Monday, May 16, 2016

Pink Doxies' Scrappy Quilt


I officially have less of a scrap stash than before, but admittedly could make another of these if not 2. Then there's the bin with the more traditional colors, but that's another story. I needed a finish yesterday--not to post, but for inner satisfaction. I needed to hear the purr of my machine, and I needed some time alone. My husband calls my studio, "Your Happy Place." I spent most of the day there feeding strips through my vintage Pfaff, and was perfectly content.

Three hours of sewing in the morning converted the chunks I'd already sewn together weeks ago in to these two slabs. It was around 50" x 60" then. It still needed to grow to be a comfy size for a throw.


Another 4 hours of sewing in the afternoon grew it to 60" x 66". I sewed my little heart out. What a great way to fritter away a cold May day!



Double Duty Design Walls

By late afternoon, the sun shines through my window making good pictures difficult, but I wanted you to see how I 'layer' quilts, if need be, on the design wall. I just hang strips of batting paper over the loose pieces of one quilt to keep them from sticking to the back of the top one. It saves taking one down to put the next up temporarily. I know some quilters use a sheet, but I got tired of them sticking to that, too. Paper leftovers work great.

And now a question for you. 

I think people either passionately love, or emphatically hate scraps quilts. I love the look of this quilt, the mixture of these happy fabrics, and the feeling of repurposing the leftover bits and pieces. I abhor the term "Scrap Vomit". I've mulled over "Scrap Candy", "Bits of Honey", and a few others, but none really strike me. Do you have another cheery, positive term for scrap quilts? Can we please come up with a more upbeat term? Please leave it in the comments for me.

Come on, Doxie girls.
The floor needs a good sweep today,
and then we'll go sew.

68 comments:

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I LOVE scrappy quilts, and never liked that other term either! I've made a completely scrappy trip around the world and a Scrap Vortex (Crazy Mom Quilt's name for it) like yours, as well as other scrappy quilts inspired by Quilting is More Fun than Housework's Scrap-a-Palooza series. I love them all and yours is gorgeous!

Ellie said...

Scrap-fetti and Scrap Cassorole come to mind. Love this one! I've only done this on a wall hanging size but I must do it again!
Ellie

Louise said...

Julie, this is a beautiful quilt! I'm in the camp of loving scrappy pieces, although I admit I've used the term you don't like! But this got me thinking about better words. Where do you find a mix of individual things that blend together into a bigger, more joyful whole?

Gardens, neighborhoods, playgrounds, congregations, dance floors, meadows, aquariums, dog parks, soup bowls! Anywhere people, animals, flowers or food gathers, the more eclectic the mix, the better :)

Your quilt top is particularly exuberant, so how about Scrap Recess? It's like dozens of happy kids, running around joyfully.

I just found you through Confessions of a Scrap Addict and your guest post. Now I'm bookmarking your site!

Rebecca Grace said...

"Scrap" quilts are my favorite, but I make fake scrap quilts by buying jelly rolls or FQs and chopping them up into scraps, using them in just one block and then putting the rest away for another project. Whenever I pull out one of those previously used fabrics I get a warm feeling; it instantly takes me back to the previous project and brings back memories, and reminds me of how far I've come.

Having said that, not all scrap quilts are equally attractive, but that's true of ANY kind of quilt. There needs to be just as much design planning and cohesion in a scrap quilt as in any other quilt, if not more so. Yours works really well because your scraps are all vibrant, cheerful brights. It's exuberant and joyful. Now, if you had thrown in a bunch of Civil War repros and John Deere tractor novelty prints (don't laugh, I actually own this fabric in my stash),it would not be nearly as effective!

Robby said...

It's really great, but I tend toward the bright and slighly wild side. Scrap garden? A quilt you 'grow' from your scraps and it ends in an explosion of glorious color like your garden, if it's a good year.

Quilter Kathy said...

