BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Here are some fun, easy and fast holiday ideas for gifts or just for decoration.

From the Sewing Channel, she has several Christmas quilt ideas including panels.

1.  (78) Christmas Quilt Ideas | The Sewing Room Channel – YouTube

And from Lisa Capen Quilts, how about mug rugs as gifts?

2.  (78) Christmas Mug Rugs Featuring Faux Piecing – Raw Edge Applique For Fun & FAST Projects – YouTube

And from Riley Blake Designs, Easy Christmas Pillow Covers,

3.  (78) Easy Christmas Pillow Covers – YouTube

Happy Holidays!

I will be posting on Tuesday next week so that we can celebrate Thanksgiving.  See you soon!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is so close!  Here are some fun Fall projects for you.

Wouldn’t this fun and pretty table runner be perfect for your holiday table this year?  This is from Shabby Fabrics and shows to make a Maple Leaf table runner.

1.  (73) How to Make a Maple Leaf Quilt Block | a Shabby Fabrics Tutorial – YouTube

Or if you are really ambitious, here are 7 Fall Quilts from Fabric Cafe.

2.  (73) 7 Fabulous Fall Quilts! – YouTube

And from Missouri Star Quilts, a Half Hexie Braid Placemats. Aren’t those fun!

3.  (73) Misty demonstrates how to create Half Hexi Braid Place Mats just in time for the Holiday Season! – YouTube

That’s all for today and I will see you again next Thursday!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

The air is fresh and crisp, and the holidays are coming up fast.  Today, we will look at a few Thanksgiving ideas. So let’s gobble up these ideas!

Our first one is a turkey quilt from Jenny Doan.  A Turkey Trot pattern. 

1.  (71) Make a “Turkey Trot” Thanksgiving Quilt with Jenny Doan of Missouri Star (Video Tutorial) – YouTube

Or from Missouri Star Quilts. a Turkey Wall Hanging.

2.  (71) Make a Thankful Wall Hanging with Jenny Doan of Missouri Star – YouTube

Or from the Whimsical Workshop, a block tutorial called We Are Family.

3.  (71) Free Thanksgiving Quilt Block Tutorial | We are Family | Block Mania Blog Hop – YouTube

That’s it for today.  I will see you again next week.

Gobble, gobble. Oops.  Thank you!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

OCTOBER 26, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Let’s continue with a few more spooky ideas that are sure to please everyone!

This is from April’s Craft Room on A Disappearing 4-Patch Halloween Quilt!

1.  (66) Use Disappearing 4 Patch Block for a Scrappy Halloween Quilt – YouTube

And for our trick or treaters, a Halloween Treat bag from Dee’s Crafting Corner.

2.  (66) How to Sew a Trick or Treat Bag in Less than an Hour- Fabric Measurements in Description Box – YouTube

And again from April’s Craft Room, ideas on how to use a Halloween Panel.

3.  (66) Unlocking the Magic: Halloween Panel Quilt Ideas – YouTube

That’s it for today.  Happy Trick or Treating!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY

OCTOBER 22, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

We are going to continue with our happy haunting with some fun ideas for kids and adults!

Our first one is How To Free Motion Skulls and is a short one.  What a fun way to embellish!

1.  (63) How to Free-motion Quilt Skulls – YouTube

Or how would you like to make some quick Pumpkin Blocks

2.  (63) Scrappy Nine Patch Pumpkin #shorts – YouTube

And our Final One!  Hocus Pocus!

3.  (63) Hocus Pocus Quilt by The Pattern Basket Quilt Along Using Northcott Fabric | A quilt for Halloween – YouTube

That’s all for today!  Thank you!

HOME AGAIN!

I am home from our guild’s 3 day retreat, everything is out of the car, thanks to DH, but I haven’t unpacked anything yet.  We had a wonderful time, visiting, sewing, show and tell, and yummy food and desserts!  I felt so spoiled not having to cook for 3 days!  What a luxury!  

There were 30 of us and we had a blast and I got to know some new people including a deaf woman.  We hit off instantly!  I love making connections like that, instant friendships.  Our lunches and dinners were catered, from falafel, to street tacos, and huge sandwiches.  All of it was delicious plus desserts!  

I didn’t finish anything but I did make a few new starts.  We had show and tell and what a wondrous delight for the eyes of all the gorgeous quilts!  I forgot to take pictures as I was awestruck!  

