My bag of 2.5" "blah" blocks
 

In mid September I suddenly got tired of tripping over a large reusable grocery sack of 2.5" blocks. They weren't really pretty like some of the bloggers' patterns I'd seen. I had scoured the internet for ideas on how to use them and as such, had used some. However, they weren't going away anywhere. I decided "I've got to use these up...and keep going until they are all gone!"

(First, a note...please don't post a reply til I get a reply up so that I get all my pictures up.)

So, I began. The first thing I did was take a picture of the bag of blocks and my beginning stages of sewing the 2.5" blocks together. It took hours of chain piecing to get them together into groups of two for the first round.[ATTACH=CONFIG]374058[/ATTACH]

But, I was dying of boredom. The very first one I did was 10x10 squares—more than 20” finished. I decided to do a QAYG—the problem was, I was out of batting. I made 12 of those squares and put them to the side til I bought batting and went on to other things.

I am posting what I have done with them. My rule ended up being that I needed to use a large number of my 2.5” blocks but I could add to them—either HST or alternating blocks, or other fabrics, etc.
I finally did use them all up except for a few blues that were sewn into a strip.

Do you know the children's song taken from a tv show a long time ago, "This is the song that never ends" ? I felt like that about these blocks...

1. QAYG 10x10 blocks It's a finished quilt![ATTACH=CONFIG]374059[/ATTACH]

2. Then I made a bunch of 16 patches and needed to use them up, so I made several with them. First was a 16 patch with wilderness/camping fabric--the fabric had a huge scale print, so I made big blocks.
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3. and 4. After making the 16 patch with wilderness, I threw together the 16 patch with sashing and floral border and the 16 patch with pink hearts (think girls)[ATTACH=CONFIG]374061[/ATTACH]
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5. While I was searching for ideas, the Two hearts in Love pattern came up for grabs, and I grabbed it. This is the basis of this quilt, but I adapted it since I wanted it larger. It's huge now![ATTACH=CONFIG]374063[/ATTACH]

6. Then another lady came on QB and posted her neat scrappy on point with a jungle print. I borrowed the idea and made a smaller quilt with on point, using my 2.5" squares at the center.
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7. I had been browsing through one of my quilting 'how to" books beside my bed and had seen this one and liked it, so I made this one, using the dreaded HST! :)
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8. I still had some [ATTACH=CONFIG]374082[/ATTACH] 16 patches, so I made this and decided it needed more pizzazz so I added the sashing with the stars. I like it.:)

To be continued in the post...please wait til I finish for comments....

continued
 

I began my 9 patches....

9. I had made a simple scrappy 9 patch with white sashing and wanted to do one with black sashing, so I did.
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Then
10. 9 patch wilderness (I admit, I had to go cut a few more to make this quilt.)[ATTACH=CONFIG]374089[/ATTACH]

Then, 11. and 12. 9 patches on point with connecting blocks.[ATTACH=CONFIG]374090[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]374091[/ATTACH]

I was getting to the bottom of the pile and decided to try this one...
13. light/dark 9 patch including HST![ATTACH=CONFIG]374092[/ATTACH]

I decided to do a "leftovers" quilt and use up all the odds and ends. Here is it. It is also a finished quilt. I had wanted it to be more modern looking but ran out of burgundy. :(
14.[ATTACH=CONFIG]374093[/ATTACH]

Finally!

All are just tops except the first and last. But I did use up those squares!

Now, what will you do with them? You did a fantastic job. The sashing really sets the blocks off. Amazing what you have accomplished. Will you tie them or quilt them. I sure hope you have a long-arm or at least a friend with one.
I am really impressed and you make me want to cut up all my scraps and start using them. It is wonderful how they all seemed to go together. Congratulations.

wow!!!! that's a whole lota tops out of scraps!!! bravo

Wow! That's a log of quilt tops!! They are all very nice! Great job using up scraps!

Wow! I loved your post and pics and story!!! You made some truly awesome quilts with you bag of blocks. Who would have thought such pretty quilts could be made from orphan blocks!? You are so very creative! Do you mind if I ask how long it took to make all of these great quilts?

wow,amazing.all are beautiful and you tackled your scraps too.

they all turned out beautiful kinda like the ugly duckling

I'm working on learning FMQ or else just straight line quilting. I'll probably do them myself. I don't know anyone personally with a long arm...though I'm saving up my teaching English money for one....:)--along with a frame. Maybe someday...

I have to admit that I'm tempted to contact a LA in the states and have them do the hearts in love one for a wedding present for my oldest son. He's getting married in May in Nebraska.

Only two are finished quilts, but I started these on Sept. 16 I think. I've been like a person possessed and I'm so glad to have this much done. The quilting won't be done with so much frenzy. I've been sewing for hours and hours...just ask my family!

I'll use most of them for charity quilts, probably....the "special" ones, for my kids or special friends.