Purple Rainbow Scrap Challenge Blocks 2025 Complete

Making purple blocks

Goal number one on my July list was to make the blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This month, Angela chose the color purple.  When I pulled out the squares, I learned I was one set short. I made another set of four squares and constructed the blocks. I almost made a grave error as I almost forgot to stitch the squares along the selvage edge as I had only glued them! Whew, I avoided a journey that would not have been fun!!

Purple selvages in blocks

Linking to Oh Scrap and Scrap Happy and Sew and Tell.

Green Rainbow Scrap Challenge Blocks--2025 --post three

Green selvage squares

Goal number six on my May list was to make the green blocks for the RainBow Scrap Challenge. Angela at SoScrappy, picked green as the color for May. THIS month, I wasn't going to wait until the last day to get the blocks sewn!

Block ready to be stitched

The small challenge I had was that I thought that I had made four sets of selvage squares; but, in fact, I had sewn only three. It was back to the selvage bag to make another set of four squares. I forgot to take a photo of the selvages.

Green blocks complete

While I was concerned that the green background would blend with the green selvages, the background worked great. There are enough varieties of green to be able to get a contrast. Now. . .if I can get the June blocks sewn at least as quickly next month. My fingers are crossed!

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday!, Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Angela at So Scrappy!

2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge Yellow--post 2

Daffodils blooming in the yard

Angela chose yellow as the color for March in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Honestly, when I think of the color yellow, I think of daffodils. These are such happy flowers which always make me smile!

Sewing the yellow selvage squares

For the scrap challenge this month, I was ready! I pulled my yellow selvage squares and began stitching them into blocks. Finishing the blocks was goal number six on my March list.

Yellow blocks completed 

Now that I'm organized, in no time, I had finished piecing the blocks.I wanted to see the yellow blocks with the pink and blue blocks. I arranged them all on the design wall. I liked what I saw.

The finished blocks

Then my little squirrel, Gertie, began swishing her tail and chattering. She wants to know how these will be set because she thinks there aren't enough! I told her that I didn't know what layout I would use. I told her that I was okay with making more blocks . . .maybe next year. . .well. . .She harrumphed me big time!! She obviously wants to see this finished sooner rather than later! LOL

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday and Angela at Scrap Happy!

2025 Rainbow Scrap Challenge Blocks--post 1

Selvage squares with the background

I'm behind with this project. I had good intentions. I purchased the background fabric in January. I even pre-washed it; but, didn't move further than that! 

Pink squares laid out

Last year for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC), I made selvage squares. At the time, I couldn't figure out a background fabric so I decided that year I would make the squares and the following year I would sew the squares into the blocks following the monthly color.

Pink blocks

Now that it is the end of February, I decided I needed to make some progress!!! Pink was the color for January and blue was the color for February. Surely, I could put together eight blocks before the end of February!

I cut a two yard piece of the background fabric and starched it. I let the starch dry and then I ironed the fabric. I cut strips; then squares and finally half square triangles. I laid out the block parts and started stitching.

Layout blue block

It didn't take long and all of my pink blocks were stitched. The blocks are supposed to be 10 1/2 inches. These were right on the mark. Starching the background fabric helped! I pulled the blue squares and stitched those. Again, the process went without one hiccup!

Next month, the color is yellow. I will make a few more blocks. It feels good to get caught up with the RSC! 

All the  blocks went together easily. I like the blocks in the straight setting. The pattern, however, had them set on the diagonal!

Blue blocks

Catching up on the RBSC was goal number one on my February list.

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday and Angela at Scrap Happy.

Orange Selvage Squares for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Orange selvages

Goal number five on my August list was to make the squares in the color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month. Angela chose orange, so I pulled out my orange selvages. I didn't have as many as I thought that I did! I contemplated putting out an S.O.S. to you; but, in the end, I was able to construct four sets of four squares. I did use the unprinted selvage edge to be able to create enough fabric for the squares.

More selvages--note the unprinted selvage

A question from Anne Marie of the blog, Stories from the Sewing Room, was how wide I cut the selvages.  I cut at least a half inch into the fabric and as wide as an inch. Some selvages, which were given to me, were cut with a quarter of an inch into the fabric. These selvages ,when put into a project, won't show the print of the fabric. There are some projects where none of the print shows so it isn't "wrong" to cut solvates where none of the print shows. You can see in the photos of the selvages, how the printed space of the selvages differs. Some selvages sport a narrow band, while other selvages sport a wide band. Thanks, Anne Marie for the question!

Orientation of the squares

Melisa of Pinker N Punkin Quilting and Stitching and Jane from Australia asked why I glue the selvages. I use glue to tame the selvage edge from crawling. I'm not using a stabilizer for this project which would help the edge from slipping. A leave in stabilizer would add bulk to the project which I didn't want. I could have used newsprint and then removed the paper; but, I didn't want to go to that trouble either! Also, there have been a few instances where I didn't like the arrangement. It was easy to gently lift the edge of the selvage to remove it, re-glue and place it in a different arrangement! I use tiny drops of Elmer's School Glue. This is a washable glue and it works great!

