The Summer Scrap Elimination 2022: Week 6

Good morning Summer Scrappers! It's our sixth and final week. This week we're talking about a simple technique for getting beautiful "barber pole" units that can be used in a variety of ways. In our project this time, we'll be using this unit to create a simple table runner, but the block is also great for a larger quilt and is so easily created that with your "striped unit" you can create a larger project with this block fairly quickly.

We also have one more amazing guest designer for you to complete our programming this summer! Be sure to read all the way to the end to find out what all there is to offer.

Cut List for 1 block (finishing 10" x 10"):

1 medium rectangle 2 1/2" x 10"

1 medium dark rectangle 2 1/2" x 10"

1 dark rectangle 2 1/4" x 10"

1 light rectangle 2 1/4" x 10"

4 light strips 1 1/2" x any length

4 medium strips 1 1/2" x any length

Step 1:

Piece the 1 1/2" strips of light and medium fabrics.

Stitch together on their long sides to create a strip set

Press toward the medium fabrics as you add each new strip.

Pro tip: alternate the direction you piece your strips in to keep the strip set as square as possible.

Your strip set will be 8 1/2" x any length. This set is best to work with if it is more than 18" long, but works even if it's shorter and is great if it is longer.

Step 2:

With your strip set on a good cutting surface, align your ruler on a 45 degree angle. With your ruler as far to the left side as possible, trim away one side. Move the ruler over and cut a 2 1/2" unit from the strip set.

Use the following VIDEO to walk you through the steps of creating these 45 degree striped units.

Step 3:

Trim both ends of the units you have made to square both ends.

The resulting unit will measure 2 1/2" x 10"

This method for making 45 degree striped units can be adjusted to make thinner or thicker stripes by cutting your original strips in different widths. You can also make the unit longer or shorter by adjusting the number of strips in the strip set before cutting your units.

Step 4:

Layout your units created in the previous steps with your other rectangles.

Position your 2 1/2" rectangles on either side of the striped unit and the two 2 1/4" rectangles on the outsides of the block as shown here.

Stitch the outside rectangles together and press toward the inside of the block.

Add the striped unit to the center of the block and press toward the outside of the block.

The block will now measure 10" x 10"

I made 10 blocks with this method to create a table runner sized project.

Layout your blocks. I decided to turn every other block 90 degrees to create a "stair step" pattern in the project.

When stitched together this runner will measure 19 1/2" x 48".

When I make this project again in the future, I look forward to making it with more blocks for a larger bed quilt. The sub-pattern should be quite fun in a larger project.

This year I have started a new Tucson local teaching arrangement with Cathey's Sew and Vac and I'm happy to say they have signed on as our sponsor this week in celebration of our new partnership.

Cathey's Sew and Vac is a long standing member of the sewing community here in Tucson, serving the area sewists with machine sales and servicing since the 1960s. With three locations in the greater area, their selection of machines, tools, and services is a mainstay of our quilting community here in Tucson and I look forward to our future relationship.

Cathey's has offered some fabulous prizes this week from Quilters Select. Comment on the Facebook or Instagram posting about this week's Blog post, mention your favorite project from this year's program, and get your name in the jar to win one of 4 prizes! One lucky winner will also be taking home that beautiful new rotary cutter.

Our final guest designer this summer is the incomparable Sue Griffiths from Duck Creek Mountain Quilting. Sue is a talented designer with a diverse skill set. Her clever block designs range from lovely applique to a variety of piecing techniques. I have no doubt that you will enjoy many of her delightful projects. I encourage you to visit her website and see all the exciting options she has to offer you.

This week, Sue has one of her applique projects for you in her blog, which you can find HERE. Get scrappy with Sue's beautiful Autumn Leaf runner and enjoy another great chance to reduce your scrap pile.

I hope you've enjoyed the Summer Scrap Elimination as much as I have! Our sponsors and contributing designers have given us so much to be excited about and projects to help us make the most of our stash materials. To keep playing with new projects this summer, sign up for one of my upcoming classes or join me and two of my fellow designers (Tammy Silvers and Jen Frost) in Summer Sew Away Camp.