Buffy: Braided Scraps

Scraps sorted by value:  light & dark.  A few mediums spice the mix.  Note:  coping borders. The strips hung too long on the design wall and stretched on their bias edges.

Cindy: Another African Challenge Quilt

Accents fused or appliqued.

Cindy: Rebels African Challenge

Made from African fabric scraps and left overs.

Cindy: Camp Erin Quilt

Fun pattern for charity quilt.  All fabrics from her stash.

Patty: Scrappy String Blocks

Patty: Rebels African Challenge

Patty put this together with left-overs.

Sue: A Boxer Named Shelby

Inspiration Is Where You Find It!

Inspiration is where you find it! Lisa inspired me big time! 

When I saw her pieced tote bag of recycled plastic I had to try my hand at this alchemy. Lisa's pieced version is spectacular. Once I found this giant sunflower graphic, I was reluctant to slice it up. It took two hours to transform the 50 lb. seed bag into a usable tote. I added an outside pocket on the back side of the bag for grocery lists, etc.

My trusty Singer Featherweight sewed through all the layers without too much difficulty. For hard use I would probably use sturdier handles like Lisa used, but I was anxious to finish it and take it to guild where I was doing a program on "repurposed " items from thrift stores. Most everything else I showed was quilt-related, but this tote was a big hit. Thanks, Lisa!

Here are a few "how to" ideas: Thanks for your positive responses. Yes, I have used it as a quilt tote. I easily put two large wallhangings in the bag without crushing them. No tutorial, but some basic instructions. To start, decide which part of the graphic you want to feature. Use your paper-dedicated rotary cutter to avoid dulling your best blade. Because I prefer bags that stand alone I started on the bottom of the bag. By tucking in the sides (like wrapping the end of a package), I made a flat bottom. I did have to sew these two spots by hand using heavy carpet thread. The rest was done by machine. I tucked the bag down to get the height I wanted, trimmed and sewed a double seam around the top. Handles: use your judgment. For light use, the trimmings from the bag worked on this tote. For heavier use, the purchased (or recycled) strapping like Lisa used makes sense. Please post any pictures of your bags. I'd enjoy seeing the chicken feed totes when completed.

Pam: Rebels African Challenge

Still a work in progress.

Sue: Portrait of Bear, a Lab Mix

Yes, Sue is a fan and student of Ruth B. McDowell

Patty: A quick and dirty hanging sleeve

You might say this is a sleeve of sleeves (and safety pins.)

Nifty: Pots of Geraniums Collage

Nifty is learning collage by studying and copying work of Edrica Huws.  The pieces are applied with paste, then free-motion quilted.

Dianne: Log Cabin Improv

Mary: Collage of Flowers and Vase

Sue: Irregular Zig Zags with Kaffe fabrics

Pam: Lollipop Trees, 4 block wall hanging

Raw-edge fusible appliqué

Stephanie: Kaffe background collage with heart

Patty: Pieced Sky for Lone Star Background

Lots and lots of work!!

Lisa: Rebels Challenge from last year--Toucan Fabric

Lisa had to create the center toucan with appliqué and paint

Stephanie: Beach House Collage

Anonymous: Kaffe Fabrics Tablecloth

Em: Fun & Funky Trees with House

Note:  Corduroy sashing

Patty: Batik Scraps

Inspiration and pattern from Mabeth Oxenrider

Nifty: Collage Fun

Inspired by work of Edrica Huws, Freddy Moran.  Hand and machine quilting.

Lisa: South of the Border

Hand-dyed fabrics, center is painted.  Note extensive bobbin work, mostly with Ricky Tims Razzle-Dazzle thread.

Stephanie: Playing with collage

Inspired by Freddy Moran Workshop

Stephanie: Collage with motifs from Matisse and the Virgin of Guadalupe

Started in workshop with Freddy Moran

Lisa: Extra-Strong Shopping Bag

Made from fiber-reinforced plastic kitty liter bag

Rebels are back

Buffy, Rebels editor, has been enjoying ill health with a total ankle replacement.  The remaining Rebels have been busy, as you shall soon see.

This is the fourth and best bloom of this cactus this year.  Reminds me of Michael James quilt of same flower.

Buffy: Scrap Play

From last March.  Done for machine quilting practice, and now forgotten.  About 24" x 24".  Something to brighten a November day.

Em: Tree of Life

Patty: Batik Bag

Reversible bag made from thrift market Indonesian batiks

Nifty: Chinese Coins

Scraps plus thrift market chintz in sashing and borders.

Mary: Hexagon/Star String Quilt

Amazing collection of scraps in Mary's signature colors and style.

Roberta: African Inspired Challenge

Dianne: Rebels challenge from last year

Challenge was to use cowboy fabric from vintage drapes

Mary; Mary Mashuta workshop quilt

Love those dots!!

Pam: Quilt made from Buffy's leftovers from a quilt she made from Patty's thrift-market-men's-shirts

 

Dianne: French Chicken Quilt

Dianne: Lone Star

Dianne took class from Judy Irish, who teaches the Freddy Moran pattern.

Cindy: Group Quilt for friend having surgery

Note:  not necessary to match any seams.