For set of orange selvage squares

Next year, I plan to figure out a background fabric and sew the squares into blocks. I'll have four blocks of each color. Linking to Angela at So Scrappy.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Squares in Aqua

Some aqua selvages

Goal number nine on my July list was to make the squares in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color of the month which is aqua. 

A few more aqua selvages

I pulled my aqua selvages--there were more than I remembered. I selected enough to make four sets of four squares.

Four sets of completed squares

Laying out the selvages always takes time. I glue baste them, press them and then stitch next to the selvage edge. This time, I noted how long it took me from selecting the selvages to stitching the edges. It took me about two hours.

Linking to Angela at So Scrappy.

  

Blue Selvages--Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Some blue selvages

Goal number two on my June list was to stitch enough squares for four blocks in the color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I have a lot of blue strings.

Even more selvages

I sorted them into a blue/green pile, a light/bright pile and a dark pile. I noted I had some teal and some aqua strips too!

Some of the wording on the selvages

This month, I remembered to snap a couple photos of the selvages before I started to cut them into segments for the blocks.

A few more selvages with wording

I could have stitched more squares since my pile didn't decrease much after I had finished making enough squares for four blocks. 

Squares in process

We had a bonus Zoom sew day on Monday. A member of one of my small groups moved to Kansas. To stay connected, we've been zooming one Monday a month. It's fun to hear what she found in her neighborhood and who she's met in the quilting world. 

Finished squares

We shared stories and laughter. I finished all of my squares. I'm linking to: Angela at Scrap Happy, Carol at To Do Tuesday.

Pink Selvages--Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Some of the selvages used

Goal number two on my May list was to glue the selvages for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color of the month which is pink. Pink doesn't frequent my stash; so getting enough selvages was a challenge. I thought about putting out an SOS; but, in the end, I managed!

A few more selvages

This month, I did remember to take close up photos of the selvages. That Eiffel Tower fabric, I made into a skirt for my oldest granddaughter when she was in elementary school. (She's a sixth grader now!)

Squares in process

I did use some selvages twice. I did use more of the solid selvages than I usually use; but, in the end, I was able to make four sets of four selvages squares. 

Finished sets of four

Life is great! Linking up to Angela at SoScrappy/Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2024. I'm also linking up to To Do Tuesday and Finished or Not Friday!

Men's monogram

I also finished the March software embroidery software which was about monograms. I made a baby's monogram, had an introduction to the art canvas tool and made a men's monogram. It was fun! Shelly Fitzgerald, who is the instructor, is easy to follow. I'm enjoying these lessons. I am learning my Bernina 9 embroidery software. Goal number three on my May list was to complete the February, March, April and May software lessons. I've completed wo lessons; I've two lessons remaining!

Purple Selvages for Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Purple selvages

Angela at So Scrappy chose the color purple as the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for March. I've sewn with purple often so I was extra surprised as I dug through the selvages to find few options! I was concerned that I wouldn't have enough to make squares for three blocks!

Range of purples--first set of squares

I began the process. Purple can come in a huge range of colors from blue/purple to red/purple and then add grey or white to make even more colors! For the first set of squares, Gertie, my inner squirrel, challenged me to use as many different purples as possible. I really wasn't excited with the muddy purple in the middle of the square. Gertie told me to go for it. I did. She has been vacationing so when she put in an appearance, I wanted to acknowledge her thoughts.

Second set of squares

Of course, because I followed her idea, she was ready with ideas for the second set. She challenged me to incorporate a red purple selvage in the middle of the square. While I wasn't "all in" for that red purple, I again acknowledged her idea. She was surprised that she was two for two!

Third set of squares

For the third set, Gertie wanted to use selvages that were the same purple tone. I was definitely on board. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough selvages to make it work. Gertie swished her tail. She said to use some of the plain selvages. I balked because I would miss the white edge. Gertie's responses were: So what? It won't matter. Try it. 

Close up of thread options

I did try it. I liked the results. Gertie was chirping happiness. . .she was three for three with me taking her suggestions! For the non white selvages, I did stitch close to the edge with a matching thread. Making these squares was goal number four on my March list.

Farm Quilt Progress and Rainbow Scrap Squares--Post 4

Beginning to quilt the churn dash sections

Goal number one on my February list was to make progress on the Farm Quilt. I was thinking that perhaps another month would have lapsed with the quilt in the same condition as it was at the beginning of the month. 

When I don't make progress or when it looks like I'm not going to make progress on a project the second time I've listed it on my monthly goal list, I ask myself if the project needs to come off of my list. I ask myself what is stopping me from working on the project. In this case, I have been studying for a class. With work and studying, I haven't had much concentrated time in the studio.

Quilted lines 

I decided that I would spend two hours working on the project last Wednesday after work. Since so much time had passed since I last worked on it, I needed to reacquaint myself with what I was doing and what I was doing it with!

First quilted block

At the end of the time, I had finished the ditch quilting and had started quilting the blocks. Friday evening and after spending a day training in the pool, I attended our standing Zoom sew day session. 

