Sunday, October 11, 2020

A Bag Of Flannel Scraps--Starting with Four Fat Quarters

The last "collection" of fabric
The fourth pile of Martha's flannel scraps contained four flannel coordinating fat quarters and at least three 2 1/5 inch strips. There were a couple chunks of green fabric. Of course, there was the usual one to two inch range of strips and a couple two inch squares. 

It took some time for me to be inspired about how to approach the fabrics. Then, the printed fabric spoke to me. It told me to make bear paw blocks. Two of the prints were bears and the third print was a bear paw block! I looked online and found a 14 inch bear paw quilt block pattern. The larger the block pieces are, the better chance I have of accurately sewing the pieces together!

Following the pattern directions, I cut the cream fat quarter into 2 1/2 inch strips. I cut the green print fabric into 4 1/2 inch squares. Next, I cut the brown print into 2 1/2 inch strips. I decided to use sashing that contrasted to the background fabric as that was a way to incorporate those 2 1/2 inch strips.

Four completed blocks
I stitched two blocks. I liked how they looked so I cut and stitched two more blocks. I have picked up more background fabric and more "claw" fabric to stitch the remaining blocks. I did look on line at flannel fabrics; but, I'd much rather see the fabric in person before I buy it! I did pick up some flannel fabrics at the guild sale last August. I have purchased some cream flannel to make more backgrounds. 

Perhaps, Martha bought this fabric to make what she called a "curly" quilt. I looked on line and found this source for a free rag quilt pattern. I can remember her sitting in her comfy chair cutting the seam allowances so the quilts would ravel and "curl" after she washed and dried the quilts.

The leftover bits
While I stitched, I thought about stitching sections for the string border with the leftover strips. I decided that I would wait until I finished the bear paw blocks before staring the string strips. I have enough fat quarters to cut squares for nine blocks. Perhaps, twelve blocks would be a better sized top. Time will tell.

The great news is I started with a lot of flannel scraps. The scraps were housed in a two gallon ziplock bag and an overflowing linen case. After stitching three panels and four blocks, the remaining scraps easily fit in a gallon zip lock bag! I made progress!

I pulled the panels and the blocks and I laid them all out on the couch.  Once I quilt the other three tops, I'll work again on this top.

I'm linking to Oh Scrap/Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

What Martha's scraps produced
Regarding Covid:
Worldwide: 37M confirmed cases; 1.07M deaths
United States: 7.73M confirmed cases; 214K deaths
Oregon: 36,538  confirmed cases; 600 deaths
Covid is on the rise again. In the UK, 14,000 cases are being reported daily. In the U.S., 39 states are experiencing an increase in cases. The president has recovered from having COVID. He has resumed his campaign activities. A second relief plan remains under negotiation. In Oregon, 434 cases were reported on Friday. 

Regarding the protests: Wednesday, protestors turned their message from police violence and racial injustice to evictions. 
  
Regarding the fires:
Oregon officials are relaxing some requirements for handling ash and debris containing asbestos to speed work in removing debris from homes and buildings destroyed by wildfires. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission on Friday also authorized the temporary stockpiling of asbestos-containing debris before being taken to landfills. Property owners can only take advantage of the rule changes if they hire licensed asbestos abatement contractors. 


6 comments:

Vicki in MN said...

You certainly did make good progress. I think your bear paws are gorgeous!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Thanks, Vicki! I keep thinking that I will be able to sew myself into space as I use the fabrics. . .my family thinks I'm crazy. . .!!!!

Rebecca Grace said...

Love those bear paw blocks, and your persistence and focus in using up all of those strips!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Rebecca, my thinking is that using all those small chunks and bits that others would toss gives me a "free"' quilt! I'm enjoying playing with the pieces. It takes a lot of little pieces to get a top to size 40x60 inches!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

those bear paws are awesome!! love the fabrics in them!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Thanks, Alycia! What's not to love about flannel fabric printed with bears and bear paws? LOL!