Making Wreath Blocks with scraps and a specialty ruler

 My pile of make-do wreath blocks has grown!

Wreath blocks for scraps.

Using the Hatchet Block specialty ruler

The original “make do” blocks that inspired this project were made with scraps and strings, pieced on the diagonal of a square. 

I used a Creative Grids Hatchet Block specialty ruler to gauge the fabric length for the center section of each unit. Red fabric squares were cut in half diagonally for the corner triangles. The Hatchet Block ruler was designed to be used with 5” charm squares, but it can be used with scraps, too. Quiltmakers love tools that are multi-use and versatile as well as making the patchwork process efficient!

The Hatchet Block specialty ruler and a 6.5” square ruler were used to make units for the wreath blocks.

Four Hatchet units were needed to make each Wreath block. Trimming a few of the Hatchet units also added to my collection of HSTs (half-square triangles).

Scraps and trimmings contribute to half-square triangle [HST] units.

12-block layout

My individual Wreath blocks came to 9.5” square. They needed to be trimmed down to 9” to match the three “make do” blocks—the impetus of this project.

Squaring up Wreath blocks to 9” [unfinished size].

Twelve blocks make up the layout of this little quilt top. I opted to set the blocks solid (without a sashing). This allowed the diamond shapes—created by the intersection of four blocks coming together—become apparent. This echoes the diamond shapes in the center of each wreath block.

Wreath blocks on the design wall.

If you “spin the seams” at the block’s center (all in the same direction, mind you—either clockwise or counter-clockwise), the seam allowances will nest at the sides, making assembling easier and reducing bulk.

Spinning the seams reduces bulk and aids in nesting the seam allowances.

A simple red border finished the quilt top.

Finished quilt top. 31” x 39.5” 

Making these scrappy blocks were fun and stress-free. And I’m pleased that three orphaned “make do” blocks have found their home.

Getting ready for “A Winter of Care and Repair”

A Winter of Care and Repair. I love this Challenge! I participated last year and it was very gratifying. The online Challenge is hosted by Jeanna @thepeoplesmending and takes place from the Winter Solstice (December 21, 2024) to the Spring Equinox (March 20, 2025).

Winter of Care and Repair 2024-2025

Make a plan, set some goals

During this season-long project, participants are encouraged to design their own parameters/plan/outcome/pledge that suits their lifestyle while focusing on mending, repairing, and caring for their belongings or themselves. I generally focus on textiles—mending, up-cycling, recycling, prolonging their life, and keeping them out of landfills. In general, being more sustainable by caring for existing items rather than buying new.

One of the mending projects slated for this year’s Winter of Care and Repair Challenge.

How the WOCAR Challenge began… and what’s new

Jeanna started the Winter of Care and Repair Challenge in 2020 during the Covid 19 lockdown as a way to provide some semblance of structure and control during an uncertain time. This year, she’s added another element to the concept. She says, “The winter of 2024/25 feels like the beginning another period of frightening uncertainty… with the future of human rights and environmental action looking bleak, I’m expanding the very lose parameters of WOCAR to include ‘something within the participants’ circle of control’ rather than just belongings.”

In the past, the Challenge focused on the care and repair of garments and belongings. This year, she’s including other aspects to her personal plan that are “in her circle of control.” 

Need ideas?

Visit @thepeoplesmending for ideas for creating a plan or your personal plan or pledge. In the past, some participants have designed their Challenge project to focus on things such as:

• tending a garden and prepping the ground for the next season’s planting,
• repurposing or repairing household items (rather than disposing of them),
• de-cluttering a room/garage/house,
• creating habits to improve personal health and well-being.

Whatever works for your schedule, lifestyle, and goals… A Winter of Care and Repair is the perfect opportunity in which to apply them!

 

I’ve notified members of my household to begin setting aside things for the mending basket.

Wreath blocks inspired by “Make Do” string blocks

These string blocks resurfaced during a recent therapeutic patchwork session. They were from a “Make Do” quilt guild program from several years ago.

Scrappy string blocks from a “Make Do” quilt guild program.

Inspired by the easy patchwork and the use of fabric scraps, I pulled a few fabrics off the top of the scrap pile to make a few more. I’m calling them wreath blocks.

Wreath blocks made from fabric scraps. 9.5” (unfinished size)

With the addition of a few more, these blocks will eventually turn into a charity quilt of some sort. The fabrics reflect the changing of seasons from the last blooms of summer, to the golden harvest colors of fall and Thanksgiving.

Working in sketchbooks with traditional art techniques

Over the last several months, I’ve been inspired and motivated by online opportunities to learn and practice making art—drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, printmaking, etc. Even though I have a minor in Art as part of my bachelor’s degree, I only skimmed the surface of working with traditional art techniques back in the day. Time to circle back.

Sketching and painting in the Junk Journal.

Junk Journals: a non-precious place to start

An easy, “non-precious” place to practice art techniques is in a Junk Journal. Making a few of these junk journals for participation in Junk Journal January and Junk Journal July, I have unused pages in these journals that can still be filled. The junk journals are easy to grab for a slow drawing session or a quick sketch. 

My collection of Junk Journals from 2023 and 2024.

Since Junk Journals are made from… well… “junk” (discarded papers, discontinued sales boards, things from the recycle bin), they are unintimidating. You can give anything a go and not be concerned about messing up.

Water color painting inspired by nature.

Sometimes the work is new (above). Sometimes the drawing or painting gets added to an existing composition (below).

Slow drawings added to a Junk Journal page.

Here is the inspiration from nature…

Inspiration from nature.

and here is the drawing/painting in the Junk Journal.

Drawing and painting from nature.

Sketchbooks

Several of my 100 Day Projects required a sketchbook. I am curating a healthy stack of them! When I need a new sketchbook, I buy three! The extras are used for my general art practice.

Drawing in the sketchbook.

The sketchbooks I buy are: 

• 9” x 12”
• 110 lb. (160 gsm) mixed media paper, so they accommodate multiple techniques—watercolor, ink, paint pens, and other mediums.
• spiral bound (but they have a perf line if I choose to tear out a page for another purpose).

And, I have two sketchbooks of watercolor paper for when I specifically do watercolor.

Nature journaling in a sketchbook.

Taking online classes—especially if you follow along in “real time”—doesn’t provide any time for hesitation. Gather your art supplies, grab a sketchbook, login, and draw/paint/sketch along with the instructor.

Watercolor exercise on watercolor paper.

Watercolor exercise on watercolor paper.

Filling in the gaps

I have used design principles and concepts from my undergrad art studies throughout my graphic arts and printing and publishing career—and of course in my quiltmaking—but now I’m enjoying filling in the gaps of those traditional art techniques that weren’t developed.

Online resources I’ve tapped for developing my practice have been:

• Slow Drawing with Amy Maricle at Mindful Art Studio
• Sketchbook Revival with Karen Abend
• Willa Workshops with Wendy Solganik
• Classes with Carla Sonheim and others
• Drawing sessions with Ruby Elliot [rubyetc]
• Workshops with Jennifer Wilken Penick 

I’m enjoying the learning and the processes.