I am getting ready for a “Scrap Happy Quilt Retreat“, which I share more about in tomorrow’s “ScrapHappy May” post, by starting a scrappy log cabin using my ridiculous collection of fabric scraps.
I decided to limit myself to black, white, and gray fabric scraps. First I dug into the bag I have of “fabric strings” which are thinner fabric scraps that I’ve been saving (yes for year, ha!) to make a “String Quilt” someday.

I dug through this scary mess to find the black, white and gray strings and then ironed them (as they were wrinkled/crumped beyond easy use…):
I thought I might have enough to get started but I ended up having to dig into my wine crate box of black, white and gray scraps:

I ended up piecing 35 blocks, which I trimmed to 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches each using my 9.5″ by 9.5″ square ruler:

I started this quilt as an example as the Scrap Happy Quilt Retreat will be at my house starting Monday and I am going to teach my friends how to do improvisational scrappy log cabin blocks (also know as “Log Jamming”) and we are going to use my scraps! (A great way to use up your scraps – dump them onto your quilting friends under the guise of showing them “scrappy quilt making options”…evil laugh!)
More on that tomorrow on the 15th which is ScrapHappy May posting day!
Oh by the way, when I got done piecing 35 – 9.5″ x 9.5″ blocks I did actually (sort of) make a dent in my black, white and gray scrap fabric collection. Here’s what the wine crate looks like now:

(If you can’t tell the difference from the previous photo, just know before it was overflowing and now everything fit nicely in the wine crate with no overflow…)
This is so awesome, Tierney! What a great way to get together with your friends and get something beautiful made along with the memories!
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Thanks so much! Awesome to hear from you, thanks for your comment 🙂
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Scrap Happy Adventures at Tierney’s House – sounds like a bundle of fun! Especially since there’s the potential to spread the scrap happy ‘bundles’ around to your ‘students.’
Great idea all around.
🙂
How’s the foot?
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Thanks so much and thanks for asking about the foot. I should do a foot update post (unless I would bore people to tears, ha!). Well the ankle is fully healed and I continue to improve on my walking. No walking boot or anything but I still have to do my home exercises and I am still sort of a slow walker. 🙂
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My St Petersburg FL role model!!! Luv your posts
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Thanks so much Beverly, thanks for stopping by 🙂
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I’m laughing with your off-loading scraps technique. I used to do that with my collage students and my collage paper scraps. Ah, how nice it felt to see them being used and enjoyed. And also that they were GONE from my scraps box!
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Hope they fall for it and use a lot of scraps – ha! 😉
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I have bins of BWG . We are having our Second Annual Srapfest in August and this would be a perfect project.
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Very nice! I hope the YouTube project ideas work for your scrapfest 🙂
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Very clever scrap utilization. 😉 I like the black and white quilt top that you created too. And a very belated congrats on your marriage. I was off the blog reading train for a while and missed it while the news was fresh. I did have a giggle at the Colorado set up.
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Thanks so much I appreciate that! It is my first time making something with B&W scraps! I’ve always just gravitated toward bright, bold or warm colors and I am happy I tried it 🙂
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Well done you! I especially like the idea of foisting your fabric scraps onto friends under the guise of teaching them how to use up their scraps. 😁
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Thanks so much!
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Well done you! I especially like the idea of foisting your scraps onto your friends under the guise of teaching them how to use up their scraps!
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Thanks so much for stopping by! Yes who knows perhaps I can also sneak some scraps into their suitcases right before they leave 😉
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I do love a black & white quilt, always so fresh and graphic. Also, love the cunning plan to impose your scrappage onto unsuspecting friends and students!
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Thanks so much I’ve never done B&W before in a quilt so it was a huge change for me!
Perhaps I should also try and sneak scraps into their suitcases… 😉
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Hehehe! Go for it! ‘Bonus fabric’…
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Love the black and white random log cabin.
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Thanks so much I appreciate that!
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This is truely impressive – I didnt think your scrap pile was particularly big but you managed to find so many black and white scraps!
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Thanks so much Emma! My scrap pile seems insane to me but thanks for not thinking it is too big 🙂
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Anyone who makes stuff with textiles has bags of this stuff in a cupboard hidden away from family member who might point out that fact!!
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Wonderful color way! I like the scrap reduction, too. =)
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Thanks so much! I am pleased with it so far 🙂
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Excellent way to use up scraps!! I love the BWG log cabins and can’t wait to see what your students make with the rest of your scraps ❤
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I love your quilt blocks! That is a great way to use up scraps and create a lovely quilt at the same time 🙂 It’s so nice that even though the scraps are all very different, the restricted palette keeps it looking unified!
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Thanks they were fun to work on and it felt good to use those scraps to make something! I appreciate your comments!
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This black and white and grey quilt is an absolute stunner!
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Thanks I really appreciate that 🙂
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That’s two brilliant ideas for using up scraps! I wonder if I could somehow foist some yarn scraps onto other people :p
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Thanks so much!
Just sneak the yarn scraps into their pockets when they are not looking 😉
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Oh, that WAS a scary mess! But the quilt turned out so well 😀
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I know – from scrappy mess to something useful! The magic of scraps! 🙂
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love the idea of off loading some more scraps via your “home retreat” for friends 🙂
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I should have secretly placed bags of scraps in their suitcases as they were leaving 😉
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