My kind of scrappy

Lately, I have been asked how I go about making my scrappy quilts and what about my stash.

Today, both will be addressed to help you get that total scrappy look too.

How did I make my Oh Wonderful, Summer's Here?  Where to begin on any scrappy quilt?  Figuring out the quilt size is the perfect place to start.

Next step .... draw out a plan of action.  My center was divided into four sections labelled A, B, C, D.

To get that overall scrappy look, my fabrics were chosen with the four sections in mind.  Most of my fabrics were placed into containers labelled A,B,C,D.  Some were only in AC or BD.  Not in AB or CD.  That would foul up the even look.

 

In the containers below are all my main fabrics (not my background fabrics--whites or creams).  Notice how the containers are labelled?  These containers kept me organized and I knew at a glance where the pieces belonged according to my drawn plan.

Below is the start of Section A.  The start of a grand journey!  In the evenings, I would sit and watch TV and baste pieces together using the EPP (English Paper Piecing) method.  Once there were enough pieces, I would start pinning the pieces onto my design wall and then stand back and look to see if there was a nice even flow of colour.  If not, then the colours would get moved around until I was happy.   A design wall is my most important tool.  Ever!

For me, being near sighted, I was able to take off my glasses and if anything looked out of place, those pieces were either moved around or removed permanently.   You can purchase a notion that will help you spot a fabric that is out of the range you want to use.  A camera helps a lot, too.  Often, I will take a photo of a section and then look at it on my computer to see if the flow of colour is there.  In case any of you are wondering, pieces have been removed even after they have been sewn together.  My quilts are not only for beds, but also for walls and anything out-of-place will bug the heck out of me.  So, rip it out before it is too late.  That is what I do.

 

Recycled cookie trays were used to hold my fabrics and basted EPP pieces.  I sure had quite the system going and used many different trays.

Over the years, I plugged away at this project until finally in August 2013, section C was well on its' way.   Basting ...... over and over and over.  Oh yes, I got so bored with the process and this project got folded up and put away.  This was my summer project and that is when it came out of hibernation.  Started in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 .... every summer.

By the time section D arrived, it was full steam ahead.  The end was so near that I just couldn't put this project off any longer.  So more basting ... more pinning .... more switching around .... more of everything.

My stash.  Well, that is a huge question to try and answer.  I've been collecting stash for over 14 years now and it still continues to grow.

Once it was confirmed on the look that I was going for, I started collecting FQ bundles of a line ... again small prints.  That is what got me really started with this look.  When I first started buying fabrics, it was mostly jewel tones and a yard of this and that and so on.  Nowadays, it is FQ's or Fat Eights or Charms that are bought.  My buying has slowed down and now I concentrate mostly on borders, backgrounds and backings.

What did I use in this top?  Everything.  Mostly small prints ... but everything.  Look closely at all the following photos and you will see Moderns, Repros, Civil War, Asian, Feed Sacks .... everything.  I didn't care what era was used as long as it fit in.  Value?  Medium with some brights and some darks.  The brights and darks were placed in all the sections to even out the look.  That is the key.  Even out the look to make the colour and your eye flow over the quilt.

Have you noticed my background fabrics?  All different.  Often, I will go into a quilt store and pick about 10 fabrics and ask for 1/4 of a metre/yard.  Since all of this neutral fabric was used in other ongoing projects, well, I was starting to run out.  Once sections C and D came along, new background fabrics were introduced.  It just makes my top that more interesting to look at.

Storing my stash.

My stash is stored in bins and are labelled accordingly.  When I need a particular fabric, it is easy to find it.  The photos below are only a sampling of my bins of fabric.

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My studio is very bright and my fabric bins, UFO bins, backings and battings are all stored behind the curtains that you see in the photo below.  My precious stash has to be protected.  :o)

So, have your questions about my stash and my scrappy method been answered?

Now, go forth and create your own masterpiece and have a blast doing it!

Have a great day!