Scrappy Triangles

Whew, it's been a while! A few kind friends have asked where I've been, and I thought I'd do a quick update post and share what little sewing I manage to do these days. The short version is that I've been writing - not another quilting book, but writing for educational publishers. My background is in teaching, writing, and literature, so it's really a great fit. It doesn't leave me with much time or energy for quilting though. As much fun as blogging is, it does require quite a bit of time. Instagram is a much easier way for me to share quick snapshots.  I didn't take the time to get "real" photos of this project along the way, so I'll share my IG shots. In need of scrap therapy, I managed to cut a few triangles in the evenings and ended up with an inspiring stack.

A photo posted by Alexandra Ledgerwood (@teaginny) on Nov 10, 2016 at 11:07am PST

The next step seemed to me to be some mindless chain sewing around the holidays. So relaxing.

A photo posted by Alexandra Ledgerwood (@teaginny) on Dec 13, 2016 at 10:44am PST

I played around with the triangles on the design wall and discovered that creating color gradations with a stack of scrappy print fabrics is a real challenge. Value is complicated by white in so many prints, not to mentioned how multicolored prints read from a few steps back. Then there is the fact that in places I wanted a certain color to transition between color blocked areas of the design, but that color wasn't present in my scrap bins. It took some careful arranging, thought, and compromise. I challenge you to try it; you'll see.

A photo posted by Alexandra Ledgerwood (@teaginny) on Jan 15, 2017 at 10:09am PST

I am happy with my final arrangement, which I will share soon. I'm hoping to get a little time to baste the top this weekend. I am usually inclined towards limited color palettes, but there is something about a rainbow in winter. I decided not to fight it.

Improv Strip Sets Revisited

Wow, it is cold outside.  I'm distracting myself from the subzero temps forecast for us overnight and a third snow day in a row tomorrow by playing with my scrap strips.  I was inspired by the colors in this photo.  It made me remember why green is my favorite color and wonder why I don't sew with it more!

I'm creating simple 5 x 10 finished blocks from improv strip sets, just like the ones I made for The Therapist.  They couldn't be easier to sew, and they use up all those skinny leftover strips.

I plan on making 40 blocks for a 40 x 50 baby quilt, very similar to Partly Cloudy.  I have just a few more blocks to make, and then I will play with the layout.

 

Therapy from Scraps

If you have a problem with rainbows, you should look away now.

Recently, my bin of scrap strips began to overflow, but really, let's not pretend this long term project is simply a way to remedy a surplus of scrap strips.  No, I'll own up to it.  I enjoy sewing monochromatic strips sets so much, I have gone so far as to accept additional scrap strips from friends, even buying them at times!  In the grand scheme of things, it is an inexpensive form of therapy though, and it's productive too. Right?

When I need a break from the sewing I should be doing, I grab a handful of strips, snip them a bit longer than required, piece, and trim each block into a 5.5 x 10.5 rectangle.  What's not to love?  I get to pair lovely fabrics, do some mindless chain piecing, and rainbows appear.

I don't have a plan for these blocks just yet, although I have in mind two quilts from Scrap Republic  that could be adapted to work.  Lots of possibilities...

For now, I'll keep sewing strip sets. 

Tripping

If you instagram (I'm @teaginny over there), no doubt you've seen many #scrappytripalong blocks popping up.  There is also a flickr group for this informal quilt along.  The tutorial for the block can be found on Quiltville, and it is rather ingenious.  It uses strip sets to create blocks like the ones below.

I started with my scrap bin of 2.5 inch strips and chose any fabrics in plum, teal, aqua, gray, and white.  I've wanted to work with this color scheme for a while, so it's good to finally see them all together.  It feels rich and wintry to me.

When you put the blocks together in this configuration, you get the effect of many trips around the world.  If you keep it scrappy, the "trips" are a little wonky and broken up, which makes it all the more interesting to me. It is really fun to arrange and rearrange them on my design wall.

I have 16 blocks so far with strips for another four.  Perhaps 25 would be a better size.  It's a lot of fun, so I'm not in a rush to finish.

Granny Squares

I told you recently that one of my new strategies for dealing with scraps is to cut most of them into strips and squares.  I used quite a few 2 1/2 inch squares in a bib set, but there were many leftover.  And then Jolene created a tutorial for her granny square quilt blocks.  Perfect!

I can't tell you how fun these are to make.  I'm not one for repetitive sewing, so these are great.  Each one uses different  fabrics, if you're going scrappy, in new combinations. 

These blocks, in happy spring-like colors, are my winter therapy for 2012, for sure.  I added some black to keep them from being too, too sweet, and I like the contrast it adds.