Happy New Year everyone! I wish for you that 2014 is filled first and foremost with good health and happiness as well as with lots of sewing highlights. I saw in the new year quietly and at home with family, and even managed to sneak in some time with the rotary cutter and sewing machine. Really, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Just like last year's Scrappy Trip-Along there is a brand new Quilt-Along to give us some sewing momentum for 2014. Started by Brenda from Pink Castle Fabrics and Katy from I am A Ginger Monkey the Economy Block Along is taking off on Instagram. See the hashtag #economyblockalong on Instagram for ideas and inspiration. There are some great variations in fabric selection and placement. Join in! These blocks are fun and rather addictive.
I have written a tutorial for the Economy Block which you can find right here:
Economy Block Tutorial (Includes a link to a Foundation Paper for this block - in case your prefer to paper piece this block - available as a PDF file and free to download from my Craftsy Pattern Store.)
EDITED TO ADD: I have set up an Economy Block Quilt Along Flickr Group. Please join and feel free to add and share photos of your blocks, quilt tops and finished quilts.
Cutting 100 or so novelty (or I Spy) squares for the center of the Economy Blocks means turning my fabric stash upside down. It would be nice to think that all my novelty fabrics are neatly stashed together, but that is far from reality. And so whilst trawling through my fabric stash I thought it might be smart to cut fabric not just for my Economy Blocks but also for a whole other quilt. Two days of cutting fabric, and about 6 hours of sewing .... 512 squares ....
A simple patchwork Checkerboard Quilt - alternating a light and dark square. I have strip-pieced this quilt using the same method as detailed in the Postage Stamp Tutorial, although I have cut my strips wider (2.5 inches x 11 inches) and therefore each 16-patch Postage Stamp Block measures 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches.
2014 is the year for busting some fabric stash and both these projects are a great way to start putting good intentions into action. Storage space is quickly running out and there shall be no hoarding.
Thank you for stopping by!
Rita
Hello, it is really nice idea. I made the pillow thanks to your tutorial and I would like to start the quilt. I will try :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Jolana
Hello Rita,
ReplyDelete...eine wundervolle Idee!
....ich wünsche dir
….._██_
╠╣‹(•¿•)›..F R O H E S
╠╣..(█)... N E U E S
╠╣.../ I .... J A H R 2014
Liebe Grüße
Klaudia
I make a lot of these kinds of quilts - have to use up the scraps or they are just sitting around using up space
ReplyDeletei'm with you...no fabric hoarding this year! hope 2014 is the best yet. xo.
ReplyDeleteSo excited to start this quilt!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had just half your variety! Beautiful. Looking forward to following you another year
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Rita!
ReplyDeleteEven if you didn't fussy cut the centers that block would look great....using scraps it also becomes a memory quilt!:)
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing yesterday...cut and sewed about ten 12 1/2" blocks while hanging with the family. Best way to ring in the new year!:)
Happy, happy to you Rita and thanks for all the inspiration you give to all of us!:)
HA! "There shall be no hoarding" famous last words! :) Love your colorful designs!
ReplyDeletewww.sewcraftychick.blogspot.com
Ohmigosh! Every time I stop at Rita's, I end up opening up 2 or three more windows for more projects! Thanks for sharing your inspiration and tutorials :D
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if there is a Flickr group for the economy block for those of us not on Instagram ? I love these blocks !
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Carla!!
DeleteYour advice is inspiring! We are moving and my stash is overwhelming, 10 full garbage size bags full of fabric, even after selling some on EBay. Its time to destash! I am gping to really try
ReplyDeletethis year.
I am interested in this economy block but do not do instagram yet. How many blocksdo we have to make? maybe there is somewhere I could click on to to learn more abaut it have read how to make the block but that is all
ReplyDeleteI would love to join this quilt-a-long! Is there a Flickr or blog link that we can follow? I find Instagram so hard to manouver. Please and thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have started a Flickr Group for the Economy Block Quilt Along:
Deletehttp://www.flickr.com/groups/2512738@N22/pool/
I laughed (and related to) your strikethrough hoarding comment. Can't wait to see what comes out of your sewing room this year!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial and the paper piecing pattern for the economy block. Not sure I have enough fussy cut fabrics, but we'll see...Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally inspired!!! Love the whole idea of using the stash and am taking to heart your ideas. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Great and pretty new project for this year!
ReplyDelete