In 2025 I pieced several scrappy quilts trying to use up orphan blocks. I also had a 2.5" box full of 'ugly' squares. I always use blue squares first whenever I am making a scrappy quilt that needs 2.5" squares, I am a blue girl you know 😉. Next I used squares that were pretty. What was left in that box were browns, greens, other various fabrics, some of them pretty and background squares that usually have a tint of yellow, just not my preference.
I decided it was time to use those 'uglies' and and all the other squares in that box. Two compassion quilt flimsies were pieced. All the squares in that box were thrown into this quilt, uglies as well as the pretties. Surprise, these quilts are not so ugly after all!
Their turn has come in the quilting process and are finished. Like the other compassion quilts, I used diagonal stitching in the light fabrics and into the border.
Quilt A (left side) finishes at 57" by 71". Quilt B (right side) finishes at 55" by 70".
Quilt A's outside border comes from my mother's stash. She died 20 years ago but her fabrics are still being used. I stitched in the ditch along the sides of the narrow brown border which came from my stash. Quilt B's border is also from my stash, I stitched in the ditch along the edge.
The binding is a variety of strips that worked well with the variety of fabrics used in the center.
Some people keep track of 'fabric in, fabric out'. I don't do that, I have no idea how to figure how much fabric was used in these quilts but the 2.5" square box was definitely diminished.
The backing fabric is a pale yellow fabric that was gifted to me years ago with the understanding it would be used for charity quilts. I didn't take pictures of the back, they're solid light yellow.
Nothing was purchased to make these quilts, even the batting was pieced together from leftovers.
I use basic simple designs when I quilt with my sewing machine but I am pleased to see my progress. I eyed those lines in the light squares in the quilt, they are fairly straight. I can free motion quilt somewhat straight lines!
15 comments:
Your quilts are beautiful! Are you just using random squares and making nine patches?
How gratifying to use up those squares - they really made pretty quilts! I didn't inherit any fabric from my Mom, but I am trying to use bits and dabs of dish toweling, tablecloths, and other odds and ends she had in boxes. It's fun!
I made 4 patches then sewed 4 of those into blocks that were 8 squares by 8 squares then put them altogether. Yes, the squares were pieced randomly but tried not to put the same fabrics next to each other.
Those are beautiful, Gretchen! We all have "ugly" fabrics that could make beautiful quilts when set like this. Thanks for the inspiration!
my 2.5 inch are in my hand sewn quilt....although wishing I had chosen to use my 5 inch squares instead :)
I always associate quilts like these with my grandparents. They will provide comfort for someone.I think they look great.
Two lovely finishes and great usse of all those squares. xx
Brilliant, Gretchen! They're gorgeous and such an efficient use of your resources.
Two awesome finishes, Gretchen! Good use of your resources too. That spool of thread was the perfect choice. Isn't it interesting how certain fabrics and later threads seem to have been made for each other?
Thank you. I am pressing my scraps and going to cut them up and make a scrappy quilt like yours!
I have a friend who calls this "making quilts from hope and fresh air". It's my favorite way to create!
Luv your patchwork,it seems the smaller my uglies are the prettier they are lol
An estimate of how much fabric is in a quilt top is 1 1/2 times the amount needed for the backing. Since you had an abundance of seams in those tops, I might estimate at 1 2/3 times the amount of backing.
Thanks for the information, I'll write that down so I can remember.
No they are not ugly at all, I love them! Way to go using what you have on hand. I try to do that for donation quilts.
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