Tamarinis

Summer Scrap Elimination: Fabric PomPoms

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  Don't worry - you don't have to click on them.  If you do,

you'll be able to find the same products I use AND I'll make a SLIGHT commission.  It does NOT

increase your costs,but does help me pay for my blog. 

FYI - these links are Amazon affiliate links.  Now let's get to scrap busting!

 

Fabric pompoms?  Yes!  Let's face it - if you sew, then you probably have skinny fabric strips.  You know, the trimmings from straightening your fabric yardage, and from trimming larger areas.  In the past, you may have thrown them away (understandable!).  But.....what if you made them into fabric pompoms?!  

So let's talk supplies - what are you going to need?

• SKINNY fabric strips (more on this below)
• Pompom maker OR cardboard
  •  If using cardboard, round shapes to trace (bowls work great)
• Sharp scissors
• Thin cord

Let's start with the first supply - fabric strips.

Maybe you currently have a large basket or pile of trimmings?  Great!  Let's make the whole process easy for this project - and let's face it, you're gonna want to make more.

Step 1: Sort your trimmings into usable sizes.  What works best for the pompoms (and other "string" crafts) are strips that are APPROXIMATELY 1/4" wide.  If you have wider strips, just trim them down.  You can use skinnier strips as well, but wider strips just don't work as well.  I'd also recommend pieces that are at least 18" in length.

Step 2: Sort the usable trimmings into color families.  Don't worry about being TOO specific.  Put all the blues together, the reds together, etc.  This will make it super easy to create projects with a specific color "story".

Step 3:  Have fun with this last step.  Find containers to store your sorted trimmings.  I found these great little storage container (intended for scrapbooking/photo storage) that work great for storing my trimmings.  I love that they are translucent, so I can easily see what color is in each box before I open it.  Bonus that they fit neatly in this basket - but they are also stackable!  And you'll be amazed at how much they will hold.  The trimming strips really will compact down.  If you want to grab some yourself, you can find them here.  (Yes, it's an affiliate link, but at no cost to you - just helps me pay for the blog!).

 

Ok, so you have your fabric strips organized and you're ready to make some pompoms.  Let's go!

Next item on our list - pompom maker (my preference) or cardboard to create a form for your pompoms.  Full disclosure - I use the pompom makers (more on that below).  If you want to go the cardboard route, I found this amazing YouTube video tutorial using the cardboard forms.  Here's the link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/zok9hqyhTQ4

 

There are numerous pompom makers on the market.  My current favs are the Clover PomPom makers (foreground of picture).  But I just discovered the Boye PomPom Tassel maker, which will make small pompoms up to HUGE pompoms.  Both work in a similar fashion.  They provide a rigid form for wrapping, a slit for cutting and tying off, and then they come apart to finish off the pompom.  Super duper easy!  

Boye Pompom Maker

Clover Pompom Maker (4 sizes)

Clover Pompom Maker (7 sizes)

To get started:

1. Select the size pompom you want to make 

2. Open the pompom maker out so that both sides are open

3. Begin wrapping a strip.  Keep in mind

a. This strip will be on the INSIDE or center of your pompom

b. I recommend having the END of the strip at the outside of the curve.  You'll be tying off at the INSIDE of the curve.  Keep this in mind EVERY time you begin a new strip.

4. Continue wrapping ONE side.  FYI I used all blues for this pompom, and arranged my colors light to dark on each side (ie split the lights to darks fairly evenly).  But there is NO wrong or right here.  Have fun with it!

5. Use the same process and wrap the other side of the pompom maker.  When it is complete, close the two sides.

6.  Now you are going to use SHARP scissors and begin cutting, using the slot where the two sides join as a guide.  Cut all the way around the form.

7.  DO NOT open the form yet.  Your next step is to use a STRONG cord and tie off the strips.  You'll slide the cording around that open slot that is in the center (between the two rows of cut fabric).

8.  When you do the tie off, a few things to keep in mind:

    a. use STRONG cord so that you can get a nice, tight knot in the center.

    b. knot the cord at least twice so it doesn't come loose.

    c.  If you are going to want a hanging loop, give yourself enough length to knot a loop when you are done.

9.  When done, fluff your pompom and do any final trims to even up your edges.  Ta-da!  You're done!

 

Wasn't that fun?  I'm telling you - they are addictive! 

