Looking for a new project or a unique way to border a quilt? Or even a unique way to bind a quilt? Look no further than your collection of strips! I like to cut leftover fabric, if it’s less that 1/8 yard, into strips. Specifically, 2 1/2″ and 1 1/2″ strips. I find those sizes to be the most useful to me. I also collect 2″ and 1″ strips for more variety, but I find that I do not use those as often. Here’s how I store my strips:
I sort the strips by size and color and then store them in 8 x 13″ plastic Sterilite tubs (found at Wal-Mart, Target or other similar stores). I made separators from strips of acid free cardboard for keeping the colors separate in the tubs. I like storing them this way so they don’t end up a jumbled mess. It’s funny how often they do when you just toss them into a tub with no organization. They seem to take a on a life of their own! So now onto the creative portion of this post. This week, I’ll focus on blocks and next week I’ll show you ideas for borders and bindings.
Making Blocks
You’d be surprised how many different quilt blocks can be made from 2 1/2″ or 1 1/2″ strips or a combination of both. Blocks made from these size strips can be as small as 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″ or as big as a 12 1/2″ block. Here are some of the blocks that you can make. And this is definitely not a full list!
A simple checkerboard block:
This is one made with pieces cut from 1 1/2″ strips so the resulting block is 3 1/2″. You can make the same block using pieces cut from 2 1/2″ strips for a block that measures 6 1/2″.
Flying Geese and Stars:
All you need here is a 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″ rectangle and two 1 1/2″ squares cut from strips for this unit. Make 4 of them and join them with a 2 1/2″ square and 4 more 1 1/2″ squares to make a star!
This star block is 4 1/2″. You can also make a Dutchman’s Puzzle from 8 flying geese:
This block is 4 1/2″. If you made your flying geese from 2 1/2″ strips, your geese would be 2 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and your Dutchman’s Puzzle block would then be 8 1/2″.
Here’s a block from one of my patterns, Twilight Desert, that is all pieces from 2 1/2″ and 1 1/2″ strips!
Can you see it? The possibilities of what you can make are endless with strips. Sit down with a tub of strips one day and play. You’ll be surprised with what you can come up with!
Here are some others:
I hope you enjoyed this! Share with me in the comments some blocks you have made or if you plan on starting to play with strips because of this post. If you comment, you will be entered into a drawing for my new pattern: Seaside Cottage.
All the checkerboard blocks in this quilt are all from strips! The drawing will be on Monday, August 26th. ***We have a winner! Congrats, Marsha B!***
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
