TYOTS! - Use it or lose it!

Crickets. Tumbleweeds. It's been pretty quiet here on the blog with regards to The Year of the Stash. But with the 5th month of the year looming, perhaps we need a little kick start!

I said I was going to do my best to keep you inspired during the journey that is The Year of The Stash. So here we go! My Top Five projects to get a stash busting buzz going! Quick and easy.... what more can one ask for?


5. Pillowcases
They're great for using those 1 metre/yard cuts that you're wondering why you bought in the first place. Novelty prints? Give them to a kiddo you love or donate them to a children's hospital. Leftover yardage from quilts you've made? Make a set and gift them to the person sleeping under that quilt! Pillowcases make great gifts. You can use Easy Peasy Pillowcase Tutorial or one of the seven million others floating around the blogosphere.

4. Zipper Pouches
You can never have too many! Use 'em for swaps, gifts, or keep 'em all for yourself! I love the Open Wide Zippered Pouch from Noodlehead (free tutorial). But there are so many out there! Google away!

3. Infinity Scarves
Got some lovely voile, some Liberty or Art Gallery prints in that stash? Treat yourself (or a friend to an infinity scarf! Here's a tutorial from Cottage Mama

2. Drawstring bags
I'm particularly smitten with the free tutorial for lined drawstring bags by Jeni Baker @ In Color Order. I liked it so much, I bought the multisized pattern. I've made 7 so far, including this one for my mom for Easter. Love me some Lizzy House Natural History!

And my top choice?

1. Charity Baby Quilts
If you pick a simple pattern like 5 inch squares or 2½ inch strips (like my Kona Strip Pop quilt), they come together very quickly.  I donate to my local women's and children's hospital.

Got a quick and easy stash buster? Please share it in the comments. And get to sewing, people. We've got stashes to use up!

J

WIP - And now for something completely different!

You know that feeling. The one that has you itching to pull fabric from your stash... reaching for your rotary cutter.... clearing your design wall. Last week, I gave into it! A dear, dear friend who has been super supportive since DT came on the scene is hitting a milestone birthday at the end of next month. If that isn't a reason for a new project, I don't know what is!

I cut a mountain of 2½ inch strips for an endless strip quilt, but after making Jaybird's Jawbreaker pillows, I couldn't stop thinking about how it would look as a full on quilt. I abandoned my plan and went for a Jumbo Jawbreaker! I love me some strip piecing... 

Even if it does get a little messy sometimes!

Once all those strips were pressed, I got to cutting using my trusty Hex n' More ruler. I'm not one for gadget-y rulers, but I think I've made this one pay for itself!
 
I love, love, love laying stuff like this out on my design wall. Honestly, how did I manage without one? Now all I need is a way to light it for better pics! Your suggestions are more than welcome!

 It's fun watching the project grow and grow...  

Ta da! Ready to sew those rows! I promise the colours are better in real life. I'm pleased to say that no visits to my LQS were made in the preparation of this quilt. Ah... so satisfying to work from one's stash!

Yesterday, I actually managed to get a row sewn together. When working with triangles, I have a tough time figuring out how long the row will turn out to be.

And that's when I figured out that if I didn't add more triangle segments, this quilt would be far too narrow. Back to the stash, the rotary cutter, and the Hex n' More!

I'm linking up with Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts, as well as WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced.

J