Before you go, I have a couple of fun things to tell you about.  

 

Scrapbuster Bracelet Online Class

 

As part of the Summer Scrap Elimination, I'm offering a special pre-recorded class for my Scrapbuster Bracelet.  It is held in a private Facebook group, and enrollment includes the pattern!  How great is that?  For $20, you get the pattern (a $12 value) and the pre-recorded class.  I'll have this available through the end of the Summer Scrap Elimination (7/28).

 

Looking for a fun way to beat the summer heat?  Join me for the first Sew Away Summer Camp!

 

Sew Away Summer Camp

 

August 22nd - August 26th: Join us the week of August 22nd, when three designers (myself, Jen Frost of Faith and Fabric and Swan Sheridan of Swan Amity Studios) will be bringing you a fun filled summer camp!

 

The projects will all be small (how awesome is that?) and giftable.  So if you are like me and love to pile on the hand made gifts at holiday time, this is PERFECTION ON A STICK!

 

We will run the camp via email.  You'll get one email a day, with details on the projects for the day (most days will have at two projects), downloadable pdf instructions and links to videos.

 

The project line up and supply lists will all be available June 30th.  But we are opening up the wait list and Early Bird Sign ups now!  

 

If you want to wait and hear more about it, sign up for the wait list.

 

Want more Summer Scrap Elimination?  Be sure to visit all of the participating designers for fun projects:

Swan Amity - EVERY THURSDAY 6/23 - 7/28:    www.SwanAmity.com/blog

6/23:  Debbie Wendty  https://debbiewendt.com/

6/30:  Tamarinis tamarinis.typepad.com (hey, you're here!)

          Shout for Joy  https://shout4joy-shouting.blogspot.com/

7/7:    Masterpiece Quilting  www.masterpiecequilting.blogspot.com

          Meg's Choice Patterns  https://megschoicepatterns.blogspot.com/

7/14:  Devoted Quilter  https://www.devotedquilter.com

          Orange Blossom Quilt  https://orangeblossomquilt.com/blog

7/21:  Dragonflys Quilt Shop  www.dragonflysquiltshop.com

          Patchwork Breeze  https://patchworkbreeze.com

7/28:  Duck Creek Mountain Quilting  https://www.duckcreekmountainquilting.com/

 

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? (psst.....I have an Instagram hop coming soon, with PRIZES - I know!)

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 3000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

Exploring the Basics - The Bear Paw Block

In case you are just joining us, most months I participate in a designer challenge.  A group of quilt pattern designers challenge each other to reimagine a traditional quilt block.  The rules are simple.  Make the block as specified - but feel free to play around with it, remix it, stretch it, add elements, remove elements - whatever you are inspired to do with the basic block.

We post on Instagram for four Mondays each month - the fabric pull, a sneak peek one, a sneak peek two, and a reveal.  The reveal day is my favorite part.  I love seeing how other folks view a block and what they do with it.  Really, the final products are amazing.

At the end of the month, Kate and I do a deeper dive into the block itself.  Often, I give you general instructions on how you might make the traditional block, and then do a little sharing - sometimes of my thought process for my project, sometimes of the final projects from other designers.

This month, I thought I'd take a slightly different approach and share a bit about how I went from traditional block to my final version.

The traditional bear paw block is made up of four large squares, sixteen smaller HST, four rectangles and a center square (see the top left image on the picture above).  My version - well, it's a bit (ok a LOT) different.  But how did I go from the traditional to the final version?  Let's look.

So here is the traditional bear paw block, as described.  This is my base - what I started from.

The first thing I tried was simply stretching the block.  I took it from a square to a rectangle.  This is a fun and easy way to give a traditional block a new look, and sometimes that's all you need to do to create a fresh approach to traditional.  But not this time.....

The next step was a bit more involved.  I pulled those small HST units down toward the center of the block.  I took the color into the rectangles (traditionally part of the background) and pulled in some angles there too.  This is nice - has a flower type look, don't you think?  But nope, I wanted more.

Next, I did some more stretching.  I pulled the center light orange area out to create more of a center point, and created some overlapping opposite direction angles for the center teal areas.  I liked the flower look, and tried to emphasize it by splitting those outside darker angles into two smaller units and colored the very outside ones teal to mimic leaves.  Not bad.  It has a spiky tropical flower look now.  Fun.  But....a MUCH more involved paper piecing block.  Hmmm...what would make it better?

