Summer Scrap Elimination 2020 Week 1
Welcome Scrappers to the third annual Summer Scrap Elimination Project! 6 weeks of free projects to help you cut down on your fabric scraps. I am so excited about what is in store for you this time around. We are going to start with a simple project (easy cutting and easy piecing) that is expandable and fun. We're going to make pillows, aprons, throw quilts, and wall hangings this summer as we work to turn our scrap piles into beautiful pieces of joy.
I wanted to start off this week with a great project that lends itself well to just three colors. I love Halloween Quilts so I did our sample version this week in Orange, Black/Grey, and White. Throughout the blog this week, I'll give you some other color ideas that might help inspire you with your scrap stash.
Cut list for one block finishing 12" x 10"
(multiply by the number of blocks you intend to make):
Background: Two rectangles 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"
One square 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"
Four squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
One rectangle 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
One rectangle 3 1/2" x 7 1/2"
Dark: One square 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"
One rectangle 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"
Color: Four squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Step 1: Using the Dark 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" square and the 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" square of Background, make two HSTs (Half Square Triangles).
With right sides together, draw a 45 degree angled line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Stitch a 1/4" seam on either side of the drawn line. Cut on the drawn line. Press your HSTs toward the darker fabric. With your completed HSTs, organize your block pieces as you see below.
Your HSTs should measure 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".
If you wanted this to be a Patriotic Quilt, you could easily make this a white background, Blue for the Dark, and Red instead of White.
2. Next we'll assemble the center of the block. With right sides together stitch each of the four 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares of color to a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square of background. Press toward the color.
Connect the stitched squares as shown in the image. Then, with right sides together add the 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles as shown in the image. Always press toward the color. Your center will look like the image below on the left.
Finally, pin the center two sections together and stitch the long seam. Press to the left. Your center section will now look like this image on the right.
3. With right sides together, stitch the HST on the left side to the 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" dark rectangle and press toward the rectangle. Check the orientation of the HST on the right side and stitch the HST to the 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" background rectangle and the 3 1/2" x 7 1/2" background rectangle. Press toward the background rectangles. Your block should now look like the image below.
4. Stitch both sides to the center of the block. Press toward the left side of the block. The finish block will look like the image below and should measure 12 1/2" x 10 1/2".
Another color plan I thought of was to use black for the background color, and choose two other close colors (yellow and orange, purple and red, purple and blue). This might result in an electric feel.
5. Make as many block as you like (I made 12 because I had this fun background left over from another project and there was just enough for 12 blocks). Then decide how you would like to lay out your blocks. I enjoyed the way the quilt looked if I flipped every other row of blocks.
6. Now you can stop here if you want to, but I had piles of orange left and a few of the
bits of grey left as well. So I decided to make borders for both sides. If you like the way the borders look, you will need 144 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".
I love the way this made the quilt more exciting.
Believe it or not, I still had extra orange and grey squares when I finished, so I put them all together and added borders big enough to make a 20" x 20" pillow after it's quilted and trimmed.
I hope you enjoy Week 1 of the Summer Scrap Elimination Project! Here at the Studio we love to offer you fun ways to play with your fabric as well as benefits for joining us for our programs. Our treat for you during the Summer Scrap Elimination, from now until the end of July, is free shipping on anything and everything on the website. Simply use the code "Scrappy" when you check out.
Choose from tools, kits, and patterns all summer long and don't worry about a dime of shipping. If you need more scrap projects, I suggest taking a look at patterns like Nine Patch Play, Mesa Magic, Popped Color, Hexplosion, Brilliant Leaves, Daisy Chain, and Equity.
Remember, we love to see your projects! Post your Summer Scrap Elimination creations on the Swan Amity Studios Facebook page and show everyone what you're making this summer.
Be sure to tune in next week for a special free motion video to go with your project and a prize giveaway opportunity! I'll see you then, my quilty friends! Happy Scrapping!
