Well, I am eating a little bit of humble pie…because those of you who know me, know that I have sworn off of quilting! My idea of a good time is 45 minutes on a project, then wearing it out the door. Not 4 weeks on a project, and then folding it up and hiding it away – ie. a Quilt.
Well, the other day I was struck by how many scraps kept falling onto the floor everytime I’d open my fabric amoire – it was getting very annoying. So, after much debate, I decided that only “natural” thing to do was to make a Strip Quilt.
I’ve never done this before, but it really takes nothing more than lots and lots of scraps and common sense. So far, I’ve only finished the top of the quilt – I will for sure have to do some research this weekend about what to do now…but I’m hopeful that the hardest and most time consuming part is over!
Here’s the finished product:
I made NO attempt to use a color scheme or make a design, I just wanted to use all my scraps and turn them into something tangible. If you like for things to be matchy, this will frustrate you. My apologies.
And now for the TUTORIAL:
Start with a BIG pile of MISC scraps!
Cut your strips. I chose to make my strips 4" wide because most of my scraps were pretty wide strips. If you have narrower scraps, then make narrower width strips. simple as that. For the length, I simply cut the fabric as long as the scrap - making sure to square off the ends. In this photo, as you can see the pink fabric on top will be longer than the fabric on bottom yet they will both be 4" wide.
Then just keep cutting strips for as long as you have scraps remaining. It's helpful to have little helpers around to fold your strips, otherwise, they'll just end up in a crazy pile!
Helper #1
Helper #2
Once all your scraps are cut into strips, begin sewing them to each other, making one long (okay, VERY long!) strip. I sewed every strip together in one long strip. Also, I used a very narrow seam allowance, as you can see in the photo.
During this step, I chose my strips at random - I just kept them all behind my sewing machine and would just grab one after the other. I don't think I ever even looked back there, just kept grabbing and sewing. (The only exception would be if I ever chose the same fabric twice - I did choose to make that a No-Go!) Even those of us rebels have to have SOME SORT OF STRUCTURE! geez.
The beginning of the long strip.
Next, in order to know how big your quilt can be, you need to measure the full length of your Long Strip. Mine was 30 Yards long (and of course, 4" wide)
I decided that I would make my quilt 2 Yards long....so the next step is to cut your Long Strip into 2 Yard Strips. Since I had 30 yards of fabric, I ended up with 15 strips - again, each was 2 yards long.
Okay - Now it's getting FUN!!! Now, you begin sewing each of your short strips together lengthwise. Shown her are my first 3 strips, but at the end, I had 15 strips sewn together! So awesome!
****Do NOT Ignore This Step**** Once all your strips are sewn together (and this is soooo stinking cool, I must admit! I think there must be some sort of "I just made a quilt Hormone" that gets produced when the last strip is sewn!) Then...YOU MUST PRESS ALL THE SEAMS!!
The top row of my quilt was nice and straight because that's where I began every seam. The bottom, however, was pretty jumbled, so I simply took my scissors and leveled it off. I suppose you could measure this to make it all exact and stuff, but that seems silly to me - Just cut the thing!
It really is as easy as that. Here is what I ended up with....I love it!!!! I personally LOVE how nothing is really in same color family or anything related, but it somehow works. Delicious if you ask me!
I hope you’ll try one….truly truly I say to you – If I can do it, YOU can do it! AND, If I, of all people, enjoyed it, then you will too! (gosh, sorry for all those commas!)
I really love this! I love that is is so easy that you won’t have the need for a pattern! Thanks for sharing, Robie!
(Seriously, I love it’s colorfulness!)
I can always count on you, Angie, for a great big dose of LOVE!!! I was just talking with Indiana Adams about you the other day – too bad you dont live down here, we’d be great friends for sure!
those scraps are so cute. it shows what a awesome fabric collection you have. i love this idea and “i am totally going to copy you.” thanks for the idea.
Hello! I love love love this!!! My question tho…what did you do to back this?? I have never made a quilt, but would LOVE to try this!! My current quilt that I snuggle w/ during movies is starting to fall apart…would LOVE to make this as a replacement.
Thanks
Renee
(i am jeana hansen’s sister in law btw)
Hi Renee!!!!
I wish I could tell you what I backed it with, but I haven’t backed it yet…I was able to create the top without a pattern or any experience, but I definitely have to search around for what to do next…my guess is that I’m going to put some nice soft backing in between the top layer and then pick out 2 yards of a complementary fabric for the back layer. Then, I’ll probably sew along the vertical seam lines to “quilt” it, and then finish it off with bias binding….but I need to make sure…I’ll take photos along the way so you can see what I did. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Hey you! Jace says “Hi Owen!”. I hope you guys have had a good summer. Jace is starting school tomorrow, but he gets out every day at noon and the girls will still be in MDO. I hope we get to hang out sometime.
BTW: the quick quilt…AWESOME! Can’t wait to do it myself…Just need to get my machine up and running again. Details, details.
Hey friend!!! I’ve been thinking about you alot – I can’t believe Jace is in Kindergarten!!! Oh my goodness….atleast you’ll have 2 others in MDO – so yes, let’s make plans to hang out!!!
im ready to make a quilt! yours is awesome!