Today, I thought I’d do some piecing… so I pulled out the May packet from my friends at Sweetwater. They do this cool mailing each month called the “Label Crew” and I recently signed up to try it out. You can read about the label crew, or sign up at http://www.sweetwaterstreet.com/labelcrew.html or just check out their blog at www.sweetwater.typepad.com for some really neat inspiration.
I’ve known Karla for many years, since she first came to Quilts of the Plains back in the late 1990’s. At that time she had a fabric line called “Farmyard Creations”, and it was pretty cool…. however, I am in love with the colors and prints that this talented trio keeps coming up with. I get to quilt quite a few of their samples, so when you see one of their patterns in your local quilt shop… it’s a good chance that you’re seeing some of my handiwork.
Anyway, back to the point of this post. The label crew packet had a pattern for a cool tablerunner made out of large triangles. You could use a layer-cake of fabric if you want, because you cut them from 9″ squares. I cut my squares, and then cut the triangles from them. I had all these other triangles left over… so I decided to sew them together into a long border like strip. I think it will be a great little runner to decorate with. It would also make a really cute valance in my quilt studio, too!
I almost forgot to mention that each month’s label crew mailing comes with the pattern and a coordinating iron on label. I just don’t know if I’ll use it on the original tablerunner, or use it on my new creation from the left-overs…. I guess you’ll have to wait and see.
I thought I’d share this idea… maybe you’re in the “Label Crew” too, or just doing some cutting, and having some shapes left over. Maybe this will inspire you to see what you can come up with. If you have a good story about using left-overs in a quilt project… Why don’t you leave me a comment…
Have a fun day, and be creative,
Fellow Quilter,
Brian Clements
Fellow Quilter 
As a follow-up to this blog post, I’ve been busy quilting all week… and have a new quilt that I hope to bind for the Quilts of the Plains. Also, I’ve quilted these two tablerunners, and the wider one will be available as a silent-auction item at the show next Saturday, June 23, 2012. Good luck… and have fun bidding on it, or any of the other very cool items that have been donated.
Wish I could be in Wray this weekend for the quilt show and, of course, seeing all those familiar faces attending WHS alumni reunions. Hello to many from the years 1959 through 1963! And, Mother Nature, please be kind with calm winds and no showers as the quilts hang from the store fronts. I will anxiously wait for my hometown paper to arrive (about ten days) reporting about the show. Too bad the paper does not have a website so information to us out-of-staters would come sooner. Good Luck on all your auctions.
Hi Donna! We are going to have a great day tomorrow. Everythings looking great. We have 129 quilts to display, and the local quilters and businesses have been very generous with auction items. For next year you will find the information ahead of time at http://www.wraychamber.net/quiltsoftheplains.php where I will also post a list of the winning quilters probably at the first of the week. Have a great weekend… and sew something in our honor!