I have been thinking a lot lately about the number of quilts that I have. I have a L.O.T. Many of them I do give away, but there is a limit to how many a family can use. Isn't there? People are always asking me, "What do you DO with all your quilts?" As if they need to be put to some purpose every moment.
I began quilting years ago because I wanted the look of a handmade quilt on my bed. I still want that look on my beds and in my house. One of the things I enjoy most is being able to change the look of a room with quilts to reflect the season or a certain color scheme. Having a lot of quilts allows me to do that often.
Now that I have been a quiltmaker for a few decades, it is clear that what thrills me is the planning, the fabric selection and the piecing. I am pretty happy with the end results–who wouldn't love a few new quilts each year? But it is the process that is the most fun.
That being said, I will probably continue to make a lot of quilts, many more than a family could reasonably use. So, I have been considering this whole Schnibbles Movement. Schnibbles are small quilts, about 24-30 inches square, typically. Schnibbles patterns are made by Carrie Nelson, of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. She comes out with new designs every few months, and there are dozens of Schnibbles patterns to choose from. And if you have been on Mars for the past year, you may not know that there is a club called "A Year of Schnibbles", hosted by Sherri and Sinta , where a new pattern is selected by them each month for participants to make, and prizes given out for a few each time.
Schnibbles patterns give me an opportunity to do everything about quiltmaking that I love. I can work with the latest fabrics–many of them are available in pre-cuts before the fabric on the bolt is released. The smaller amount of fabric required also saves me from spending a boatload of money on material. I can do fun piecework to my heart's content, and complete an entire "quilt" in just a few days. I can manage to do the quilting myself (again saving a bundle of money). Do I end up with a quilt I can put on my bed? Well, no. (The patterns are easily enlarged, if that is one's mission, however). What I end up with is a nice square mini quilt that I can use as a table topper or wall hanging.
When I make up a Schnibble pattern, I am still able to add to my seasonal decor, or make a new color scheme for just about any room in my house. Schnibbles are the best new thing to come around in the world of quilting in ages. And in this economy, they allow us budget strapped quilters to carry on doing our thing. I plan on making a lot more of them in the future. So, if you haven't gotten on the Schnibbles bandwagon, what are you waiting for?
Green Fairy is having a big sale on layer cakes (perfect for Schnibbles). She is including various numbers of charm packs (your selection) in your order, depending on how many layer cakes you buy. My order just arrived yesterday, and I am so jazzed about what I received. Look at my free bonus charm packs! A new Halloween group by Minick and Simpson, that I probably would not have purchased in anything but a pre-cut, and this fun collection called Half Moon, which is all black and white prints.
34 responses to “This Schnibbles Thing is Looking Pretty Good”
My motto is: You can never have too many quilts!
Your quilts are beautiful. I look at quilting as my art form. Do you think painters think they have too many paintings? (I don’t really know the answer to that one, but I doubt if they do)
Schnibbles are a good answer to the time and money factor of quilting, and a great way to try more new ideas in a short period of time. I love this latest one you’re working on.
My motto is: You can never have too many quilts!
Your quilts are beautiful. I look at quilting as my art form. Do you think painters think they have too many paintings? (I don’t really know the answer to that one, but I doubt if they do)
Schnibbles are a good answer to the time and money factor of quilting, and a great way to try more new ideas in a short period of time. I love this latest one you’re working on.
I’m with you… I have a ton of quilts, my family and extended family have quilts from me. I just want to play with the fabrics and enjoy the process! I can still fit in an hierloom or two a year… but I don’t want to “invest” in evey quilt I make. I just want to have fun.
Pre-cuts + Schnibbles= great entertainment!
BYW- I can’t look at my Roundabout without thinking “Chase Bank”!
I’m with you… I have a ton of quilts, my family and extended family have quilts from me. I just want to play with the fabrics and enjoy the process! I can still fit in an hierloom or two a year… but I don’t want to “invest” in evey quilt I make. I just want to have fun.
Pre-cuts + Schnibbles= great entertainment!
BYW- I can’t look at my Roundabout without thinking “Chase Bank”!
I totally agree…I have lots of quilts…but I change them out seasonally as well…and I do give plenty away…but I also make quilts just because I like to make them…and that’s reason enough for me! I do love the Schnibbles too…all of the design and creativity bundled into a small quilt…gotta love them!
I totally agree…I have lots of quilts…but I change them out seasonally as well…and I do give plenty away…but I also make quilts just because I like to make them…and that’s reason enough for me! I do love the Schnibbles too…all of the design and creativity bundled into a small quilt…gotta love them!
You can never have to many quilts and if you need a wonderful quick gift, if you quilt you always have something. Also love how this project is working out for you. I just finished piecing Madeline.
You can never have to many quilts and if you need a wonderful quick gift, if you quilt you always have something. Also love how this project is working out for you. I just finished piecing Madeline.
Glad you joined the rest of us with the Schnibbles Movement (in my case addiction)
Glad you joined the rest of us with the Schnibbles Movement (in my case addiction)
I have yet to make my first Schnibbles quilt, but I have a few of the patterns. I too love the idea of having so many options for decorating, and I love watching you make so many of them!
I have yet to make my first Schnibbles quilt, but I have a few of the patterns. I too love the idea of having so many options for decorating, and I love watching you make so many of them!
