Sunday, June 12, 2016

Scrappy is as scrappy does

Not much to show in the 365 Challenge arena today.  I finished this block for April 27th,


and got a start on this one for the 28th.


Though I did kick myself for not reading the directions more closely.  The designer has you making the hourglass blocks from 3.25" squares, then trimming them down, and you can see below just how much trimming has to be done.


The hourglass on the right is the freshly pieced one, and the one on the left has been trimmed to 1 15/16 (which is a wonky size no matter how you look at it).   I don't mind trimming off a sliver in order to have had a little elbow room during the sewing, but this is a huge amount to trim.  I'm way too stingy for this to slide by my notice.  The part where I kicked myself was when I realized that I could have gotten hourglasses that size starting with 2.5" squares (rather than the 3.25" ones) because that's the size I was using to make the 2" hourglass components for my Ohio stars last year.  Argh!


Pay no attention to the monkey.  I don't know how he snuck in here...

As I've mentioned before, I like to multi-task when I'm cutting fabric.  Why cut pieces for one project when you can push several of them further along?  (I've heard there are people who work on one project at a time.  I don't see how that could be possible.)

So, while I'm cutting out pieces for the 365 Challenge, why not throw in some monkey bits and piggy pieces?


Not to mention a little glitter.
As I pull each fabric I cut a 3.5" strip with the fabric folded either right sides or wrong sides together,


and cut a couple of squares.  One will go into my Quilty 365 box for my orange peels and backgrounds


and one will be cut into quarters.  Each Glitter block needs four 1.75" squares, and 1.75 is exactly half of 3.5.  How handy is that?



With the fabric still doubled, I cut at 4.25" and line up my template to cut out the background pieces.


Each block requires two pieces and two reversed, so by doubling the fabric, I end up with just what I need.


And as long as those were laid out anyway, I tested some other pieces to see how it would look.


Not that I was going to sew the block together.  Really.  Because I'm totally not starting this project.


Oops.

Just for grins, I cut out this stripe for the focus fabric for another glittery block.


A little more concentration was called for, but it worked out fine.  I laid it out just to see what it would look like.   Had to pick some fabrics to go with it, of course.


Anyone care to wager how long it'll be before this one is sewn together, too?
Yeah, me neither.


Linking with Oh Scrap at Quilting is More Fun than Housework and Mrs Sew & Sow for Scraptastic Tuesday, because Scrappy is my middle name!  (Well, it could be...)




13 comments:

Sue SA said...

So impressed you do all that cutting at the same time, I would loose track of where I was at, not to mention loose pieces! I don't work on one project at a time though...that would be insanely boring!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I get a little twitchy when my project list gets short. Unfortunately I am never organized enough to choose patterns that use all the same sizes. But I am working on changing that - especially now that I have my fabric cutter. Thanks for sharing your pretty blocks with Oh Scrap. Is it almost May already?

Libby in TN said...

Look at the positive side, though; those itty bitty hourglass units are perfect. Do you shorten your stitch length when you're working at that scale? I think your method of cutting several different things at once works when doing scrappy, which I rarely do. But I do work on more than one project at a time.

SandraC said...

Hmm, I haven't thought of cutting for multiple projects at once....now you've planted a seed!

Chantal said...

I wont wager on anything on that sewing because by the time I finish writing this comment, that glitter block will be done HA! Thanks for the headsup on the hourglass. I'll cut mine smaller because I don't like throwing my fabric away either. :^{
Is that Monkey handing you a Margarita ? ;^)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I don't cut for multi projects, but my scrap system is cuts that I use frequantly so I can always grab a barrel or tote that holds the size I need. BUT I do work multi projects.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

That funky monkey might be my favourite so far - glad he snuck in there

Judy said...

I have to work on one project at a time or nothing gets finished. If I have too many irons in the fire, I get overwhelmed with 'which one to work on?' question. Which turns into another bout of depression. Hubby said it was ADD, all I know is it's a very slippery slope for someone with a one track mind.

Cathy said...

I try to cut for more than one project too. That's usually why you see my RSC projects made from different sized scraps each week...1.5, 2.5, 4.5, chunks, etc. It only makes sense to me.

I was going to try Glitter but saw I had to add the 1/4 seam to the pattern myself so am skipping it for now and going to try to go with making more flowers like is on the cover of the book.

I thought your 365 was in darker colors. What did you do? Lighten up a bit?

And I always like some monkey love. You almost make me want to make another quilt of those. They are soooooo much fun.

Magpie Sue said...

I don't think you can legally claim not to have started the Glitter quilt at this point. Whether you care to admit it or not my dear, that quilt has been started!

It's great to see your system at work. I do something similar but not quite as purposeful. I could use a little more purpose to my cutting!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

I can see those lovely 'glitter' blocks are very addictive! You'll have enough in no time Gayle!

Nicky said...

It is so easy to start a new project especially one by Jen Kingwell! Great blocks all. Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday

Colleen said...

those glitter blocks are sooo appealing I have the JK book and you have just inspired me !! beautiful blocks !