The makings of some blocks

Every Friday, our Clark County Quilters guild provides a Zoom link so any member can sew with other members from 10 in the morning until 11 in the evening. People come and go and some come back through the day. It is good to catch up with people. I treat these days like a mini retreat. 

Last Friday after the training day, my brain was too tired to think about putting selvages together for a square. I decided  I could make more progress quilting the block I had started on the Farm quilt.

I was stitching line after line using a ruler. The repetition of the movement helped my brain unwind from the challenges of the day. I hadn't planned to quilt this project this densely nor had I planned to customize each block. Sometimes, the quilt talks and the maker needs to listen. In this case, the quilt talked.  I ignored the quilt. Gertie, my inner squirrel, chirped at me to listen to the quilt. Gertie had a point. I listened. Now, I'm stitching. There are 20 blocks in this quilt. I'll be at this stage of the quilting for some time!

It took me about three hours to quilt this block. Some of the time I was talking to other pitchers on the Zoom call.. Some of the time, I was auditioning a line and sometimes, I was removing a line. Perhaps if I'm not visiting, I will quilt the next block a little faster. 

Yesterday, I pulled out my selvages and began to putting together squares for three blocks. Today, I'll stitch and trim the blocks. Goal number four on my February list was to make selvage squares in the color of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This month, Angela chose red. Eventually, I will combine four squares into a block. This year, I'm concentrating on making the squares!

Linking to Angela at Scrap Happy and linking to Cynthia at Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. After all, these selvages qualify as scrap!

Selvege Squares in the RSC Color--Green-post 2

Goal number five on my January list was to at least piece a few selvages in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) color of the month. This month the color is green. Anyone can participate in this challenge. If you are interested, visit Angela at SoScrappy for more information.

Close up of selvages

Basically, Angela picks a color for the month and you make blocks. . .whatever block you want or whatever blocks you want in whatever amount you want. She lists colors for ten months and then you stitch your blocks into tops and quilts. So far, I've made a top and blocks; but, I have yet to finish a quilt!

Close up of a second group of selvages

On Saturdays, Angela provides a link up. I enjoy visiting and seeing what other people are stitching. It's a good way to be inspired while I'm enjoy my cuppa!

Close up of a third group of selvages

I've been saving selvages for years. What made me decide to use selvages as my fabric scraps this year was because the scraps were outgrowing the container! If you want to see my technique for piecing the selvages, I wrote a post in December about my process.

First set of squares

I like reading the selvages. Sometimes there are cute symbols representing the colors used in printing the fabric. Often there is an interesting name for the fabric.

Second set of squares

This month, I made enough four inch squares for three blocks. I thought I had more green selvages than I did! I also selected selvages that were also printed in green. I repeated the orientation of the selvages four times so my squares have some consistency.

Third set of squares

This month, I had also planned to audition backgrounds so I could actually stitch the blocks. This was goal number four on my January list. Instead, I've decided to make squares over many months. I'll audition backgrounds when I've more fabric colors. 

Three sets of green squares.

This might be a several year project so I'm in no hurry finding a background. I'm linking up with Cynthia at Oh Scrap Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework and Angela at SoScrappy Saturday.

2024 RSC Block--Sample--post 1

Some of the selvages in the under 18 inches bag

Goal number nine on my December list was to figure out a block to make each month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) that Angela over at Scrap Happy hosts each year. I didn't participate last year as I hadn't finished either of the projects that I had begun the two years that I did participate. I have missed playing along though!

Block example

I haven't finished either quilt; but, that could happen sometime this year! I've been collecting selvages for years. The container where I store them is swelling so it is time to begin making the selvages into something useable!!! I began collecting selvages because the graphics are interesting.It seemed wasteful to through them away!

Gluing the selvages together

I've been thinking about a block. A couple months ago I bought a background fabric. I pulled a pattern that I have saved from the January/February 2021 issues of Quiltmaker magazine. Yesterday, I began a sample block.

Adding another selvage

First, I cut a selected selvage into four, four inch segments. I cut the same fabric four times because I wanted this block to feel "planned." I made a pencil mark on the back of the selvage a quarter inch from the edge. I placed a fine line of glue dots in the penciled area.

Pressing the glue dry

I placed the next selvage on the glue dots and pressed it into place. I waited a few minutes. Then I pressed the strip to dry the glue.

Securing the selvage

After the glue was secure, I stitched about an eighth of an inch from each selvedge edge to "make" my fabric. I kept adding segments until my section was four inches square. If my selvages are too similar in value, I will need to throw in a "rouge" to liven up the block. When I have a remaining segment that is too short to be cut into four equal pieces, I'll add it to the selvages strings I began piecing before the pandemic. I didn't and still don't have a plan for the strings. . .yet! 

Four blocks ready to be assembled.

I auditioned the four blocks against the grey background and I wasn't moved. I didn't like it against a cream background either. 

Different yellow fabrics for the background

I decided yellow would be a cheerful neutral. I'll make at least one block each month in the color that Angela posts. Sorting the selvages is messy; but, worth the effort. I think that these will be fun to make. I'll use a variety of the yellow fabrics.  . . .at least that is what I think at this moment! Linking to Cynthia at Oh Scrap.