Idea for Practice Pieces

I'm sure many of you have 12 square blocks laying around that you've used to
test a pattern or see if you like the colors. I have so many -- some turned
out OK, some are pretty sorry looking, and a few actually turned out pretty
good! But they're just odd, unmatched, blocks with nothing in common.
Colors don't go with anything else.

The other day I moved a large set of dressers and an armoire into my
bedroom. I want to line the drawers but don't have any shelf paper. So, it
came to me that if I used the odd block, added borders to fit the drawer, I
would have a nifty liner. I could try out some embellishments I'd been
thinking about and I could use it to practice my hand or machine quilting.
I could birth it, or add binding, to finish it. It would look like a short
table runner, but I'd be happy to use it as an original drawer liner.

They would also look nice if I used them as real shelf lining. I would
color coordinate it more carefully.

I can't stand to throw things away. Pack-Rat is my middle name. But I
really like using things in a practical way.

René

What a lovely idea! Something to give pleasure every time you open a drawer,
and it would encourage drawer tidiness, maybe. At least stuff wouldn't shift
around as much as in a slick-bottomed drawer.
Roberta in D, adding to the very long list

"René" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:uCIPh.22903$oV.19319@attbi_s21...
I'm sure many of you have 12 square blocks laying around that you've used
to test a pattern or see if you like the colors. I have so many -- some
turned out OK, some are pretty sorry looking, and a few actually turned
out pretty good! But they're just odd, unmatched, blocks with nothing in
common. Colors don't go with anything else.

The other day I moved a large set of dressers and an armoire into my
bedroom. I want to line the drawers but don't have any shelf paper. So,
it came to me that if I used the odd block, added borders to fit the
drawer, I would have a nifty liner. I could try out some embellishments
I'd been thinking about and I could use it to practice my hand or machine
quilting. I could birth it, or add binding, to finish it. It would look
like a short table runner, but I'd be happy to use it as an original
drawer liner.

They would also look nice if I used them as real shelf lining. I would
color coordinate it more carefully.

I can't stand to throw things away. Pack-Rat is my middle name. But
I really like using things in a practical way.

René

Here's another easy practice-quilting project, if your stash of squares is
bigger than you need to line your cupboards and drawers.
If they're 12" (or so) square - you could maybe make "Baked Potato Bags" to
use in your microwave. Take 2 squares, sew together. . You end up with a
rectangle about 24" x 12"
Add a layer of cotton batting underneath, and a layer of lining fabric right
side down to the top (muslin works well). Sew all the way around, but leave
a hole for turning right-side out. Kinda like "birthing a quilt".
Turn right side out. Sew opening-for-turning shut.. Practice a quilting
motif.
Then sew a couple pieces of velcro to both shorter ends (on the muslin side)
to keep the bag closed.
Fold in half (one block shows on each side), and stitch 1/2" seams down the
sides.
Use to put potatoes in when microwaving them. (If they explode, the bag
keeps the explosion contained - AND can be washed!) The batting also helps
to hold the moisture in and bake the potatoes faster.
These make great gifts.
ME-Judy


"René" wrote in message
news:uCIPh.22903$oV.19319@attbi_s21...
I'm sure many of you have 12 square blocks laying around that you've used
to test a pattern or see if you like the colors. I have so many -- some
turned out OK, some are pretty sorry looking, and a few actually turned
out pretty good! But they're just odd, unmatched, blocks with nothing in
common. Colors don't go with anything else.

The other day I moved a large set of dressers and an armoire into my
bedroom. I want to line the drawers but don't have any shelf paper. So,
it came to me that if I used the odd block, added borders to fit the
drawer, I would have a nifty liner. I could try out some embellishments
I'd been thinking about and I could use it to practice my hand or machine
quilting. I could birth it, or add binding, to finish it. It would look
like a short table runner, but I'd be happy to use it as an original
drawer liner.

They would also look nice if I used them as real shelf lining. I would
color coordinate it more carefully.

I can't stand to throw things away. Pack-Rat is my middle name. But
I really like using things in a practical way.

