String & Crumb Quilt Blocks

I am a firm believer that scraps do somehow multiply when placed in bins or boxes. I have been trying to get my sewing room cleaned up and organized, so I have been working on getting scraps cut up into useable sizes such as 2 and 2.5 inch squares and strips. Anything less than 1.5 inches gets put into my string and crumb blocks. I have been working on both my string and crumb blocks and feel  like it's taking forever to make any progress. The laundry basket doesn't seem to be getting any emptier!

I have continued to stick with making 4.5 inch crumb blocks. I have sewed four of them together to make an 8.5 inch block in the past. I think anything bigger with the pieces I use would be a challenge. 

Many of the strings I am using is from trimming the backs of my quilts. I didn't realize I had so much of it in my scrap bin until I started pulling all of the pieces out. From now on, after I trim off the backing and batting on a quilt, I will be taking care of the scraps right away. I will take the time and trim everything up into useable pieces. I think part of the problem was I that I quilted a whole bunch of quilts and was getting ready for a quilt show and was in a hurry.  

So many crumbs! 

This design wall is next to my sewing machine. It is really handy because I can grab a block that I am working on and add a piece. I normally use it as a leader/ender project.

A nice stack of string blocks!

I have been making 6.5 inch string blocks since the phone books that I am using work for that size. I really prefer 8.5 inch string blocks but that's ok. It's nice to use stuff up!

Time to get back at it! More crumb and string block to make! 

Happy Quilting!

Birch Tree Quilt Top Complete

It doesn't seem like I have gotten anything accomplished the last couple of weeks. I think part of the problem is that I have about eight projects going on at the same time. Today, I finally finished this birch tree quilt top using scraps out of this year's scrap dive from the quilt show in October. I found a free pattern on the Stash Bee Blog at http://stashbee.blogspot.com/2014/01/hive-2-january-block-tutorial.html As I was working on this project, I realized that this pattern would have been a pretty good leader and ender project. If I make another one, I think that's what I will do. I will get all of the strips sewn together while working on other quilts and then finish the blocks later. 

I love free patterns. I am trying to think if I ever bought a pattern and I cant think of a time where I bought one. I do have a few books and magazines but most of those were given to me. I do spend quite a bit of time searching the internet finding free quilt patterns. I have a jump drive that I have saved them to. I also have quite a few quilt ideas pinned on Pinterest as well. For me, I would rather spend money on fabric than patterns! 

Now that I've had a quick break, I better get back to quilting! Seven more projects to get finished up!

Crumb Quilt Top Complete

Happy 4th! This quilt has been a work in progress since around April. I started by making 4 1/2 inch crumb blocks and then sewed four of them together to make an 8 1/2 inch block. I used 3 1/2 inch scrappy cornerstones and 3 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch navy blue sashing. I hope to get it completed by the end of the month. I love making these and have another one started already. I am keeping a pile of crumbs by the sewing machine and using them as leaders and enders. It is any easy way to make another quilt while working on other quilts.