Sunday, September 09, 2007

Quilt in a can

For several years I have stored my scraps in these popcorn tins. I just could not bear to throw out a perfectly good tin after all the popcorn had been eaten. I have a few of them packed with fabric. This is the fabric I have been sewing with since my accident. I asked hubby to fish them out from under my cutting table and I popped them open, now I have a fabric explosion on my sewing room floor. I sort through and iron a bunch of these scraps. Below is a pile that I am working with now, as you can see it is messy and a bit unorganized, just like me.
I sew them together in strips, trying to match widths as closely as possible so there won't be to much waste when trimming. I sew the length slightly larger than 9.5, approximately 10 inches. After I have a few of these I trim the sides and sew the together to approximately 10 inches, then trim the whole block to 9.5 inches. Why 9.5 you might ask, because that is the size of ruler I choose that I thought would be manageable for the way I have to trim the squares.

Because I can't put pressure with my left hand what I do is lay the ruler on the piece I have sewn, put my left elbow in the middle of the ruler and cut two sides, (the right side and the top) then I turn the piece align the ruler and do the same thing. This is a slow process but keeps me busy when I feel like doing some sewing. Here is a picture of a completed square. I have 22 done so far, I think I need 90 as I think I will set it 9 across and 10 down. Only 68 to go. Who knows maybe I will be healed by then.

Have a great day. Dot



11 comments:

Katie said...

Of course you'd figure out a way to be able to use your cutter. You are a quilter and can figure out how to do anything!

mereth said...

I couldn't have thrown those tins away either, and what better to put in them but scraps. The blocks will be busy but interesting, and what a good way to use up the bits.
And that box from Finn, wow, you must have had fun sorting that lot out.It looks tantalising all stacked up like that, ready for you to mess it up again.

His Office, My Studio said...

I too have scraps and need to do something with them because I have run out of storage space. I am going to follow in your stitching steps.

I am glad you are able to cut, sew and kep busy.

~Bren~ said...

I like those tins too. I used them to store the kids toys. Wonderful use of the scraps!

Holly said...

I have a tin full of Legos (sp?). Your blocks are looking great! That is going to be a mighty fine quilt.

Wendy said...

Wonderful use of the tins and the scraps. Quilters like to use every bit of fabric we can.

Hedgehog said...

Love the tins as storage - your crumbly blocks are looking great!

Libby said...

Where there's a will - there's a way *s* I just love scrap quilts. Your blocks look like a lot of fun.

Unknown said...

awesome use of talents and storage! I stopped by to say HI! and tell you that I find your blog great fun!

The squares will look great all placed in a cozy quilt...what a blessing!

atet said...

What fun blocks! I need to do something with my scraps soon as well -- they're taking up valuable "fabric real estate"!

Patti said...

This is totally amazing - your figuring out how to cut this way. Where there is a will there is a way - just ask an injured quilter!