René

I would be turning those blocks into all sorts of things and NOT
hiding them away in drawers! You could take 2 blocks, quilt them,
add binding, a zipper, and have a pillow cover for a guest room or
sofa. It doesn't matter whether they coordinate or not since only one
side is seen at a time anyway. 8 blocks would make a larger pillow,
and you could add sashing between blocks (see what size pillow forms
are on sale). For a 4-block pillow front you would want the blocks to
have at least a wee bit in common. And depending on how many other
blocks you have on hand, why not add sashing (or not . . .) and make a
quilt to keep in your car, or on the front porch on a settee or
chair? Or a dog bed? Or lap robes for charity?

i agree, seems silly to hide away all your hard work.
they dont always have to match.
make bags to match different outfits or moods, any excuse to carry patchwork
round with ya, eh.
make bags as gifts for friends/family birthdays, mothers day, xmas.
show us pix as you make them, eh.
cheers,
jeanne
--
Vote B'fly for President '08
san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz
nzlstar on yahoo msg'r
nzlstar on webshots

"Mary" wrote...
I would be turning those blocks into all sorts of things and NOT
hiding them away in drawers! You could take 2 blocks, quilt them,
add binding, a zipper, and have a pillow cover for a guest room or
sofa. It doesn't matter whether they coordinate or not since only one
side is seen at a time anyway. 8 blocks would make a larger pillow,
and you could add sashing between blocks (see what size pillow forms
are on sale). For a 4-block pillow front you would want the blocks to
have at least a wee bit in common. And depending on how many other
blocks you have on hand, why not add sashing (or not . . .) and make a
quilt to keep in your car, or on the front porch on a settee or
chair? Or a dog bed? Or lap robes for charity?

How cute! I can just see my kids -- "Mom's lost it! She's making quilts
for the potatoes now!" LOL

But I can see how hand they'd be. Great idea! Thanks!

René

"Judy" wrote in message
...
Here's another easy practice-quilting project, if your stash of squares is
bigger than you need to line your cupboards and drawers.
If they're 12" (or so) square - you could maybe make "Baked Potato Bags"
to use in your microwave. Take 2 squares, sew together. . You end up
with a rectangle about 24" x 12"
Add a layer of cotton batting underneath, and a layer of lining fabric
right side down to the top (muslin works well). Sew all the way around,
but leave a hole for turning right-side out. Kinda like "birthing a
quilt".
Turn right side out. Sew opening-for-turning shut.. Practice a quilting
motif.
Then sew a couple pieces of velcro to both shorter ends (on the muslin
side) to keep the bag closed.
Fold in half (one block shows on each side), and stitch 1/2" seams down
the sides.
Use to put potatoes in when microwaving them. (If they explode, the bag
keeps the explosion contained - AND can be washed!) The batting also helps
to hold the moisture in and bake the potatoes faster.
These make great gifts.
ME-Judy


"René" wrote in message
news:uCIPh.22903$oV.19319@attbi_s21...
I'm sure many of you have 12 square blocks laying around that you've used
to test a pattern or see if you like the colors. I have so many -- some
turned out OK, some are pretty sorry looking, and a few actually turned
out pretty good! But they're just odd, unmatched, blocks with nothing in
common. Colors don't go with anything else.

The other day I moved a large set of dressers and an armoire into my
bedroom. I want to line the drawers but don't have any shelf paper. So,
it came to me that if I used the odd block, added borders to fit the
drawer, I would have a nifty liner. I could try out some embellishments
I'd been thinking about and I could use it to practice my hand or machine
quilting. I could birth it, or add binding, to finish it. It would look
like a short table runner, but I'd be happy to use it as an original
drawer liner.

They would also look nice if I used them as real shelf lining. I would
color coordinate it more carefully.

I can't stand to throw things away. Pack-Rat is my middle name. But
I really like using things in a practical way.

René

But it just seems so frivolous and totally fru-fru to make quilted drawer
liners. I'll open the drawer and that cute little qult will peak up at me
like a pretty little secret. I love secrets!

René

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
I would be turning those blocks into all sorts of things and NOT
hiding them away in drawers! You could take 2 blocks, quilt them,
add binding, a zipper, and have a pillow cover for a guest room or
sofa. It doesn't matter whether they coordinate or not since only one
side is seen at a time anyway. 8 blocks would make a larger pillow,
and you could add sashing between blocks (see what size pillow forms
are on sale). For a 4-block pillow front you would want the blocks to
have at least a wee bit in common. And depending on how many other
blocks you have on hand, why not add sashing (or not . . .) and make a
quilt to keep in your car, or on the front porch on a settee or
chair? Or a dog bed? Or lap robes for charity?