Can you tell what I did next?  Yup - I simplified it!  I kept the spiky areas I liked, but removed some of the smaller outside points, and simplified the light and dark orange units.  It's nice - a very cool looking block with possibilities.  But....it could be a bit more interesting.  So far I've only tweaked the outside units.  Let's edit the inside teal areas just a bit.

Ah ha!  This is it! Ok so I edited ALL of it!  But look at what I added and removed.  A simple value shift in the teal center gave it a much more dynamic look.  

What was light teal in the other versions became background.  The dark teal became light teal.  And that center is just - well - amazing - or I think it is!

I also removed the larger light orange pointed units.  And I took the outer skinny points and added to the line, bringing it to the edge of the block, and then split it (not in half - more slivered than split).  Why take the points out the the edge?  

Well, if a block is "living all by itself" it will have one look.  But looking forward, if the block is one of say NINE blocks in a quilt, what would happen if the lines extended all the way to the edge of the block?  Yup - secondary design!

And just like that, a new block was born.  

Ok - it took a while.  A lot of "try this, ok no that didn't work, try this".....for days and days.  But this is the boiled down version.  Fun, right?

Head over to Kate's blog to see her insights into the Bear Paw block too!  Click here: Kate's Blog Post

Be sure to head over to Instagram and check out all of the amazing projects the other designers created for this block challenge.  I think it is amazing what can be done with what is often thought of as a "basic" block!

Hey - before you go, I wanted to let you know that the next free Mystery Quilt Block Challenge starts July 7th.  Sign up and get all of the details for this free, fun month long challenge!  

In a nutshell - I tell you how many fabrics you need and how much, then give you "clues" (instructions) on how to make units, and the final "clue" is how to put the Mystery Block together.  We had fun in June with the Mosaic block, and July's block is something completely different.  Come join the fun and click below to sign up!

 

Want more? Looking for a fun way to beat the summer heat?  Join me for the first Sew Away Summer Camp!

 

Sew Away Summer Camp

 

August 22nd - August 26th: Join us the week of August 22nd, when three designers (myself, Jen Frost of Faith and Fabric and Swan Sheridan of Swan Amity Studios) will be bringing you a fun filled summer camp!

 

The projects will all be small (how awesome is that?) and giftable.  So if you are like me and love to pile on the hand made gifts at holiday time, this is PERFECTION ON A STICK!

 

We will run the camp via email.  You'll get one email a day, with details on the projects for the day (most days will have at two projects), downloadable pdf instructions and links to videos.

 

The project line up and supply lists will all be available June 30th.  But we are opening up the wait list and Early Bird Sign ups now!  

 

If you want to wait and hear more about it, click below to sign up for the wait list.

 

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? (psst.....I have an Instagram hop coming soon, with PRIZES - I know!)

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 3000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

 

 

 

Savannah - A Blog Hop

 

Well, hello!  I'm so glad you dropped by!  Today is the first day of the Savannah Blog Hop, and I think you are going to find inspiration and future projects - because I have thirteen other designers joining me to showcase my newest Island Batik line, Savannah.

As the name suggests, it is inspired by the beauty and history of one of my favorite Georgia cities, Savannah.  Want to know a little bit more about this lovely, moss covered southern beauty?  Visit the History of Savannah website for a closer look!

Pictures by Tammy Silvers, Lalena Wilson and Dr. Cynthia Seebacher

 

I recently visited Savannah again with some gal pals, and fell in love all over again with this beautiful, historic, charming city.

I love the moss covered trees that line most of the streets downtown.  Their soft gray flowing tendrils sway in the ocean breeze, and remind me of fraying lace.  

Pictures by Tammy Silvers, Lalena Wilson and Dr. Cynthia Seebacher

 

In the historic district, the houses are close together, and right on the street.  You can stroll through the neighborhoods on brick sidewalks and get a close up glimpse of history, color and elegance.

Pictures by Tammy Silvers, Lalena Wilson and Dr. Cynthia Seebacher

 

But I am especially fond of the wonderfully detailed iron and wood railings on many of the historic homes.  It was this craftsmanship that inspired the new fabric line, Savannah, that I am about to share with you!

