30 January 2015

Covered in Scraps

Ticker Tape

I wanted to crank out a couple of quick quilts before I get buried in my special quilt project (which has a finish deadline), and the Ticker Tape quilt I started after Christmas seemed like the perfect project to finish up quickly, especially because I've become completely addicted to this method of using up scraps.

When I first started this little quilt, I thought it would be a great way to use up scraps as I go. But I didn't want to wait until I had more scraps to start, so I began sorting scraps and rough-edge appliqueing them by machine, initially intending to work a swirly rainbow of patches.

I should have known before I started I don't have enough yellow, red and orange scraps to pull off a successful rainbow. The greens, blues and purples all go together well, though, so it's not so bad to me to be limited to the cool half of a rainbow.

I buried my thread ends as I worked. The top layer has white stitching; the bottom layer has stitching to match the color of the scrap, green, blue or purple. I thought it would be fun to have a gradient-type effect on the back of the quilt as well as on the front, and the entire time I was making this, I was so glad I'd decided to do it that way because I just love the back of the quilt!

Following four weeknight evenings of quilt-as-you-go patch application, my first (and definitely not last) Ticker Tape quilt was done, and I hardly even made a dent in my scrap pile!!!!! How can this be?!?

Ticker Tape, before washing
before washing

Ticker Tape, after washing
after washing

I was half-motivated to wash the quilt after finishing it. I wanted to see how it would hold up, but I also knew all those rough edges would leave a bit of a thread mess on the quilt top. Now that the initial wash is done, I do cherish the quilt even more with the laundered puckering texture, and I love the frayed edges of the patches. It took about 35 minutes to trim off all the knotted messes, and in my opinion, that was time well-spent. I could clip somewhat mindlessly as I mentally planned my next quilt.

I'm anxious to work up many more Ticker Tape quilts, including pictorial versions, and I do plan to try to make another one with current scraps as I go, moving forward, instead of adding to the never-ending scrap pile. Just as I settled into THE big project, however, I received a baby shower invitation for a niece in ONE WEEK (!!!) (I thought I had until May!!!), so it's back to the quick quilt cutting board once again. Yikes! Good thing I'm a deadline worker!

The best thing about this little quilt, other than it's done, is it includes scraps from almost every quilt I've ever made in my life (as well as quilts I haven't finished yet), scraps from dresses I made for myself in high school, scraps from clothing I made for my kids 15-20 years ago, and scraps from bandanas I've made for my husband during the last ten years. I'd originally thought this might make a nice baby blanket, and it's the perfect size for that. But oh, my gosh, I'm not sure I can ever part with it!

Ticker Tape, before washing
before washing

Ticker Tape, after washing
after washing

Ticker Tape, before washing
before washing

Ticker Tape, after washing
after washing

Ticker Tape Roll

Ticker Tape

Ticker Tape

Ticker Tape

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Crazy Mom Quilts.

22 comments :

  1. I think your scrap quilts are awesome! Especially, if a lizard resides on them. A toast to scraps.

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    1. Just think how many of these Ticker Tape quilts I can make with lizards, Lizard! I don't think I'll ever run out of lizard scraps!

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  2. Turned out great indeed as you Ticker Taped away haha got lots in there too from the lizard to sea horses, nature abounds.

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    1. I hadn't thought about that, Pat, but you are exactly right. Both my kids love animals. There is a lot of wildlife in there!

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  3. Your tickertape quilt is very appealing! I'm really drawn to the color play in it, and there are some terrific fabrics in there.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lyn! I wasn't too surprised to find most of my scraps are blue, green or purple. I guess I need to be a little warmer in my color choices once in a while!

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  4. This is so cute! I love the looks before and after washing. Thanks for the close-ups. I want to try a similar quilt someday.

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    Replies
    1. Jasmine, this quilt was so much fun, I didn't want to stop working on it each night. I would have worked through the night each night had I not had to go to work the next morning!

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  5. Your quilts look great. You are very creative. Thanks for joining me on my ride.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Paul! I hope you will keep sharing your rides!

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  6. colorful, textured, scraps love it
    LeeAnna at not afraid of color

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, LeeAnna! I think that's one of the things I like best about it, too... the texture. Makes me want to keep doing more and experimenting with rough edges... (but other WIPs must be finished first!)

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  7. A great quilt with all those bright colors!!! Congrats with the finish!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Maartje! This one felt so fabulous to finish because there were so many ends to bury! (I did bury the ends as I go because I didn't think I'd ever finish if I left them to the end.)

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  8. Wow you quilt washed up really wonderful. I was reading and saying out loud and then you did and it looks great! WTG

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kris. I've never been so chicken to wash a just-finished quilt. But it came out just fine! Well, rough edges to trim, but I have a couple of dresses I must do that with, too, every time I wash them. It's worth it!

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  9. knock my socks off! Love it...... My mom just gave me scraps of all the different materials I used to make all my clothes in Jr HS and HS. This is a great idea! Only after I get my snowflakes finished........ though we are getting another foot of them here in New England tonight :)

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    Replies
    1. We could be getting more here tomorrow, too, Patty. I have mixed feelings about that. :) But I'm with you. I can't wait to start another scrap quilt as soon as I finish my special snowflake project!

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  10. This is awesome! I love the lizard patch and the sunset snowflake one. You really did a great job with the layout, spacing, and colour arrangement.

    I can see how these quilts could be addictive....

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue! I want to do a heart one now, but I have to work on my special project. Maybe I can have a heart one done by next year...

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