Monday, July 22, 2013

A Summer Project

 During the early part of the summer I decided that it was time to put my 2 inch squares to use.  I've been cutting smaller scraps into 2 inch squares for a long time (?years)!
I don't think I've ever made a truly "scrappy" quilt.  But last year when I was walking into the Creative Activities Building at the State Fairgrounds, a quilter was parked at the door asking people if their quilts contained more than 40 different fabrics -- there is a category for this type of quilt at the Minnesota State Fair!  So I've been thinking about this for the past year, and came up with a summer project for my girls:


Granny Square Blocks!
This is how I first got them started making blocks -- on a grid, rows of 1, 3, 5, 3, 1.

 They quickly caught on, and have been creating blocks like crazy.  They just won't stop!   My original thought was to have us each make one square per day, so that by the end of the summer we'd have enough for a quilt.  But I laugh now as I think about this plan -- it's no fun!  Much better to just go for it and design blocks to your heart's content.  It's just hard to keep up with my little artists!  I can have the design board all cleared off in the evening, with a bunch of new blocks made, and they'll fill it up again in no time!

 These blocks are all trimmed to size at 7 inches square.   I'm planning to sash them with 2 inch sashing.
Loving this summer project!
Now I'm off to sew!


13 comments:

  1. This is a great idea! It definitely looks like fun for your girls, too!

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  2. So, so fun! You're going to have to include their names on the line of quiltmaker/designer. I love them either on point or not!

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  3. I really like this idea for the design process! I think my niece and nephew would get a kick out of helping "O Bawrey" put together a quilt. And I have a ton of 2.5" squares just waiting for a project! {grin}

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  4. Oooh, can they come to my house and play with my 2" and 2 1/2" squares? They have good eyes for pairing up fabrics!

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  5. This is a fantastic idea! I'm going to keep it in the back of my head for when my kiddies are a little older. :)

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  6. Oh how fun!! Love that you get to involve the girls, a quilt they will love for years to come, I'm sure!

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  7. Great blocks! This is going to be a wonderful quilt!

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  8. What a great project. My guess is that my kids would be even more free with their choices than I would. I can't wait to see the end result.

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  9. what a great idea and it is looking so nice too, such a variety of fabrics and little helpers make life so much easier

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  10. Great summer project, and loving their fabric combos so far :o)

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  11. What a special quilt this will be, not to mention the activity of making the blocks! What a great idea! Would you be interested in a few more 2x2 squares? I started cutting like that some time ago but soon gave up and now I have a bag of them that just keeps travelling with me. I'll be more than happy to contribute to the "scrappiness"!

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  12. Love these blocks. I purchased a sewing box a few years back that was completely full of 2 inch squares. Have been pondering what to do with them. Certainly enough for more than one quilt. I have been thinking about an Irish chain for one.

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