Another Carolina Chain quilt, made from the pattern by Quiltville. It’s amazing how you can make it look so different by using different backgrounds and values. For this one I used all whites for the background and all the little squares in an assortment of darker scraps.
The blocks are set on point, now I’m cutting up more scraps to make another one like this, only I will set the blocks straight. This will make the colored rows on the diagonal rather than straight up and down like they are here.
I like this quilt pattern for using up small scraps because it uses quite small pieces, and only two sizes, 3.5″x2″ and 2″x2″.
The backing is a Jen Kingwell lawn, one of those prints that I love and have to force myself to use once, or it will sit on my shelf for 10 years waiting for the perfect project. The truth is, I’ve been on a mission to use up a good portion of my fabric before buying more. It’s been about 7 months now of not buying fabric and I still am not running out. LOL… but it’s hard to use up those favorite pieces, knowing that I won’t likely find a piece just like that again…I just keep telling myself there’s always something prettier coming along!
The one realistic fear I have though, is using up all my Denyse Schmidt fabric. I use her fabric in pretty much every quilt I make, not purposely, it just happens. And since she doesn’t seem to be coming out with new lines at a fast rate, I worry I won’t find something to replace them when I run low.
So yes, this is the year of using my stash without replenishing, and we’ll reassess when a year is up. I have a feeling that I will still have a large amount of fabric to work with! I’ve just been finding that having too much fabric can be stifling. My goal is to work more towards the traditional idea of quilting, making do and ending up with vibrant unexpected quilts. Using reclaimed and vintage fabrics… I’m saying this is an inspirational goal for me, because I still have lots of lovely new cotton fabrics and will continue to use them. I just love the thought of the making do philosophy and the energy in the old everyday quilts.
Such a beautiful quilt! I think that sometimes stash gets too big where it stifles creativity or is overwhelming.
Congrats on your newly completed quilt. It's SEW lovely!!
I, too, am trying to use what I have. The more I look around, the more I realize how out of control I’ve been. I’m like a kid in a candy store. I have so many ideas but not enough time!! Good luck reducing that stash!
Your quilt looks vintage and I love that backing fabric! I am about to start my second Carolina Chain in shades of blue and white. My first one was in Christmas prints, a throw for my sister. It's such a fun and easy pattern and works up really fast. It really does look quite different using different fabrics. I am really overwhelmed by my stash lately and am trying not to buy much unless it's something I really need and a really good deal, especially backings. It's a struggle but my lack of extra cash really keeps me in check most of the time. I am looking forward to seeing your next quilt.
I am starting a Carolina chain tomorrow! Yours is lovely! I also started last fall by donating to the quilters affected by the CA fires, and then moved forward with stash downsizing by deciding not to buy more fabric until my wonderful stash is depleted! I swear by my JUKI, I'm going to use up that stash!
-Jean ❤