Remember the block race I was in a little while ago?
Well it produced a big stack of 10" blocks.
The pile was added to one late night
when I just needed something to stitch, so it got larger.
Some of the blocks were trimmed down to 9 1/2" for a
devilish bingo game at retreat, but the pile was still substantial.
I've been collecting string quilt instructions
for this year's string quilt push
and I came across a top made with
perpendicular block halves.
The pattern is from Fons and Porter 2014.
Some were larger than required but
I didn't want to cut them down
and waste all that good sewing and fabric.
So of course I modified the pattern.
Channeling the spirit of upcycling, sustainability and reusing,
I used a lime green poly cotton as the sashing.
Yes, it brought back all the reasons not to use poly cotton.
It isn't as forgiving when joining diagonals,
it has a peculiar smell when ironed, and it is rather slippery
and required use of *gasp* pins.
Actually, I do use pins quite a bit so that's nothing unusual.
Here we go!
First, I sorted my blocks, to keep green strips away from the center
so they wouldn't interfere with the sashing.
Then I bravely slashed half of them
in the direction of the strips,
and the other half perpendicular to the run of the strips.
Next, I added the lime green 1 1/2" strip to the middle,
pieced them all back together, and voila!
My top is already at the ideal size for a twin,
It will end up with a small border of
squares set in a plane or reads a solid background.
Here is a mock-up of mine next to the original pattern.
A piano key border would make the top larger than I like
so I will use my smaller border.
There's always the capacity for modification!
There is still a pile of blocks to use,
so another something is definitely in the works.
Stay Safe and Sew on!
Linking up with
That is really fun! Love all the color!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was fun to do.
DeleteThis is really a cool pattern idea and a perfect way to use up scraps. Long as the center piece is the same on everyone...your a connected, grins! Sandi
ReplyDeleteThe center strip does pull it all together.
DeleteImpressive how you keep on using up scraps to make lovely quilts.
ReplyDeleteThank you ! I think I bins like Buddha bowls, they never run out.
DeleteThe quilt top looks great. The green strips conect everything together really nicely. Great work.
ReplyDeleteThank you ! I think I will be making another with a smaller block size. I still have a lot of shorter strings!
DeleteI read your post about the block race - how fun! I was wondering about the lime green fabric and laughed out loud at my lack of vision! It's so pretty as it gives the eye a wonderful place to rest! It sings in this quilt! If you don't mind, I'd love to borrow your idea for the string quilt I hope to make next year! Your post made me laugh and smile today. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGo for it! The original was in Fons and Porter but of course I changed it for my quilt!
DeleteI was doubtful when you said you chose a lime green poly for the sashing but wow the result is lovely! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/11/12/wednesday-wait-loss-458
You are very welcome. I really enjoy seeing what you are up to each week!
DeleteAgreed about the poly cotton issues, but it looks lovely, so I guess you got it all worked out. Love this string design & how you adapted it from the pattern.
ReplyDeleteThank you , I will be doing it again, but no more poly cotton!
DeleteIsnt that a clever idea!
ReplyDeleteIt works doesn't it. I was wanting to do it for a while but it is hard to cut into perfectly good blocks!
DeleteThat green really spices up those blocks. A very fun way to use up those blocks.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the green. Lime is always a bit of a gamble.!
DeleteBeautiful and fun! I really love that pop of lime green in the blocks. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Let's all get stitching!
DeleteOh, what a great pattern with the sashing in the center! It's always fun to cut blocks, even if it's a little bit scary ;) Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring and beautiful top, and linking up.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome. I do love my linky parties!
DeleteHi Deb, your quilt really looks great - I wouldn't have thought that they would turn out that way when you cut them but it's wonderful. Thanks for linking up to FM Mavericks.
ReplyDeleteLove the lime green centers!!! Very cool quilt and a lot of scraps saved!!!
ReplyDelete