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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Oh Scrap! | Scrappy Chain Tutorial


Hello, friends!

We recently made a move (for Brandon's job) about 200 miles south of where we'd been living, now to the middle of Iowa. In the 3 weeks we had to pack everything and move, I made it a point to get my sewing room picked up and (more importantly!) organized. With that came dealing with my scraps. I'll admit, I have a love/hate relationship with scraps. Most of that hate came from not having all the scraps in one place & especially from them not being organized. When we actually made the move I had 3 -- yes THREE -- large plastic totes FULL of scraps. What the what?! It just proved that my scraps are out.of.control. With all that being said, I'm on a mission to use up my scraps!

So I officially welcome you to a new blog series called Oh Scrap! I'll be sharing different tutorials, tips & tricks all about -- you guessed it -- SCRAPS. I sure hope you'll join along -- please share your scrap love using #ohscrap on social media so we can all cheer each other on!

Now fast forward to this past week, I won a scrap bundle from 1canoe2 on Instagram. Yay, even more scraps! I met Beth at this past Quilt Market in Minneapolis and I love, love, LOVE their new collection, Tucker Prairie, with Moda Fabrics. I mean buy all the fabric, make all the things kind of love. So naturally, I was beyond thrilled when the package arrived in the mail. You may have seen my picture I shared on Instagram & Facebook


That's when the Scrappy Chain design was born -- I loved it so much that I decided to put together a tutorial for you all! This is a fast & easy way to bust through some scraps and have fun along the way. Let's get started!



For this quilt, you'll need:
- Background Fabric
- Accent Fabric
- Assorted Scraps (at least 2" square)

This quilt uses two different block designs, we are going to call them Block A & Block B. First up, let's look at Block A.


For BLOCK A, you'll need:
- 33 scrappy squares, each measuring 2" x 2"
- 12 accent fabric squares, each measuring 2" x 2"
- 4 background fabric squares, each measuring 2" x 2"

Layout your block using the flowing diagram as a guide, first sewing your squares into rows. Then the rows into a finished BLOCK A. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance & press seams as desired. With something like this, I prefer to press my seams in alternating directions. It makes for nested seams & perfectly matching points. 

Finished BLOCK A measures 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" (unfinished 11" x 11").



For BLOCK B, you'll need:
- 4 scrappy squares, each measuring 2" x 2"
- 8 accent fabric squares, each measuring 2" x 2"
- 2 background fabric rectangles, each measuring 2" x 5"
- 2 background fabric rectangles, each measuring 2" x 8"
- 1 background fabric rectangle, measuring 5" x 11"

Layout your block using the flowing diagram as a guide, first sewing your pieces into rows. Then the rows into a finished BLOCK B. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance & press seams as desired.

Finished BLOCK B measures 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" (unfinished 11" x 11").


The overall layout of the quilt alternates between these two blocks -- Block A & Block B. Pretty easy, huh?

I've already whipped up a few blocks and am loving the process so far! Want in on a little secret that I like to use when starting a new project? Finish a block (or in this case two), take a picture of them using your phone, and then use a mosaic app to get a sneak peek on what the final layout is going to look like -- I use PicFrame on my iPhone! 

Now let's talk layouts & size. I'll be back tomorrow with a few images and cutting requirements for several different sizes -- mini quilt on up! -- but ultimately, it's up to you. I hope you find this design easy to adapt to what ever fabric scraps (or stash!) you want. 

Please share, share, SHARE your progress pictures -- scrap/fabric pulls, cutting, whatever you like! -- using #ohscrap, #scrappychain, and #canoeridgecreations. Let's cheer each other on and bust through some scraps!

xoxo, Megan 

15 comments:

  1. Scraps out of control - very funny!
    I will implement your supporting measures ;-)
    Best regards,
    Kathrin

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  2. I've been thinking about making an Irish Chain/Scrappy Chain quilt for months. I believe you have inspired to start planning!

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  3. Subnuclear in live in the middle of Iowa I am curious where you are living! Lots of great shops in Iowa!!

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  4. Great design, love it! My scraps also overfloweth, I tamed a few into different sized pieces and popped into their own plastic boxes and finished a scappy quilt last week with some, so this is a great incentive to make another. I popped a photo of mine on my blog http://stephsquilts.blogspot.com.au/, it used 3.5 inch blocks.

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  5. Ooh I love this! I definitely need a project to use scraps on!

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  6. oh ya, the scrap bins are overflowing ... thanks for the motivation!

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  7. How did you know I have a fresh batch of squares cut from scraps?! Totally love this design and oh boy, I think I want to make one now! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  8. I like this one!....I think I will make this with 2.5 squares since I am inclined to use some jelly roll strips in the solid section. I might not go as large but I want to join in the spirit of the sew along. Thanks for the motivation!

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  9. I've always wanted to make an Irish Chain quilt. My sister and I are anxious to get started. I have a 2" square Accu Quilt die that cuts 6 squares at a time, so I'm tickled pink. Thank you so much. I love your work.
    Carol

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  10. I love this. I just think it's funny that you actually cut up more scraps to make this tutorial instead of just using your current scraps :D

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  11. Hhmm. . . where in the middle of Iowa? How far from Des Moines?

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  12. I love this. The accent color really brings it all together. I will be making this with my scraps.

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  13. I love this! I want to try a quilt someday.. Welcome to Iowa..

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