Tuesday 29th July 2014


For a while I have been saving 5 inch charm squares, planning to make a charm square quilt when I have enough. (I keep counting, and I still don't!) Every project loses a 5 inch square piece before I begin,

to add to the stash. I read somewhere about traditional charm square quilts, which were made with every square different, apart from one, which would be doubled up. They were often given to sick children, who could play games with the squares - find the one with the animals, which one are there two of, etc. I really liked the idea of an eclectic completely random and unmatched quilt, and strated saving.Most of my squares come from projects, some I have bought as charm packs, and the rest are from Pelenna Patchwork my favourite patchwork supplier, who give away a free charm square pack with every order over £25. I love looking at them all - so pretty and cute! Unfortunately so do my two small daughters, aged 2 and 4!
I have also been saving all my fabric scraps. The pieces too small for charm squares, and a few free samples I had. Too tiny for anything in their own right, but I couldn't bear to part with them. I had found a pattern for a speedy strips quilt on Delaware Quilts and finally decided I had enough. It turned out I didn't quite, but I have sewn up what I had so far.

A bundle of scraps, and them the strips put together into similar widths.

Sewing the strips together lengthways, then widthways. Some of the very narrow pieces were joined to other narrow bands to make the necessary width.
At this point I discovered I didn't have quite enough to finish the quilt. So, it will have to go away for another day, when I have accrued a few more. This pattern was designed originally as an ugly quilt to take to college, that no-one would want to steal. I love it though. It doesn't look ugly at all. I am supposed to cut the strips into blocks now, and rejoin to form the quilt top. I actually really like the strip look as it is, but unless I was to make the strips more evenly in length that isn't an option now. I would do that another time - I am sure there will be lots more scraps in the future :) It was really fast to piece - no pinning, no ironing. As Delaware Quilts point out, this is a very forgiving pattern. I even put my selvedges in. Well, it is meant to be scrappy! And a real budget make as it is literally just remnants.