Wednesday, August 18, 2010

playing with scraps

I finally got around to playing with Tammy's scraps this week. It was great fun! I thought I would attempt to outline a bit of my design process along the way.

The first thing I did when I got the scraps is to sort them by color. I always start by sorting by color. It gives me a sense of order, I guess.

I waited a few days to let the ideas roll around in my head. My first thought was to make to a mini zig zag quilt using my no triangle method. I tried to think of other ideas, but I kept going back to the zig zag. I figured, "why not?"

I made a bunch of squares, half white and half print. They are 3" unfinished. I ended up adding a few greens, a few pinks and some cream solid from my scraps to fill in the gaps.
(A)
I arranged them in a zig zag formation.
I quite like it.
But then I played.
(B)
And played.
(C)
Some more.
(D)
And more.
(E)
Boy, this little block has a LOT of potential. LOTS! I'm amazed.
Then, I came up with this.
(F)
But when I loaded it on my computer, it flipped the photo.
I like it even better this way.
(G)
I'm not sure which layout I'm going to use yet.
Who knows, I still may come up with more?
I'm having fun playing!

If you don't mind voting for your favorite, I'd love to have your feedback. I added a little poll button on the sidebar.

80 comments:

Annalia said...

Wow. Does everything you do turn out this amazing and cute?

thea said...

Another wow! I voted for B, but I like all of them.

Katie @SwimBikeQuilt said...

I am impressed.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I'll have to study it a bit more. Every time I scrolled down, I kept thinking, "Ooh, I like that one" (scrolled some more), no I like THAT one," and on and on. I like them all.

There. Did that help?

Little Bluebell (Adrianne) said...

A poll? How fun! That really is a versatile little block.

LabMom said...

It is probably lame, but I like the first one. I really really like it!

Annessa said...

You amaze me with your creative vision! I like them all, but LOVE version(B) sort of hounds-toothy.

bimbi said...

wow, this is fun :)
i vote for E, can't wait to see the final result ;)

dutchcomfort said...

So many lovely designs, but I like A best because of the colour lay-out. E is my second favourite.

a maiden hair fern said...

E - would be my top choice.
A and B- second choice.
The dark doesn't balance out very well in the others, and tends to be a big harsh. Can never go wrong with pink and green.

Lisa said...

I love the zigzag best. That's funny too- I just did my quilt for the fair from your zigzag pattern! I used a different bright color for each row of "ric-rac", but was thinking this would be a great scrap buster. I've been better at sewing than blogging, so no photos yet. Thanks for more motivation, you have great ideas! I too am addicted to quilting, and love scraps best!

teedle. said...

OOooo A & E are almost tied! I am pulling for A!

Timi said...

It's amazing!! I like all!!! :o)

Shay said...

A and D were may faves. Love the colours though!

Linda said...

I actually kind of like b or c. I like the simplicity of it.

Marcia said...

You really can't go wrong...all lovely, but I like A or B. Good luck. I'll be back to see what you decided. The whole thing was so very inspiring!

Sherry said...

G is my pick but I loved them all. lots of luck picking.

Mama Urchin said...

That last one looks like film strip, which is happily on my bed you know :)

I'll vote in the poll but for the record I like A, C, and E. I like B a lot too for a bigger design where you could repeat it.

Esch House Quilts said...

It is so much fun to see what can be done with a simple little block! Good luck choosing.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow -- that's so interesting -- an amazing little block indeed. It was fun to see what everyone voted for too. I voted (had to go with E)-- but it was a tough choice!

Suzanne said...

Thank you for showing the same humble block in so many formations! I like D the best because balance of pinks and browns are more evenly spaced. I really like E too but I think it could use more pink. But best of all, I loved the process you shared.

Annie said...

That's really amazing how many combo's you came up with. I might have to have a play with some of my scraps.

Jocelyn said...

Wow what fun! Who would have thought one little block could be so versatile!

Rene' said...

Love them all! Thanks for showing us your process. Amazing to realize how many options there are for this block.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

My favorite is A but I don't think you could go wrong with any of them. You came up with some fantastic ideas!

Diane said...

oh you're having too much fun with those blocks!!!

bee*in*the*balm said...

e with a in the borders!

Tamera said...

What about putting one of the circles and one of the windmills next to each other? every other one. Does that make sense?

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

Wow! You can do a lot with that little block. I like them all but A or E are my favorites.

Betsy said...

For some reason I adore C. I love the simplicity and the way the colors work together. They are all beautiful and I trust your judgement more than anything.

Kimberly Whispell said...

Those are some cute scraps. I can't wait to see which design you go with.

Amy said...

They're all cute, but for some reason I'm just drawn to the zig zags! Adorable!

AllieKatMom said...

My favorites are B and C

wishes, true and kind said...

That is an amazingly versatile block! I like A and F the best, but they are all great. Okay, now B is starting to look like it would make a really interesting quilt. So many possibilities!

