Scrap-Smart

Hi all,

So, today it's my turn to review Kathy Brown's new book, Strip-Smart Quilts.

When Kathy asked me to take a look at her book and participate in her blog-hop, I didn't hesitate to say 'Yes!' because I know Kathy likes to make fast and easy quilts, and so do I.

The quilts in the book are beautiful, and there's about a kajillion ways to make really terrific blocks and quilts using the Creative Grids 90˚ Double-Strip ruler. All the projects start with strips. And the book walks you through the whole process.

If you've ever taken a ScrapTherapy Cutting Workshop at the local quilt shop, or if you've seen a copy of my book, ScrapTherapy, Cut the Scraps! then you know I'm all about using scrap squares, not necessarily strips.

So . . . I set out to find a way to use my scraps and Kathy's wonderful book. I chose a quilt from the book callled "Brownies a la Mode." Love the play of three different colors and values, plus who doesn't like brownies and ice cream?

Digging around in my fabric stash (and in my friend Gail's, too), I pulled out some solid colors and cut a few 2-1/2" strips. You can use the grid on the double strip ruler to cut the strips, so no extra tools are needed!

Then I took 5" scrap squares from my bins and chose an array of light- to medium-value scraps and cut them twice to make four 2-1/2" squares from each 5" scrap square.

I then chain-pieced the 2-1/2" squares into strips - to make a handful of scrappy strips - each using twenty 2-1/2" squares. I pressed the scrap seams open to reduce bulk.

Scrap-Strips, White Strips, and Pink Strips

Next, I put scrap-strips with solid-strips, and started sewing, cutting, and sewing again, following the pattern instructions. Watching the blocks come together is really fun! I didn't worry about where the scrap seams ended up. The ruler is designed so the shapes and the spaces between the shapes are the same size. After cutting, you have innies (scraps on the inside or smaller part of the triangle) and outies (triangles with scraps on the outside or larger part of the triangle)

Cut the strip-sets with the ruler to make 'innies' and 'outies'

Once I made several innie and outie blocks, I arranged them in a diagonal setting to make a small quilt top, made basically from three 'colors' - the cream solid strips, the pink solid strips, and the scrappy strips - like in the book. Now, all I have to do is choose a focus border print and I have a small quilt to donate to a local charity.

Blocks. Some with scraps inside, some with scraps outside

The quilt center with two border options. Which do you like?

Now, it's your turn. If you comment on this post today, your name will be entered into a drawing to receive a Strip-Smart Quilts book AND the Creative Grids 90˚ Double-Strip ruler at the end of the tour. There's a winner EVERY DAY of the blog hop!! As long as you're at it, why not help me decide which border to use? Comment whether you like the creamy fruits or the green/multi floral with the medium blue accent border.

Oh, by the way, there's a rumor going viral that there might just be a grand prize drawing at the end of the blog tour. Your comment is your raffle ticket. And it's free!

And, one more thing. . . hop over to dzyning things tomorrow and see what Linda Lum DeBono has to say.

In stitches,
Joan