As far back as I can remember - even when I was a small child - I have hated to stop in the middle of a project. Once I'm on a roll I like to proceed to the end - no interruptions, no breaks. I even forget to eat if I'm really deep into something. (Unfortunately for my waistline I don't seem to get that deep into anything any more!) That's the way I felt about that scrap fabric on my table that was still waiting to be cut. I just couldn't go upstairs to quilt knowing I'd not finished that task. I kept thinking it would take only a little longer. I said that at 10:00, I said it again at noon, and finally just before 3:00 I finished. It took a little longer to put all the different shapes and strips into their various containers and then straighten up the room. What a great feeling to have that done! However, it wouldn't be a good idea for me to spend all my weekends this way. So I filled a small plastic tote with scraps from the big tub and then put the big tub away. The small tote can sit on the corner of my ironing board and I can press and cut a few each day. The big tub really looked emptier when I'd shifted this to the tote. I like this idea - as long as I don't 
get so involved I forget to do anything else.
The second picture shows the four postage stamp blocks I finished last October, plus the two more I made on Friday night. I have a rich royal purple that I'm going to sash the blocks with - it's a fabric I bought for Sophie's quilt but then didn't use. I need to make 6 more blocks in order to have a quilt of the proper size. This has been my leader ender project for a long time, but now I have enough sewn together to finish it I think. I'm going to shoot for this being one of my UFO finishes in February.
If anyone is interested in reading the story of these postage stamp blocks you can find part 1 here, part 2 here, and part 3 here.
22 comments:
I love the postage stamp blocks. Are those squares finishing at 1"? You are tempting me--but I think I would make mine a little bigger. *LOL*
I've gotten into the habit of "picking up the shop" as CarGuy puts it. I find it makes in much nicer to go in a sew. Plus I exercise in this room too and don't want to step on any stray pins or cutters.
the postage stamps are great! How wide will the sashing be?
I adore postage stamp quilts - this one will be a beauty!
I envie you a bit when you say you hate to stop in the middle of a project and just continue till its finihed. I have a habit you jump from one project to another one LOL
Love the saga of the postage stamp blocks. I hope to have a similar tale using triangles cut from corners, binding connections, etc.. Will probably be a Broken Dishes pattern.
the blocks look great and I'm able to imagine them with a really nice purple sashing and border. Cutting up scraps is what I do when I'm avoiding doing other things. Happens often enough to keep a pile of squares handy for leader-enders. =)
Hey there Patti, your postage stamp blocks are just lovely, I really like them. Also, I love your idea of pressing and cutting a few bits of your scraps each day, I think I may put that into practice too, it can just be too overwhelming otherwise.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
oh, you dear soul you. those postage stamp blocks look absolutely wonderful...but i can't imagine putting them all together! lol! but, YOU GO, GIRL!! :oP
thanks for sharing the links to the story behind your postage stamp blocks. I love the scrappy look to it.
Great idea, Patti!!!! It is so lovely!!!!
Love your postage stamp blocks. Every time I see a postage stamp quilt I have a desire to make one and then nothing happens. LOL
Wow, you and Cher had a very productive day - well done!!!!
That's a great idea having a container of scraps to press every time you go to the ironing board. I think I am going to have to start doing that as well. I would love to get rid of the stray computer paper boxes full of scraps cluttering up my sewing room.
I love the postage stamp blocks! I lkike that they aren't super tiny and they use up so many scraps!! It's an idea I might have to delve into soon for my scraps too!
Hi Patti, thanks for all the love and encouragement lately! I too, love your postage stamp project, but then I loved it when you were back at part 3! Sometimes such unrestricted piecing is just what we need, and I applaude your getting more scraps cut up...but am sorry to hear about the death of your iron.
Hope you make it through the fabric store stop!! Big hugs, Finn
Patti, do you know the expression 'Kindred Spirit'? I've been cutting 2" squares for *years* and putting them into neat little stacks in my various pizza boxes. Recently I started a strippy leader and ender inspired by Bonnie. I can totally relate to your sorting and stacking, resorting and restacking. Fun!
oooo, I love them!
I really enjoyed the postage stamp story. That's fabric recycling at its best! The blocks look great.
Very nice. I NEED to get more big projects finished so I can finish my scrappy stuff. I love the squares.:)
I love scrappy quilts, and I loved reading the story of these scraps! How fun that they are now out of the pizza boxes and coming to life as a quilt!
Cheers!
Evelyn
These postage stamp blocks are beautiful. These purely scrap quilts are tempting me greatly lately.
Those postage stamp blocks are just fantastic. Please post a picture of the finished top soon.
Inga
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