A while back I introduced you to my 'One Mountain, Ten Quilts' a series of 10 quilts that I created from a very large, very stuffed bag of scraps that I couldn't bear to throw away. The scraps that had been saved were very similar in terms of color and style...mostly pastels, many children's prints - quite literally leftover scraps of fabric from clothing I had sewn for my sweet children when they were little ones. I had made a game of using as many of the scraps that I could, and I imposed some rules as well...
- The #1 rule was, that I could add as much white (solid or tone on tone) fabric as I needed.
- I could pull from my stash for the quilt backs
- Every quilt had to be different - not 10 of the same quilts
- I needed to push myself in terms of new styles, or techniques that I hadn't tried before
- Keep making quilts until I ran out of fabric
- I couldn't purchase anything to make these quilts...not thread, not batting, NOTHING - everything had to come from what I had on hand
- The sum of the quilts needed to be cohesive
- Have fun!
One mountain of fabric, and 10 quilts later, and the fabric was basically gone...all that was left were little bite size pieces of fabric that really were too tiny to use. By the time I got to the end, I had discovered the some of the quilts were better than others (one was downright awful), that strict limitations can truly push creativity, and working outside of my comfort zone, as anxiety producing as it was; was good for me.
At the time that I was blogging about this, many of you expressed a desire to use up your scraps, but were perplexed on how to start...so, how about a Scrap Quilt Along? We will create two of my favorite One Mountain, Ten Quilts quilts if you would like to participate.
How to get started? First, tell me if you are interested, and would like to join along. Second, vote on whether you would rather start on Children's Lit, or Fruit Strip Gum. As soon a decision is reached, I'll provide you with a supply list, and we will get started!
Fruit Sliced Gum
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I love the fruit sliced gum quilt. I'm not sure I would have enough to just use my scraps but I could try.
Posted by: Jackie | November 03, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I love the fruit stripe gum as well. I am sure I have enough scraps to make many quilts. I am hoping to not buy anything since I need to start clearing out my studio (way too much collecting!) Could the supply list also include alternatives for those of us who may not have everything?
Posted by: Mary | November 03, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Yes!!!! I like both of them. It would be lovely.
Posted by: Mijung Yoon | November 03, 2009 at 12:38 PM
I'm in! My hubby will love you for this if I can clear out some of my scraps. ;) I like both but I think the fruit sliced gum quilt would be a lot of fun to try.
Jennifer :)
Posted by: Jennifer | November 03, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I loved Fruit Stripes gum when I was a kid...it's got to be the Fruit Sliced quilt! ;-)
Posted by: Kim Q | November 03, 2009 at 02:30 PM
I would love to join your quilt along. I'm partial to Children's Lit, but I would be very willing to do the Fruit Stripe Gum...I like them both.
Hugs
Posted by: Mimi | November 03, 2009 at 03:06 PM
I'd love to get my scraps down...fruit stripe gum is sure cute...but I also like the childrens lit. Count me in.
Posted by: Anita in Florida | November 03, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Fruit striped gum! Love it!
Holly
Posted by: Holly garemore | November 03, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Great Quilts - if only I was not so swamped I would the scrap along.
Posted by: Teresa | November 03, 2009 at 06:18 PM
I'd love to join in! I like the Fruit Striped Gum.
Posted by: Alisa | November 03, 2009 at 06:56 PM
I think either one is great!
Posted by: Mama Spark | November 03, 2009 at 09:25 PM
I would also like to join in, and I absolutely love the Fruit Strip Gum quilt. Is it paper-pieced?
Posted by: Laura in NC | November 04, 2009 at 07:38 AM
ooh great idea and achievable for me i feel...and i think you are right about this pushing creativity.
I like the fruit striped gum too!
Posted by: magikquilter | November 04, 2009 at 09:11 AM
um that would be fruit sliced gum!
Posted by: magikquilter | November 04, 2009 at 09:12 AM
Ilike both but would choose the fruit strip gum. I do not think I have enough scraps though. But will give it a try.
Posted by: Pamela Shadwick | November 04, 2009 at 09:43 AM
I will give it a shot, in the process of making a coin quilt to get rid of some scraps as well. Fruit Sliced Gum, looks interesting.
Posted by: Cynthia | November 04, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Both wonderful quilts. I love the Fruit Sliced Gum Quilt best. I would love to join in a scrappy quilt-along, but I just have to see if I can manage another project...LOL!
Posted by: nicolette | November 05, 2009 at 06:37 AM
I would love to...
Posted by: lissa | November 05, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Would love to join but am so busy at this time of year. Really like the Childrens Lit.
Posted by: Anna R | November 05, 2009 at 08:23 PM
I'd love to join! I love Children's Lit.
Posted by: Molly | November 06, 2009 at 11:06 PM
I love fruit stripe gum. Children's Lit is nice too. I am building a stash and so have some full yards and fat quarters, sometimes I am having a hard time cutting into them to make scrapps. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Jeannette in NJ | November 07, 2009 at 06:56 AM
Ambas me gustan pero preferiría empezar con lit infantil.Me interesa el proyecto
Posted by: Marta | November 07, 2009 at 09:35 PM
What fantastic uses of scraps. I'm in love!
Posted by: Cheryl Arkison | November 08, 2009 at 08:19 AM
I just found your blog tonight and I'm in. I need some diversion from grad school.
Kathleen S.
Normal, IL
www.lcrrkhs.blogspot.com
Posted by: Kathleen S. | November 13, 2009 at 06:30 PM