Even if I only get one made per day, I feel satisfied to have at least accomplished something!
I keep a small plastic box of 1" scrappy strips readily accessible. I use Melly & Me's scrappy challenge tutorial, but employ freezer-paper foundation piecing as it is infinitely quicker. I can make one of these 5" blocks in 20 minutes flat!
And slowly, but surely, these little blocks are accumulating. They make me happy!
I have even taken to using some selvage strips in the blocks which is fun - Ric Rac, the selvedge queen, would be so proud!
What tricks do you have to scratch the stitching itch on a busy day?
What an excellent strategy! I love it. At the moment I do something similar with regard to my housework. Ha Ha! Once my sewing room is tidy I think I might try to emulate you in this regard because I also need sewing for my sanity. Cherrie Thankyou!!
ReplyDeleteBlocks look fantastic Bloom...glad to know you can get at least 20 mins to yourself... xx
ReplyDeleteThey look fantastic! I've got such good intentions to start on mine. Traced out and ready to go. I always have something cut out near the sewing machine for any free little minutes x
ReplyDeleteYour work is beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat blocks and I like the idea of having the one inch strips at the ready. It makes me want to do some.
ReplyDeleteI just love your blocks, I'm not really a quilter in the true sense of the word as I only make quilts to hold my stitcheries together as embroidery is my passion and I do some stitching everyday otherwise I'm not a happy camper but I might try your idea with my scraps and surely making one small block each day shouldn't be a problem, well done what a great job you are doing. I have only come across your blog today through Catherines and I'm so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteHelen
your blocks look great, I really need to get myself ORGANISED, and then I can steal snippets of time as they become available. (yes I was yelling when I said organised). Thanks for sharing your progress.
ReplyDeletePS, love the use of the selvedge
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I keep a basket of strips nearby. I do something houseworky, then sit and sew. Do another thing houseworky, then sit and sew. That way, everything gets done! Mind you, I live alone and am only responsible for myself.
ReplyDeleteThose blocks are totally gorgeous. Very happy.
ReplyDeleteOh, these are pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love your blocks, they are beautiful. I have been doing the same scrappy block thing, but in a spider wed block. Just to sew for a few mins a day.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I completely understand the stir craziness... I am right with you. My husband actually doesn't understand that I cannot just sit still and watch TV. I always have something that I can work on while sitting down (lately yoyos). Not exactly sure why it is... just helps me from going crazy... it is calming to me to sew. Love this post. Love the quilt you are working on. I especially like that you are leaving some of the selvages showing... great idea!
ReplyDeleteI love the colors in the blocks. When looking at the picture I thought the blocks looked pretty big, and then you said 1" scraps so of course I had to read the post again. 5" blocks out of scraps! Wow you are so good! My stitching is no where near that accurate. I want to be like you when I grow up! BTW, I am hosting a giveaway this week to celebrate my 1st blog birthday. Come by and enter!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, those sweet selvedges were the first thing I noticed. They look beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThese blocks are doing the happy dance, they are so bright and cheerful. I am not organized in any way so I sew if I find the time if not then I don´t sew.
ReplyDeletethey look so gorgeous! You have such beautiful scraps! I try to get some hand stitching done each day on the train to work - it's a great way to pass the time (and I am getting so much done at the moment too!)
ReplyDeleteJust love what you have done so far! I'm sure the finished product will be awesome.
ReplyDeleteI always have a few projects going, so I always have something to work on.
My problem is not having a travel project ready to go. I have to work on that.
LOVE THEM!
ReplyDeleteI, too, always have something handy to work on when i can only steal away a few minutes. I've only been quilting since January, but my WORD-- I already feel like I HAVE to sew SOMETHING, even a little, each day. Lately I've been grabbing handfuls of "crumbs" to sew together, just any ol' way. Eventually I'll start chopping them into blocks for something. But for now, I'm happy with just using up the bits and bobs.
Yum Yum Ros. They look good enough to eat. I've got that same problem with stitching at the moment. I just have to pick it up each day, if only for a minute.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love these! They are on my "to-do" list, but you're actually doing them! I'm going to take some tips from you re the freezer paper piecing and having the strips all pre-cut, ready to go. I think I need an evening just to do preparation, so when I have some "spare" time I can squeeze in a block or two. That is, if I can tear myself away from the crochet hook...
ReplyDeleteLove them! I wish I could do something like that but the scrappy thing freaks me out LOL
ReplyDeleteI always keep stitcheries at hand so if I have a spare minute I can do it, usually have one in my handbag, one in my work bag and one in the lounge room!
It's comforting to know that other people get a little crazy without some stitching time, I am very guilty of it too. Your blocks look great, can't wait to see the quilt that evolves.
ReplyDeleteThat is going to be one beautiful quilt. You did a fabulous job of putting the lovely fabric colors together. So fresh and neat. I have been so busy knitting dishcloths and I am feeling a really HUGE need to sit at my sewing machine and sew some fabric together. Hopefully soon!!! The way you have put together these lovely blocks has inspired me to just DO IT!
ReplyDeleteLovely!! I love those block! I've just discovered you blog from Sew, Mama, Sew! because of your book cover tutorial. I am now a fan!
ReplyDeletesaw your blocks on flickr...love them. i'm still working on mine!
ReplyDeleteI love your blocks.. it looks like your scraps match so well.. are they from different fabric lines or all the same one? I will have to do some research on the freezer paper piecing..
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Those blocks would have made me happy too! They will make a gorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous blocks. I carry my little craft tote around the house with me to steal a moment of crafting whenever I can. Nothing specific, a button or two sewn on maybe or a bit of papercrafting perhaps. It satisfies the urge though....
ReplyDelete