Back in 2013, when I saw this pattern
in this quilt magazine
I knew it was a quilt I wanted to make. In fact, I riffled through my scraps and made a block immediately.
And then it was set aside for a variety of reasons (for 10 years?!) ...ranch duties called, there was a need to make a quilt for a sick friend or a new baby, garden and yardwork could no longer be neglected, family and friends came to visit, I was cooking for a crew, helping DH, holidays arrived...you know the drill...life! But I often thought about the quilt and sometimes I would find scraps and toss them in the bin for more blocks. I was stumped on the sashing though. I didn't have anything that I thought would work, but I figured I'd make blocks and worry about sashing later. Then one day, while perusing an online quilt shop earlier this year (maybe Whittles) I ran across something that I thought would work for $6.00 a yard. Yes, I think this will do nicely.
When I was looking at other S'mores quilts recently, I saw that Jo from Jo's Country Junction was working on the same pattern. Her quilts are always so wonderfully scrappy and inspiring. So then, I was itching to dive back in.
I have an overflowing scrap basket, but it's been so long since I've sewn with these reproduction-ish fabrics that I had to dig way deep. That scrap basket really needs to be sorted in the worst way! Surely there are some great scrap quilts hiding in there!
I piled scraps and stash favorites and cut a little from each
(yes, this takes longer than pulling from a scrap user system, but I'm just enjoying the process)
and I started making blocks again. I didn't sew a single stitch in October and it felt so good to put something under the needle again
If I didn't have enough for a block, I just made them scrappy and knowing me, these are going to be my favorite.
I have always loved this block and after I saw that Jo endorsed this ruler, I ordered one to help with accuracy for what can sometimes be a finicky block. I am pretty frugal about collecting tools, and although this one is designed for a 4" and 8" block (plus a snail trail block), I wish a 6" block was included because I could see using that size for other projects. There is a companion ruler for one, but that's a lot of $ to shell out.
I still have a lot of cutting ahead of me, but I made a dozen blocks this weekend and hope to add to my pile throughout the month. Jo was right, these are fun to make!
