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| Scrap Basket Quilt |
I have been sewing on the scrap basket quilt top! I added the cat blocks I had sewn earlier (in May) and I had just enough of the grey fabric I had used for the second border to frame the cat blocks, too! The blue in the cat blocks is the same blue as the third border - yes, the quilt top is scrappy, but, I'm trying to tie things together, a little bit!
The only problem was I had seven cat blocks (actually, there are eight, but, the eighth one is a little different, with the cat sitting up and taller, but, I didn't get the proportions right on it, so I am not using it on the quilt top) and I didn't feel like making another cat block. After playing around with the different layouts, I decided to have a row of four cats on the top and arrange the other three in a row at the bottom, with some solid blue fabric on either side to even it out:
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| Bottom Row of Cats |
I had made six cats with the same fabric and one cat with a white floral fabric (my original plan had been to make a whole quilt top with cat blocks, using different fabrics for the cats, but, I changed my mind!). The cat blocks were made back in May, but, I think of Snowball when I see the white cat!
This weekend, I sewed a panel of crumb pieced blocks to the two sides of the quilt top. I had made about 12 such crumb blocks, each measuring 8.5" by 8.5" some time ago (I mentioned doing so in a blog post in October, 2021 and again, in May of this year). I made them when I wanted to relax during some "mindless sewing" as I called it, without any idea of what I was going to do with them! I needed 10 such crumb blocks for each side of this quilt, so, I had to make eight additional ones and I made the last one on Sunday. Then, I sewed the blocks together to make two long strips and attached them to either side of the quilt top to make it wider.
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| Side Panel of Crumb Pieced Blocks |
The next step is to decide if I should add a crumb pieced panel to the top and bottom of the quilt (just above and just below the cat blocks), or if a border should be enough, and how wide a border I should add. I debated adding a scrappy border and decided against it. I think a solid colored border is needed to set it off! I also need to see if I have enough solid colored fabric in my stash for that!
What do you think?
Gorgeous, I love the deep blue strips which really set off the cat blocks - especially Snowball's block!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. :)
DeleteYour quilt is looking really good, I love the cats top and bottom. I have no idea about quilt making so am impressed with how it is turning out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen; this quilt is coming along, nicely, considering I am making it with odds and ends of leftover fabric! :)
DeleteThat quilt looks amazing - I'm in awe of your skill. I love the cat blocks. I think that they're my favourite part.
ReplyDeleteI really like how the cat blocks turned out - with that grey border around them, it almost looks like they are sitting at a window, looking out. :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful quilt. I like the cat blocks & what a lovely tribute to Snowball.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary-Lou; I wasn't sure how the cat blocks would get incorporated, but, they look very much at home on the quilt, don't they? Everyone seems to like them! :)
DeleteI like the way you have put the frames in to add order to the colorful blocks. From the picture, it looks like the quilt is big enough that it only needs a border. Will you quilt or knot this one?
ReplyDeleteThank you, June; the frames help to contain the differently pieced blocks, don't they? I measured the quilt top today and I think I might add another panel of patched pieces on either side to make it a little wider, so it drapes a bit more on either side of the bed. If I do any quilting on this top, it will be very minimal - maybe just around the cats. The rest will be knotted/tied.
DeleteIt's looking really lovely, Bless. You are clever 🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. It is evolving very nicely, isn't it? :)
DeleteI love the cats on your gorgeous quilt! I think you are right about using a solid colour for the border.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has certainly cooled off and we had a lot of rain. DH was in a heat wave in Europe so it has been quite a change for him to come back to this. I do like the changing of the seasons, cooking warm comfort food and snuggling under a throw to watch a video. But I wish my fingers hadn't gone back to turning white again when they are cold!
Thank you, Bushlady. Yes, a solid colored border will be needed to finish the quilt.
DeleteSounds like Autumn has arrived up there! I'm sorry your fingers are turning white from the cold - I remember you mentioning it, earlier. Would wearing fingerless mitts help?
It's come together so well! I think I agree that a solid colour for the final border, would "hold" everything in better than a scrappy one. As far as I can tell from the photo, I don't think any more length is needed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady Ella. I'm quite pleased with how it's turning out. I don't think I need any more length (I measured the top, this morning), but, I think I will add a little more to the two sides so it can drape down a little more. :)
DeleteLovely quilt! However you finish it will be just right.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie! Love your comment! :D
DeleteVery nice work. It's so you. I'm sure you'll decide what's best for the quilt and the bed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. I'm really enjoying making this quilt. :)
DeleteThat is a great looking quilt!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. :)
DeleteWhat a surprise to see the cat blocks. I don't think you mentioned prior that you would be using them. I smiled when I saw the picture :)
ReplyDeleteI think the 4 at the top and the 3 at the bottom adds a nice balance and the white one is a nice accidental nod to Snowball.
I love all your crumb blocks and think this quilt is a winner!
I wasn't sure how the cat blocks would work out, but, I thought it would be nice if I could fit them in, somehow. This quilt sort of evolved, just like my Hearts/Love is a Wild Goose Chase quilt. I think the cats look just right on the quilt, top, don't they? I think this will be called the "cat quilt"! :D
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