The last few days I have been cutting my fabric stash and the larger pieces in my scrap bin into 2.5" squares. Maybe not my entire fabric stash, but it sure felt like it. Some of the square have been fussy cut - with ruler and rotary cutter - to feature a print, but most squares were cut using a fabric cutter and a 2.5" die, cutting multiple layers of fabric and squares at once. It saves time and saves my back from aching, and is very accurate, with only minimal fabric wastage.
My project is a super scrappy Irish Chain Quilt - a traditional quilt design with layout variations that vary from simple to intricate. I am keeping it simple, two alternating blocks - one scrappy and one with a structured layout. This design is not unlike the Scrap Vomit Quilt Movement of 2013 led by Katy Jones from I am a Ginger Monkey, although I've added an extra row of squares to the repeating design that then flows into the scrappy block.
At this point in time I have a few more blocks to piece together and then I get to arrange and rearrange my blocks. I have also worked out a way to press seams so that regardless of how I turn my blocks all seams will "nest" when sewing together the blocks in this alternating layout. My goal for today is to end the day with a quilt top ... and I will have sewn together more than 1200 squares in the last few days. Good times.
More soon,
Rita
RELEVANT LINKS:
Irish Chain Scrap Buster Quilt - Part 2 and Tutorial
Irish Chain Scrap Buster Quilt - Part 3 - The Finished Quilt
More RPQ Scrap Busting Projects
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I need to do that. My scraps aren't as cute as yours...
ReplyDeleteLove!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust a treat for the eyes! Wow!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had your scraps!!!
ReplyDeleteHow in the world are your fabric pieces always so perfectly pressed?! What's your secret?
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound all so easy and neat and methodical... I would be totally overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever done a post about your sewing space/s? It would make for very interesting reading.
how lucky to have a machine to cut your squares, I cut 980 for my qulit it took for ever, I am doing 20 blocks with 49 squares and they are all with the central set pattern in different colours and no scrappy blocks, now need to sew the 20 blocks together,
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing how it all turns out - looks good so far! I must investigate a fabric cutter - anything that makes production occur faster or easier must be a plus!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I'm interested to know how you press so all the seams "nest" together.
ReplyDeleteI love this! A beautiful design based on such a simple layout - fabulous.
ReplyDeleteLooks stunning! I aways love the fabrics you choose, they are so fresh looking. xx
ReplyDeleteVery nice :-) Love to know how to get seams all nesting. Must admit my brain hurts when I try to work things like that out so I give up and press them open :-)
ReplyDeleteVery cool modern Irish Chain variation! As always, you inspire!
ReplyDeleteLove love love! This is gonna be good! :)
ReplyDeletereally fun and happy looking.
ReplyDeleteI love the mix of colors, wow
The sewing is pretty fun esp if you have plenty of bobbins, and perky music going on. I frequently have Globe trekker on.
I love this one! The contrast in the blocks is perfect.
ReplyDeletethe outcome is gorgeous ... but holy cats you are crazy! I'd be seeing 2 1/2 inch squares in my dreams for decades ...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your quilts! Each one is unique. You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be wonderful. I always love how you make 'SIMPLE' look so fresh and innovative. Does this one already have a home?
ReplyDeleteNesting seams! That's the worst about some sewing - the seams not nesting. Love this!
ReplyDeleteSew lovely!!
ReplyDeleteSusie
So pretty. Luv the black with pink. Could you explain how you nested the seams in more detail or show a picture of the back of one of your blocks?
ReplyDeleteI too intend to look into a fabric cutter! Please shar how you are pressing those seams so they nest properly no matter how you place them!
ReplyDeleteLove it Rita! I adore scrappy quilts, but especially love ones that provide a place for the eyes to rest :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda
It's just beautiful with the dots and solids.
ReplyDeleteYou Rita... you are a Super Star! Loving this design.
ReplyDeleteso HOW did you figure out the nesting situation???? I think I learn the most from your blog!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this with the little bit of black and gray!!
ReplyDeleteYes pls post the nesting.... And wondering if anyone on this blog or Rita can recommend a fabric cutter....Go Baby?? I heard they actually heard they waste a lot of fabric.... So I'd like to know which one you use Rita.... Tx for any help!!
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI used a Sizzix die cutter (the Big Shot) and I don't find it all that different to the Accuquilt cutter - I have used both. Your choice of brand might be guided by the variety of dies available for each brand and the dies you are more likely to use - the dies are not interchangeable.
There was not a lot of fabric waste as the die used for 2 1/2" squares requires a long narrow strip of fabric which is placed on the die, then cut into squares as you manually roll it through the machine. I cut my strip a scant 1/2 wider than the required width and that was my only fabric waste. Different dies/shapes may result in more fabric waste - like say a Drunkard's Path die, although you would have similar fabric wastage if cut with rotary cutter. Rita
Love this! The extra row of squares that tie both the blocks together is genius!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to reply..... I find your work inspiring and, quite frankly, your fabric choices jaw dropping.... !! 😍😍 I looked into the Go Baby but will check the Sizzix.... Again thank you!! My arm and shoulders thank you too!
ReplyDeleteLove your scrappy Irish chain quilt too. I haven't seen your explanation for how to nest no matter how you turn the block. The only way I could do that would be to press the seams open and that takes much more time and patience.
ReplyDelete