Wow. What a year it’s been. If I knew a year ago what I know now….well….I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Okay, maybe a few things …like sharing ALL the projects here on my blog as well as on socials (what was I thinking?!)…but other than that, not much. Truly, y’all! What an incredible year! I’ve met so many amazing people and been to so many wonderful places. I’ve been humbled by the reaction from this book.
Apropos of that, I thought I’d take a moment to go over all the projects in my book (see above), taking a slightly deeper dive for everyone to see.
Take It From the Top – What is Zero Waste Quilting
The concept behind Zero Waste Quilting is that every scrap of fabric from a quilt is used to make a quilt and subsequent projects. Thinking even bigger: it’s a redesign of how we use scraps. Traditionally we make quilts and scraps land in the garbage, a destash, endless piles in our sewing spaces, or elsewhere. With Zero Waste Quilting all the leftover fabric from quilts is transformed into useful secondary projects.
Zero Waste Quilting has four main projects and 34 small projects using the leftover fabric. The projects include quilts, tote bags, headbands, bookmarks and so much more! Each main project has yardage requirements and each subsequent project contains cutting information from leftovers as well as new yardage and cutting information for new material, giving you endless options to make items.
Why is Zero Waste Quilting Important?
When we think in larger terms about our environmental footprint specifically with regard to textiles, we need to acknowledge that textiles are a huge pollutant and contributor to global warming. And when we think about what resources we have as quilters, our options have traditionally been up-cycled materials, a limited (but growing!) selection of GOTS, OEKO-Tex or digitally printed materials.
All three of those options are fabulous and we should fully utilize and take advantage of them when we can. I recognize that availability and cost factor into the conversation When those options aren’t actually an option or if you are like me and up-cycled materials aren’t really my medium of choice, then what happens? How can I continue to create while being a better steward to the planet? Enter Zero Waste Quilting. The concept introduces a middle ground so we can stretch the life of the materials we use. Better for our wallets and better for the planet. Plus who doesn’t need a cute gift from time to time? This way you can grab and go. There’s a bonus in that, as well!
How Does Zero Waste Quilting Work?
The reason Zero Waste Quilting is important is because we can take steps to minimize our environmental impact through craft. We all have scraps. We all have piles in overflowing bins and often we don’t know what to do with them. At a certain point, scraps can become overwhelming. What to do with all those mis-cut pieces, random cuts or fabric that has otherwise been cast aside.
Zero Waste Quilting takes the hassle out of how to handle your scraps. In my book, and now this pattern, you are given supplemental projects to make, meaning the frustration and overwhelm of figuring out how to use your scraps is eliminated. Additionally, you gain some freedom in that each project is fluid so you can make an item slightly larger or smaller to allow for mis-cuts or extra yardage you may have. For example: does it matter if your scrunchie begins with a 3” vs a 4” strip? Nope! You can make it with either size, get a cute scrunchie AND use all the material! A win all the way around.
Now, I know what you’re saying: I know how to use the scraps or I love having scraps around but not everyone does. In fact, at a guild meeting a few months ago a member offered that she threw the scraps away after a quilt was made because she didn’t want to hassle with them. And I am not here to throw shade on anyone but people toss material if they can’t figure out how to use it. In addition to being wasteful, it’s not good for the planet (or our wallets) so this concept helps us minimize our footprint just a little by using all the fabric. Beginning to end use of goods.
Progression of Projects
Zero Waste Quilting works because you have a progression of projects.
Like I said earlier, there are four main projects in the book: Metaphor, They Got Married, Poppies in Tuscany and Misunderstood.
Over the course of the next few weeks, I’m going to deep dive into each project so I can share a little more about how they came to be, the inspiration (or struggles!) behind them and other tips and tricks. Today I’m going to share the first project in the book. Meet Metaphor.
Metaphor
I began this quilt more than a few years ago. Determined to create a Log Cabin quilt using only scraps, I got to work cutting 1 1/4” strips in a myriad of lengths. The blocks finish at 3 3/4” so I could use the smallest of the small pieces and some larger lengths, too.
I made quite a few blocks then we began some home renovations, including in the basement where my studio is located. Fast forward two months. Renovations were complete and I was trying to find my blocks. They were NOWHERE to be found. I knew they’d eventually appear, and they did, but it took about a year for me to find them – carefully tucked away in a bin for safe keeping under my cutting table.
I pulled the finished blocks out and pressed them then got to work making more. The thing is, though, Log Cabin quilts work well because all the blocks are pieced in the same direction going clockwise or counterclockwise around the center. You get symmetry and easy placement of dark or light fabrics or any combination thereof to create interesting patterns on the quilt top.
Enter: these blocks and the cut pieces sat untouched for a while.
What does that mean? It means I began to piece more blocks without consideration of my pieces.
What happened? Well, once I had enough blocks I put them on my design wall but they weren’t coming together. It took me a minute to figure out that I had some blocks oriented in a clockwise fashion and others oriented in a counter-clock wise fashion. So what to do?
Go with it.
Yep.
I decided to see what would happen if I played with the blocks and you know what? I created a really cool layout.
At first it’s hard to see the quilt coming together.
But I kept at it and as I built I could being to see the dimension building.
As I added blocks I squinted to see the color creating pattern across the quilt until I was satisfied with the final layout.
There are streaks of color going diagonally across the quilt right to left, and up and down. It really creates a whole other layer of dimension and I just love it!
A Glorious Backing
I chose a Tula Pink fabric for my backing. The colors were spot on, I loved the design and carefully matching the print to make the backing appear seamless was right up my alley that particular day.
The Quilting Makes the Quilt
I quilted this quilt on my BERNINA 770QE Plus. Log Cabin blocks are geometric plus I had the added diagonal lines creating more geometric shapes so I decided to quilt in concentric circles to soften the quilt.
The quilting is offset so I began by tracing a glass (or bowl? I can’t remember) where I wanted the “center” to be located. Then I got to work. I quilted this using my walking foot.
To add more interest, I added some hand quilting.
Et Voila
I bound the quilt using a grey bias binding that was leftover from a previous project.
TIP: I always make bias binding and I usually make a little more than I need for two reasons:
1. That way I won’t run out and calculating bias binding exactly has always seemed a little like a bad idea to me.
2. I do the work once and keep the leftover binding for other projects. Like this! However leftover binding is perfect for smaller projects like mug rugs, placemats, wall hangings, etc.
I love this quilt so much and I hope if you make one, you love it, too!