Any Old Left Over Block Quilt

36 comments
Last week I gathered up all my UFO blocks and I decided to finally make the quilt I had thought about for more than a year now.  I've seen some other quilts like it around blogs, too.  Whenever I would have left over blocks from a project, I would keep the blocks together not wanting to let go of my "extras".   
Shelbie and Whitney helped me figure out the placement of all my blocks.  I was pleasantly surprised with how it worked out.  Some of these blocks are 7 years old and some are just from last year.  Some of the blocks are from past quilts and some are sample blocks to proof drawings.
Since my colors tend to be similar from project to project, it was rather easy to gather them into a cohesive quilt top.  It was nice that there was a great number of the blocks similarly sized.
You might recognize some of the blocks from more current projects.  I put together half square triangles from a baby quilt I made into the blue scrappy blocks above.
I also included my Farmer's Wife blocks that have just been sitting in a box.  Why not?  I probably won't ever finish that anyway and I'm happy to see them belong to a project.
The basket block in the middle was a trial block from a fabric company quilt.  The stars are from my heritage quilt.  The little houses up on the top edge of this photo are blocks I couldn't stop making from Lori's Row by Row quilt.
You'll see lots of PKM fabric.  I fit blocks in and sashed as needed.  I used two prints for sashing to maintain the scrappy look.  Fitting blocks together was kind of like working a quilt puzzle.
The border fabric is a Japanese import fabric in a reproduction feedsack print.  I have been saving it and saving it.  For what?  Why not use it?
I've seen lots of names for left over block quilts like this.  Originally in my head I even named it the ugly quilt.  But I think don't think it ended up ugly at all.  Once quilted, this is a quilt I'm going to put on a bed and use.  It's sort of like a diary quilt and I want to enjoy looking at it.

-nanette

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36 comments

Angie said...

I. Love. This! Love your colors, love the 'history' of the quilt, love the blocks that are in it---I just plain LOVE this quilt!! :P

Messy Karen said...

what a great idea.

Glenna @ Hollyhock Quilts said...

I absolutely love this! Something I've been wanting to do with antique blocks. Fabulous!!

Anonymous said...

This is lovely and fun and sweet and all kinds of goodness, but the word 'ugly' cannot apply!

Annette said...

Defintely not ugly! I love it!! Such a fun idea and full of stories from past projects, you've created a keepsake.

Lori Holt said...

I'm sew in love with your quilt Nanette!!!!
Every block is adorable:)
I made a quilt like this a longtime ago...I named it "leftovers"
Yours turned out so Nanette!...I wondered you have been up to and now I know you've been busy sewing away:)
You know my motto...use it up, wear it out, ake it do or do without.... Your quilt fits perfectly:)

Nedra said...

What a great idea! I love how everything really does match in the quilt. Beautiful job, Nanette. So what are you going to name it?

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think it is just delightful - and love the 'Dairy Quilt', because that's just what it is.

Thimbleanna said...

How fun Nanette -- I love it! You're so lucky that you stick with similar colors from quilt to quilt -- my orphan blocks don't look alike at all. More like dog barf LOL!

jan said...

So this is what you have been up to! I was beginning to worry! I think you should plan to have leftovers from everything you make just so you can save them up to do this again! Seriously. I think this is my new favorite quilt! And I would definitely sleep under this every night!Just for all the awesome sewing memories you will have everytime you see it! And I love the wide border print you used. I think you should name her "Little Orphan Annie".
Jan

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Nanette, it is gorgeous! Only you. It really looks like it was planned this way. And what a delight it will be to see the blocks that will remind you of all the quilts that have gone before. Great job!

Jan said...

Oh, I love this kind of quilt - so personalized & pretty!

pratima said...

It is hard to imagine, this sweet quilt came from left-over blocks! It is breathtaking in its colors and cute blocks! I adore the bow fabric you have used on the outside border.. I am glad it belonged to this memory quilt after waiting all this time :)

Martha said...

It's wonderful. I love the way all the fabrics and colors came together. I'm also pleased to see that you are using some of your stash for the border. That's why we buy it, isn't it? To use it on something as special as this quilt?

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Your creativity always makes me smile. :)

I love your quilt and what a great way to use all those extra blocks up.

Blessings always

Kindred Quilts said...

Just gorgeous... there isn't an ugly block among them!

Sinta Renee said...

Gorgeous! A diary quilt is a perfect name for it. How nice to have a (somewhat) instant quilt of orphans.

em's scrapbag said...

Love, love love it!

sue said...

I think it looks great! It doesn't look at all like left over squares, but something you planned. I think quilts from leftover fabric are sometimes my favorites, because you look at the fabric and say, "I remember this....". Great job!

Julia said...

It looks so great Nanette,
It's like you planned and designed it that way..
A great way to look back on the blocks and remember the quilt it was left from...
Julia ♥

Kim with a K said...

What a special quilt!
How great is it to have a quilt made up of so many great quilting times!
I love your basket with the 4 green triangles!

•stephanie• said...

like a walk down memory lane, i'm sure.
how fun!

Barbara said...

I love the diary quilt name. It really looks beautiful - like this is what you meant to do all along. Love it.

Karen H said...

That is a lovely quilt. I think if I put all my leftover quilt blocks into a quilt, it would look like a mess. But yours is perfect. You could call it Sampler of leftovers... ?

Carrie P. said...

No way is that quilt ugly! I just love it and it is a great way to use all those left over blocks.

Terri C said...

Adorable!

Lurline said...

Just lovely - I would treasure it, lol!
Hugs - Lurline.

dream quilt create said...

Oh my gosh, what a great idea! Your quilt couldn't be any cuter! What a great story behind such a beautiful quilt! All the colors are so balanced! Thanks for sharing :)

Sewn With Grace said...

It is stunning! What a great idea!

evelyn said...

What a wonderful quilt. I wish my leftover blocks would go together as yours did.

Unknown said...

Yep you are still awesome. I love the puzzle that is your quilt. It is like a diary too. Love you have a great sewing day.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Beautiful, I love your colors!

PamKittyMorning said...

It turned out so cute! Love how it all smooshes together for something fabulous!

Sheila said...

I LOVE YOUR QUILT! It's full of Fun and Color!

N.C.Fabric Junkie said...

I feel the same way. having our own space to hide away and quilt is soooo important. I have a small bedroom but its mine and I can do what I want too love it!

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