Sometimes making a quilt just to use up leftovers turns out to be a good thing.
Last year, after I made the Courage Under Fire quilt for our friend Pete, I didn't want to put the scraps back in my stash or scrap bins yet again so I hunted down an idea to use them up. I came across The Long and Short of It by Barbara Esposito on the Moda Bake Shop and decided to use that pattern, though I opted for the optional layout. FYI...Moda recently moved the Bake Shop off that platform so the instructions for the pattern are still available via the link but the pictures are gone. You can find pictures of both the original and the optional layouts on Pinterest.
After I got the pieces laid out, I knew that it was a jumble visually and needed help.
After I got the pieces laid out, I knew that it was a jumble visually and needed help.
I wanted to use only what I had available so I added Yellow sashing between the blocks.
This is the "before" quilting picture. You can just make out that I also pieced the backing. I truly kept this to a Zero cost project and was happy to have the fabric put to good use. I still have a small amount of the fabrics left but they've been cut up into charms and smaller pieced and will get used in future scrap quilts.
Here it is after it was quilted. While I was finishing up the 100 Good Wishes Quilt for Ellis, I got to feeling sad that her younger brother Teller wouldn't have a quilt of his own. When he was adopted, collecting fabrics for 100 Good Wishes Quilts weren't all the rage anymore. Then the idea hatched in my brain to send this one to him.
I picked the Steam design for the quilting. The thread on the front was Glide Cardinal and So Fine Hot Chilis was used in the bobbin.
I totally forgot to take the glamor shots before I shipped it off to Kris (oh well), so this draped over the frame shot will have to do.
I know from Kris that Teller was thrilled to receive his own quilt and based on her description of him, I'm sure that it is getting plenty of quality of snuggle time. I'm happy that this "use it up" quilt now has a home and is bringing a little boy so much joy.
6 of you added your own colorful comments:
Sounds like truly a winner. Use up what you have on hand and make a wonderful gift to share.
A perfect way to use those squares - and the yellow sashing was a brilliant addition!! Teller will LOVE it!!!
What a wonderful thing for you to have done for Teller! I can totally see why he has fallen in love with it. That Use-It-Up quilt turned out SEW cut!
I, too, am doing leftovers quilts these days, and you've done a terrific job on this one. I really like the yellow between the blocks! Gives it so much visual interest.
Thank you. Snowcatcher you are a No Reply Blogger so I can't reply directly to your comment but I appreciate the sentiments.
What a lovely gift you've made! I love that it's from your scraps, front and back, and that you quilted it with a design that's perfect for a boy. I hope you get some good pictures returned to you, of Teller cuddling with his quilt. Won't it make your efforts totally worthwhile? I think so!
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