Chartreuse Moose said...

All are very clever! I like the first zig-zag...but I think every one would be a winner! Delightful post!

Anonymous said...

I liked A, B & E. The last few look like your filmstrip quilts, and are much more ordinary, quite predictable. Push yourself to get out of the comfort zone!

Clair said...

I voted! Where is my red circle sticker saying so? (just kidding)

Holly said...

B! That looks like another great quilt-a-long ;)

Anonymous said...

B, definately B

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing all the ways this little block can be laid out. What a stash buster! I've got to start cutting my scraps and sewing up little blocks. I think that I like E the best, then F then G.
cindy

Cecilia said...

great ideas
i like G

Cheryl Arkison said...

That is a lot of possibilities! I'm liking the latter choices, only because I've seen you do variations on the top ones before.

Coisas da Laura said...

I loved them all! Already copied and saved your idea, ok??? I like H better!

Melodee said...

I love them all - Wow so many choices from such a simple design. I like E the best.

janine b said...

i love e the most but a looks cool and g has me thinking... thanks for inspiring me to go look at my stash!!

Natalia from Piece N Quilt said...

I love them all! You can make anything! :)

Maureen said...

I love the way the zig-zags float on the light background!

Little Penpen said...

Wow...you have such a creative brain!! I voted on your sidebar and was proud that I was in the majority! :o)

Kristina said...

I really like them all, but that zig zag has my heart.

Robin said...

I am still very new to quilting, but love your blog. I am so inspired by the different looks you were able to get out of the same blocks. You really have the wheels in my head turning! I can't wait to see which one you decide on. :)

Anonymous said...

I like them all. A and G are eye catchers. Donnag

Terriaw said...

I didn't realize all the variations you can do with these blocks! I love them all. I think the whirligigs (E) option are fun and whimsical, which works well with the fabric combos. I think option (G) is quite modern and clean. What a fun project!!

pat sloan said...

amazing fun... now change the fabric and a whole new ball game!

Threeundertwo said...

I had to vote fast before I changed my mind! I love how each layout has such a different personality.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

That does look like a lot of fun Amanda! Can't wait to see your final layout!

Anonymous said...

G is my favorite, next is the zigzag.
Brenda C.

Shannon w/ Monkey Dog Quilts said...

I pick A layout! I love your blog and want to award you with the Versatile Bloggers Award

http://monkeydogquilts.com/?p=695

You Rock! Sew On!

Tammy said...

OMG...I love them all!! I can't wait to see which design wins! You are so creative, Amanda Jean.

Elizabeth of Online Fabric Store said...

A is great but they are all pretty.

Denise :) said...

What a fun day of playing! I liked D, but A was fun too! :)

Linda said...

Some interesting layouts but I prefer the first one, the Zig Zag ( I MUST make one myself one of these days!) or the last one. Good luck. Happy playing!

JG said...

The different designs were fascinating! I came back to my fav - A. Something about zigzags. :)

jacquie said...

this is definitely the FUN part...great to "see" you playing with fabric!

maree said...

I'm loving seeing how you play with the block components!!!! Isn't it always a surprise how different they look when you simply change their position? Can't wait to see the next episode:) Have fun deciding. Ciao

Anonymous said...

E but on the point

Caro said...

I think the most interesting layout is "E". LOL.

Liz said...

I think I like "A" the best.

Kendra said...

Zig zag. So cute. Truthfully, they are all cute, I think the zig zag has the most impact for the small quilt.

Susan K said...

I like D - it reminds me of the quilt "stacking coins" which I am fond of.

Anonymous said...

Phyllis:

I like B the best - very versatile.

Sylvia F said...

I love setting A the zigzag's look amazing, may have to make a doll quilt I am inspired.
Sylvia F:)

Deborah said...

C or G Have fun!

Julie said...

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I linked to a picture of one of your quilts on flickr from my blog.. I referenced you though so I think I've done the right thing :) It lead me to your blog and I've found lots of inspiration now so double thank you! I'm about to check out your binding tutorial. Oh, and I just voted for E :) thank you

Leena Salleh said...

This is awesome Amanda...and I would like to vote B as I can see the camouflaged white 'windmill' in the arrangements of the prints :)
Thanks for sharing those awesome play of arrangements

Leena

Cantinho da Aracy said...

Hi
I like so mutch this
Thanks, Aracy

Birdie said...

My fav is A. I do like some of the others but A looks really complex as well.

That is one block that I hope to remember - so versatile.

Carla said...

I copied you. I hope you like it!!!

http://www.murphyslogic.com/quilting/blog/is-it-a-rail-fence-quilt.html

thegoose said...

Nice colors. C is my favorite.

Angelica said...

¡Qué cosas mas lindas que haces y tienes un gran talento, ojalá y lo tuviera yo tambien, FELICIDADES!!!

dpm said...

I used your post to guide the development of a baby quilt. Thanks for the inspiration!