To-Do Tuesday #4 (I need a Do Over)

Well, last week I got hopelessly side-tracked from my To-Do list. 

Here's a look at last week's list and progress or lack thereof:

• Choose backing for Scrap Snapper quilt - 😔
• Make binding and label for Scrap Snapper - 😔
• Sandwich, quilt, bind and label Scrap Snapper (my February OMG) #1 priority- 😔
• Keep sewing 16-patches with scrappy 2 1/2” pink and gray strips (until I run out of scraps) - progress made. I am up to 43 blocks so more than halfway.
• Keep cutting fabric for Zipper blocks for retreat - a bit of progress. I have the prints pieces cut for 15 blocks. 
• Sew bindings on at least two guild community quilts - I finished binding on only one small quilt. It couldn't have been a better match! 

• Gather supplies for some Taggie blankets (a guild initiative) to take to sew at retreat - I've found only a bit of ribbon but I need to find more. 

So, as you can see, not a lot of progress made on my list. Having said that, I was keeping busy, I've been sewing lots of 16-patch pink blocks, and sorting, cutting and ironing scraps. Yesterday, I spent the day with three other ladies cutting, sewing blocks and putting together tops for our guild's community quilts. It was a fun day. 

Another reason I didn't get to my To-Do list is I could hardly move around in my messy sewing room. I've made a bit of progress in straightening it up. 

I had all these little notes posted and taped here and there and on the shelf above my cutting counter. 

It's too bad none of them jog my memory or mean anything to me now. I'm sure they had great meaning at one time. LOL!

 

I gathered up all the boxes of community quilt fabrics and scraps and stored them separately upstairs in the back bedroom until needed. I gathered up all the miscellaneous gift bags, ribbons, bows, tissue paper and the like, along with gifts I've bought and left (dumped) in my sewing room. Those will be stored in the bedroom closet. And I filled another bag of miscellaneous "this doesn't belong in here" things that slowly find their way into my sewing room and need to be put away.   That helped a bit. I still have a l-o-n-g way to go before I could have anyone over. Ha!

I tackled one problem that needed to be addressed. I follow Quiltville's Bonnie Hunter's Scrap User's System and cut my scraps to sizes that work for me. However, I had the bins stacked in three different areas of my sewing room, and since the top of the bin is a horizontal space, more crap slowly gets piled on them. So, I emptied the top shelf above my cutting counter and lined up six of the bins there, making them easily accessible to put away scraps I am cutting at the counter. I have six more bins stacked on top of the tower I store fabric and projects in bags. Some of the bins are oddball sizes that aren't included in her system but that I don't want to cut down just yet (3-inch, 5-inch, 5 1/2-inch, 6-inch, 6 1/2-inch). 

This has allowed me to empty some cut scraps from paper plates, little boxes and bins, box lids, and zip lock bags, wherever they were sitting because the bins seemed too hard to get at to put away one or two strips or bits. Much better! (The two little rolls of fabric are grab-bag style bits I bought at a quilt show. I want to check them for accuracy before I add them to my own bins.)

On to this week's To-Do List #4: 

• Choose backing for Scrap Snapper quilt 
• Make binding and label for Scrap Snapper
• Cut solid fabrics for the 15 Zipper blocks to take to retreat
• Gather supplies for some Taggie blankets (a guild initiative) to take to sew at retreat
• Find backing and cut batting for a guild member's two community quilts and deliver to her
• Pack for retreat!!
• Set a timer for 30 minutes each day to sort, put away, put for donation or throw out "stuff" in my sewing room. Track my progress!

Linking up to: Quilt Schmilt To-Do Tuesday

To-Do Tuesday #3 and a Flimsy!

I definitely think making a list and posting it to my blog is helping me. I can misplace a hand-written list, but the blog is always handy. 😊

Here’s a look at my progress on last week’s list:

• Sew together Scrap Snapper quilt top ✅ Its all pressed, and stay-stitched, too (lots of seams on the edge).

• Choose backing for Scrap Snapper quilt – I still need to do this.
• Prepare binding and make label for raffle quilt ✅ I made a 6 inch Bento Box block to add to the label.

• Iron pink scraps - Some progress this week
• Keep sewing 16-patches with scrappy 2 1/2” pink and gray strips (until I run out of scraps) I've finished five blocks, and have 10 more pinned to sew. To be continued...

• Keep cutting fabric for Zipper blocks for retreat - No progress. 
• Sew bindings on at least two guild community quilts - I finished binding one quilt.

I knew this was going to be a push to do, so I did what any smarty-pants quilter would do. I picked the smallest quilts in the pile 😁. I have a container overflowing with bits of left-over bindings. 

I looked through it and found the perfect colourful binding made up of strips of yellow, orange, green, red and blue. It was leftover from a topsy turvy quilt I made a few years ago. The piece wasn't quite long enough, so I dug some more and found another piece that used the same blue. Pardon the lousy picture. 

I joined them together and bound the quilt. And this is what is left of the binding! Talk about playing binding chicken. Whew!  

Since I did not make the quilt, I'm just sharing a picture of the binding.

