quilts
What if we buy with the intent to maximize how we use fabric and tools, and we don’t accept waste as the cost of being creative? Patty Murphy As a quilter I need specific fabrics for my projects while I already have a large stash. I try to use what fabrics I have, but I end up needing to purchase something to complete a project. I store scraps in bins and bags according to size and shape, but I also end up discarding scraps into the trash. I want to create less waste, want to be a better environmental steward. The resources required to grow and process and distribute that fabric concerns me. So, my attention was caught by the concept of ‘zero waste’ quilting. Patty Murphy is a quilter and quilt designer who is committed to being as ‘green’ as possible. On her website she mentions that she uses the smallest scraps of fabric to stuff into pillows or composts them. She sells PDF files to reduce paper waste and the energy costs of shipping. She uses fabric bags for shopping–as I do. (And sewers can quickly whip up bags and we can wash them!) In the introduction, Jennifer Sampou notes that this book “is rooted in the principle that creativity flourishes within constraint.” In this case, using four quilt designs where leftovers from one project is utilized in another, finally using the tiniest scraps. Patty starts with the basics: the tools needed, how to organize your fabrics, how to use your stash efficiently, how to construct the blocks needed for the quilt patterns in the book. The first pattern is Metaphor, a Log Cabin scrappy quilt. It uses eleven block combinations. Complete yardage, cutting, and construction instructions are included for every pattern, fully illustrated. The second pattern is Sawing Logs, a star with a log cabin center. She starts with leftovers from the first quilt for the Log Cabins. She uses scraps to make shoe bags with a drawstring top, pie carriers, reusable eye makeup wipes, and triangle shapes ‘weights’ filled with sand, sawdust, or ground walnut shells. The cover quilt is They Got Married, a Wedding Ring variation. With scraps from that quilt she creates a Lone Star quilt. She also uses scraps for a floral pillow. Leftover fabric from the Lone Star becomes a scrappy table runner, dinner and cocktail napkins, and placemats. To use random sizes of scraps she offers Lavender for Dogs, a quilt I very much like. Each block begins with a center square surrounded with borders of smaller squares. Each block is different in the size of squares. Arcs from the Wedding Ring are used in Amelia’s Rainbow Patty makes zipper pouches and trivets–hot pads– with leftover fabrics. Poppies in Tuscany is a scrappy quilt with Square in a Square blocks and Diamond in a Square blocks with a color change that looks like star blocks inserted. Leftovers from that quilt are in Rays of Sunshine, a small quilt, mouse pad wrist rests, and Hello Sunshine tea towels. She has patterns for headbands, bookmarks, postcards, and even a cord keeper. Misunderstood is a scrappy quilt made of flying geese blocks. Patty also offers a lovely Misunderstood Medallion pattern. She uses more scraps for a tote bag and a mug rug, a pin cushion and a needle book. Full size templates are included in the book. Patty’s book is very inspirational, and will certainly influence how I look at my scrap usage in the future. Thanks to the publisher for a free book.
