Wednesday, January 31, 2018

My First RSC (aka RSC18)

I'm going to do it. Tame that scrap monster lurking (prettily, I do have to say, though) in my closet. I'm joining the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) for the first time. You can read all about RSC18 at soscrappy. I've admired Angela's challenge and linky party for the last few years. Here's my first month's worth of blocks. (Light and medium blues) This could be trouble. I am loving it!!
I thought for a long time about how I want to do this "my way." I'm starting small, with 8 five-inch string blocks a month. 
I considered using a fabric foundation, but settled on paper instead since that's a familiar technique for me, and I have a big box of newsprint paper on hand. 
I'm extending the strips far enough over the edge of the five-inch paper squares so that I can trim seam allowance beyond the paper. That will make it easier to sew blocks together and remove the paper later on. (I prefer to keep paper on the blocks until they are joined, and keeping paper out of the seam allowance reduces bulk and makes paper removal more efficient.)
After I complete a block, I stay stitch about 1/8 inch beyond the paper.
Just before I sew them together, I'll trim seam allowance to 1/4 inch.
I have a limited range for my strip width sizes because I wanted to make the best use of my smallest scraps. Cut strips are 1 inch, 1 1/8 inch and 1 1/4 inch. Some corner pieces are probably a little bigger.
I go to my bins of smallest scraps first and cut strips from them. Then I check in my drawers to supplement with strips from some larger pieces (which in my stash are still fairly small but big enough to fit around half a comic book board).
You have probably noticed some other colors have snuck (sneaked? Nah, I like snuck better) into the blocks. That's because each month, I will choose one of 8 colors from other months for a special strip in each block. I'm hoping that will bring some cohesiveness and a little spark to the whole quilt when it's done.

So here's the back of a block. I'm using a big needle and tiny stitches, so the papers will tear out easily later on.
I still have some strings left (as well as plenty of blues in my stash), but this is a good start for me. And some of these strings will find their way into blocks for other months.
Well, this is FUN!! I think it's going to be hard for me to hold back and do just one color a month. For February, the color is purple/lavender. That will be a bit more of a challenge for me because I have a lot less range of color and pattern for purple. But I can do it.

I'm linking up this week with Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts for Let's Bee Social, with Angela at soscrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday and with Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap (on Sunday). I'll update the links as they go live.

If you are interested in a little more scrappiness, Angela and Mari (at The Academic Quilter) also have a neat BOM called Squared Away to go with the RSC18 challenge. I'm passing on that one as this yearlong project participation is new for me and I'm a tentative joiner, but it looks like a lot of fun.

Okay, time to sort and cut some purples. Have a good week, scrappy or not!





17 comments:

Lisa England said...

The method you have described for making your string blocks sounds very good -- seems you've thought about everything to come up with something that makes sense. And the blocks look great, I can see why you want to make more!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Great blocks! I love your special extra color into them ;)

PaulaB quilts said...

The sparky strips area nice touch. Welcome to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge neighborhood..

Louise said...

Fun little blocks! You have skinny strings :) I really like the idea of having one "extra" color in each block.

I'm with you, it's hard to do just one color at a time. I've already sewn my purple string blocks, so what do I do for the rest of the month?? :)

Bernie Kringel said...

The blocks are so cute! I feel like I always learn something from you. First - having the paper be slightly smaller than the block so it isn't in the seam allowance. Second - larger needle and tiny stitches making the removal easier. Thank you! Love the extra pop of color in the blue blocks. Time to break out the purple bin now!

Claire said...

I especially like the one strip that isn't blue in each block. I think one color for string blocks is a greater challenge than one color in some other blocks. You have a good start though. Claire aka knitnkwilt

Ivani said...

Welcome aboard!! Your Blue String blocks are beautiful, you have a lot of pretty blues to play with. I made some string blocks this week too.

Ellen said...

Your string blocks look great - I like the idea of sneaking in an extra snippet of colour.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Those are pretty! I love string blocks, and especially how you can put all kinds of prints together and it works. Glad you are joining in this year!

Chantal said...

Welcome to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilters. Love the idea of adding one string of another quilt to have cohesiveness in the end. Great job. Enjoy! ;^)

scraphappy said...

Welcome! Love your string blocks. Love those little pops of extra color. They will make the quilt unique in the end.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Great use of some of your smallest scraps!! Not a bad idea about the stay stitching, either. I often forget that part. Love, love LOVE the sparks you added to January's blocks. I'll be looking forward to seeing what gets added to the PURPLE scraps!!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

You will love RSC. It is such a great community of scrappy quilters. I love your string blocks. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Marti said...

That's a great idea about putting a bit of the other colors in the blocks here and there. I've never tried to use one inch strips, but I like the way they look in your blocks.

Cathy said...

Welcome to the RSC! I looooove the random strip of color spark in your strip blocks! Your quilt will be awesome, and it’s going to be fun watching it come together!

Cathy Tomm said...

Great string blocks. I love doing them too, hard to stop making them. Glad you have joined the RSC 2018.

Katie Z. said...

Welcome to the party! I love your idea of sparks of other colors. It’s going to be fabulous.