Modern Quilting Made Magic
Join me for part-two of Magic Inch Quilts on Sewing With Nancy with modern quilters and husband/wife team Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr. Often we think about quilting with squares and rectangles of fabric. In these new modern quilting designs, the piecing technique and the color choices are equally as important as Weeks’ and Bill’s improvisational 1-inch strips of color!
Nancy, we enjoy working with color, but also incorporating 1” pieces into quilt designs. The piecing technique and the color choices are equally important.
Whiskers Quilt
Bill shows how this Whiskers quilt features a square block that is updated by adding three Magic Inch strips. Using solids for the blocks and a yarn-dyed stripe for the strips, this quilt can be customized for a baby, a teen, or even a quilt for grandpa. Use a basket weave layout for the blocks to add additional interest and repeat the stripe fabric in the binding.
Pickup Sticks Quilt
Pickup Sticks is the original Magic Inch Quilt that Bill and Weeks designed in 2000. Inspired by the children’s game, these colorful sticks appear to be lying on top of one another as a result of this unique piecing process. For each block you’ll decide how many cuts and where to make them for your one-of-a-kind improvisational masterpiece. Watch online as this quilt is created.
Local Hero Quilt
First-responders are among the local heroes in every town. Weeks and Bill made this quilt for their local firehouse where the firefighters and emergency medical technicians rest when not on call. This improvisational technique creates a patriotic block that can be made by adventurous beginners and veteran quilters alike.
See how we create these quilts with sewing demonstrations on Sewing With Nancy. Watch it online, today. Find your copy of Magic Inch Quilts at Nancy’s Notions.
Watch Magic Inch Quilts Part One and Part Two on Sewing With Nancy online.
For a chance to win a copy of Magic Inch Quilts from Modern Quilts Studio, leave a comment sharing your answer to: What is smallest fabric scrap you save?
Bye for now,
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Barbara Stover
1-1/4″
Collettia
Once and on half inch is as small as I use. Blessings
Collettia
Once and one half inch is as small as I use. Blessings
Mary Lou
I compulsively save most scrap cutoffs, small enough to make a seam and still show up, to use on crazy blocks sewn on used dryer sheets – all unique, no two alike and no wasted fabric. Did I say compulsive?
Joellyn Partyka
I regularly save 1′” strips and squares, in a fairly large box, lately though some have been only 3/4″. I figure they might be okay for a string project to add a pop of a different color.
Rosalee
About 1-1/2 inches for scrappy quilts. Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!
Denice Korcal
Anything that can take a seam. I should just pitch the little bits but I can’t bring myself to do it!
Linda E in AZ
I keep small scraps in a rolling plastic cabinet with wheels. Smallest scraps may be 2″ but most are larger. The smallest ones are fabric that I just can’t bear to part with.
Thanks!
Gina M
I would *love* to have “Magic Inch Quilts” – looked at my library, but they do not have it. One of my sewing groups is doing a string/strip quilt challenge in 2017.
I save anything that is 1.5″ or larger. After many years of quilting, I have LOTS of scraps. They may look like trash to someone else, but to me they are mini-magical possibilities.
Lou Ann Peeler
11/2inch is the smallest I save and I precut most of my leftovers when finished with my projects.
Carol
I’m a “scrap happy” quilter!!!!
Pat Pfeifle
Probably 1 1/2″ scraps. I can use it to cut a leaf or a petal when I am appliqueing. I keep these pieces in a box and dig in as I need them. Looking forward to your new book.
Sandy K
So far I have only kept 2 inch and larger.
Vicki H
I keep strips as small as 1 inch. I keep my strip scraps in plastic shoe boxes by size.
KAREN G SEBOR
How fun!! A chance to win the marvelous book, “Magic Inch Quilts” and also give some consideration to being mindful of the little guy and put those small 1 1/2″ to two inch pieces of fabric to good use. They should have a spot all their own!!
Sharon Thomsen
I save 2″ strips and larger. Sometimes I save weird small shapes of fabric to use in appliqué. Other than that, they go into a bag to use as stuffing for dog beds.
Mary R
The smallest scrap I save is 2 inch and larger.
Ellen
It depends on how well I like the fabric, if one of my favorite colors or designs, the smallest scrap could be about 1″ square and above. I have them separated by the quilt it was used in.
