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SCRAPTASTIC SCRAP QUILT 3

January 22, 2021 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

SCRAPTASTIC SCRAP QUILT 3

SCRAPTASTIC SCRAP QUILT 3

This week, in Scraptastic Scrap Quilt Series, we are cutting our border strips and sewing them on each of our 48 blocks.  I have included the size for each strip and square as well as the amount of fabric that you will need for each strip and square.  Please note that you will have left over fabric that we will be using later to complete this project.  Please keep all of your scraps as I will showing you how to recycle and use them in this quilt as well.

 

Cutting Instructions and Yardage:

Scraptastic scrap quilt by the crafty author

 

FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL:

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What is Scrap Quilting?

January 16, 2021 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

What is Scrap Quilting

If you’re new to quilting or even if you’ve been quilting for a while, you might ask yourself at some point, “What is Scrap Quilting?”

The answer is, scrap quilting has been around from the beginning of time. Quilter’s and sewers of the past used whatever fabric they could get their hands on in order to make a nice warm quilt or blanket. Quilts weren’t used like they are today. They weren’t mostly hung on a wall or displayed and never physically used.

No. They were actually items that were made from used clothing, flour sacks and other fabric they could get their hands on. I remember as a young child my mother making quilts for her parents and siblings. I was always enamored at her ability to put something so beautiful together in such a short time and they were always exceptionally warm.

Her idea of quilting was cutting simple squares or purchasing a sheet that had print on it, an old blanket for the batting and then another sheet for backing. She always yarn tie her quilts and I loved helping her make them. You see, the quilting process is different for everyone.

I’m sure I’ll catch some flack for saying that, however, it’s the truth. Quilting can be working with simple squares or intricate cut designs. It can be working with new coordinating fabric or it can be old clothing that you’ve cut and saved for many years. Quilting is what you yourself, the artist do with the fabric.

Scrap quilting is the ability to take all of the scraps that you have been collecting, cutting and saving, either from clothing or from projects in the past. You can have large pieces, small pieces or even the tiniest of pieces to work with. Some people actually prefer to work tiny little pieces of fabric and I must say, those quilts turn out amazing! I wish I had the patience to do what they call, “crumb quilting.”

I have made scrap quilts in the past. I have to admit my favorite scrap quilt that I have ever made was the one that had absolutely no planning involved. I just sat sewed, cut and kept adding while I was at the machine. The quilt turned out so beautiful and it was actually my late Labrador Retriever, Sophie’s, favorite quilt. It was also really fun to make. I would also like to add that this quilt top is 100% made from scraps. Even the borders are scrap fabric that I had left over from other projects. I did purchase the backing because when I saw the suns with smiley faces fabric in the fabric store, I knew it would be perfect for this quilt.

Which brings me to my next point. Scraps don’t just have to be used on the front of your quilt. You can also get creative and add some to the back of your quilt. I have started doing this on most of my quilts just within the last 2 years. Some designs are really gorgeous and others, well…not so much! But it is the back and it’s hardly ever seen and I use my quilts for cold nights, laying around watching TV.

Here are a few examples of quilts that I have added scraps to the backing.

The front of my Jacobs Ladder Quilt – I used Tula Pink’s fabric line Monkey Wrench for this Wall Hanging
The back of my Jacobs Ladder Quilt – I used Tula Pink’s fabric line Monkey Wrench for this Wall Hanging – As you can see, I used left over squares to create the backing for this wall hanging.
This is a quilt that I yarn tied. I have a tutorial on how to do this. This is exactly how my mother used to make quilts. 😊
This is the back of the quilt. As you can see, I just took scraps and threw them together to ensure I had enough fabric to back this quilt. It may not be the prettiest design I’ve ever done, this quilt is functional, warm and I’m actually using it as I type this post. 😊

So in a nutshell, scrap quilting can be many things. It is what you are willing to do with your left over fabric or clothing items. I recommend using 100% cotton as it is easiest to sew with and if you are going to add knits, use a stabilizer. It will save you a lot of grief. Trust me, I know this from experience and I can’t stress it enough. Also, you want to keep in mind when piecing your designs, you want to use a smaller stitch length on your sewing machine. I personally use 2 mm but you could use 2.5 or less. Just be mindful that if you need to seam rip, you don’t want the stitches so tight that it makes it tough to remove them. The reason we use a tighter stitch length for piecing is so our blocks don’t fall apart when start cutting to make different designs with them. In case you are wondering what stitch length I like for quilting, I use 3 mm. You will need to play with your machines settings and get a feel for works best for you. There is no right or wrong way, there is only the way that will work for you. Be confident in your work. Even if you’re a beginner, you’ve got this and there are plenty of tutorials out there to guide you along the way. Ask questions and most of all, have fun!

I have started a new scrap quilting series on my YouTube Channel called The Crafty Author. I’d love to have you join me! My new series is called Scraptastic Scrap Quilt Series.

It’s free and I walk through how to make the entire quilt top. If you are wondering what a quilt top is, that is the front part of the quilt. It does not include the batting (center) or the backing or binding. It’s just the front with the design.

