Working to Reduce Scraps

     I am still on a mission to finish UFOs and pulled a kit of fabric. In 2017 I tested the Kenny the Koala pattern for Ruth Bourke of Crafty Corner Designs. You can find the pattern here.  Most of the fabrics I used then were still together. There was enough for another koala with a few pieces were already cut. It did not take long to piece Kenny the Koala #2. The original pattern is 36” square; however, I added the bottom rows of 3” finished squares so he is now 36” by 48”. I will add borders.

      I spent Saturday and Sunday afternoon cutting up scraps. I pulled my 2 1/2” scrap strips that were less than 16” long and cut them into bricks and squares. Then I cut other scrap fabrics into 2 1/2” HSTs with my Accuquilt cutter. I cut 444. It felt good to make a dent in the scrap stash.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 4.75 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 85.295 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 46.795 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Progress on Several Projects

      I decided to focus moving projects to the next step in progress. I pieced a backing for my crumb top and my recent “Trip Around the World”. I had hoped to sandwich the crumb top but did not. Instead I pieced a backing for a child's charity quilt top.  It felt great to use fabrics from my stash.

     Next I pulled 2 UFO's and added borders. Here is the QOV top with it's borders so it is ready for quilting.

     About a year ago I watched a tutorial by Carol Thelen about the “Rick Rack” block. I was intrigued and made 14. I decided I wanted to make 35 for a 5 by 7 setting. I pulled fabrics and cut kits for the rest of the blocks. Over a couple of days I got all of them pieced. Following is a link for Carol's YouTube tutorial with links for her free pattern.

Here is a link for Missouri Star Quilts tutorial for the same block.

     After making my recent “Trip Around the World” top I watched a couple of YouTube videos by Eleanor Burns about the quilts in her Quick Trip Quilts. My library happened to have a copy which I checked out. I was inspired to make a “Quick Quarter Quilt” with uses fat quarters. For the lap size I needed 18 fat quarters. After church Sunday I pulled floral fabrics from the church quilt room stash. When I got home, I pulled a few from my stash to get the 18 needed. I'm pleased with my selection and think it will make a lovely quick quilt top.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 20.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 80.545 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 42.045 yds

     That must be a record for me to use 20 yds of fabric in one week. It is mostly because I pieced several backings. Hope I will make time this week to sandwich and start quilting.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Many Small Finishes

     For the past few weeks I have been busy making quilted journal covers and finished the last 5 for 18 total.

  I thought you might be interested in seeing more about my process. I adapted a free pattern from The Wooden Bear. You can find the original pattern here. I pieced the tops, then sandwiched and quilted.

Next it got trimmed to the 10 1/2” by 16 1/2”

and then sleeves are sewn on.

A standard composition notebook fits well.

These will be gifts to a group in August and I'm happy to have them made so that I can focus on a UFO.

     A few months ago I went with my sister to a small quilt show. She bought a quilt top and asked me to quilt it for our great niece. I finished the quilting. She will bind it.

     Last Wednesday I did a demo for my church quilt group on an easy 5 fabric Trip Around the World pattern. Wednesday I got my center pieced. Saturday I added borders. I chose the color palette based on the colors in the border fabric  and shopped for stash for fabrics.  I used almost every inch of the fabric to add a wide border.

      My church quilt group pieced little houses using the free “Village”pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. for Moda Fabrics. I created an alternate setting in EQ and pieced the top. It is really cute.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 5.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 65.545 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 27.045 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.