More scraps! I'm hopeless.
A couple of days ago now I went to our local package delivery place (Paczkomat) and picked up a big box of scraps I bought for an incredible price - about $1/lb. for scraps.
I was especially curious, not only because I pretty much have caught up to cutting scraps (oh no - I forgot about all the ones I’m creating day by day as trimmings off the charity quilts -oops!) but also because these are all Polish fabric scraps and I can check out what the designs look like as printed fabric and not just pictures on a computer screen.
We all know that can be quite different.
I never mind if the fabric is BETTER than the computer monitor, but when the fabric is “not as nice” as the computer monitor, that bothers me. And it’s happened to me more than once here - so I’m pretty careful about that these days. I’m always wondering how the fabrics will look once I get them. I was terribly disappointed once - but now I look with more discerning eyes as I check out the designs on the monitor. Of course, seeing them in person is the best.
But when I opened this box of pieces, I was delighted to see that a lot of them were quite long and wide - considering.
I’m quite pleased. Most of the Polish fabric designs do not overwhelm me with their complexity or beauty. In fact, quite the opposite. I have to look long and hard to find ones that are interesting enough for me - ones that do not look amateurish in design/drawings.
Many look like children drew them - and there isn’t much realistic about them and I tend to prefer a more realistic look. I don’t always buy just those, however, as obviously I have to buy what is available here for the backing fabrics.
So I look until I see things that I think will work. Buying this box of scraps gave me a chance to check out a LOT of the fabrics the companies I like to buy from offer. And, a lot of these pieces ae quite long - and plenty wide enough for the two side pieces as shown on the pattern below.
Here are some of the pieces after I stacked them and organized them more or less by base color. The cool thing is that most of these are children’s, and THIS time it’s perfect. Normally I’m not that crazy about children’s prints, but this time, I was hoping for them. The scrap box is random - you don’t choose what you want, so I believe God had it under control and He knew what I wanted for these tops.
They are perfect for the pattern I’m working on that looks like this. I’ve been cutting out several more for boy quilts but was wishing for some more fabrics that would be good to go with this design. I especially needed/wanted fabric for those two side pieces which are kind of skinny and long.
Scrapbook style quilt in the perfect size for my charity quilts. It’s freely adapted from a free pattern that was on line but is no longer there. (I expanded it and adjusted for my use.) The thick black lines are cut 2.5” strips. I want to make up the boy/chidlren’s quilts using solid red or royal blue and not black. I also need to redo the sizes on these as I should have always put the width first - but I didn’t do that.
When I realized, to my horror, on Sunday, that I had exactly 6 (six) quilts with a typical “boy” theme - and I wasn’t planning on doing a bunch of children’s quilts this time around - I panicked.
I can’t have that. Just can’t. So, in addition to quilting two quilts a day, and sandwiching three a day, I’ve been finishing up some of the tops I have from my friend, Fran, which are more red, blue, cars and motorized vehicles type things themed.
Plus, I have over 20 Spiderman panels so I opted to finish up 6 of them. I had known I needed more boy quilts - I just didn’t realize I was THAT low until Sunday when I set out the quilts for the couple from the Ukraine who left everything there (they are from near where Russia took over) and are starting over here.
I numbered the pieces and fixed the sizes on on the pattern - not by computer - not yet anyway - just with my pencil!
I enjoy making the pattern shown above and since the pieces are large, it makes an impression and goes together quickly. All of the ones I’ve made with it have been taken - and quickly.
Once I cut the pieces, I put them in a zipper type bag with the number on it so I can more easily keep track of the pieces.
So, in the last few days I’ve cut out most of the pieces for 10 more of these - all with boys in mind.
Obviously I don’t regulate it if someone with a girl wants a quilt like this - it doesn’t bother me. Maybe the girl likes trucks/cars and animals. So, I don’t care. I just need to make some that aren’t pink/purple and girly.
Then, just to show you how wonderful you all here - and for eye candy - here is a donated top - from one of you wonderful people in Facebook-land (I’m pretty sure!) - it’s simple, but turned out fantastic - and will be snatched up!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I wanted to quilt it especially nice and so I quilted it on both sides of the seamlines - all going one direction. Looks quite classy. I’m showing you the back as well.
Then, another one made by one of my elves here in Poland - and I so appreciate it! I had a bunch of squares that were sitting here, so I gave them to Ewa and she explained it to her mom and she made me this top (among others)!
I love how this project is turning into such a group effort! You all are wonderful! I appreciate you so much!
Have a great day wherever you are reading this!
Don’t forget - if you need anything from store, check it out here!
Here’s one of our panels - good advice for your family! by Timeless Treasures.
