Around the Garden – In Scraps – Block
If you are looking for pretty…. and scrappy inspiration, I think I just might have it covered today!
Hello, hello Dear Friends and Readers!
You might have noticed in the past that I like to work with squares. Today it is 2″ x 2″ square scraps. Whenever I finish a project, this is what I like to do!
I believe that 2” squares are like the magic squares. This is the fabric which could easily go in the bin but instead of doing that, cut these little pieces as you go and be amazed at the amount and variation you will have. I think by weight equivalent, I have about 2 yards of fabric here already cut. That could be equal to about 700 squares. Now that is what I call a good amount! Ready for a quilt! All these squares are true scraps, I am not going for a theme, but of course you could. The unifying fabric will be the background.
and….if you are wondering how to store them…
Just a thought!
Anyhow…. I have so many 2″ x 2″ scraps, here is the block which I have decided to make. Here is my burgeoning bag which is very full of 2’ x 2” scrap squares. I am using this little beauty, a Singer 201K treadle. She has a great story.
These blocks are going to be super sweet when joined together, however, I do have a plan, can you guess??
Ingredients for one 9 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ Around the Garden – In Scraps – Block
16 of 2” x 2” scrap coloured squares
4 of 2” x 2” cream quilters muslin or homespun
4 of 3 1/2” x 3 1/2” cream quilters muslin or homespun
Lay out 3 of the 2″ x 2″ scrap coloured squares and 1 of the 2″ x 2″ muslin squares into a four patch. Sew together. Repeat to make three more units like this. Finger press the units as you go ensuring the the seam allowances are pressed away from the light muslin squares. Use the remainder 4 of 2″ x 2″ coloured scrap squares to make one more four patch.
Now assemble the units together as a nine patch. The coloured four patch in the centre and the four patches with the muslin squares on each corner with each muslin square pointing towards the centre four patch. Lay the four of 3 1/3″ x 3 1/2″ muslin squares in between the four patches like this.
Sew together as a nine patch.
It should look like this.
Here is a few more. I haven’t pressed them yet.
And here is a few more. I like the emerging crosses when the blocks abut each other. There is a nice background space for quilting. I think there could be many fun ways of setting or sashing these blocks. Let your imagination go!
You can see how I have decided to use these blocks here.
If are cutting your scraps or have a collection of 2” x 2” squares to use, here are some other posts using 2” x 2” squares you might like too!
Charmed Nine Patch and Snowball Recipe
or this one
Quilted Scrap Fabric Basket Upsize It Tutorial
or…this one
Fettered Friendship Stars Quilt Pattern Bordered
Oh wait…. here is another…
Stars and Crosses Band Quilt Pattern
And not to forget an old favourite
36 Patch Postage Stamp Blocks Tutorial
Happy sewing!
Susie
Beste mevrouw Susie,
Uw quilt “Rondom de tuin in kladjes” –“ Around the garden – in scraps” vind ik een zeer leuke quilt.
Ik wil een 1-persoons jongens dekbed maken in dit patroon.
De scraps die ik wil gebruiken zijn rood – oranje en zwart. Zwart worden dus de vaste blokken.
Denk je dat het mooi zal zijn in die kleuren? Ik dacht mijn kaffe fasett scraps erbij te gebruiken maar het is misschien wat te frivool voor een jongensquilt. Ik heb ook nog een aantal scraps in rode tinten en vermoed dat het beter is.
Hopelijk zijn het niet teveel zwarte blokken. Hopelijk is de quilt niet te groot voor deze blok en mijn stoffen.
Ik ben een handquilters en wil deze quilt met de hand maken.
Graag uw advies over het gebruik van de stoffen.
Nog veel leuk quiltplezier en alvast bedankt.
Groeten,
j.swijsen@telenet.be
Dear Hilda,
Thank you for your email.
I think that making this quilt in red orange and black will be very striking!
You could include some Kaffe Fasset scraps if they are also in orange and red. I think they would add some highlights to the overall quilt.
My suggestion would be to make a couple of block as a test.
Please feel free to email me again in the future or send a photo. I would love to see your progress.
Best wishes to you,
Susie
You are an inspiration!!! I have a quilt panty too! Mine are stored in plastic shoe boxes. My mother had a ton of them!!!! I love to pull out a box and make a quilt. This is a new one to me and I can’t wait to try it!!! Thank you so much for sharing it!!!
Susie,
I finally finished piecing the quilt blocks I started making this summer for my daughter. Now it’s time to stitch it together. It looks beautiful, and I think she’s going to love it.
Susie, you have inspired me! Using your Country Roses Four Patch as reference, I have made my daughter a garden quilt with gingham, floral and garden prints and a she shed quilt for my neighbor with birds, bees and butterflies. I am working on a “pink lemonade” quilt and next up is Around the Garden with random squares for my youngest daughter. Some of my scraps date back to when my oldest was a toddler, 26 years ago. Your work is beautiful and your directions are very easy to follow. Thank you!
I love quilts that look like their from the 30’s or 40’s. How did you quilt it and what did you use for the backing.
How big can you make this quilt? The around the garden quilt.
As large or small as you like. As many blocks as you would like to make! 😊
This is lovely. I like the emerging crosses made by the pattern. I am imagining this with a darker neutral like taupe, or maybe a linen or Kaufman’s Essex linen (which is Quilter’s cotton). Great idea! I’ll keep cutting my scraps. By the way, how do you do your cutting? Rotary or other??
Linen would be beautiful!
I rotary cut. 😊
Hi I love your site Always such pretty quilts In this one I am wondering if all the squares are pressed in the same direction how it will be to sew them together with out sashing
Hi Donna, wherever possible I am pressing toward the dark, away from the muslin squares. I will be putting these together with another block which I will reveal soon!
Just love your site