My big finish for the week is that all of the Free Fall Blocks for the MMM Quilts Sew Along are done and ready to be sewn together next week. I'm looking forward to completing this top, machine quilting and all--not quite sure how I'll quilt it though.
I will admit that I definitely had to use some brain cells and some hours to complete the last six blocks. This is what I get for choosing to use two lights instead of one light. I did enjoy making them and have to give Sandra a shout out for designing such an amazing pattern.
And the Smitten Blocks, I just keep sew, sew, sewing along......just twenty-four more to go and I finally am done watching everything Gilmore Girls. I'm going to miss them. Tom Selleck and Blue Bloods are next on the binge-watching queue.
Finally, I'm happy to show that there is absolutely no fabric waste with quilting. I'm someone who hates to throw away even those tiniest bits of fabric pieces and have finally started throwing away some selvedge bits but I still have several bags full of these tiny pieces. I found an idea on Pinterest several months ago of making a dog bed with scraps which I hadn't tried yet. Since I had to clean my sewing table which was filled with tiny fabric scraps I decided that would try this idea, you can read it here. It turned out I had enough scraps to make two dog beds. The first one I made (above), I cut my fabric 18" x WOF and it makes a nice small bed. You can see it is Sophie approved. The next one I made, the fabric was cut 25" x WOF and it fits inside the waste basket much better. I will say, though, these scraps make for a heavy bed.
Laura from Slice of Pi Quilts also has a tutorial on her website for making dog and cat beds from scraps also, you can read the post here. I have another case sewn for the waste basket and it's ready for the fabric scraps that can't be used for scrap quilts, rug weaving, jewelry making, etc. It's so nice to have a place to throw my scraps in and a way to use them up. For my dear quilting and blog friend, Susan, who just confided in me she throws away scraps that are under 2.5" and I know she has fur babies in her family, you better save your scraps now or else I will call the police. Ha Ha!
Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day (guess what I'll be receiving!)
Minus 100 Yard Challenge YTD Total: -56.75
Linking up with:
mmm quilts: Freefall QAL Link Up #4
Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish It Up Friday
Busy Hand Quilts: Finish Or Not Friday
Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Can I Get A Whoop Whoop
I make dog beds with my scraps too. I've also used old t-shirts as the outer covering without doing any cutting, just a quick fold and a strategically placed seam.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Carole! I love it, do you have a tutorial on your blog?
DeleteSo, now the grey in the Free Fall pattern makes sense! I could not figure out the seemingly random placement of the grey. I love this quilt! I give all my "tail ends" of fabric to a friend who makes fabric bowls, but I do make dog beds from my batting scraps. This idea of using the actual bed as the trash lining is ingenious! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. I really enjoyed making the Free Fall Quilt and definitely was challenged. I'm glad I finally did something with those scrap bits and once I saw the video of using the case for the trash lining, I was sold. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI save my scraps for a friend that makes the dogbeds. Way better than going into the landfill. Your Free Fall looks wonderful. I still have to get mine blogged. It's been fun hasn't it.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, it just goes to show there is no fabric waste, every piece has a purpose. Free Fall was fun and I'm glad I participated. I can't wait to see all of the lovely finishes. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWOW - the Free Fall pattern is just beautiful. I love the hidden leaf in the background - so very clever. I use my scraps to stuff small soccer-shaped balls for babies. Not totally stuffed with that but in the middle, surrounded by the softer stuffing so those small hands can smush it on the edges but it's a little firmer in the middle. ~smile~
ReplyDeleteRoseanne
Thanks Roseanne. Do you make your balls with hexagons? I could see using scraps and wrapping batting around it. I also have a lot of batting scraps. I need to make some of those balls since I have a new baby granddaughter who I think would enjoy them.
DeleteLooks wonderful! The 'free fall' pattern is a very clever one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. The pattern is very clever and that's what I was thinking as I was sewing the blocks. It definitely was not a pattern which could be sewn quickly and I really had to pay attention.
DeleteYour free fall is going to be so beautiful. You chose such wonderful modern fabrics.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa. I was glad I had the fabric in my stash and found the perfect pattern for them. It was meant to be.
DeleteYour Free Fall is really nice! I love your fabric choices! I need to go look at those cat bed patterns!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. According to Laura, she saids the cat bed only uses a fat quarter.
DeleteI thought I was the only one that uses all those tiny scraps as filling. HA
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, I've officially joined the scrap society--I'm so happy that I found a use for those tiny bits which I couldn't stand to throw away. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love your Free Fall blocks! But I'm no help with any quilting suggestions- that's the part I always struggle with!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. I always struggle with the quilting also--did you notice my little shout out to you on the scraps?
DeleteThe Free fall blocks are gorgeous! You did a great job. I, too, started collecting scraps like you, but I hadn't pre-made the pillow and used it in the trash can! Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathleen! The idea of using the casing in the waste idea is brilliant and fortunately I had a brand new one in the house.
DeleteThe fun freefall blocks make so much sense. I loved them before, but to see how they look when assembled put a big smile on my face. That is very creative.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea. The free fall blocks were fun but challenging and I'm glad I joined the Quilt Along. Sandra deserves all the credit for designing the quilt and there were times when I was sewing the blocks I wondered how she came up with the design. I'm sure it has something to her being from Canada which got me to thinking this pattern would look great done in reds and white.
DeleteI love your Freefall quilt! I have loved seeing all the different versions. There is a woman in my Project Linus chapter that makes dog beds for local animal rescues--I save my tiny scraps for her. I'm glad that they go to a good purpose and I don't add anything to my to-do list! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Emily. The Freefall Quilt was fun and challenging and the instructions for completing the top posted today. Unfortunately I had to bring my sewing machine in for servicing. I am so glad I saved my scraps--I knew there had to be a way to use them. I have a niece who does cat rescues so I'm sure I'm going to make quite a few pillows for her. Thanks for stopping by.
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