I love this! It's amazing!
I am making a similar scrap quilt and using "Scrap Vortex" from Crazy Mom Quilts.
I know what you mean about having another scrap box with older, darker, and more traditional scraps that I haven't used up.

Eleanor said...

I've seen people refer to scrap vomit when the scraps don't work together - these just sing together! It's a fantastic result!

Browndirtcottage said...

I. LIKE.

Sheila said...

I LOVE scrappy quilts. Most of the quilts I make are scrap quilts. I don't care for the "scrap vomit" name and never use it.
I absolutely love, love, LOVE your colorful scrap quilt. Most of my pot holders are made with my smallest scraps and I call them "Super Scrappy". That's what I call your quilt and quilts like them. Super Scrappy!

Tish Stemple said...

I LOVE scrappy quilts. I can get a bit overwhelmed piecing them together but the turnout is always worth it. I like Scrap Candy :)

Jayne said...

I too love scrap quilts! It's a collection of fabrics from other projects and always brings back memories from each of those! Your quilt is Scraptastic!!

Lena Pugacheva said...

I like your scrap quilt and scrap quilts in general. I think the proper name for them should be something like Candy Mix (you know, quilters seem to like sweet terms terms like layer cakes and jelly rolls ;)))

Yvonne said...

Love the scrappiness of your quilt. I wish I had the confidence to go that scrappy as it looks gorgeous and happy.

Quilt och Söm said...

Jag gillar verkligen Lenas förslag med candy quilts, jo det är fint med scrapskviltar men jag är jättedålig på scraps, något man måste lära sig tror jag.
Kram

SarahZ said...

I love scrappy! How bout "Scrap Happy"? I have one top I call my Scrap-nado, because it really did draw me in before it finally tossed me out again, ol! But I don't care for "vomit" in any context!!!

Unknown said...

I love scrap quilts and certainly your scrap quilt. I always think 'Happy scrappy'!!!!!

Linda Swanekamp said...

I love these quilts! I took a class 2 years ago with Victoria Findlay Wolfe and made two quilts. She calls it made fabric and that is what I am sticking with! Love yours!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

ScrapHappy sprang to mind when I spotted your quilt! ScrapMagic... ScrapPlay...ScrapBasket Fun...SimplyScrappy... I too love a scrap quilt!

Susan4cats said...

I've just always called them scrappy. Descriptive, playful, don't see why anything else is needed.

Sharon - IN said...

I've heard of scrap quilts like these called "scrap therapy." Don't you think that suits?! You enjoyed your hours of sewing, using up scraps, you have a gorgeous quilt top to show for your time, and the sound of your purring machine all added up to therapy! Much better than medications! har har!

And, scrap vomit - I wish that term would go bury its self. Not a pleasant image AT.ALL.

Verria said...

I love leftover lunacy. They make me feel good

margaret said...

I love scrap quilts. I call mine Scrap Heaven.

Angie in SoCal said...

I love scrap quilts, but hate to make them because it takes me forever to just make one block! I have to let go! I like Scrappy quilt.

Jo said...

Have a look at this post. I have a friend that uses the tiniest of fabric.... 1" square scraps, orphan blocks left over from everyone's projects and other blocks that haven't worked properly... She calls these quilts BLOCKS ON PARADE.
http://shez-enjoyinglife.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/kilmore.html

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Made me smile!

Kate said...

Scrap quilts always seem to strike me has having a lot of the unexpected in them. Love the bright colors in your scrappy quilt.

Stitchin At Home said...

I need to do something with my scraps, and just letting go might be just what I need to do.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

I LOVE that one!! And I had never thought of using the batting paper to seperate quilts on my design wall - I am so excited to have learned something new!!

Jan said...

There are so many rectangles in your wonderful quilt top that it makes me think Scrap Maze could be a good name for this one. There seem to be pathways, in my mind.

Julie said...

