You can make these scrappy pot holders by using this simple method of construction. So many of you have said you can't make "random" or "artsy" looking quilts, because it is too hard to figure out where to place the pieces.
First my suggestion is to start with at least 3 to 5 scrap pieces from any odd quilt blocks. For example if you use a leftover block from a quilt, you should rotary cut the block into two or three different size pieces. You will also need some strips of fabric the coordinate with your block colors of various sizes. I like to have light, medium, and dark fabrics. I had these four pieces of the blocks left over from making the denim shirt quilt.
I placed them on the cutting board and added fabric strips of various sizes in between the pieces and at the ends of the pieces. It is like a puzzle --- matching the pieces together. Placing the lights next to mediums and darks. Lay them out and step back and look at it. Does it look eye pleasing? Move them around or even cut a side off one and move it to the other end. Again step back and look at it.
I first sew two blocks of similar size together. Then I sewed the two center strips together. Next sew the long strip onto the two joined blocks. Then sew the 2 sides together and sew more joined strips on the ends.
I added strips to create a rectangle at least 10 inches by 20 inches, so I could split it in half to make two. My rectangle was about 23 inches long by 12 inches wide. I split it in half and trimmed all four sides, so they each measure 10" X 10"square.
My Mom was in the hospital again. I am needed here at her home. I am posting with the photos I uploaded before leaving my home. I realized the photos are not real clear on showing you each step. I think you can get the idea. I will be making more of these projects in the future. I love the random and artsy look!
When I get home (hopefully next week) I will quilt my "Vacation Project" quilt and scrappy hot pads. I will use a heat resistant batting when I quilt the Hot Pads.
Updates on my Mom -- click here.
Enjoy your day!
Marcia
All of your rectangles should have one strip on one side at this point and are pressed and rotary trimmed.
Note: Denim fabric is woven with a twill weave. It gives a little. It may shift a little when you are sewing. Do not worry about your seams coming out perfectly. It will be a little uneven and that is OK. I like the unevenness of the seams - adds character to the quilt.
This is a fun quilt! Don't match any seams! Just have fun!
Then sew more blue strips to the pieces onto another side until all of them have a strip on two sides. Press and rotary trim the ends.
Then sew a strip on a third side of all the pieces. Press and rotary trim.
Sew a strip on the fourth side of all the pieces. Press and rotary trim.
You now have denim squares and rectangles that have strips on all four sides. We will call them blocks from this point on. They are blocks of several sizes. They will look like this:
Group the blocks into piles of similar sizes. Then start to arrange them on a flat surface.
I like to place a bigger block in each row and then add the smaller ones. The smaller ones will have another strip sewed onto one or two of the sides, so they can be sewed onto the larger blocks to complete a row. I sew two smaller blocks together to achieve the right length or width of a larger block.
I sew some of the blocks together that are a little too big and just trim them off to fit. See how I lay out the rows and later I will trim the longer edges.
Here's an example of how the ends stick out --- Rotary trim them off, so you have a perfect rectangle and then add borders. I had two strips the same color but different widths and two other blue strips. I stitched them on to all four sides of my quilt top. You will be able to see that the borders are different and you may even be able to see that they are different widths. That is OK! That is what helps make it interesting.
I placed the quilt top on my picnic table. See the borders.
I made hot pads out of the scraps. I will explain the construction process on the hot pads in another post. It's a cool method!
Day is done at the River... quilt top is done ... and ready for quilting when I get home!
After I quilt my table cloth and hot pads, I will bring it back to the River and take more pictures on the table, so you can see the soft and subtle dimension the quilting gives the denim fabrics.
I will fold up my finished quilt top and hot pads and put it away, until I get home! Stay tuned for another post next week, after I quilt and finish up "My Vacation Project" ---The Denim Shirt Project.
Now I will start cutting the blue shorts apart ...
Enjoy your day!
Marcia
