I don't know what impulse I was following to root around in one of the shelves in my creative space earlier this week. Maybe I was looking for something season-appropriate to work on.
This one little charm pack caught my attention. I have no idea how long I've had it. The collection isn't even listed on the Deb Strain section of Moda's website any more, so it may have been lingering on my shelf for quite some time. The charm pack includes 5" squares representing the entire "Fabulous Fall" collection-- prints in golden yellow, green, brown, orange, dark red, and, oddly, aqua-blue that feel a little off amongst all the earth-tones.
Well, this was the inspiration I needed. I sorted out the weird blues (those will land in the scrap bin), separated the colors into two groups, the warm colors and the golds and greens. Then I got busy making small half-square triangles by drawing two diagonal lines on the back of the cream squares cut from stash yardage. Then I sewed 1/4" seams along both sides of each line, then cut each pairing in half diagonally, vertically, and horizontally. And pressed and trimmed to 2" square.
Yes, that's a LOT of drawing and sewing and pressing and trimming.
But that's what we do, right?
Next, I laid out the units to create this quirky, off-center pattern. The pieces are all sewn and the inner border is attached. One more border with the complimentary cream fabric is next. And the first of two table runner tops will be ready to quilt. The binding will bring it all together in dark green or red--we'll see what I choose when I get there. Since I have none of the prints from the group, the cream will let the scrappy piecing carry the fall theme.
The second runner will be a little bit larger, but I'll follow the same half-square triangle steps. The added complimentary fabric with the berried branches is one of my favorites from my stash. I don't recall how much I started with when I bought it--a few yards, anyway, but I'm running low, and I'll miss it when it's used up because it has been a good neutral, go-to fabric for many projects. Including this one.
With all the half-done projects lurking in my fabric stash, you wouldn't think that using up an itty-bitty charm pack should be very exciting. However, every win is a win, even if it's a small win. And if the goal is to clear off the shelves of stuff that's been around for ages and make something I can enjoy or that I can gift so someone else who can enjoy it, it's a win!
Sometimes the little finishes are just as exciting as the big ones.
Happy Stitching!
Head Hummingbird
Hummingbird-Highway.com
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