You can find that tutorial here: 👇🏻

Scraptastic Scrap Quilt Series

I’ll see you there! Happy Quilting! 🧵

Anisa

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SCRAPTASTIC SCRAP QUILT 2

January 15, 2021 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

SCRAPTASTIC SCRAP QUILT 2

Scraptastic Scrap Quilt 2

 

INSTRUCTION:

This is the second part of the Scraptastic Scrap Quilt.

In this video tutorial I teach you how to make a 4 patch out of scraps using 3″ squares and sewing them together.  We walk through how to nest the seams together so that everything lines up perfectly in the middle.  We then trim (square up) our 4 patch blocks to 5″ X 5″.

You will need to trim each 4 patch block to a 5″ square.  You do this by cutting each side 2.5″. You will place your ruler on the fabric and line up with your center seam, from that line you will want to measure 2.5″ and cut the excess off.  You will need to do this to all 4 sides.  I STRONGLY recommend watching the video below for instruction on how to do this.  It will make the process much easier, especially if you have never squared up a quilt block before.

You will need 48 completed and squared up 5″ X 5″ blocks.

WATCH FULL TUTORIAL HERE: 

 

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SCRAPTASTIC SCRAP QUILT 1

January 9, 2021 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

SCRAPTASTIC SCRAP QUILT 1

Welcome to my new scrap quilt series for 2021. If you are going to be following along, you will need to cut 192, 3” inch squares.

Sew them together, so that you have 2 sewn together. I will be sharing what to do next as we progress each week.

This is a great way to make a quilt with those leftover scraps that you may have from your previous years projects. If you don’t have enough scraps but still want to participate, don’t fret.

You can always use fat quarters, yardage or even charm packs. Just make sure you cut your squares 3” X 3” and don’t put the same print or color together. This is your quilt so you can use whatever fabric you want. The whole goal is to use whatever you have available to you. This can also be old clothing or clothing that you no longer wear. I suggest making sure that it is 100% cotton or flannel though. Those fabrics are much easier to work with. If you choose to use a knit fabric, you will need to use stabilizer before sewing it as knit fabrics are very stretchy and hard to sew with.

I’m excited that you are here and ready to get started! Happy Quilting!

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO FOR INSTRUCTIONS:

https://youtu.be/eqS0MLiyw1Q

Keep on Craftin’!

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CHRISTMAS STOCKING

December 18, 2020 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

CHRISTMAS STOCKING

Christmas Stocking

 

DOWNLOAD FREE PATTERN HERE: 👉Stocking Pattern

VIEW THE FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE: 👇

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HOW TO MAKE A NECK PILLOW

November 20, 2020 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

HOW TO MAKE A NECK PILLOW: FREE PATTERN

HOW TO MAKE A NECK PILLOW

 

DOWNLOAD MY FREE PATTERN: 👇

TCA PILLOW PATTERN PG 1   👈

TCA NECK PILLOW PATTERN PG 2  👈

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS!  PLEASE READ!!!

AFTER YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE FILE, CHOOSE YOUR PRINT OPTION FROM YOUR COMPUTER.

MAKE SURE YOU CHOOSE TO PRINT THIS AT ACTUAL SIZE, NOT FIT TO PAGE (THE SIZING WILL BE INCORRECT IF YOU PRINT IT FIT TO PAGE)

YOU WILL NEED TO PRINT IT THIS WAY BECAUSE THE FILE IS LARGE AND NEEDS TO BE PIECED.  IT WAS THE ONLY WAY I COULD DO THIS SO YOU COULD

PRINT ON 8.5″ X 11″ PAPER.

ONCE YOU HAVE THE PIECES PRINTED OUT, CUT AROUND YOUR PATTERN AND TAPE IT TOGETHER.  YOU WILL THEN BE READY TO USE YOUR PATTERN! ENJOY!

 

FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL:

 

 

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BLOCK OF THE MONTH- DECEMBER

October 20, 2020 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

QUILT BLOCK OF THE MONTH: DECEMBER

FLYING GEESE/DUTCHMANS PUZZLE

 

FLYING GEESE/ DUTCHMANS PUZZLE

 

Quilt Block of the Month #12: Flying Geese/Dutchmans Puzzle This is the last block in our sampler quilt and will serve as the quilt block for December. In this tutorial for the flying geese, I teach you how to make a flying geese block without izmir escort using a special ruler. With this method you will need a regular ruler with a 45 degree angle to square up your squares. I hope that you have enjoyed the block of the month and I can’t wait to see what all of your sampler quilts look like!

Cutting Instructions:

4- 6.5″ Dark Squares

4- 6.5″ Light Squares

After you have sewn, cut diagonally and pressed, square each block up to 4″.

FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE: 

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BLOCK OF THE MONTH- NOVEMBER

October 16, 2020 By The Crafty Author Leave a Comment

QUILT BLOCK OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER

DISAPPEARING 9 PATCH

 

DISAPPEARING 9 PATCH

Quilt Block of the Month #11: Disappearing 9 Patch In this block we discover the many different patterns that we can make with a 9 patch/ nine patch. I have decided to for the quilt block of the month to use the disappearing 9 patch pattern. The disappearing 9 patch is also the block for November in our Sampler Quilt.

Cutting Instructions:

1- 5 x 5 Dark Square

4- 5 X 5 Light Squares

4- 5 X 5 Dark Squares

 

VIEW FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE:

https://youtu.be/dQzrHNBBOS4

 

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