Saturday, January 7, 2017

Rainbow Scrap Challenge - A New Year, New Blocks

It's the first Saturday in 2017, so it's the first Rainbow Scrap Challenge Link Up over at Soscrappy.  Angela's already posted the new button for the year.  












It's always a dilemma which block to pick for the challenge.  I've done some fun ones.  The first was coffee mugs, back in 2012.  Still not a finished quilt.  


Scrappy Coffee Cups:  Block patterns from Karen F. Srebro and Janet McCarroll
publised in Block Magic and Block Magic Too by Nancy Johnson-Srebro

The next year it was the Butterfly blocks.  Those aren't a finished quilt either.  


Scrappy Butterflies: Block is available in EQ 7 Block Library

For 2014 it was the Inverted Star blocks.  Those are still in their box waiting to be set together.


 Inverted Star by Jessica Boschem of Common Threads
available from Craftsy as a free download

Two RSC projects were started in 2015.  The first was the Twinkle Star blocks.  Not finished either. 

 Twinkle Stars Tutorial by Andrea Feldbush of Soscrappy


The second RSC quilt of 2015 was Angela's sampler quilt.  Flame Test did get finished. 


Flame Test (2014 Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler)
Pattern by Angela Feldbush of Soscrappy

And was promptly confiscated by Drama Teen. She uses it regularly as a cuddle quilt in her room.  It's going to college with her.  

Last year was probably the most challenging block I've ever tried, the Vintage Dresses.  Which as I just finished the last block, isn't a finished quilt either.  


 Vintage Dresses by Charise Randell

There's a definite trend with my RSC blocks, they don't seem to be ending up in finished quilts.  One reason is that I've had a hard time deciding on a setting once the blocks are done.  There is a plan for Vintage Dresses, so I'm hopeful that quilt will get put together this year.  

Considering my poor track record with finishing my RSC projects, I decided to try something new for 2017.  I used Electric Quilt to draft the finished quilt so I can assemble the quilt as the blocks are finished.  I'm not going to show the mock up of the quilt, but here are this year's blocks.  



The paper pieced Fan blocks are going to use the cool colors, purple, green, teal and blue.  I didn't get my background fabric washed and pressed until yesterday so I didn't get very far with my first block, but it is started. 



There will be four 7.5" fan blocks and four 3.5"  fan blocks for each cool color.  

The warm colors of red, orange, yellow and maybe red-violet are going into modified Log Cabin blocks.



There will be four or five 7.5" blocks in each of the warm colors.  

So this year there is a plan for the blocks. I'm hopeful that means I'll have at least a finished flimsy at the end of this year's challenge. I'm heading off for a second cup of coffee, them I'm going to check all the links over at Soscrappy to see past and future rainbow scrappy goodness.  

Also linking up with Oh Scrap on Sunday.  

28 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

Oh, some of those previous unfinished RSC blocks would be enormous fun to set into quilt tops -- good for you for changing your approach this year to work "backwards" (I find that helpful, too - but without EQ)

The Joyful Quilter said...

Love, love, LOVE those Inverted Star Blocks and Twinkle Star Blocks!! I'm looking forward to seeing the design that you've come up with for 2017. No fair that you didn't show us!! (Why, yes, I am pouting.)

Alison V. said...

That is such a smart idea to start with the quilt design and then break it down into blocks and figure out how many of each you need. I also didn't want to start a whole new project for this year which is why I decided to stick with working on my WIPs.

PaulaB quilts said...

Great idea to have the whole plan first. Fascinating blocks! Have a fun week!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Flame test is just gorgeous! I think DT has excellent taste! You've made lots of other beautiful blocks, too. I think sometimes making blocks is just as much for my sanity as it is for completing a quilt out of them. I enjoy the hunt for fabrics, and the thinking about it as much (sometimes maybe even more than!) as I do the finishing part.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Oh gosh Kate I love your honesty! ANd what a great idea creating a mock up of your quilt...so you can piece it as you go. I too am rejuvenating some old RSC that I started last year. Off to write my post. Thanks for the reminder that it all started today. Happy Weekend!

Jennifer said...

what an exciting (secret!) quilt you have planned! I look forward to seeing how it comes together... and don't worry: you're in good company with the RSC UFOs. I have a bunch, too, that i'll be working on this year.

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

I like your plan for this year's RSC. Smart move to plan the setting from the get-go. I hope it works out for you so you have a finished flimsy instead of blocks at the end of the year.

scraphappy said...

I am hoping that this will be a year for lots of finishes! Love the look of the purple fans. Hopefully the plan will lead to a finished quilt sooner rather than later.

gayle said...

I love all your previous years' blocks. (And just downloaded the pattern for those inverted stars...) I've found that I like making blocks a lot more than I like assembling tops, but I've opted not to worry about it. I just keep popping them into plastic storage bins, and at worst I'll have lots of fodder for a medallion quilt someday!

Katie Z. said...

Ooh, la la!

Kathy S. said...

Beautiful blocks. Your photos are great too. Happy sewing!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I am aiming to try to finish some things this year / I have enjoyed the dresses all year ; now good luck as to the future finishes and new starts! :)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I am aiming to try to finish some things this year / I have enjoyed the dresses all year ; now good luck as to the future finishes and new starts! :)

Julie in GA said...

It looks like we have a similar problem--too many unfinished RSC projects. I love making them, but don't do so well at finishing them! I can't decide if my favorite of yours is the Twinkle Stars or the Inverted Stars. They are all so beautiful! Looking forward to seeing your new design.

Kalicocreations said...

What a great idea to come up with the pattern first! I hope it helps you with getting the blocks made into a completed top.
Terry

Cathy said...

Good luck getting some of those together this year! They are all definitely quilt worthy!

Vicki in MN said...

At least you got started on this year's blocks, I have not yet. I find that if I have a setting plan I will get much farther with a project than if I don't. Good luck to you in accomplishing a ton this year!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Wow, everyone is doing the RSC! Great progress.

Karen said...

It looks like a fun new rainbow challenge. Maybe this will also be your year of rainbow finishes.

Cherie in St Louis said...

What a great plan! I really like the fan blocks and can't wait to see them grow.

Pamela Arbour said...

I really looked forward to seeing your vintage dresses each month and admire you for tackling them all in paper piecing. You did a fabulous job on all of them. I enjoyed looking at your unfinished RSC projects. Maybe this is the year you will get them all finished? I am behind too if it makes you feel any better. LOL

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I am so intrigued! Just what are you up to. I am a no plan quilter - which is not always a good thing.

It was great seeing your projects again. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Emily said...

Interesting approach! I hope it work well for you. I really like those fan blocks. I am still trying to decide what to make for this year's RSC.

Jennifer said...

Ooh, looks great - love your blocks from the past years too.

Ariane said...

I love your finished quilt. Your blocks all look amazing too.

Fiona said...

You've done heaps of fantatic rainbow blocks over the years..
Hugz

works4me said...

You have some great blocks. I hope we see more finished tops and quilts. Love the vintage dresses especially.