I have another little finish to share with you today. Once again I was distracted while going through bins as I settle into my new quilt room. I came across some leftover strips from a quilt I made before I even had a blog! I have moved and shifted those strips for so long, it was time to either toss them or do something with them. So I stitched them all together into a little mini quilt top.
I didn’t give much thought to sewing the strips together. The 2-inch-ish strips are leftover from a Buggy Barn quilt pattern with gold stars and red and white stripes. Anyway, I just flipped the strips this way and stitched them together.
For the backing, I grabbed a couple of scraps sitting on my table that happened to be just the right size and color. Two more scraps used up – yay! A scrap piece of Warm & Natural batting, just the right size, and I was ready to quilt.
I thought a little wavy quilting would be fun. I planned to use either tan or red thread, but I decided to experiment a bit and used an unusual color of thread, Aurifil 40 wt thread in Desert Dawn. For the bobbin, I used a 50 wt thread in a deep russet (also Aurifil, but don’t recall the name). When I do wavy quilting, I start a little off center and sew three lengths, dividing that half of the quilt into thirds. Then I go back and add in more waves between those lengths, if that makes sense. I repeat for the other side. Doing that helps me get a balanced look, and also helps me keep the waves fairly straight.
I used blue strips for the binding, adding a little bit of a patriotic look, but not so much that the quilt can’t be used for other occasions. The blue fabric was just enough for the strips, with a bit leftover for my smaller scrap bin.
Another little finish using up scraps is always a good thing, right? This little mini measures 14 inches by 22 inches. No idea where I will use this wonky little quilt yet, but it sure looks nice with the flowers, don’t you think?
Happy Wednesday, everyone!
Wendy
Your new mini looks great with the flowers, I like how you are using up bits and pieces instead of putting them away for another day.
It certainly does look lovely with the flowers and, of y, the wavy quilting. You certainly are on a roll!
What a cute finish, and I love that thread! Nicely done and perfect for those flowers.
Yay for using up more scraps and not just chucking them into another spot like I do!
Not only have you used up scraps (Brava!), but you used the resultant mini-topper as a piece to experiment with different threads and machine quilting. Those types of pieces are perfect for such exploratory fun IMHO!
That’s a great little finish. Love the tip on how you quilt the waves and achieve the balanced look!
Your mini is adorable!! Hugs,
Hi Wendy! It is a very cute finish, and using up all of those scraps has to feel great. You saved them because you loved them and now you can enjoy the sweet completion. It looks quite spiffy on your outside table sporting some seasonal flowers. Nice job! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
LOVE it, Wendy!! It’s my favorite kind of scrappy.
That’s a cute bonus runner! … a perfect little creative Dreami
That’s so cute, Wendy! Good for you for sewing those strips into something fun and useful instead of putting them back in the drawer. I love wavy quilting like that and haven’t done any in awhile. It’s perfect for this little piece!
That’s a lovely finish and love the thread experiment. It looks great on the table…and I am sure it will find a good home.
How fantastic that going through everything is inspiring you to get these pieces used and into finished quilts. I really like the movement between the piecing and quilting on this, and it does look great with your flowers!
What a win all around – you made a cute table piece and used up something sitting in limbo – great inspiration to all of us who have similar things hanging around….Bravo.
These scraps just had to marinate until the time was right! You are at a stage where experimenting and exploration is fun and the mini is terrific! Well done! 🙂
Love it Wendy. 🙂
I absolutely love this!!!!!
Super cute and fun. I like what you did with it.
A very fun mini quilt from those left overs. I’m using left overs on a quilt back that’s in the works. There’s a thrill when you manage to find a home for something that’s been hanging out in the stash for awhile. Have a great holiday weekend.
This is a lovely finish and it does look great with the flowers 🙂