So far, I have saved them for something special…this looks ideal for that perfect use!
Diane F
I save as small as 2″ by 2″ and toss all smalls in a box for random assembly “some day.”
Christine Westbrook
I’m a saver! I save snips from snowballed corners to one inch strips. I recently made my own “fabric” using scraps for mile a minute method. I’m always looking to learn something new.
Grapenutquilter
Save it all! Use small pieces in scrap blocks, use snipples for stuffing and put the strings out for the birds in the spring. Nothing goes to waste!
Susan Spiers
I save scrap fabric starting at 1″ and larger-smaller sizes perfect for paper piecing! Larger sizes for most other quilting!
BevM
Unfortunately, I have been saving all scraps, l unless they are jagged bias corner strips.
Ellie G
I save everything! Bits are for the birds in spring and I keep 2.5″ and bigger squares, 2.5″ strips and bigger.
Cathy from KY
Usually save all scraps. If I’m working on a big project, I’ll put little scraps in a short decorative vase to perk up the area.
Venita
I have 1 box of scraps that are less than an inch. I have been working on my obsession and now limit the to 1 1/2 inch.
Laura
I have been saving 2×3 inch pieces for a “someday” scrap
quilt. I also save selvages.
Diane McCoy
Nancy I just love the pictures of your quilts, you are a big inspiration for all.
Sher
I save everything! Smallest is probably around 3/4-1″. Never know when you might be able to use that size on a project
Vicky
I save any scraps 2″ or larger. 2 1/2″ strip pieces have their own special box. I hope to save enough scraps to make an awesome mini-tumbler quilt some day, so I have a pre-cut box for them as well.
I might have to change and keep my smaller strips after seeing these awesome Magic Inch Quilts!
Lorna DeSantis
2 inches
Jen in northern Wis
I don’t throw anything away; I save all of my fabric “scraps” as you never known when you might need something; ranging from scraps (along with selvedges) to fill a dog bed to making a selvedge pincushion, or just using a scrap to clean your machine (for a oil rag); or to practice a decorative machine stitch; even test a new thread out, and of course sometimes for a started piece at the beginning and ending of a strip or square.
Barbara
It is probably the tiny edge you slice off to square something up! I think they are pretty but have no idea what to do with them….put them in a jar for color.
Kay Statom
I save everything. I have one large old pillowcase, full of scraps not big enough to use, for stuffing pillows or anything else.
Ellie G in De Pere
I usually only save scraps larger that 3 inches, but may have to start saving smaller pieces. I
Cyndy from The Funny Farm
Well, define “save.” 🙂 I’ve saved tiny bits of this and that over the years but pretty much draw the line at anything less than 1″ unless it’s in a nice strip. When I get fed up with all my scraps, I’ll offer them to a couple women in my guild who sew with little tiny bits of fabric and are always looking for scrap donations. And anything else is then turned over to another guild member who spearheads fiber recycling efforts, whether they are used in dog beds or somehow reused, next to nothing gets wasted. Unless one of my dogs eats it, and then it’s garbage…. 🙂
Kim
I am saving almost everything- I want to make a string quilt, an I spy quilt for my grandchildren and a project with selvages.
Theresa Lennon
I save anything 2″ and up
Jackie C
I save any piece that is remotely useable. Last year I made the “Welcome to the North Pole” quilt in miniature (reduced it by half). What fun I had embellishing it!!! Anyway, Santa’s face was only about 1/8″ high and just a little wider. I happened to have a small (really small) strip of fabric in just the right color…Perfect!
Diane S.
I save about a 2.5 x 6 inch piece of fabric. I don’t think I’ve gone smaller than that.
CINDY BEAL
one inch if I am crazy about it…tiny pieces like this go in my crumb baggie…strips go to the Big Tub o’ Strings
Mary Grass
I save 2 1/2″ squares and strips and other pieces oh any size. I love the modern quilts shown herein. Thank you.
Deborah Tell
I save way too much, but recently I have stopped saving anything smaller than an inch (selvages included) 🙂
Anna Jane Hudock
I save one inch in chunks, 3/4 inch in strips or down to threads for arty the ills projects.
Cynthia Taylor
I’m bad! I don’t save many scraps. I do sew my cut off triangle ends into squares… I guess 2″.
