I have several bins full of fabric scraps, little blocks, and even big blocks. Sometimes the bigger blocks come from testing a new-to-me block or construction method. Sometimes I make more than a couple blocks for a bee and hold back the few that don't make the cut. Other times, I just make too darn many blocks. When the bin has enough blocks, it is time to make another quilt.
This is another of those quilts. There isn't a real rhyme or reason to layout. I try to match up elements to make interesting things. Like that big orange diamond.
I decided it would be a great time to use up a bunch of leftovers of wide backing fabric, too. I used three pieces to make this backing. This is how I measure my backing to make sure it is big enough for my quilt. I fold the backing into quarters (fold in half, then fold in half again) and do the same with the top. Place the folded edges of the top on the folded edges of the backing and make sure you have enough all around. I like to have at least 6" on the sides (for the long arm clamps) and at least 3" at the top and bottom (for pinning to the long arm frame). This backing was actually much bigger than I needed but I didn't trim the excess until after quilting. It is so much harder to add to a backing once it is on the frame than it is to trim after the quilting is done. That remaining strip will find its way into another quilt.
I quilted with mostly swirls. This kind of quilt doesn't lend itself to fancy quilting. This quilt is destined for the travel trailer, so fancy isn't important. There is one mediocre feather in there somewhere.
Almost every year I make a quilt made up of leftover bits and blocks. Sometimes they're even called
Scrap Happens. The only way to tell them apart is the date.
Even the binding came out of the bind of leftover binding. Making this a real scrappy masterpiece.
And that bin of 12" squares? Yeah, only about halfway full now. I need to get to work on some more scrappy blocks!
Other scrappy masterpieces:
Scrap Happens (2009)Scrap Happens 2012 and Part 2 of Scrap Happens 2012Scrap Happy (2013)Scrappy Stars (2014) Scrappy Bee Blocks (2015)
Scrap Vortex (2015)
Stringing Along (2017)Sparkle (2017)
I love this idea! I have a pile of orphan blocks that I occasionally turn into placemats or pot holders or table runners, but they've been sitting for a long time and this would be a great use of them! I'm going to have to delve into looking at all of your Scrap Happens quilts!
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