Your right, Schnibbles are perfect for instant gratification and cost savings! Thanks for the heads up on the Green Fairy specials. I think her quilting is amazing!!!
I can’t believe how fast you sewed those blocks together. Now that the boys are back in school, I’ll get my house put back together and start sewing, too!
Your right, Schnibbles are perfect for instant gratification and cost savings! Thanks for the heads up on the Green Fairy specials. I think her quilting is amazing!!!
I can’t believe how fast you sewed those blocks together. Now that the boys are back in school, I’ll get my house put back together and start sewing, too!
The Scnibbles is lookin’ good!
I don’t have the problem of too many quilts stacking up…I never finish them!
The Scnibbles is lookin’ good!
I don’t have the problem of too many quilts stacking up…I never finish them!
And here I’ve just decided I have too many small quilts and wall hangings! Since we have two sons, I’ve made two or three wall hangings for each season just for the family/ Quilts and quiltie things I’d given to older family members have come back to me, stuffed full of wonderful memories.
Love the fabrics, love the process, and love the quilts!
Hugs!
And here I’ve just decided I have too many small quilts and wall hangings! Since we have two sons, I’ve made two or three wall hangings for each season just for the family/ Quilts and quiltie things I’d given to older family members have come back to me, stuffed full of wonderful memories.
Love the fabrics, love the process, and love the quilts!
Hugs!
I took your advice and purchased a Schnibbels pattern and some charm squares. I had looked at yours and thought “what fun”. I wanted something for the fall and went to fatquarter.com and browsed through the charm squares and found some that I thought would be perfect.
I wanted to thank you for getting me started with Schnibbles and guess what? I realized I had ordered Saltbox. Subliminal or just that we both have great taste? Ha!
I took your advice and purchased a Schnibbels pattern and some charm squares. I had looked at yours and thought “what fun”. I wanted something for the fall and went to fatquarter.com and browsed through the charm squares and found some that I thought would be perfect.
I wanted to thank you for getting me started with Schnibbles and guess what? I realized I had ordered Saltbox. Subliminal or just that we both have great taste? Ha!
I love your quilt!! Very pretty…and the fabrics are just perfect.
I love your quilt!! Very pretty…and the fabrics are just perfect.
Nice fabric you received. I have heard of the Schnibbels on your blog and and others, seen them in stores but never new that much about it – thanks for the info! Love to learn new things and that also sounds like a good idea for newer quilters like me – try out different techniques without a huge financial investment. I love the whole process – picking out the fabric, planning, cutting, sewing, etc.
Nice fabric you received. I have heard of the Schnibbels on your blog and and others, seen them in stores but never new that much about it – thanks for the info! Love to learn new things and that also sounds like a good idea for newer quilters like me – try out different techniques without a huge financial investment. I love the whole process – picking out the fabric, planning, cutting, sewing, etc.
What fabrics did you use in the schnibbles in the photo? I really like it!!
I made my first schnibbles this summer, very addicting 🙂
SheilaC
What fabrics did you use in the schnibbles in the photo? I really like it!!
I made my first schnibbles this summer, very addicting 🙂
SheilaC
I’m jealous of you and all the people who commented about the quilts in their houses. Here I have had a quilt shoppe for 5 years, and still don’t have a single ‘quilt’ on one of my beds or hanging on one of my walls. What is up with that?
Beautiful scrappy quilt by the way. Love your blog!
I’m jealous of you and all the people who commented about the quilts in their houses. Here I have had a quilt shoppe for 5 years, and still don’t have a single ‘quilt’ on one of my beds or hanging on one of my walls. What is up with that?
Beautiful scrappy quilt by the way. Love your blog!
You know, I THOUGHT this pattern looked familiar, and today it hit me as I was watching a commercial. This design is the same as the Chase Bank logo! Well, almost the same. Just separate the pieces of the “O” slightly and you’ve got the Chase logo. This Schnibbles quilt is going to be so lovely! It’s nice to see the Saltbox Harvest fabrics made up into something.
You know, I THOUGHT this pattern looked familiar, and today it hit me as I was watching a commercial. This design is the same as the Chase Bank logo! Well, almost the same. Just separate the pieces of the “O” slightly and you’ve got the Chase logo. This Schnibbles quilt is going to be so lovely! It’s nice to see the Saltbox Harvest fabrics made up into something.
I too have many quilts and giveaway my fair share. It is about the process. It is about the art. It is about the therapy. Schnibbles does fill all three of those. Thanks for sharing. Love your blog.
-modalissa
I too have many quilts and giveaway my fair share. It is about the process. It is about the art. It is about the therapy. Schnibbles does fill all three of those. Thanks for sharing. Love your blog.
-modalissa
I don’t care if I have too many quilts. I just love everything about making them. And I am so thankful to you for introducing me to Schnibbles and Carrie Nelson on your blog about 6 months ago. I am loving these little quilts. Just as you said, I love being able to get all the newest fabrics in charm packs and make a Schnibble. Feeds my addiction and is economical!
I don’t care if I have too many quilts. I just love everything about making them. And I am so thankful to you for introducing me to Schnibbles and Carrie Nelson on your blog about 6 months ago. I am loving these little quilts. Just as you said, I love being able to get all the newest fabrics in charm packs and make a Schnibble. Feeds my addiction and is economical!