou are such a talented seamstress! Those blouses are too cute. And that sushi project bag! <3.
ReplyDeleteHahah! That sushi fabric is one of the reasons I now buy extra fabric! Cut two left legs once for a pair of PJs, and the fabric was "ruined". Now I can only make small projects out of it!
DeleteOoh, I like these prints together! I also like that you went with rectangular blocks-- very cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm even more excited now, because I've sewn the first 10 strips together. Update soon!
DeleteGreat way to de-stash, Gail.
ReplyDeleteDD#2 and I have been working on de-stash my fabric for a couple of years now. Finally finished all the small stuff! ! !
I know that you'll enjoy both the planning, designing, sewing and using this quilt.
Am looking forward to some progression shots.
hugs
You're right - it's so fun to plan, and then while sewing, to daydream about how it will look when it's finished!
DeleteIt's looking so goood, Gail. Those colours go great together.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I always doubt my ability to put colors and fabrics together, but I'm happy with the way this is coming along.
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