Scrappy Explosion

This quilt started as an idea to utilize all the corner scraps left over from the X-Plus quilt.  One day I just sat down and started sewing triangles together from the trimmings.  I kept the fabrics together with which ever fabric it was already paired with when I trimmed it off the X-Plus quilt blocks.  There were well over 300 HST created and they were trimmed down to 2 1/2 inches. 

I used random selection to start sewing them together.  I didn't pay attention to the direction of the HST.  The only thing I kept track of was making sure I didn't put the same fabric next to each other.  The results were amazing.

I added the teal border to frame out the piecing and contain the randomness.

For the back, I ended up purchasing some of the plaid fabric from the DS collection to give it some visual interest.  I utilized some scraps of the solid navy and teal used in the front to add some detail.

The quilting really shines on the solid fabrics.

I had some leftover binding from another project just hanging around, so I utilized it for this quilt.  You can find the gray wood grain fabric within the quilt, too.

I haven't decided what I'm doing with this quilt yet, so it's just hanging out on my quilt rack for everyone to see when they come over.

X-Plus Masterpiece

The anticipation of finishing this quilt has been such a motivation for me.  It was always a side project since it didn't have a deadline and it was a personal quilt for myself, but I was determined to finish it up before the Christmas projects started.

For this quilt, I used every single Denise Schmidt collection fabric I could find at Joann's within this color scheme.  I slowly started collecting these fabrics over a year ago in 1/4 yard increments.   Every time I stepped into the store, I would swing by the DS collection aisle and see if there was anything new and snatch it up.

I knew I wanted a scrappy feel for this quilt, which the x-plus quilt pattern lends itself to nicely, but I also wanted to create a sense of order.  I wasn't sure if using the oranges and yellows to highlight the plus signs would work out, but I was blown away once I saw the blocks come together.  

The various shades of blues and grays also add a lot of texture to the quilt top.

The quilt back is all the scraps.  I just started piecing everything together and this is what I came up with.  I didn't really have much of a plan when I started, but I really love how it turned out.

The binding utilizes the orange and yellow fabrics to tie it all together.  I thought about going with a solid binding, but the patterned fabric was just too much fun to pass up.

This quilt simply makes me smile.  I've already snuggled under it on the couch and it is proudly displayed on my quilt rack in my sewing room.