Even when in a rut, I typically need to keep my hands busy. So what do I do? I turn to my scrap basket. I have a vague idea to make a Jewel Box Quilt which looks something like this:
To get there, I need to turn this:
into piles of 2 inch and 3-7/8 inch squares.
I have a number of friends who save scraps for me that they think are too small (aka “trash”). If I can get a 1.5 x 1.5 inch square out of it, I think it’s usable. Every night when I get home from work, I’ve been spending an hour or so at my ironing board pressing scraps to get them ready to cut into squares.
After dinner, I settle in for the night with Guy Fieri (or Project Runway or Toddlers & Tiaras, etc.—whatever it is, it would not be considered “intellectual”). I cut using a lap desk with a small cutting mat on it. This works well since I’m only working with scraps, not large pieces of fabric. If you have a bunch of scraps you need to cut down, give it a shot.
When I’m good and tired of cutting squares, I’ll start sewing. This quilt’s size will be dictated by how many squares I cut before I get bored with it. It could be a lap quilt, or it might be king sized. Who knows?!
I’ll update you when the sewing starts. As for tonight, it's my rotary cutter and the Food Network once again.
I do that, too... I find the cutting relaxing - and kind of get a kick out of the challenge of how many little squares I can get out of scraps I have. Just don't try cutting while watching Toy Story 3 - at least at the end! One of these days I will actually use some of them!
ReplyDeleteI like working at small things while I'm watching tv, too. Cutting, like you're doing, or sorting fabrics, or whatever. I find that making myself look up now and again at the tv keeps my neck from getting stiff. Keeps me from getting too bored, too.
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