My only regret is that we have to wait a full year for the next retreat!  

I will be posting the Bust and Bits Pieces Party either later today or tomorrow morning.  My apologies for the delay!

Well, in order to get into my room I have to put stuff away.  Amazing how much stuff you take with you and how can all of that come out of one little room?!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2023

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times! Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.

Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

How about some quick tricks and treats for Halloween?

From Jordan Fabrics how about a Spooky Bats in a Box?

  1. (58) HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Spooky Bats Quilt in a Box 🙂 – YouTube

Here is a short tutorial on Bats!

2. (58) #Shorts DIY Bat Quilt Block for Halloween – YouTube

And another one from Jordan Fabrics that will keep you SPELLBOUND.

3. (58) START EARLY ON HOLIDAY PROJECTS! Make “Spellbound” Halloween Patchwork Appliques With Me! – YouTube

That’s all for today. See you next week.

Thank you.

FALL STRING SWAP 2023

Hi everyone! I have started a messenger chat for this swap. this is just to check and see who is interested in doing it and then we can switch back here. So far we have 4 players including myself, so please let me know ASAP if you want to do it or not by Thursday, Oct 12. We will start soon afterwards. Thank you!

My apologies for not being on the past day or so, I have not been feeling my best, a sinus headache. But I am feeling better now so let’s start planning before the month turns into November. Wow, the time sure does go by quickly!

Shall we try the same standard block or try a different variation on strings?

This one is really pretty and can be found here:

https://magnoliabayquilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/string-blocks-tutorial.html

I think that the maximum size should be 9.5 inches squared.

Or we could do crumbs;

Here is what I did with our swap from a year ago, I believe it was called crumb blocks:

FALL STRING SWAP 2023

My apologies for not being on the past day or so, I have not been feeling my best, a sinus headache. But I am feeling better now so let’s start planning before the month turns into November. Wow, the time sure does go by quickly!

Shall we try the same standard block or try a different variation on strings?

This one is really pretty and can be found here:

https://magnoliabayquilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/string-blocks-tutorial.html

I think that the maximum size should be 9.5 inches squared.

Or we could do crumbs:

Here is what I did with our swap from a year ago, I believe it was called crumb blocks:

Now is the time to decide what we want to swap:

  1. Fall colors, gold, brown, green, orange, yellow
  2. Christmas or Holiday colors
  3. Halloween
  4. Dark color, monochromatic or light gradating to dark

I know that not everyone wants to swap and that is fine with me. But you do have the option of following along and making your own string blocks for yourself.

Depending on how many sign up, shall we do, if more than 6 players, 3 blocks to each person, and if we have less than 5 players, 4 blocks to each person. I think that this is a fair number, please let me know otherwise.

So far we have 4 players including myself. Any other players?

Please post below and also email me your choice at thepinkquilter@gmail.com. before October 10.

Thank you!

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES 2023

OCTOBER 5, 2023

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Tis the season to catch up on our holiday sewing but here are a few questions to ask before starting.  Maybe we know these already or have just  forgotten, so it doesn’t really hurt to check.  Do you know how to take care of your machine properly and how to save yourself some time and money? Today we are going to talk about our machines and how to clean them properly, simple repairs that will save a bundle and ways to prevent problems. 

This is from Man Sewing and he shows us how to clean our machines.  

1.  (54) Sewing Machine Maintenance: Oil and Clean – YouTube

and if you have a vintage machine:

(54) How To Clean Vintage Sewing Machine Parts – without damaging them – YouTube

Here are a few shorts that show how to do simple repairs before taking it into the shop

2.  (54) Check This Before You Pay For a Repair #shorts – YouTube

(54) Thread nesting under fabric when you begin sewing? Check out this easy fix. #sewing #sewingtutorial – YouTube

Or how to check your sewing machine tension that could lead to problems:

3.  (54) Thread Tension & Troubleshooting | Sewing Machine Basics – YouTube\

(54) Troubleshooting 3 Common Sewing Machine Problems | Sew Simple Series Lesson #7 – YouTube

That’s it for today and I will see you next week with more hints.

Thank you!

AQS Quilt Parade starts today and I have 3 quilts entered.  Woohoo!  Vote for your favorite here at:

American Quilter’s Society – Quilt Parade Home

Enjoy the eye candy!