Look Mom! It can be done.

I decided that it's time I make a quilt again, but before I buy fabric I need to use up what I have on hand. So these are all my flannel scraps. They are mostly pinks, but my daughter helped me dig out some bolder scraps to add some punch to it. We both agree that it still has too much pink in it, but what can you do? I am using up what I have and this is what I have.

So I have been wanting to try this block for a couple years, ever since I learned that it's possible. I can't remember what it's called, so if you know, please tell me! If you look at each block you wonder how to match up the corners. I'll show you how it's done. It's pretty simple and quite brilliant!

So you take your first strip and start to sew it onto your middle block. Don't go all the way though! Match up one side of the block with one side of the strip and then stop a couple inches or so before you get to the end of the block on the side where the strip is hanging off, like so:

Then sew the next strip across the top. See how the side strip isn't sewed all the way on?

Then you can do your next strip down the edge. Notice how I messed up on the measurements. I forgot to take into account seam allowance, so all my blocks should have been half an inch bigger, or my strips half an inch shorter. Oh well, I just trimmed the excess on the strips:

Then sew the last strip across the bottom and you should have this much done:

Then you can finish up that first one and just finish sewing it on!

And Wala! YOu have a finished block that will make people think you must have had to do something complicated and super talented with the corners...

When this is finished I think it will be about a lap sized quilt. Pretty impressive for not spending any money and using up my scraps. It's so liberating to use up scraps. You feel all frugal and I love the challenge of coming up with something from nothing.