And on top of the list, I also wrote a tutorial for making a 12 inch Bento Box block and provided cutting instructions to make a 6 inch Bento Box block.  So I am happy about that. 

This week's To-Do List:

• Choose backing for Scrap Snapper quilt 
• Make binding and label for Scrap Snapper
• Sandwich, quilt, bind and label Scrap Snapper (my February OMG) #1 priority
• Keep sewing 16-patches with scrappy 2 1/2” pink and gray strips (until I run out of scraps)
• Keep cutting fabric for Zipper blocks for retreat
• Sew bindings on at least two guild community quilts
• Gather supplies for some Taggie blankets (a guild initiative) to take to sew at retreat

Linking up to: 

Quilt Schmilt To-Do Tuesday

My Quilt Infatuation NTT 

 

Bento Box - Cutting instructions for a 6 inch finished block

Happy Family Day to those who get to enjoy this 'newish' holiday in BC. 

I thought I would provide the cutting measurements for a 6 inch finished Bento Box block. It is just as easy as making the larger block. I hope you try it!

Refer to the tutorial I wrote for the 12 inch Bento Box block. The assembly is exactly the same.  

To make one 6 inch 2-colour Bento Box block (6 1/2 inch unfinished), you will need:

(1) 1 1/2 inches x 30 inches (minimum) main fabric

(1) 1 1/2 inch x 30 inches (minimum) background fabric  

For step A, cut the following:

Main fabric

(2 ) 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches rectangles

Background fabric

(2 ) 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches rectangles

For step C, sub-cut the strip set:

(2) 2 1/2 inches by 3 inches

(4) 2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches

For step D, use the 2 1/2 inch by 3 inch units from step C. 

For step E, sub-cut into (2) 1 1/2 inch by 6 1/2 inch sections.

For step G, use the 2 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch units from step C.

Follow remaining steps to assemble your block! This block will become part of the label on our guild's raffle quilt. 

~Happy stitching!

Tutorial - Another way to make a Bento Box Block

I have made a number of Bento Box quilts. I would have to say it is one of my favourite blocks to make. I’ve made my dad a queen size quilt back in 2009.  You can view a picture of the quilt top here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/madkap-pics/5462070805/

We used the same pattern for our guild's raffle quilt this year. See the finished top  here: https://madkapquilter.blogspot.com/2023/01/january-one-monthly-goal-quilt-top-is.html

EDITED: I totally forgot I made this baby quilt, too. https://madkapquilter.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-finished-quilt-alert-press.html

I’ve made a set of blocks for a baby quilt (Eek, in 2019, and it’s still a UFO! Hmm, I found the picture, now where are those blocks?)

For my dad’s quilt, and the blocks for the baby quilt, I followed the block tutorial at the SpruceCrafts.  There are other methods of sewing a bento such as using two (or more) framed squares and cutting these into four equal squares and swapping them, and re-assembling. 

While there is nothing wrong with making the blocks using these methods, I have gotten myself mixed up with sewing the fabric in the wrong position and have had to unpick more than once. 

It was while I was making the baby blocks, that I had an Aha moment, and discovered an quicker way to piece the block, that also helped me avoid making mistakes in the block assembly. 

Disclaimer: I don't own a design program. I created all the block diagrams using Excel.

To make one 12 inch 2-colour Bento Box block (12 1/2 inch unfinished), you will need:

(1) 2 1/2 inches x WOF (width of fabric) main fabric

(1) 2 1/2 inch x WOF (width of fabric) background fabric  

Note: The WOF must be minimum of 42 inches wide. 

Main fabric

(2 ) 2 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches rectangles

Background fabric

(2 ) 2 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches rectangles

A. Sew these pieces as shown. Make two. Press seams to the dark fabric. Set these aside for now. The unit should measure 2 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches.

B. Sew remaining strips of main and background fabrics lengthwise. Press seams to dark fabric. 

C. Square up one end of the strip set and sub-cut the strip set into the following units:

(2) 4 1/2 inches by 5 inches

(4) 4 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches

D. Take (2) 4 1/2 inch by 5 inch sections and sew together as shown. Press seam to dark fabric.

E. Sub-cut this unit into (2) 2 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches.

F. Flip the first unit around so the main fabric is in the top left hand corner and sew together as shown. The unit should measure 4 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches.

G. Take (2) 4 1/2 inch by 4 1/2 inch units and sew together as show. NOTE the main fabric must be in the top left hand corner. It matters! Sew the remaining 4 1/2 inch by 4 1/2 inch units exactly the same. The unit should measure 4 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches.

H. Join one unit from step G to the step F unit. Press seams away from the centre. 

I. Join the remaining unit from step G to the bottom of the step F unit. Press seams away from the centre. 

J. Following diagram below, join one unit from step A to the left side, with main fabric in the top left. Repeat for the right side of the block, following block diagram. Press seams away from the centre.

And there you have it! 

