Nothing Beats a Challenge

In my way of thinking anyway. It must link back to my double-dog-dare days. 

December is usually crunch time in the sewing room, but this year I have not had any last minute projects. So, I got in a cleaning up the sewing room mood and found this box of Christmas theme scraps.

As I sorted through this stuffed box lots of memories came to mind of past gifts, stockings, ornaments, and quilts as gifts, along with the people I gave them to. These little scraps (anything under a fat quarter) gave me warm feelings and a sense of value. After all, I have saved them all this time.

A sudden rush of excitement came over me as I questioned, "how many quilts/projects can I get out of this box until it is empty?" I always find it amazing just how far our scraps will go. They never seem to run out, do they? And the thrill of having an empty box, well, that really motivated me. So, countdown to Christmas ...

These sweet Hexagon Origami Ornaments were a fast little craft. I cut out several stabilized  hexagons and took them with me to our Thanksgiving gathering so the Grands and I could have a little craft time together. I found this demo on YouTube if you want to try them yourself. I'll be using these as gift labels that can be reused as ornaments.




More gift labels were made using a fun project from Suzy Quilts. (I mentioned these last month with a link to her free pattern). I also had a couple of ratty potholders but they were still useful because they were so thick.  I made new covers in a pillowcase type fashion, slipped the pot holder inside, and then slip stitched the opening closed. A few hand quilted stitches sandwiched everything together nicely so nothing shifts after washing, and they are now ready for more use in the kitchen.  Easy! 

 
  I don't remember where this row of reindeer fabric came from but I cut, and pieced a few 4-square blocks, and it grew into the pictured mini quilt/tabletopper/placemat. I had enough of these fabrics to make two toppers! One is hand quilted and ready for gifting. The second will be finished soon as I like to do handwork in my chair in the evenings. 

This line of fabrics was another unknown and of varying widths so I practiced an improv techique (sew as you go). It is "so improv" that I even ran out of binding and had to piece about 4 inches of another fabric in. Can you find it? It is kind of busy but I am happy with the result. The back I used an old Daisy Kingdom remnant. Remember that line of fabric that was popular in the 80's? I quilted it in a big hand stitch which gives it a handmade look. 

It has been a year for Dresdens. (See previous posts) I made 2 of these mini dresdens and backed them with felt. I quilted the layers together and they made nice little placemats for the table. (I failed to photograph the other one before I gave it away). I like these so well I may have to make one for myself! 

AND look at this little darling! I found this pattern idea at The Singer Featherweight Shop website. It is a spool pin cushion for your featherweight vintage sewing machine. It adorns your machine and also prevents and scratching from your spinning spool.  Now don't we have everything? (I have yet to poke the center hole in.)



I guess I need to begin thinking bigger...or I will never empty this box! 



How about a Mistletoe Lane Quilt?  This pattern is a fast and easy project. After cutting the required strips, I sat and pieced the blocks together in one afternoon! Now I'm stuck debating on whether to add a narrow sashing or just sew them together and get it done! These are pictured over my Minecraft quilt that is also a work in progress. I love how these Mistletoe Lane blocks look on the diagonal. I used up a lot of fabric making these but I still have more in the box....

How about a pink Christmas? I found these leftovers and made 2 table runners. This one is pin basted and ready for quilting. The other will follow. More fun projects for the evening chair.

I can include this quilt in this challenge even though it began last year. (scraps originated in this box) It was a quilt along at Temecula Quilt Company. (have you seen this year's?)  I recently finished sewing it together and the quilting is now done for completion. I used a remnant of muslin for the backing making it soft to lay under. My last big finish for the year I suppose. It measures 44" x 57" and I calculated 8 yards of total stash busted.  It is presently draped over the chair for anyone needing some coziness that only a quilt can give.

I have bundled together several more future projects. A Debbie Mumm panel with matching fabrics, a few remaining charms, whimsical remnants, snowmen panels, and various other scraps and groups by color. 

And they STILL fill up the box! How can that be? Oh well, I still have 3 more weeks in December.