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Idea for Practice Pieces

I'm sure many of you have 12 square blocks laying around that you've used to test a pattern or see if you like the colors. I have so many -- some turned out OK, some are pretty sorry looking, and a few actually turned out pretty good! But they're just odd, unmatched, blocks with nothing in common. Colors don't go with anything else.

The other day I moved a large set of dressers and an armoire into my bedroom. I want to line the drawers but don't have any shelf paper. So, it came to me that if I used the odd block, added borders to fit the drawer, I would have a nifty liner. I could try out some embellishments I'd been thinking about and I could use it to practice my hand or machine quilting. I could birth it, or add binding, to finish it. It would look like a short table runner, but I'd be happy to use it as an original drawer liner.

They would also look nice if I used them as real shelf lining. I would color coordinate it more carefully.

I can't stand to throw things away. :) Pack-Rat is my middle name. But I really like using things in a practical way.

René

Reply to
René
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What a lovely idea! Something to give pleasure every time you open a drawer, and it would encourage drawer tidiness, maybe. At least stuff wouldn't shift around as much as in a slick-bottomed drawer. Roberta in D, adding to the very long list

"René" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:uCIPh.22903$oV.19319@attbi_s21...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

Here's another easy practice-quilting project, if your stash of squares is bigger than you need to line your cupboards and drawers. If they're 12" (or so) square - you could maybe make "Baked Potato Bags" to use in your microwave. Take 2 squares, sew together. . You end up with a rectangle about 24" x 12" Add a layer of cotton batting underneath, and a layer of lining fabric right side down to the top (muslin works well). Sew all the way around, but leave a hole for turning right-side out. Kinda like "birthing a quilt". Turn right side out. Sew opening-for-turning shut.. Practice a quilting motif. Then sew a couple pieces of velcro to both shorter ends (on the muslin side) to keep the bag closed. Fold in half (one block shows on each side), and stitch 1/2" seams down the sides. Use to put potatoes in when microwaving them. (If they explode, the bag keeps the explosion contained - AND can be washed!) The batting also helps to hold the moisture in and bake the potatoes faster. These make great gifts. ME-Judy

Reply to
Judy

I would be turning those blocks into all sorts of things and NOT hiding them away in drawers! You could take 2 blocks, quilt them, add binding, a zipper, and have a pillow cover for a guest room or sofa. It doesn't matter whether they coordinate or not since only one side is seen at a time anyway. 8 blocks would make a larger pillow, and you could add sashing between blocks (see what size pillow forms are on sale). For a 4-block pillow front you would want the blocks to have at least a wee bit in common. And depending on how many other blocks you have on hand, why not add sashing (or not . . .) and make a quilt to keep in your car, or on the front porch on a settee or chair? Or a dog bed? Or lap robes for charity?

Reply to
Mary

i agree, seems silly to hide away all your hard work. they dont always have to match. make bags to match different outfits or moods, any excuse to carry patchwork round with ya, eh. make bags as gifts for friends/family birthdays, mothers day, xmas. show us pix as you make them, eh. cheers, jeanne

Reply to
nzlstar*

How cute! I can just see my kids -- "Mom's lost it! She's making quilts for the potatoes now!" LOL

But I can see how hand they'd be. Great idea! Thanks!

René

Reply to
René

But it just seems so frivolous and totally fru-fru to make quilted drawer liners. I'll open the drawer and that cute little qult will peak up at me like a pretty little secret. I love secrets!

René

Reply to
René

Jeanne - I've already made bags of all sizes, shapes and uses. My granddaughters like them, too, for their little toys, and for Barbie clothes. Fat quarters are the perfect thing for those little bags.

René

Reply to
René

Good Morning, Rene, how about reusable bags to hold presents at Xmas. used once a yr so will last a lifetime or three. pay once, no more cost of all that wasted (adds to global warming) paper to wrap, looks gorgeous to have all that patchwork under the tree(think of the colours you could use, lol). each yr you take them out and marvel at just how clever you really are, as will the family. start a great new tradition in your house to see who can pick this years new bags that you've made thru the yr with those 'dont know what to do with this block' bags. more thunk'n outloud in the south pacific, jeanne

Reply to
nzlstar*

Hi Jeanne! My cousin and her family has done that for the past couple years. She was asking me if I had any Christmas fabric I don't want anymore. HUH?? Don't want anymore? LOL It's a great idea, and you can bet I'm gonna be sewing up baggies for next Christmas. :)

René

Reply to
René

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