Jeanne - I've already made bags of all sizes, shapes and uses. My
granddaughters like them, too, for their little toys, and for Barbie
clothes. Fat quarters are the perfect thing for those little bags.

René

"nzlstar*" wrote in message
...
i agree, seems silly to hide away all your hard work.
they dont always have to match.
make bags to match different outfits or moods, any excuse to carry
patchwork round with ya, eh.
make bags as gifts for friends/family birthdays, mothers day, xmas.
show us pix as you make them, eh.
cheers,
jeanne
--
Vote B'fly for President '08
san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz
nzlstar on yahoo msg'r
nzlstar on webshots

"Mary" wrote...
I would be turning those blocks into all sorts of things and NOT
hiding them away in drawers! You could take 2 blocks, quilt them,
add binding, a zipper, and have a pillow cover for a guest room or
sofa. It doesn't matter whether they coordinate or not since only one
side is seen at a time anyway. 8 blocks would make a larger pillow,
and you could add sashing between blocks (see what size pillow forms
are on sale). For a 4-block pillow front you would want the blocks to
have at least a wee bit in common. And depending on how many other
blocks you have on hand, why not add sashing (or not . . .) and make a
quilt to keep in your car, or on the front porch on a settee or
chair? Or a dog bed? Or lap robes for charity?

Good Morning, Rene,
how about reusable bags to hold presents at Xmas.
used once a yr so will last a lifetime or three.
pay once, no more cost of all that wasted (adds to global warming) paper to
wrap,
looks gorgeous to have all that patchwork under the tree(think of the
colours you could use, lol).
each yr you take them out and marvel at just how clever you really are, as
will the family.
start a great new tradition in your house to see who can pick this years new
bags that you've made thru the yr with those 'dont know what to do with this
block' bags.
more thunk'n outloud in the south pacific,
jeanne
--
Vote B'fly for President '08
san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz
nzlstar on yahoo msg'r
nzlstar on webshots

"René" wrote...
Jeanne - I've already made bags of all sizes, shapes and uses. My
granddaughters like them, too, for their little toys, and for Barbie
clothes. Fat quarters are the perfect thing for those little bags.

René

"nzlstar*" wrote in message
...
i agree, seems silly to hide away all your hard work.
they dont always have to match.
make bags to match different outfits or moods, any excuse to carry
patchwork round with ya, eh.
make bags as gifts for friends/family birthdays, mothers day, xmas.
show us pix as you make them, eh.
cheers,
jeanne
--
Vote B'fly for President '08
san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz
nzlstar on yahoo msg'r
nzlstar on webshots

"Mary" wrote...
I would be turning those blocks into all sorts of things and NOT
hiding them away in drawers! You could take 2 blocks, quilt them,
add binding, a zipper, and have a pillow cover for a guest room or
sofa. It doesn't matter whether they coordinate or not since only one
side is seen at a time anyway. 8 blocks would make a larger pillow,
and you could add sashing between blocks (see what size pillow forms
are on sale). For a 4-block pillow front you would want the blocks to
have at least a wee bit in common. And depending on how many other
blocks you have on hand, why not add sashing (or not . . .) and make a
quilt to keep in your car, or on the front porch on a settee or
chair? Or a dog bed? Or lap robes for charity?

Hi Jeanne! My cousin and her family has done that for the past couple
years. She was asking me if I had any Christmas fabric I don't want
anymore. HUH?? Don't want anymore? LOL It's a great idea, and you can
bet I'm gonna be sewing up baggies for next Christmas.

René


"nzlstar*" wrote in message
...
Good Morning, Rene,
how about reusable bags to hold presents at Xmas.
used once a yr so will last a lifetime or three.
pay once, no more cost of all that wasted (adds to global warming) paper
to wrap,
looks gorgeous to have all that patchwork under the tree(think of the
colours you could use, lol).
each yr you take them out and marvel at just how clever you really are, as
will the family.
start a great new tradition in your house to see who can pick this years
new bags that you've made thru the yr with those 'dont know what to do
with this block' bags.
more thunk'n outloud in the south pacific,
jeanne
--
Vote B'fly for President '08
san-fran at ihug dot co dot nz
nzlstar on yahoo msg'r
nzlstar on webshots