Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wednesday Thoughts

A while back I decided to "clean up" my stash, pull out any fabric that was 9" wide or less, cut it into nickels, 2.5" noodles, or 3.5x6.5" bricks. I have at least 20 stacking wire cages I store fabric in, and I've made it through one! I have LOTS of odds and ends of fabric, and will be cutting for quite some time! But that's OK, that's how I'll use up all those pieces! I have two "Nickel Quilts" books, and many patterns that use noodles, and I love to make Bonnie Hunter's Bricks and Stepping Stones pattern. If you ever need inspiration, try Bonnie's site. I often use it for ideas---thanks Bonnie!! While I was camping over the weekend, I got 72 "units" sewn together, almost enough for a queen size quilt. I would have made more, but I ran out of 4 patches.

I'm also cutting strips for a new "string" quilt pattern I saw. It's a bit different method than the Heartstrings method, I think I will try it. Tonight I was cutting more strips in the colors I will use, and still adding to my nickels, noodles, and bricks! Wow, pretty soon my wire cages are going to be half empty!

8 comments:

Quiltin' LibraryLady said...

I've got a Bricks and Stepping Stones going too.....black/white 4-patches and bricks from hand-dyed fabrics that I cut from odds 'n ends. I usually only sew on it at quilt club when the hostess says, "just bring something of your own to work on."

Is that a little netbook I see behind your blocks?

Nancy said...

Yes, it is tedious to cut up all those odds and ends. It's a chore that I dislike.

Alycia said...

I have more scraps - that looks like a great idea!!

Scrappy-Quilter said...

I love using scraps and trying to sort and organize my stash drives me crazy. just when everything is in place I start a new project and it gets into a mess again before I know it. Scraps seem to multiply around my house too but that is okay. I can find lots of uses for them. Can't wait to see photos of these projects.

pdudgeon said...

looks like you've definitely been busy! and just think of all the extra room you're creating for more wonderful stash! WOOO-HOO!

MightyMom said...

so, when you coming down here to get my stash in order??

Brenda said...

Well, I love Bonnies stuff - it is a great way to get the mojo going, but I looked at the Bricks and Stepping Sones and thought - "eh?? Hmmm, I don't know.... don't think I like it....." then realized, I was not looking beyond what I was seeing! Know when you see a quilt that you fall in love with - goregous, stunning, just a huge 'wow' factor - then you see the orignal pattern and go 'eeewwwww!!!'. this is like that for me!! so, I printed it out - and it's going on my list of someday - easy, great take-along like Quiltin' LibaryLady said and as look at it, I am thinking christmas throw.... lol!! Thanks alot for another great pattern to try and the insperation to 'get at it'!! I love that you are spending your time to make yourself time!! Perfect plan you have there!!! I hope you get at least half of the bins brokenn down till the need for speed (sewing speed that is!!) takes over and your quilt making skills come shining through again!! Yeah!! ;-)

Becky said...

How many bricks do you need for a queen size quilt? I'm working on my first Bricks & Cornerstone quilt. I'm using the number Bonnie recommends on the pattern.

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