I was doing some experimenting with scraps. I like how this turned out, but I am going to tweek a few things before I put out the pattern. This line of fabric was s"Happy Daisey" by Chloe's Closet. Pretty...picnic colors!

I love using scraps to make up small quilts to try out new patterns. I had bought a fat quarter bundle of this line and there were a few FQs I didn't use much of. I sewed them together and found a few other scraps that matched, and I used them for the back. Fabric is so expensive now, if I can use my scraps to make a back, I always do. It is well worth the extra time.

I have finally gotten good at putting my binding on with my sewing machine and not hand sewing it onto the back. Wow, I love it! I think it looks great too. It has to be better for baby blankets that get a lot of wear and tear and washed a lot. I have also been trying out some new quilting designs. This is one of my favorites. You don't have to mark the fabric and I think the wavy lines are pretty easy to repeat in parallel lines. Even if you make some "mistakes", when you take a step back and look at the completed quilt, it looks great.



I did some experimenting with my quilting. I like all of them but my favorite is in the picture below with the curvy lines. Now I just have to get the bindings on before Christmas!

I spent about an hour experimenting with some scraps. I have to make some "mug rugs" for our Modern Quilting Guild meeting.

I started by sewing some scraps together, then cutting them apart on an angle.

Then sewing them back together.

This idea below is one I have been wanting to try. When you sew the pieces back together, it is tricky getting the opposite sides to match up. I ended up sewing the strip on one side, and then trimming the ends of the strip to be flush with the block, then sewing the other side on.

Here are my results. It was fun, I definately learned a few things! I will have a few "mug rugs" to give out to my kids' teachers at Christmas time!!

I have to say, I get stuck in my ways. But, I am happy to announce, I have just started to ween myself off of Moda precuts. SLOWLY... I am writing a book for Martingale, and I want a variety of colors and fabrics in the quilts. The batiks are so rich and beautiful, I couldn't resist them. So far I made two quilts with the batiks, one with a layer cake and one with a jelly roll. The batiks are great because almost all of the fabrics contrast with white and/or cream, it makes my patterns even easier to make.

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