Erik HOMEMADE

Final Thoughts - Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt

(Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt; Toledo Botanical Gardens, Septmember 2010)

At the end of our workshop's cutting table is a pale blue metal bin on casters that says "Scraps" in a beautiful scrapbook-y font. When a project is being cut, any scrap fabric, of any useable size, is tossed into the pale blue metal bin with the pretty script. At times, it is over-flowing. If yardage is left over, the remenant is carefully folded, and placed on a nearby shelf, not officially to be retired until the scrap might be used. And so starts the story of the Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt.

Around the design table, the discussion was brisk and full of concern. We had never presented a "mystery quilt" in Web-style. We all agreed how fun it would be...but the logistics?...What fabric, what style, what techinique, what size? what what? We needed something fun. Something entertaining. And something...not so easy to figure out. It had to be done in small steps that would be easy to keep up with. It had to be tricky to figure out. And it had to be a quilt. Scraps seemed the way to go...we have so many...and the blocks, they had to be pieced of small sizes that we could all use from our scrap piles. With this in mind we set forth...

We think we accomplished our goal. Our sample quilt was made from entirely scraps and left-over fabric; the 2 1/2-inch squares came from pieces cut for one of my early quilt retreats, the sashing was a remenant left from a larger cut for a sampler quilt. The middle border was actually a "mistake" purchase (I could have sworn it would match!) and the outer border was a scrap from yet another quilt's backing. The other night, when I showed it my small quilt group, we spent time finding fabrics in one quilt to another scrap quilt we have working on! It was a lot of fun to match them together and remember different projects and shared fun! These, like all scraps, tell a story.

At Erik HOMEMADE(R) we certainly hope you have enjoyed this project as much as we have presenting it to you! Have fun with what is left to do: if you want to cut the binding from different strips, why not make it scrappy, too?! Or if you want to use 2 1/2-inch squares for the binding, why not?! A pieced backing?...Use it up!

Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt pages 23 and 24

Time for some backing and binding...and of course some quilting! Our project is finished...and our scrap pile...a little bit smaller!

Click here to print a copy of page 23 (the final page of the instructions)->Download Craft pdf Template-Mystery Quilt page 23

Click here to print a copy of page 24 (a photograph of the Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt)->Download Craft pdf Template-Mystery Quilt page 24

**If you are just joining the Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt, this is the final installment of the instructions. This post includes the suggested yardage for the backing and the binding. Be sure not to miss the Scrap Pile Mystery-Final Thoughts post.

The entire project, page by page, can be found by clicking on the DO NOT MISS A STEP photo on the right side of our home page. If you need further assistance or have any questions, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R).

**This entire project, start-to-finish, will remain on our website!

Christmas Mystery Quilt 2010 - Frequently Asked Questions

As more people join in for our Christmas Mystery Quilt 2010, here are some of the most frequently asked questions:

When will the mystery end? It that a mystery, too!? We see the end of the quilt near the 28th of February 2011...that seems like a long drawn out project, but actually it isn't. Here are a few reasons why: the project will span 3 major holidays in the USA (Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's) when many people are busy or gone. There are many pieces of the same size, shape, and color, that if they are not set apart and broken down, the instructions would get very confusing! For the sake of ease, we want the instructions to fit on one page of paper each time--many of you share our instructions with friends and quilt groups (we hope this part makes it easier for you!). And most of all we want you all to enjoy making this and any of our projects! Long and boring maybe easier to keep up with than haste and hurry; this way you can always follow our project while keeping on top of the rest of yours!

As usual, after the borders are placed on the quilt, there will be a few more posts: a final page with a photograph of the finished Studio quilt, a final post with thoughts about the project, and a contest to encourage our readers to share the quilts they made! The Christmas Mystery Quilt 2010 will also include a small epilogue project (don't miss that!). And of course, a new project will be announced before the current one ends!

