A Yellow Finish

Here we are almost at the end of February or "Yellow February" if you are playing along with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for 2021.  I've stepped it up a bit and am also doing the Table Scrap Challenge using the RSC colors.  With no further to do, here's my yellow table runner. 

If you are looking for a name for the block I used, I can't tell you.  After I had all the pieces cut out and laid out, I randomly changed the directions on at least one four patch in each block.  So if you name it, it's probably only the name for one of the blocks.  Perhaps the name of this should be Wild Table Runner. 

Most of the pieces were cut with my AccuQuilt dies.  The blocks are 12" finished. The 4 patches start as 2.5" squares.  The half square triangles are made 2 at a time with 5" squares (sewn on lines a quarter inch away from the diagonal) trimmed to 4.5", and the centers are 4.5" using the Go Round Flower Die.  I used a shiny embroidery thread in yellow for the quilting.  Unlike last month's table runner, I was ready to get this one done -- so I used a minimal amount of quilting.  You can see the square around the four patches.  I also stitched in the ditch by the yellow part of the triangles. (I stitched in the batting to move from triangle to triangle.)  And I called it done.  Not a very time consuming table runner. And it looks bright and sunny on our table. 

Do you see the mug at the far end?  I got that from my grandparent's house.  It is a Royal Dalton Toby mug.  It had some yellow flowers and and overall springy look to me so it became part of the picture. 
 

Thanks go to Nann at With Strings Attached for the backing fabric. A while ago I got a surprise box in the mail filled with fabric. I know I used several pieces when I was making masks. But I hadn't looked through it recently so I decided to see if there was any yellow fabric in there that would work for the back. Yes, there was a nice piece that works well. 

It makes a nice little roll with the backing being shown.  

Here you can see the binding, a bit of the front and the backing.  I used a bunch of different yellows from my yellow scrap bag which you can see a bit here. 

I've finished my yellow friendship stars and have added them to the pink stars on the design wall. 

I'm closing in on the yellow scrap basket I've been making for a while.  I haven't decided if I will continue to make a basket in the RSC color every month.   I think it will depend on whether I have lots of scraps in a particular color.  

And, what happens to your yardage collection when you are trying to find binding for a table runner and lining for a basket?  It's thrown around quite a bit.  So, before the end of the month I will straighten my yellow yardage.  

I've been working on straightening my piles of yardage by picking a new color every few weeks. (Heaven forbid I do it all at one time.)  A couple of weeks ago it was pink.  Now I need to do the yellows. My shelves hold fabric that is supposedly at least 1/2 yard and more.  I say supposedly because sometimes I leave smaller pieces there and sometimes I cut hunks off but leave the rest. For the longest time I bought mostly half yard pieces. In the last few years I've been trying to buy 1 yard or larger pieces so I can more easily pull fabric for a lap quilt from stash.  Sometimes that works, and sometimes not. It won't take more than 10 or 15 minutes to have those yellows looking good again. (Ugh, both the greens and browns look pawed through too...) 

I'm linking up with several parties today.  Visit Needle and Thread Thursday, Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop?, Finished or Not Friday, Beauties Pageant, Table Scraps, and Scrap Happy Saturday. (Wow, that's a lot more link ups then I expected!)  I'll link up as the blogs become available.  I'm looking forward to some serious blog surfing to get new ideas. (Ok, truth is I don't need a lot of new ideas ... I need to finish some UFOs and have fun starting new projects for which I've already gathered fabric and pattern!) 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

What Does Your Stash Say About You?

Have you really looked at the colors of your stash recently?  Neither have I until I started looking at craft organization and studios on Pinterest.  I noticed my stash is not light and airy looking like some. In fact, mine looks rather old and dreary. I am trying to change my stash especially with the "Short Stack" of fabrics I am getting from Pink Castle Fabrics.   

My stash. The third section from the right has solids and kid fabric on the top shelf; light and dark print fabrics on the second shelf and who knows what on the bottom shelf. The rest are color-ordered.  

Hum, this is where I go to when I start a new quilt or need to add to an ongoing project.  It seems really dark and old fashion to me.  I like bright colors and there are some hiding in these neatly folded piles but for the most part I have saturated colors that won't be washed out in a quilt.  Compare my stash, which seems large to me but probably isn't all that large, to what I found browsing through the Internet and Pinterest.

Very neat, nicely displayed, color coordinated.  And it seems like a good mix of light and dark fabrics.  A nice collection of fabrics that look like they will go with each other.  And, I'm swooning for the reds. (I'm sorry I can't figured out where I found this stash.  If it is yours please let me know and I'll give you credit for it.  It is beautiful!) 

I buy red fabrics frequently but I always seem to be out of them.  I'm making 9 patches now to go with my red, white and blue X-Block quilt and I'm having a hard time finding fabric that I can use without cutting into a 2 yard piece. Even my fat quarter collection has been decimated. 

Ooh, I like the shallower shelves, no problem getting the center fabric out.  I think this stash looks the most like mine.  A good variety of fabrics but a lot of darker colors.  Look at those greens and blues. Source: mayangel_46/flickrphotostream. July 2009)

Now, here's a wall of fabric.  And, it is well organized and easy to see and get to. 

You can see more of this sewing space at http://sweetmissdaisy.typepad.com/sassy_sweet_notes/fabric-or-felt/.  Anna Wight is sharing her mother's studio at the above location. 

Do you have a stash purchasing plan?  I really don't but when I am in the mood to buy for the stash (which, honestly, I'm trying NOT to be) I do take a look at my shelves to see what is low.  And, frequently it is red and purple.  Heck, I don't even use all that much purple, or at least I don't think I do! Mostly I try to buy only for specific projects.  I recently bought borders and backing for the shaded 9 patch which is now a top center.  The borders need to be figured out soon. 

Share your ideas of what your stash tells about you.  Are you a bright, light kind of quilter or are you using a lot of dark fabrics?  Modern fabrics or more old fashion? 

Happy Quilting All!