Getting ready for my 2014 Quilt Along

I'm busily working away on the 2014 quilt along (QAL) quilt and it is coming together nicely. One of the reasons is that I had plenty of scraps at the ready. I hate to throw out scraps of fabric because I know that if I do, I'm going to need that very scrap the next day and it will be gone, gone, gone! So when I have small or irregular scraps I square them up to 1 1/2" and save them. I have a zip lock bag filled with 1 1/2" squares. They come in handy for making nine patch blocks which I use as leaders and enders. Those nine patch blocks get sewing into quilts like my Baskets and Nine Patches. You will find the free pattern under the tab Patterns by Karen H.

Baskets and Nine Patches, 2013

They also came in very handy for my quilt along quilt. Here's another little teaser!

So if you have small scraps, before you throw them out why not think about trimming them up and starting your own 1 1/2" square stash! I only cut up small scraps - I don't cut up larger pieces or leftover strips because I know that the minute after I cut them up I'll need a larger piece of that very fabric. I only trim the small or irregular scraps.

Are you a fan of Baltimore album quilts? There's no doubt that they are gorgeous and amazing in their detail, complexity and workmanship but I find them overwhelming. There's so much detail that you almost don't see it! For me it is like the difference between running to catch a bus versus running a marathon. I can do the running for the bus thing but running the marathon holds no appeal!

I often look at my quilt making in the same way. I can add little details, the kind you might find in a Baltimore album without having to run the marathon of actually making a Baltimore album! And when those little details are used selectively they can make a quilt block sparkle.  Details can be adding by fussy cutting the odd patch in a block such as the centre in my Lazy Punk block.

Alternatively you can add to the patch to a finished block to kick it up a notch. As an example, take a look at this hexagon block. The centre hexagon measures 1" along the edge. I fussy cut the leaf motif for the centre but it is dull.

I fussy cut a circle, basted the raw edge under by hand and appliqued in in the centre of the hexagon. Instant sparkle and interest! The whole thing took ten minutes.

Here is another example. The block has a kaleidoscopic look but it is dull.

Again I fussy cut a flower, basted under the edge by hand and appliqued it in place. Ten minutes was all it took from start to finish.

You can add little details to jazz up any block. Try adding a pretty little button, embroidery or applique to make the block special! If you want to make my QAL quilt maybe you'll be able to use this embellishment method in your quilt!

If you are looking for a morning smile the drop by Pots and Pins to read about Nan's trip on the snow train!

Until I post again, happy sewing!