I am so excited to start! When will the instructions post? The first page of the instructions posted with the announcement...the PROLOGUE Step (page 1). Page 2 will post on 11 October! After that, each new instruction will post on Monday mornings until there are no further instructions and nothing left to post. We try to break the instructions down to small steps so that it is easy to keep up with the project. If you get a week behind, or so, you should be able to keep up.

Is this a difficult project? We do not think so. This project requires only a basic knowledge of quilting and includes no tricks or magic; a beginner should be able to complete it. We are always available to answer questions, and your local quilt shop should always be good for helpful advice!

If I miss a step, how can I catch up? Each set of instructions will be filed in the Christmas Mystery Quilt 2010 Category. Click on the Christmas Mystery Quilt ribbon on the left side of our Main/Home Page or the Ornament photo icon on the right side of the page. Either way, you will find copies of all of the instuctions posted to date.

Isn't this quilt a bit large for a wallhanging? Some may say yes...but it will also look nice on the back of a sofa, and maybe the foot of a bed. It probably wouldn't be large enough to cover a bed, unless you added your own borders at the end of the project.

How do I know if I need white or beige fabrics scraps? It is hard to say...What ever looks better with your red and green scraps. If you have a lot of beige mixed in with your red and green prints, beige may be the better choice.

What color is used for the background? The beiges/whites. The clearer your beiges/whites are, the easier on the eye the rest of the quilt will be. That said, remember this is your quilt and you call the shots.

I don't have many red (green) scraps, what shall I do? You can always add a 1/4 yard cut or fat quarter to augment your scraps.

What three-dimentional quality? There is a small bit of "texture" added to the quilt toward the end. When we discussed this around the design table, we really like this feature--something extra. It is an easy effect to accomplish and adds to the quilt (and its mystery!)

How many pages are there in the mystery? We haven't exactly decided that yet: until the instructions run out. At the end there will be photograph of Erik's entire project and closing notes.

What fabrics is Erik using in the sample? Erik has hosted the Thimbleberries Club at his favorite quilt shop for several years and has quite a bundle of Thimbleberries' scraps! He is making the sample from some of those scraps so that the wallhanging will match many of his quilts and a few table runners. These are not necessarily Christmas fabrics, but fabrics in red, green, and beige. See the photograph above.

Can I use only Christmas fabrics? Why not! Erik's mom decided she is going to follow the mystery quilt using her Christmas scraps in red, green, and white!

Above all, use your scraps...and have fun, and enjoy!

See you on 11 October 2010 for the next post!

 

A Milestone

Although we don't usually post many personal entries @Erik Homemade(R); today is definately an exception! It is my mom's 80th birthday! And we certainly have reason to celebrate!

(Mom and me, Summer 1967, taken by my father; my favorite photograph of the two of us)

Born in during the darkest hours of the Great Depression, Mom has always been a model of faith and optimism, hope and love.

 

Last Summer, after 30-some years of living in the same spot in Wisconsin (where my sister and I were raised), she retired for real; she had the courage and gumption to move! We are very happy she moved to be closer to us here in NW Ohio.

 

(The Grandboys! -My nephews- Joshua-20, Grandma, and Brian-24; Mom's move Summer 2010) 

Now days Mom enjoys her free time quilting, working on her dollhouse miniatures, and knitting. Her health is great and so is her spirit! Her input @Erik HOMEMADE(R) is not only enthousiastic but also indespensable! She is our biggest supporter and biggest fan!

(Mom and me, next to Josh's yellow ribbon, Spring 2010; Josh is currently serving his Country in Afghanistan, we are waiting and praying for his safe return)

Mom marvels at what has happened over the past 80 years...the changes she has seen! We got a good chuckle last year: when she was substitute teaching , as she did for several years after my father passed away. She told us that she didn't remember studying much about President Roosevelt and World War II. "Mom" I said, "those were current events when you were in school!" There was a long pause. Then she responded. "Right. Didn't remember studying President Kennedy either."