Things to remember:

• Make sure you assemble/orient all of your blocks the same way. If joining blocks without sashing, the seams will be pressed the towards the dark, so they will nest nicely.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to:

Confessions of a Fabric Addict Can I get a Whoop Whoop

My Quilt Infatuation Needle and Thread Thursday

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday

Lovingly Lysa TGIFF!

Alycia Quilts Finished or Not Finished Friday

To-Do Tuesday #2 (on a Wednesday?)

I am late posting for To-Do Tuesday, but what the heck. That's they way it goes. 

I’ve made some progress on last week's list!

My goals for last week:

• Sort out pink scraps from red/pink bin for RSC blocks ✅ 
• Iron pink scraps - In progress
• Sew more 16-patches with scrappy 2 1/2” pink and gray strips (until I run out of scraps) I got more blocks sewn, but I have lots more to sew.
• Cut fabric for Zipper blocks for retreat - I got started cutting 2 1/2” pink prints (I’m making blocks that will finish 8” x 12”)
  
  
  
• Vacuum sewing room floor 😆. This needs to be done before the next task!! ✅ 
• Iron extra-wide backing for guild raffle quilt ✅ 
• Prepare binding for raffle quilt - Not done
• Take raffle quilt to long armer ✅ 
• Sew together Scrap Snapper quilt top - my OMG I only managed to get two columns sewn together. 

I also put together a backing for a guild community quilt.

Made a Celtic Twist block for our guild's Block Lotto.

Sewed a border onto another community quilt top (sorry, no pic) and delivered three quilt tops, backings and a roll of batting to a wonderful lady in our guild who long arm quilts most, if not all of our large donation quilts. And, I had tea and a wonderful visit with her as well! She sent me home with several quilts she had already done, ready for binding and labels, so I’ll add some of those to this week’s to do list.

This week's To-Do List:

• Sew together Scrap Snapper quilt top - my OMG
• Choose backing for Scrap Snapper quilt
• Prepare binding and make label for raffle quilt
• Iron pink scraps
• Keep sewing 16-patches with scrappy 2 1/2” pink and gray strips (until I run out of scraps)
• Keep cutting fabric for Zipper blocks for retreat 
• Sew bindings on at least two guild community quilts

Linking up to:

Quilt Schmilt To-Do Tuesday

RSC February 2023 - Pinks

I've made some progress on this week's To-do list. I took down the Scrap Snap blocks off my design wall, and I was reminded of my naughty kitties. They did this a few years ago. Grr. I have to make sure they don't do any more damage. AND I should fix that with some iron on interfacing or something. Ideas?

I'm making some good progress on the 16-patch pink blocks I've been making this month. I still have lots to go. I'm now up to 29 blocks. They are fun and easy to make. 

I will keep making blocks until I run out of greys and pinks. I am having to dip into some stash a bit to find the grays, but I'm trying to make do with what I have. I slapped the blocks up on the design wall.  The dark grays will have some friends joining them, so they won't look so glaringly out of place. I'm also going to work some lighter pinks into the group. Lots of fun!

I'm ready to sew some more with these pretty pinks and grays!

Linking up to:

So Scrappy Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop

TGIFF!

To-Do Tuesday #1

I follow a number of other bloggers who practice “To Do Tuesday” and make a list of their goals for the week. I thought I would try this to see if it will help me keep on track, and maybe accomplish more.

My goals for this week: 

• Sort out pink scraps from red/pink bin for RSC blocks ✅
• Iron pink scraps
• Sew more 16-patches with scrappy 2 1/2” pink and gray strips (until I run out of scraps)
• Cut fabric for Zipper blocks for retreat
• Vacuum sewing room floor 😆. This needs to be done before the next task!!
• Iron extra-wide backing for guild raffle quilt
• Prepare binding for raffle quilt
• Take raffle quilt to longarmer
• Sew together Scrap Snapper quilt top - my OMG

Linking up to: 

Quilt Schmilt To-Do Tuesday

So Scrappy Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023

February One Monthly Goal

My One Monthly Goal for February is to finish this Snap Scrap Quilt that's been pinned to my design wall for a long, long time. I searched my pictures and I started this back in July 2020! Oh, my! See it hiding behind my January OMG? 😉 Sorry for the lousy picture.

I loved this pattern so much that I asked my quilty friends if they wanted to play along and swap fabric sets to get some variety. We each chose two colours and then cut a set of the colour for each of our friends.

My colours were yellow and purple. 

It was great because we could play along with a pal who had moved across the country. She mailed her fabrics out to me and then the local gals got together outside with masks on (remember the early days of Covid). It was so fun to meet up to swap our fabric sets, see all the different fabrics that others had shared and to catch up with one another.

I started cutting colour block sets for three (or four, Eep, I can't remember!) more quilts with the intent to make one for each grandchild (since then, I now have five grands, LOL). These will be a work in progress. For now, I want to get the first quilt top assembled, quilted, and ready to cuddle. 

You can find the free Scrap Snap pattern (it is super fun and easy to make) on Kari V's Quilts for the Making blog here http://quiltsforthemaking.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-plan-whats-yours.html

I am linking up to Elm Street Quilts February One Monthly Goal