Saturday, March 10, 2007

March Stash Reduction Challenge

A few days ago Judy issued a new stash reduction challenge for March. Her challenge is make something using the most predominant color in your stash. Well my most predominant something isn't a color but a type fabric. BATIK fabrics. For 16 months I got a group of 12 batik FQs every month. It's been over a year since I quit getting them and I haven't cut so much as a single square from any of them. So it's time to bust that section of my stash. I've had a few plans for some of it just never got around to cutting them so nows the time. I'm having a batik cutting session this weekend.

The blues/greens/aquas in the front will be pieced togehter. Maybe as a Yellow Brick Road or a Turning Twenty, or just hodge-podge. The resulting top will be used as a background for an appliqued fish quilt. I'll be taking some of the brighter fabrics from the stacks in the back and appliqueing tropical fish on it. Some singles, some in schools. With probably some seaweed scattered around for them to swin thru.

The back stacks have been sorted by type. The 2 stacks on the left (under the cat who BTW appeared there in the short time it took me to wak up the hall, get my camera, and walk back!) are one color. I'll be cutting a Lucky Stars from them using the pale yellow you see in the top of the far right stack as the background. The third stack is made up of pieces with multiple colors but no strong pattern. These are the ones I'll mostly be cutting the fish from along with some from the first 2 stacks. The 4th stack is made up of pieces with a definate pattern. These I haven't figured out a use for yet but I'll be going thru books/magazines to see what I can use them in and getting them out of my stash. My goal is cut my batik stash by at least half. Once I've done the batiks maybe I'll be ready to tackle the Orientals. :-)

22 comments:

Carole said...

Your project sound lovely. I certainly like the idea of the fish. I enjoy making the Yellow Brick Road pattern. I've lost count of how many times I've made it. What a cute QI. Looks like the fabric passed inspetions! ;o) I love cats. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished quilt. The results will be beautiful.

Angie said...

Whoa, Nancy, what a luscious bunch of batiks you have to play with...and your 'fish' quilt will be perfect with batiks. I can't wait to see those little fishes swimming thru the seaweed. :D Oh, and can we go play at 'Sammie's Stash Shack' today???? ROFL I really want to meet this lady, and I promise not to breath a word about ANYTHING to her husband! LOL

QuiltingFitzy said...

I love your blue batiks!

I have a similar problem with the fossil ferns I got from the monthly club, lol.

The Calico Cat said...

A. It will be hard to stash reduce with a kitty weight! MEOW (I will not move, so quit asking.)

B. Love the idea of a YBR/TT background for fish appliques... (I should have done that for my fishy quilt instead of just using the 1 watery fabric... & I thought about doing that on the TATW, but after all of that piecing, I just used a fish print on the back!)

Vicky said...

Fabulous batik collection. I'm going to be watching your batik progress with interest - after two quilts and backing from stash, mine doesn't seem to be decreasing one iota! Your kitty is adorable!

Gail said...

Brilliant idea, using those blue/turquoise as background for fishy appliques. Can't wait to see it!

karylsquilts said...

WOW snazzy bunch of fabrics !!
ANYTHING batik is often striking.

We will all want to see the ideas that comes from this challange.

Unknown said...

the tropical fish idea sounds fabulous - can't wait to see it

Susan said...

Oh, how fun that sounds. Great plan.

Aren't cats wonderful. They know the best places to be.

Patti said...

We'll be eagerly awaiting pictures of your progress. That's a lot of batiks you have there!

Marla said...

I used to dispise batiks...then I began a batik quilt.....how many do you think I have now? It is as much fun putting them together as it is buying. Can't wait to see.

Pam said...

I am not really a Batik-type person but your stash of Batiks is beautiful!!!

My Harlequin Weave top is done, next Saturday (the 17th) I will be quilting it and then getting it on the bed, thanks again for the inspiration! Pictures when it is finished.

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Aw cute! Looks like your kitty likes your batiks too! Beautiful assortment!

Cheers!

Evelyn

Mary Johnson said...

I rarely use batiks but these look lovely. I'm looking forward to seeing what they become.

Samantha said...

I am drooling over all those batiks!!!! Batiks and Kaffes are my most dominant stash fabrics. Of course, most of my batiks are purple ;-)

I can't ait to see your project!!

Melinda said...

There is something about batiks isn't there. I am looking forward to seeing what you are making.

Holly said...

Sounds wonderful, Nancy. I can't wait to see it all done up. I would never have come up with the idea to use a YBR as a background. That's clever.

Greenmare said...

oooooooooooo those batiks are gorgeous! And obviously your kitty has excellent taste!

Meredith said...

ok I admit it I too have a stack of batiks I can not cut into. I will keep checking back to see how you do with yours. Maybe it will motivate me.

Susan said...

I love, love, love batiks! These are beautiful. Can hardly wait to see what happens with them.

Cher said...

ah...batiks! what is not to love? good for you to tackle them with some concrete ideas-a teacher I know used them for a log cabin quilt - and it was stunning! looking forward to seeing the fish quilt..it sounds like the most fun of the group to me.
ps..I am doing the same as you-off the computer more, sewing more..getting around once in a while.

Cynthia said...

i like the plan you have for those batik fabrics. I can't wait to see the progress.