Thank you, Diann. A Trip Around the World is definitely on my wish list, but I really admired how Linda @Kokaquilts did one. She called it Trippin'Lightly Round and Round. It's a fresh take, and I love it, but there will be more scrap quilts forthcoming here.

I don't mind Scrap Vortex from Crazy Mom, but even then I think of being sucked into an abyss. Scrap quilts are just happy, joyful, sick-day-special pieces, and I'm glad I'm not the only one turned off by 'barf terms'. We'll come up with some good ideas here to change that.

em's scrapbag said...

Scrap quilts are my favorite kind of quilt. Your's is wonderful! A scrappy potluck! :)

Julie said...

Wow, Louise, I'm glad you found me, and I do love your list! One word, dance, is striking me as a favorite. It IS like a dance of colors, images, and prints. I can see children running around crazy, too. I'm not sure I'm there yet, but these are so much better than the V word. Thanks for the ideas.

Julie said...

A friend of mine calls them "Crumb Quilts". She uses up all her bitty crumbs. I make a lot of kitchen sink soups where just about whatever is in the fridge winds up in the soup. Scrap-fetti sounds like a happy party. I like that.

Thanks for your help.

Julie said...

OMG!A girl after my own heart. I've done this, too. I even strip my stash just to do scrappy.

It's interesting you saw that I did make color choices. I did. I stuck to reds, blues, yellows, greens, mainly, and tints and hues of those. Also, scrap quilts can look too Skittlish if there isn't an anchor, so I used mostly chocolate browns. My exception to the rule was any color if it was a spot or dot. That way I had a little variety, but not too much. There are also very few fabric with a white or cream background, and just a scattering of solids.

Also, I purposely kept my Star Wars stuff out of it, even though it would have made the cut color wise. ; )

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

I agree with Rebecca Grace - not all scrap quilts are created equal. I'm drawn to the ones that appear to have some sort of plan behind them and not just any ol' scrap thrown in the mix. Yours is visually appealing because of all the bright colors and the shapes of the scraps. I don't have a good name, but I know you'll find the perfect one!

Julie said...

I love English gardens for their mixed up flowers tumbling one over the next. I get what you're saying. Also like the grow from your scraps idea. Excellent imagery!

Julie said...

Thank you so much! I wonder if there would be any way to juice up those traditional scraps to make them more fun. Certainly there has to be a way to liven up more serious fabrics. Any ideas?

Julie said...

OH! That's a different take on it that I'd never heard before. I might agree with it under those circumstances, but not when so many of them are just so beautiful. Thank you for sharing a proper way to use the term.

Julie said...

Smiling back at ya'! Me, too.

Julie said...

I think I'm going to have to compile a list at this point, and I'll be adding Super Scrappy. I'm so glad you are discerning about the term, too.

Julie said...

Tish, it's like eating candy. Bits at a time are enough. But then you get down to the end of the Easter basket, and realize it's getting stale so you gorge. At least that's what I did. I like Scrap Candy, too.

Julie said...

You know, Jayne, that's one of the best parts picking out all the pieces you'd used in other quilts. Most of these I remember giving away, and a few were hard to because I loved the fabrics. This is like a second chance at having the quilt to myself again. Thank you so much.

Julie said...

Yes! I agree. Something happy, sweet, non-caloric please, but a positive term, thank you.

Julie said...

Yvonne, start with blocks and then keep going. I included a good many orphan blocks in this that were too bright to turn into a hot pad or such, but blend right in. I also rarely cut a piece of fabric unless it was over 10". Most were just grabbed and matched with another of similar size. I also tried to match up complementary colors, but not always. Sometimes 3 colors worked together where 2 did not. And don't forget to add some darks somewhere to keep it grounded. You must have darks.

Julie said...

Hej, Helene. Jag tycker det med. Jag har funnit att behöver fortfarande regler med scraps. Om du är inte bekvämt med dem kan du kanske träna med dem som leaders och enders för praktik. Det är bara en idé. Lycka til.

