the 2014 year of scraps quilt


last year when i made my first quilt, i vowed to make a quilt each year. my first quilt, a gift for my nephew, was the single reason i began sewing. i wanted to make him a quilt just like my great grandmother made me. something he could crawl on, build forts with & cuddle up beneath at night. 

soon after, i fell in love with sewing. making tangibles with bits of fabric & thread to fit a need within the home inspired me. thus began my little natalie creates business.


each time i made something throughout the year, i collected the scraps in a little plastic bin on my yellow metal shelf in my studio. after several months, it was overflowing with bright bits of fabric.


the year of scraps quilt was born. my 2014 quilt.


i didn't really follow a pattern for this quilt. i simply cut up bits of fabric that were about 5 in wide & various lengths. i made it a lap size quilt partly due to my machine's capacity to quilt but also because i was in need of a quilt for cozying up at night by the wood burning stove.


i used a vintage sheet i thrifted for $3 for the underside. i was inspired by a friend to use a sheet for my quilt & i am so happy i did. i love the look & it was affordable, too. i purchased the quilt binding from the local craft store.


i didn't do anything special for the quilting. i just quilted it along the rows. simple & quick!


the year of scraps quilt is definitely goat approved! 



i love the practice of making a quilt during the winter months. it brightens up my studio & brings purpose to the cold, short winter days. 


this spring, i hope to make a handful of simple tunics for pairing with cardigans & leggings. 

what's on your list to create?

happy monday, friends!
love,
natalie

p.s. the shop reopens this upcoming thursday at 8 am central time with reversible headbands & happy flags. yay!

18 comments:

Lisa said...

So beautiful. I don't know how to sew, much less quilt, but if I did (or when I do) - this is exactly how I'd want to do it.

Frenchie said...

You did a lovely job! Love the colors- Happy Spring!

Unknown said...

It is so beautiful, Natalie! Someday, I'll do the same.....

http://thehealthywaymama.blogspot.com/

Stephanie said...

Thank you so much for sharing this. I would love to make one too. You are so inspiring. And your scraps are super cute!

Audrey said...

This is so beautiful - you are so inspiring with all you do! I have tons of material that have no plans, just liked it so I bought it....now I think they have a purpose :) Can you tell me if you used batting or just the quilt top and backing? I've wondered if that would be thick/warm enough?

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful quilt! i love that you photographed it in so many different places around your farm. :)

i think you will appreciate this video of "tilting quilting" that i recently watched. it's so neat! - one day a year everyone hangs out their quilts in a fishing village in newfoundland: https://vimeo.com/14957100

Unknown said...

so lovely! I haven't quilted since I became a mommy but you are inspiring me to start again!! I would love for you to post about the tunics if you make them this spring! I've been working on some fun and bright embroidered dish towels lately. :)

Christy said...

beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

It turned out beautifully! Ive always been afraid to make quilts(pretty ridiculous since Ive always made bags, many of which were patchworked just like a small quilt). But I determined that in 2014 I would JUST DO some things that have always held me back-quilting being one of those things. So my first quilt has been started but its far from done. I love yours!
xo

Unknown said...

You are so incredibly talented!! LOVE it. I so wish I had your talent:-)

natalie said...

audrey, i used batting for the inside! a thinner batting i purchased at jo ann's that is 100% cotton.

Anonymous said...

thanks Natalie!

Audrey

Heather said...

These are my favorite kinds of quilts. Beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

It turned out beautifully! I quilt as well, and love your straight rows of quilting. Nice job! :)

xoxo

sheila Johnson said...

My first real sewing project was also a quilt- I didn't realize it then but quilt making teaches so many important sewing skills and I am constantly referring back to what I learned with that first project. I want to make a lap quilt soon, too- i like the size of yours- generous enough for 2 to get cozy.

Open Roads Mama said...

It's absolutely beautiful!!!!

Lucy said...

It's beautiful! You did a wonderful job, and I love the happy, spring-like colors and prints.

Kelsey said...

This is so lovely! I'm inspired to make time for sewing and perhaps my first quilt this winter.

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