We all love you very much, Mom

Happy 80! Happy Birthday!

 

  

 

Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt page 22

 

Time to set the outer border! Depending on your scraps and fabric, follow the chart to cut your 6 1/2-inch border strips.

Our quilt has a non-directional, 1 piece border.

Border Fabric Chart

1 piece border:
3 yards non-directional
cut 4, 6 1/2-inch strips, trim strips as needed.

Pieced Border:
2 yards non-directional or directional*
cut 10, 6 1/2-inch strips by width of fabric, piece together as needed.

*Extra fabric may be needed to match design.

See you next week for the final post and a surprise announcement!

Click here to print a copy of this week's instrctions->Download Craft pdf Template-Mystery Quilt page 22

If you are just joining our Mystery Quilt project, or need another copy of any of the instructions posted so far, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP! photo on our Main Page. If you need further assistance, or have more questions, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)!

Un-Stuffed Peppers recipe

Now that the children are back in school, this casserole is perfect! It takes only a few minutes to get ready...the classic taste, without all of the work!

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
3 green bell peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced fine
salt and pepper
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms, fresh or canned
2 cups cooked rice
1 26oz jar spaghetti sauce, about 2 1/2 cups
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet, brown ground beef with pepper, onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Drain liquid. Add rice, sliced mushrooms, spaghetti sauce, and 3/4 cups shredded cheese. Spoon into a 2 quart baking dish. Top mixture with remaining cheese. Bake 25 minutes, or until cheese is well melted and casserole is heated through.

Serves 6.

Click here to print a copy of this recipe->Download Recipe Template-Unstuffed Peppers

 

Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt page 21

It is your turn to be creative! Pepper your leftover Prologue units through the middle border, letting them fall where they may. See you for next week's clue...the mystery isn't over just quite yet!

Click here to print this week's instrcutions->Download Craft pdf Template-Mystery Quilt page 21

If you are just joining our Mystery Quilt project, or need extra copies of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP! photo on our Main Page. You will find copies of all of the instructions posted so far. If you need further clarification or extra help, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)!

A New Mystery Begins!

Christmas 2010 Mystery Quilt project

 

To help you have a "ball" this holiday season, here is a scrap mystery quilt full of holiday fun! The project will begin posting 11 October 2010! You will need to raid your scrap basket for red, green, and beige or white fabrics! We can't tell you too much (because it is a mystery!) but we can say that you will be making a wall-hanging in the spirit of the season! Although the completed project is wonderful simply quilted, you can easily embellish it with other goodies, due to its three dimesional quality!

The instructions for the Christmas 2010 Mystery Quilt will post every Monday until the project is finished...if you are not yet a subscriber to Erik HOMEMADE(R), simply fill out the FEEDBURNER(TM) subscription box on the upper right side of our page to get the weekly updates. Once the project begins, you can find the instructions quickly by clicking on the mystery ornament photo on the side of our Main Page.

Please help spread the word! We think this would be a great holiday project for a club or guild, not to mention a great gift! It is an easy, straight-forward quilt, easy enough for a beginner quilter.

In the meantime, start sorting your scraps, and click here for the first page of the project->Download Craft pdf Template-Christmas 2010 Mystery Quilt 1

**UPDATE**

**This project is currently posting! For all of the instructions posted to date, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP ornament photo icon on the right side of our Main/Home Page**

 

 

 

Scrap Pile Mystery Quilt page 20

Now for the inner border! To make sure the quilt lies flat, measure your quilt through the center to find the length of each border strip. Until next week...!

Click here to print a copy of this week's instructions->Download Craft pdf Template-Mystery Quilt page 20

If you are just joing our Mystery Quilt project, or are missing a step, or need another copy of any of the instructions posted to date, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP! photo on our Main Page. There you will find the entire project so far. If you you have further questions, or need extra help, contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)!