Potholders Swap

 

Hello, I hope everyone is doing fine. It's the end of October already. The past few weeks, I have not done much sewing, cos my spondylitis is giving me trouble again. The therapist told me to stop working for a couple of weeks and exercise more regularly. The latter I'm still struggling with. Ha! 

But I managed to finish the potholders swap for our Desi Quilters Pot of Gratitude Swap. It's now received with so much love. Thank you, partner!! Well, working with the mood board assigned to you is pretty challenging. I was assigned this cool mood board by Kuppulakhsmi.  

It took me a couple of days to think about what would be the best fit. I browse Pinterest and Instagram and even made a couple of blocks that I thought would work out, but it was not. So I add those blocks to my PHD bin. I decided to make mini granny square blocks, using 1.5" squares and the color palette in the photos. Well, some shades and added green to brighten it. I found the blue bird print in my stash that is perfect for backing. 

WATCH NOW: HOW TO MAKE SCRAPPY POTHOLDER

And I also got my swap package from Preetha. When she posted the pineapple potholders in the group, I sort of know it's for me but I was not sure. So I'm very happy when they arrived with all the other goodies she sent. The color thread cones are fantastic. I've been searching for one but did not find it in my regular shop. And don't miss the pretty keyring, my initial!! The potholders are so cute that  I put them up in my sewing room now. I don't have the heart to use them. Thank you so much Preetha for the thoughtful gifts! She told me the lady who made the beautiful keyring is battling cancer. If you happen to read up to this part, please send a prayer to her.

As I said, making these potholders is pretty challenging. Besides we have to make according to the mood board, we also learn to make a small block that fits the idea. You can choose, either color or shape from the mood board or a mix of those. I was thinking of different ideas, including making flower appliques, but decided to make a simple one, a granny square block, but using smaller pieces so that I can fit in more colors. Now that reminds me of my UFO Granny Square quilt. 

ALSO READ: How to make a granny square pillow with zipper

All in all, swap is a great learning process and the feeling of receiving gifts of love from our online friends is really warms my heart. 

Thank you for stopping by,

Take care & happy sewing!

Elvira

Granny Squares Quilt Progress

Hello,

Just a quick update on my Granny Squares. I added 4  blocks yesterday. Yay! It feels so good to see all those blocks together. I don't have a design wall, so I made a makeshift wall by hanging a piece of batting on my curtain rod . Sometimes I just leave it there for days that my MIL thought I have a new curtain. Well, that's not a bad idea! 

The picture above was from last week after I added the blue and orange blocks. I kinda like  the blue stripes one. I have same stripe in red and yellow. Maybe I will make another blocks with those 2 colors. 

My scraps are not all of the same weight, mostly local fabrics that I bought more than a decade ago when I started sewing and making dresses. They bring back memories when I used to passionately try different kind of sewing craft, sewing technique, getting to know different kind of cotton fabrics, etc. All these fabrics are part of my sewing journey and I am glad I don't throw them away because they will be part of the quilt that I'm making. Some of them I bought from a small shop in the market before the market was gutted by fire few years ago. Now I wonder if the old man still have the shop! 

So, anyone else doing scrap buster this year? Leave your comment and link below, I'd love to see your projects!

Until next time,

Happy Sewing

- Elvira- 

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Linking up to:

Design Wall Monday

Scrap Buster Challenge

I mentioned in my previous post that I started another quilt after organizing my scraps. Since the beginning of the new year, I've been on the process of sorting out my scraps. So far I cut orange, yellow, pink, red and low volume. 

I always love scrappy yet structured quilts and the easiest will be log cabin. Though I love making scrappy log cabin (like THIS ONE), I always want to make something else. I realized I love small squares, esp 2.5" and 2" and always drooling over those postage stamp quilts on Instagram and Pinterest. Hmm, maybe this time I will be able to make one too.

This year, there are a lot of quilters are doing scrap/stash buster challenge on Facebook and Instagram! If you want to tackle your scraps this year, just enroll on one of them! Well, I did sign up for Pat Sloan Stash Buster Challenge Traffic Jam and I'm still cutting up my squares. I made 4 trial blocks but I think I'm going to change the background color.

I started Granny Squares quilt too from the scraps that I already cut. Oh, I have so many plan in my head already! Many times I have to remind my self to go easy and do one block at a time LOL. I'm not racing with anyone here. I just want to enjoy this process

If you see the picture above, I have 4 blocks of Granny Squares which used scrappy prints in single color. Those were my trial blocks and after looking into so many GS quilts in Pinterest I think, I prefer using 2 prints on white background. I think I will make a cushion cover with the initial 4 blocks. Each block is almost 9" squares, so it will make a nice 18"pillow case, right? Oh I am so excited! 

So far, I am filling up 3 plastic containers. Two of them for 2.5", 2" , 3" and 3.5" squares. For 4" and 5" squares I keep them in another container. It's so satisfying to see all those squares neatly stored ^^. 

If you want to start organizing your scraps, here's few of my tips

1. Sort your scraps by color first. Use the background color or the dominant color(if it's big print) as to determine the color group. 

2. Iron and starch (if necessary) the fabrics.

2. Cut your favorite size first.

3. If you're not sure, you can cut into 5" and 4". I find those size is versatile. You can make 2.5" squares from 5" and 2" from 4". Those size is great to make Half Square Triangle too. 

5. If you don't have big container, put them in shoe boxes by stacking them. That way, your pieces are always ready to use. I used to keep them in sealed plastic but they get crushed and I have to iron them again :D. 

6. Put on your fave show or music. Trust me, this cutting business is fun but tiring. But it will be so worth it!! 

This is going to be FUN year!! 

Happy Sewing

- Elvira-