If you're not familiar with Scrap Lab, here's how it works: Three designers receive a specific set of materials (in this case, forty-two 5" squares of the Vintage Shirting & Dress Prints collection) and are challenged to make something using these fabrics. We'll be sharing all three projects here, as well as insight from the designers about what they created. Grab a copy of Quilts and More (winter 2015) issue to find directions for the projects.
First up, the fabric line's designer, Barb Eikmeier!
Barb used the 5" squares to create a Log Cabin tote bag.
"Images are used with permission of Meredith Corporation and Quilts and More magazine.
Copyright 2015."
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Q. Was it exciting to
find out that your fabric was being used for Scrap Lab?
Barb: It was at Spring Quilt Market in
Minneapolis that I was introduced to Jody Sanders, editor of Quilts And More.
She was holding a stack of charm packs of Vintage Shirting and Dress Prints and
told me it would be featured in the Scrap Lab. I was thrilled, not only because
my fabric collection was selected but also because I love the Scrap Lap
feature. It is always interesting to see how three different designers approach
a project with the same materials.
Q. Why did you choose to
make a bag?
Barb: Right away I had to let the editor know
what type of project I would make. It was at the busiest time of my teaching
schedule and I figured if I made a bag I wouldn't have to sew on a binding.
Maybe that makes me lazy but I prefer to think of it as time management!
Q. Why Log Cabin blocks?
Barb: I love Log Cabin quilts. If I had to choose
just one favorite traditional quilt pattern I'd choose the log cabin. I had
just taught a class making coasters using Marti Michell's log cabin ruler so I
knew I could make cute little log cabin blocks. The only thing I needed to
figure out was if I could cut all the pieces from one charm square.
Q. How did you decide on
fabric placement within each block?
Barb: I have an antique quilt made with 7"
log cabin blocks where the logs finish at 1/2". It was my inspiration for
making the blocks with a light/dark split and using all the same fabrics
instead of making them scrappy. There are more medium and dark prints in the
collection than shirtings so by assigning the light blue prints to the light
side of the blocks it worked out evenly.
Barb's antique quilt |
Block close-up |
Q. What did you choose for
the lining?
Barb: The lining is shirting print 120-11151 for
no other reason than I had a fat quarter of it already cut. Time management,
remember?
Q. What do you envision
the bag being used for?
Barb: The bag is just the right size for a
tablet, a Kindle, or an ipad. Or a sandwich and an apple!
Q. Tell us about the red
centers in each block.
Barb: There were fewer red charms in the pack
than blues and shirtings so by making the centers red the splash of color is
spread evenly throughout the project. My antique quilt has pink centers which
may have also influenced my choice of putting the red in the centers.
Q. Did you use up all of
the 5” squares?
Barb: Once I decided to make log cabin blocks I
challenged myself to use as many charm squares as possible although it was not
a requirement to use them all. The handles are pieced from charm squares cut
into strips, each block uses two charm squares and three more are used for the
red centers. If only I had sewn the last two squares right sides together and
put a pocket inside the bag I would have used up every charm in the pack, but I
didn't think of adding a pocket until later!
Q. Can you share your
impressions of the other two projects featured?
Barb: I got a little sneak peak at the other
projects a few weeks before publication and was really tickled to see what
Sherri and Monique came up with. Their projects capture their own creative
personalities and showcase my fabric collection in ways I wouldn't have thought
of myself. That made it really fun to be a part of the Scrap Lab feature.
See more Scrap Lab projects featuring the Vintage Shirting and Dress Prints collection!
Learn about Monique Dillard's table topper here.
See the entire Vintage Shirting and Dress Prints collection here.
Visit Barb's website here.
Find Quilts and More magazine here.
Cute, lovely bag!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag and log cabin is one of my favorite block!
ReplyDeleteI love these fabrics--I'll be on the look out for them!
ReplyDeleteI love scraps and challenges. What a great idea to combine the two.
ReplyDelete