Crumb blocks are quick to make, right? Just slap scraps together, with no measuring. No problem.
I should know better! Each of these blocks took me about two hours to make. Sewing, pressing and trimming probably added up to less than 15 minutes per block. The rest of the time was all about picking out scraps, and deciding how to place them.
I don't do "random" very well. I can't help myself: I overthink the selection and placement of each little scrap. There's nothing quick about that, trust me. I wish I was better at just letting the scraps fall where they may, but I'm not there yet. Maybe I'll develop that skill as I make the other 12 crumb blocks I need.
In any case, I won't be using them to test my upcoming "I Spy Lanterns" pattern, as I had planned, because I'm short on time. The pattern was originally designed to use large squares of focus fabric, and I thought it would be fun to substitute a crumb block in there as a design option. Here's the original, using Northcott's upcoming Color Collage collection by Shelley Davies. (You can take a peek at the fabric in the Northcott April 2021 Look Book.)
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| I Spy Lanterns by Canuck Quilter Designs using Color Collage and Toscana fabrics by Northcott |
Here's the crumb block version.
I'll probably eventually make the crumb block version, but I'm going to have to move along to a quicker version to test the pattern. I started playing around with "quicker" blocks in EQ, but that was a whole other rabbit hole. So many options to play with. What if I change this? And what about this little tweak? This led to whole new design and pattern possibilities, but first I need to test the design and pattern I already committed to produce!
After a surprisingly short visit to the quilt shop, I emerged with these lovelies to test the original pattern.
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| Silver Jubilee and Shadow Play fabrics from Maywood Studio, and Diamond Dust by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics |
I'm sure you didn't expect these! Needless to say, the test quilt is going to look very different from my original sketch. That's one of the things I love about quilting. Using the exact same instructions with different fabric choices can lead to vastly different quilts. Stay tuned!
I hear you on the crumb blocks. Love the lantern pattern, have fun making it in those lovely blues.
ReplyDeleteOh, I could have told you crumb blocks take a while. So do string blocks. There is a mindlessness to them, but definitely not a speed! And if I'm going to put the time in, I'd rather do something with an actual design. But that's just me and trying something new is always good! Your blocks do look great and I think would be awesome in that cool quilt, but the blues will be beautiful as well. Definitely up your alley and now I'm curious to see your version!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your crumb version of the lanterns. Your fabric colors are so vibrant and really pop with that background. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThe crumb version of the lanterns looks pretty cool. I find that one color crumb blocks are harder and take longer than random colored ones.
ReplyDeleteI hate crumb blocks for that just that reason. I like the look of them but not the actual making. ☺
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