Judi
Ahh, my stash, I was just clearing off the dining room table(my sewing room) with all my pieces-parts and putting them in bins for later use, and they are tiny, inch maybe, small, bigger, I am not choosy, I might need it someday.
Jackie
The most helpful part of the Magic Inch quilt video was lining the odd angles up to get a straight seam. Than you.
Jackie
My favorite tip in this video, Magic Inch Quilt, was how to line up the odd angles when adding the next section in order to get a straight seam. Thank you.
Tina
I save 2 inch by 2 inch scraps.
Marty
Saving 1.5 inch squares in box divided “lights” and “darks” and anything smaller goes into bag for stuffing handmade toys.
Camille
The smallest that I save are 1.5″ squares along with the 1-7/8″ triangles to sew together to make half square triangle blocks. For a long while I saved them in a single bin but recently shifted to separating them by color so I could make scrappy bow ties.
Cindy Mills
I pretty much save everything. You just never know when you might need a small “bit” for something.
Tammy W.
1 in. is the smallest scrap of frabic I have ever saved.
TC Ferrito
I am a garment sewer mostly. So it must be a 1/4 yard or a fat quarter. Any thing else is too small. But the more I quilt, the more I see how useful small pieces can be.
Alyce Johnson
Hard to throw out anything big enough to have 2 quarter inch seam allowances and still show, so I keep 3/4 inch and up.
Judy Valentino
My smallest scrap is probably 1/4″ x1/4″ by 1/4″ triangles (cut off dog ears!) I keep everything.
Gail Beam
I do a lot of machine applique so I save some pretty small pieces, but usually not smaller than 2×2 inches.
Lynn
I save everything, but I think the smallest size is 2 x 2.
Diana Napier
I guess about 1.5″ is the smallest.
LEEANN SMITH
I have started saving everything because I’ve realized I can use even tiny, irregular scraps to stuff pillows, dog beds, and so on. I just throw them in a garbage bag I keep for that purpose.
LeeAnn Smith
I’ve begun saving everything since realizing I can use it all as stuffing for dog beds, pillows, etc. In fact, a lot of scraps will have to be cut down so they won’t be lumpy.
Jennifer Shirley
The smallest pieces I save are the triangles left over from trimming flying geese blocks. The smallest I have create a 1/2 inch block (finished) when sewn together. Just straight fabric, 1 inch squares.
Nancy Neely
I save one inch strips and squares. Someday, they are going to come in handy!
Anna Hollar
I am such a hoarder of fabrics!!!! I have way too much. I am so Blessed! I couldn’t tell you the smallest size. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Susan
I save it all, I figure I pay for every inch I am going to use ever inch. There is sometthing I can do with it. If it is filling up a pet bed with the itty bitty scraps that would not bee seen after seams are taken. I save it all.
Linda Smith
I save every thing LOL I know I must be crazy but I have a hard time letting go! I even save my scrape thread in a mason jar
Linda Smith
I save everything LOL I know I must be crazy !! I even save my scrape thread in a mason jar I figure some day I can make something out of that LOL
Cindy Breene
I could not hear the video on Part 2, Magic Inch Quilts. I checked to see if my sound was on and it was. Odd, the intro to the show was ok, but not the actual video for part 2! Help!!
Katie D
My smallest scrap is about 1″x2″. I try to draw the line at saving nothing smaller than 1″.
JulieG-AZ
I save everything since I attended a class using confetti sized pieces to make a photo quilt. The pieces are smaller than a pencil eraser so there is no fabric too small to save! I do send some scraps of selvages and batting to friends who make pet beds.
Allison from Alabama
Tiny scraps about 1×2 inches is the smallest I save!
Rosalyn Schultze
I save scraps of all sizes, the smallest being about 1/2″ square. Even the smallest scraps can be used by the birds to build their nests in the spring. I place scraps in balls made from grape vines and hang them from tree branches–very colorful and the birds love “decorating” their nests.
Maritza Farr
Unless it is an unusual fabric, I don’t save scraps unless it is about a fat quarter size. I love modern quilts so I have been following Weeks and Bill on FB.
Vicki
I save all scraps no matter how small to add texture to my art pieces.
Maree Smith
Thank you, these quilts look amazing and are so inspirational – I really like the pick up sticks quilt!
Zdenka
I save all scraps. You never know … 😉