Julie

Julie said...

OMG, how funny! I think scrap piecing can be exhausting, too, because you don't necessarily have a beginning or an end. I had to set a timer to let me know when it was okay to go on to something else. I was amazed when I saw I'd spent the entire day just adding a few inches to the whole perimeter. They are deceiving if you've never made one.

Cbowers said...

Scrap Happy or Scrappy Go Lucky

Julie said...

Thank you, Marrtje. I imagine with all your paper piecing you have some tremendous scraps. That would make me very happy in itself.

Julie said...

First of all, seriously?! You lucky girl! I like 'made fabric', but add it to another I've never heard of. Thank you, Linda.

Julie said...

I can see that, too, but not while I was in the making process. Two totally different perspectives between piecing and viewing. Thank you.

Julie said...

Thank you, Em. Adding it to the long list for tomorrow's post. Glad you're another scrap lover, too.

Julie said...

I'm always glad to share a trick with a fellow quilter. I hate that the paper goes to waste so I've used it for designing longarm patterns, and also rolling around quilts if I roll them on tubes. I prefer to roll a quilt than to fold it so I avoid nasty creases. The paper helps to keep it wrinkle free on the tube, too.

Christine Slaughter said...

I love scrappy quilts, and yours is just a bunch of Happy Scrappy Bits! (And I actually like that term to describe scrappy quilts too!)

Sew Surprising said...

Ohhhh its scrappy and I love it :) must be the week for it I finished one yesterday as well :) Instead of scrappy what about Left Over Love ;)

Julie said...

Linda, your quilts always speak to me, and I think in part because you use a lot of different fabrics in each one. Your scrapiness shows in spades! I've added all your suggestions to the list. Thank you.

Julie said...

Sometimes just calling it what it is works. I agree.

Julie said...

Another goodie. I like that, too.

Julie said...

Angie, we need to do one together. Maybe if we created a few ideas we could get people started. A loose, informal quiltalong perhaps? I would love to see an ongoing linky where everyone could share. Thoughts?

Julie said...

Kate, I like to see them as the Eye Spy books my kids had when they were little. I suppose I liked wordless books most because they were more involved, and I had a few moments of quiet. But you bring up a good point: We like the unexpected in them. I think it's fun to add a precious little fussy cut of a cat or something that we can spy in the fabric if we continue to look for it. They draw us in to look for all the others we think might be hidden.

Julie said...

Giggling, but shall we all croon "Let It Go" while we grab and stitch?

Julie said...

Upbeat and positive are coming across loud and clear!

Julie said...

I LOVE this! It's beautiful.

Julie said...

Thanks for two good ones. Scrappy Go Lucky sounds like a great 'turnaround' term, taking the good ones with the bad.

Julie said...

Got it! Like the draw of the moon does. We like to stare at them both.

Julie said...

I had to save your comment for last, Sharon, because it is SO true. It is absolutely therapy to all the senses. I know I'm not I'm not the only one who uses sewing as a fix either. The alternative is what Huckleberry Finn used to say:

"I tell ya, I had to sneak up to the attic and cuss for ten minutes just to get the taste back ..."

He should have had a Pffaf.

JanineMarie said...

I always think of these kinds of quilts as Scrap Happies because they can't fail to bring a smile to your face. I've never made one, but it's on my mental to do list. I like your idea of using the batting paper between your projects.

TheEclecticAbuela said...

Scrap Party--I love making scrappy quilts. I find that I feel fenced-in when I try to do a 2 or 3 fabrics quilt! (Hmmmmmm, fenced-in--maybe "Free-Range" scrappy?) :)

TheEclecticAbuela said...

Scrap Party--I love making scrappy quilts. I find that I feel fenced-in when I try to do a 2 or 3 fabrics quilt! (Hmmmmmm, fenced-in--maybe "Free-Range" scrappy?) :)