In the Scrap Pile

 

 

I've been making more baby and children's quilts for donation.  I was cleaning up some scraps and started cutting odds and ends into 2 x 3.5" pieces, which make nice leaders and enders when you're sewing up other projects.  Just pair these pieces randomly and soon you have a nice pile that can be made into a quilt.

It's the perfect mindless sewing: very meditative.

This next quilt began as a test block.  The big 20" stars are made from 5" half-square triangles, and squares were culled from the scrap drawer.  A friend gave me several yards of the navy border fabric, which has come in handy for unifying scrappy quilts.

You can't get any simpler than strip piecing.  I culled  primary-colored fabrics from my stash, cut them into width-of-fabric strips, and sewed them together with the same navy border.  This one sewed up in a flash.

Some of these quilts will be quilted using flannel for the batting and/or backing, and some will be quilted to fleece remnants, which makes them extra-cuddly.

  

As an alternative to sitting at the sewing machine, I crocheted this baby blanket from bright yarn left over from another project.  

 This knitted baby blanket was the result of my effort to use up some dusty pink yarn that the same friend gave me who gave me the navy fabric.  It's not my favorite color to work with, but combining it with a darker color made a nice blanket I think.

My box of baby blankets is now stuffed to bursting and will be sent off soon to Pine Ridge.  I feel the seasons beginning to change here in my area, so they'll arrive in good time.

Quarantine Projects

So much has happened in the world since my last post in February.  All in all, I and my family are doing well, and making things is one constant that helps me give order to my immediate surroundings.

I pray for those who seek justice during these times, and I'm doing what I can in my community to support these efforts, as well as to give support those displaced by the economic inequality that the pandemic has deepened.  The crib-sized (35 x 50") afghan, above, will be sent to a program for mothers and infants on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  There is an active group on Ravelry, For the Children of Pine Ridge, that supports various organizations on and around the reservation.  The pattern is called Classic Granny Square by Purl Soho.  I have a stash of acrylic yarn, mostly passed on to me by a friend, that's perfect for crocheted afghans.

 

For myself I sewed up new pajama pants from my stash of vintage sheets.  I used a basic commercial pattern, New Look 6233.  I skipped the pockets so as to finish faster.  The fabric has a wonderful soft hand as the sheets have been through the laundry many many times.  

 There's something reassuring in making things from stash. It gives me a feeling of abundance during these otherwise challenging times.  I hope you and yours are well.  I've added a link to the blog so you can get my posts in your email so we can stay in touch.