The tracker is a spread sheet that can be downloaded free from the Sew Jouner's Blog. I found it really helpful in documenting my fabric usage and it fits my nerdy, math-loving personality. Actually there's no math required or counting what you already have. You track how much you use and how much you buy and the Stash Shrinker is set to calculate how much you are allowed to buy using a 2:1 ratio.
Since I started tracking, I challenged myself to make 6 quilts for kids that will be donated to my MQG's philanthropy program, using only fabric I have on hand. I also wanted them to be fairly quick and easy...
I ended up using 5 different designs and made 6 small quilts!
First up is "Row Addition" from the Modern Plus Sign Quilts book that I blogged about last week...
This is a super easy and quick one! I made it in an afternoon and I was even able to cut the backgrounds from some leftover chunks of fabric. The backing is made from black and white fabric, and colorful print stripes.
Next up is an Economy Block quilt. I fussy cut a fat quarter of a cute animal print from the line "Hello Bear" and used them in the center of several of the blocks. Although the fabrics looked great together laid out, the quilt turned out rather dull and is not my favorite.
But I do think some child will love these sweet animal motifs...
This one is quilted with free-motion loops and ready to go!
The next four are quilt tops with the backings and bindings ready to go. I'll get these quilted as I have smaller, left-over pieces of batting.
First up is a simple Star quilt. This is made from half-square triangles, squares and a background strip at top and bottom to lengthen it a bit.
Next is a another "Row Addition", since the first was so quick! This one uses several Bonnie and Camille fabrics for the backgrounds with white pluses...
This one is called "Joyous Picnic" and it's a free pattern from Art Gallery Fabrics. I reduced the block size to 6" and it made a great little kids' quilt!
And finally, this last one is from an older Thimblossoms pattern called "Piece of Cake 2". I again reduced the size of the block a bit to make a nice size kids' quilt.
I'm excited to say these quilts make a nice dent in my stash and look! Here's a screen shot of my Stash Shrinker spread sheet... I can buy fabric! Which I plan to do :)
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All really cute quilts. And you made all six of them so quickly. The fabrics are really nice also. Your philanthropy club will love them all.
ReplyDeleteI love them all!
ReplyDeleteCindy, I would say you've definitely earned shopping rights! All of these are lovely, especially Row Addition! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the black and white version of Row Addition! I am supposed to be doing the same thing with my stash but so far this year I have failed miserably. That tool looks very interesting I think I'll give it a go.
ReplyDeleteGosh all of these quilts are super cute. I love them all and I'm sure the recipients will love them too.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for whipping out these sweet quilts using only your stash. They will no doubt make a child very happy!
ReplyDeleteYou are on a roll! What beautiful quilts (especially the Row Addition versions), I can't wait to see them all at the April meeting!
ReplyDeleteThat's kinda fun to keep track of your fabric usage with that tracker. I'm going to take a crack at it. Oh - I think your fussy-cut block quilt is super cute!
ReplyDeleteWell done Cindy. I love all of the different designs, You are a rock star 😇
ReplyDeleteAll the quilts are beautiful. Even the one that is "rather dull" is sweet and very calming. I bet you need a nap after all that!
ReplyDeleteWow, I think they all look great. The tones in the economy sampler are all very similar, but you are so right that a child is going to really enjoy getting to look at all the details in it. What an awesome way to use your stash!
ReplyDeleteLove the plus quilts. Great colors!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet and fun! You earned that new fabric, Cindy :)
ReplyDeleteQuestion: when you track "fabric used" do you count the entire, say, fat quarter if you ended up with some scraps leftover? Or if the pattern calls for half a yard but the pattern is very generous, do you still count the half yard as "out"? Or are you more precise than that in your calculations?
Nice collection of charity quilts Cindy. I may look at your tracker, but as you know, I've been tracking my usage for over 10 years on my own spreadsheet, but it doesn't reward me with a column that says "Congratulations you can now buy fabric"! My goal is to make all my future quilts without buying any more fabric. I still have a little left of what you donated to me before you left MO. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, you've been busy! Love them all. And I need to check out that Stash Shrinker - I have waaaaay more in my stash than I fear I will use in my lifetime. Time to retire and sew?...
ReplyDeleteLove the black and white version of row addition. I have fabrics selected for that but not cut yet. I think I'll give the Stash Shrinker a try as that's my goal, too.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Charity quilts! Do you mind me asking what size they are? I will look up that stash shrinker tool!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! all this inspiration! I love each of the quilts. Thank you thank you thank you!
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