I had a lot of leftovers from my recent Red Pineapple finish. Normally, I am not one to fret about using up leftover fabric, but I had an idea for what to do with them.
I have had foundation paper piecing on my mind lately and purchased a couple of the 6" Log Cabin paper pads from Fatquartershop.com. I LOVE these papers. Years ago, you could not have persuaded me to do paper piecing for love or money, and now I am obsessed with it. The accuracy is amazing and each block turns out just like its sisters. I sure wish they came in a 4" size. I am also working on some 4" log cabin blocks and using a Creative Grids ruler. It's going ok, but I sure do prefer the papers.
So I used my leftover French General strips and made a super cute Log Cabin table runner. I am sending it off to be quilted this week. I doubt I'll get it back in time for Valentine's Day, but I may put it out anyway! It will look so good on my dining room table.
The colossal mess pictured above is my sewing table. I was using my little Fiskars cutting mat to trim the seams after each addition. I realized while I was using it that it is really beat up. I have never had to replace a cutting mat in my entire life of sewing, but I did order myself a new one. I have probably had this one for twelve years or so and have used it constantly for trimming small block units. Replacing it is sure cheaper than replacing the bigger mats on my cutting table, so I don't mind. The small size is so handy, so keep it in mind as a way to save your larger mats.
I had a very productive weekend, but we are commencing back to homeschooling today. My plan is to try to carve out a couple of hours of stitching each afternoon when school's out. Fingers crossed!
27 responses to “Thrifty Me”
you could make your own 4″ papers….with a drawn pattern and then print on newsprint however many you need….i do that a lot…saves money and very handy for whatever you want…
you could make your own 4″ papers….with a drawn pattern and then print on newsprint however many you need….i do that a lot…saves money and very handy for whatever you want…
you could make your own 4″ papers….with a drawn pattern and then print on newsprint however many you need….i do that a lot…saves money and very handy for whatever you want…
Long before companies sold foundation paper for paper piecing
1) I used 1/4 inch graph paper for paper piecing for log cabin strips that finished at 1/2 inch wide
2) I used a sulky transfer pen and tissue paper to make a round log cabin ( Log Cabin Rondelay by June Ryker). Strips finished at 1/2 in wide as well. The quilt was 60 inches in diameter. This quilt won the grand prize in the only competition I’ve ever entered!
Long before companies sold foundation paper for paper piecing
1) I used 1/4 inch graph paper for paper piecing for log cabin strips that finished at 1/2 inch wide
2) I used a sulky transfer pen and tissue paper to make a round log cabin ( Log Cabin Rondelay by June Ryker). Strips finished at 1/2 in wide as well. The quilt was 60 inches in diameter. This quilt won the grand prize in the only competition I’ve ever entered!
Long before companies sold foundation paper for paper piecing
1) I used 1/4 inch graph paper for paper piecing for log cabin strips that finished at 1/2 inch wide
2) I used a sulky transfer pen and tissue paper to make a round log cabin ( Log Cabin Rondelay by June Ryker). Strips finished at 1/2 in wide as well. The quilt was 60 inches in diameter. This quilt won the grand prize in the only competition I’ve ever entered!
You folks are ALL thrifty! I think papers are a great idea for 4″ and 6″ blocks. Lovely reds Nicole!
You folks are ALL thrifty! I think papers are a great idea for 4″ and 6″ blocks. Lovely reds Nicole!
You folks are ALL thrifty! I think papers are a great idea for 4″ and 6″ blocks. Lovely reds Nicole!
I cut my old cutting mat up to use in the bottom of my personal grocery bags. They let the bottoms remain flat and you don’t have to worry about the bottoms ripping. Also if something spills, you can take them out and wash them.
I cut my old cutting mat up to use in the bottom of my personal grocery bags. They let the bottoms remain flat and you don’t have to worry about the bottoms ripping. Also if something spills, you can take them out and wash them.
I cut my old cutting mat up to use in the bottom of my personal grocery bags. They let the bottoms remain flat and you don’t have to worry about the bottoms ripping. Also if something spills, you can take them out and wash them.
Check with Friskars. Their products have a lifetime warranty.
Lovely table runner.
Check with Friskars. Their products have a lifetime warranty.
Lovely table runner.
Check with Friskars. Their products have a lifetime warranty.
Lovely table runner.
Try going to your local office supply store (like a Staples) and have them reduce your 6” block by 75% to get a smaller block. You will have to play around with the % decrease. These bigger stores usually have higher quality copiers and I have had great success doing this. When I have the size I want I have them run my paper piecing papers through the copier.
I definitely agree that paper piecing log cabins/pineapple blocks is the way to go!
Try going to your local office supply store (like a Staples) and have them reduce your 6” block by 75% to get a smaller block. You will have to play around with the % decrease. These bigger stores usually have higher quality copiers and I have had great success doing this. When I have the size I want I have them run my paper piecing papers through the copier.
I definitely agree that paper piecing log cabins/pineapple blocks is the way to go!
Try going to your local office supply store (like a Staples) and have them reduce your 6” block by 75% to get a smaller block. You will have to play around with the % decrease. These bigger stores usually have higher quality copiers and I have had great success doing this. When I have the size I want I have them run my paper piecing papers through the copier.
I definitely agree that paper piecing log cabins/pineapple blocks is the way to go!
Great idea for using up those beautiful scraps! Have a good day back in home school with Eva! And put sewing time on the schedule for yourself! Stay well!
Great idea for using up those beautiful scraps! Have a good day back in home school with Eva! And put sewing time on the schedule for yourself! Stay well!
Great idea for using up those beautiful scraps! Have a good day back in home school with Eva! And put sewing time on the schedule for yourself! Stay well!
really lovely! stay safe…we have not hit bottom yet with covid. California is in bad shape. 🙁
really lovely! stay safe…we have not hit bottom yet with covid. California is in bad shape. 🙁
really lovely! stay safe…we have not hit bottom yet with covid. California is in bad shape. 🙁
I really like your new red project. I am so over this and know it is not over for us. be well and be safe Nicole”
Mary
I really like your new red project. I am so over this and know it is not over for us. be well and be safe Nicole”
Mary
I really like your new red project. I am so over this and know it is not over for us. be well and be safe Nicole”
Mary