Here it is January again. The family has all left, and the house is empty and quiet again. I’ve undecorated from Christmas and settled in for some winter sewing. I’m always excited about getting back to the sewing machine in January.
Several years ago, I decided to use the cold, dreary days of January for scrap-happy sewing projects. I set a goal to sew with scraps and empty one tote. Many years ago, my stash would have fit in a dresser drawer. Now? Let’s not tell my husband how many totes of scraps I have…😊
This year I wanted to find my oldest UFO (unfinished object). In 2003, I had a nephew getting married, and decided to make him a quilt. I used my stash fabrics to cut pieces for a Jacob’s Ladder quilt.
When I finished the quilt, I still had pieces left over. The pieces filled three plastic shoe boxes! This year, I dug out those scraps and decided to use them up. This is my January UFO project to conquer.
I decided on a design with squares and triangles. The squares are cut to 2 1/2 inches, and the triangles are made from a 4 7/8 inch square, cut diagonally.
The block when sewn measures 8 inches square.
The quilt is 11 blocks across by 13 rows up and down.
So far out of these 3 shoe boxes I have sewn 2 queen size quilt tops (88 inches X 104 inches) and I am on to my third.
Next week I should be ready to prepare the quilt tops for quilting. Stay tuned!
I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the days inside to sew. Please keep in touch and let me know what you’re busy working on this January!
Happy quilting!
❤️ Sheila
Sheila Reinke 
Great inspiration! I think I’ll get out a tote if scraps and try that pattern. I love scrappy quilts.
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I’m not that great at scrappy quilts but this is one pattern I do like to do.
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I’m not great at scrappy quilts but this is one I really like.
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Sheila! That is so impressive and I love the idea that you didn’t stop at just one quilt top. Love, love your idea!
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That looks great.
Teri D.
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Thanks! The best thing is I sewed up some really old scrapes.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was wondering what to do with a pile of scraps. I didn’t want to add them back to the stash. I think I will cut triangles from 5″ squares and use the bloc_loc to make perfect 1/2 square triangles.
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That sounds great! It always feels good to use up some fabrics you have had for a while.
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Thanks for sharing I love the quilt. I think I’ll give this one a try. I have so many scraps can’t wait to get started.
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It is a fun one and seems to always turn out.
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I’m not a scrappy quilter, but I have lots of scraps. 🤔Wonder how that happened. Great pattern Sheila, thanks!
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Thanks Anna!
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