Scrap Swap

Here's a cool idea for your sewing group:

Recently our guild (MadModQuiltGuild) did a scrap swap. We each brought in a gallon ziploc bag of scraps, and swapped with a random partner. Then we had 2 months to make a project to give back to the scrap owner. 

Most of us have a ton of scraps laying around that we never seem to put a dent in, am I right? This was a fun way to use some of those up and get a surprise at the same time!

The scraps I got from my partner included all kinds of colors. I decided to pick out all the low volume, black, and one particular blue striped fabric to make a scrappy rope bowl. 

I wanted to make a little something else to go with it (and use up some more scraps), so I made a zip pouch and added some Modern Stitching Affair hexie templates and candy. 

I used up about half of my partner's scraps. I hope she likes what I made!

Hexies!

Calling all English Paper Piecing lovers (and those of you who'd like to try it)!

I admit to being other-than-enthusiastic the first time I was introduced to English Paper Piecing. I wasn't all that excited about the seemingly time consuming project, and my hand-sewing skills were poor at best. Eventually I gave in and tried it, and I was hooked. It's so addictive! It's a great take-along project, an excellent way to use scraps, and a source of endless project possibilities. It's also a great way to improve those hand-stitching skills.

Finding the right templates to use for EPP may well be the most important part of the process. Printing them yourself on copy paper isn't necessarily a great recipe for success (as I found out). Even if you print them on heavier paper, if your cutting skills aren't flawless, the pieces won't fit together well in the end.

Recently, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to test some new templates that have just been introduced by Renae from Gray Rayne Fabrics. They are excellent! The heavier paper is stiff enough to hold up well to hand-stitching & pressing, and they are sturdy enough to use over and over again. They're not too thick to poke the needle through. In effect…they're pretty much perfect. The price will make you smile, too.

Here's what I made with my templates so far: a travel bag set to take all of my girlie things with me to Sew South. Because let's face it: a girl can never have too many adorable matching travel accessories, eh?

If you're interested in trying out these fabulous templates, click here to get them at grayraynefabrics.etsy.com.

If you're new to English Paper Piecing, there is a quick tutorial on Craftsy. Click here.

Or …as they say… GOOGLE IT!  ;)