Pictures by Tammy Silvers, Lalena Wilson and Dr. Cynthia Seebacher

 

Getting a feel for the lovely town of Savannah?  Good!  Let's look at the fabric that this wonderful place inspired.  Introducing (drum roll please!) my newest Island Batik line, Savannah.

If you look closely at the fabrics, you'll see their echo of the lovely railings that adorn historic homes.  The colors reflect the beautiful range of stucco, brick and clapboard homes too.

And I'm excited to share the creative work of thirteen other designers as well!  Some stitched up quilts and projects using the fabrics, and many have created some digital images, all colored in the new Savannah line, which is shipping to stores as we speak!

I stitched up two sweet little projects in Savannah.  The first is an old favorite of mine, Confetti.  It is an easy paper pieced pattern - but I'm current working on converting it over to a Studio 180 Friendly pattern.  Can you S180 fans guess which tool?  Yup - V Block!  So look for it soon in it's revised version!

The second project is The Pointy End, a 2 1/2" strip friendly pattern that uses my FAV technique - guided improv!  This was a fun project to stitch up.  I love guided improv, because, well, it's improv.  And this particular project had no points to match, so there is NO messing it up!  And it was inspired by a line from one of my favorite series, Game of Thrones.  Arya, when learning swordsmanship, was told to "stick 'em with the pointy end".  And that stuck with me!

So those are MY Savannah projects.  But there's so much more to see!  Please visit the other designers this week and see what fabulous projects they have in store for you.

Designer Line Up (click on each of the links to visit their blog):

6/27     Tamarinis                 Tamarinis Blog

            Swan Amity             https://swanamity.com/blog   

            Faith and Fabric      https://faithandfabricdesign.com/2022/06/savannah-fabrics-by-tamarinis-for-island-batik.html

6/28     True Blue Quilts       https://truebluequilts.com/savannah-collection-starburst-pillow/ 

            Sew Joy Creations  https://www.sewjoycreations.com/2022/06/savannah-island-batik-fabric-blog-hop.html

            Said With Love        https://saidwithlove.com.au/savannah-island-batiks/

6/29    Studio R Quilts         https://studiorquilts.com/blog

           Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio    https://view.flodesk.com/emails/626c8eb7047591650544e8d6

6/30    Kate Colleran Designs    https://katecollerandesigns.com/savannah-blog-hop-new-fabric-new-quilt-pattern/

           Quilt Blox                 https://quiltblox/blog

           Sunflower Quilting    https://sunflowerstitcheries.com/savannah-blog-hop/

7/1      Slice of Pi Quilting    https://www.sliceofpiquilts.com/2022/06/flutterfly-in-savannah-batiks.html

           Masterpiece Quilting    https://masterpiecequilting.blogspot.com

           Quilter's Treasure Chest    https://www.quilterstreasurechest.com/blog---raijas-bits-and-pieces

 

Inspired?  Great!  Be sure to visit my Instagram feed on July 7th.  Many of the same designers are participating in a fun little IG hop - and a little birdie told me there would be prizes!  Woot woot!

 

Looking for a fun way to beat the summer heat?  Join me for the first Sew Away Summer Camp!

 

Sew Away Summer Camp

 

August 22nd - August 26th: Join us the week of August 22nd, when three designers (myself, Jen Frost of Faith and Fabric and Swan Sheridan of Swan Amity Studios) will be bringing you a fun filled summer camp!

 

The projects will all be small (how awesome is that?) and giftable.  So if you are like me and love to pile on the hand made gifts at holiday time, this is PERFECTION ON A STICK!

 

We will run the camp via email.  You'll get one email a day, with details on the projects for the day (most days will have at two projects), downloadable pdf instructions and links to videos.

 

The project line up and supply lists will all be available June 30th.  But we are opening up the wait list and Early Bird Sign ups now!  

 

If you want to wait and hear more about it, sign up for the wait list.

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 3000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

 

 

 

Summer Scrap Elimination Starts June 23rd

Here is the complete list, including links, so you don't miss anything!

Be sure to visit all of the participating designers for fun projects:

Swan Amity - EVERY THURSDAY 6/23 - 7/28:    www.SwanAmity.com/blog

6/23:  Debbie Wendty  https://debbiewendt.com/

6/30:  Tamarinis tamarinis.typepad.com (hey, you're here!)

          Shout for Joy  https://shout4joy-shouting.blogspot.com/

7/7:    Masterpiece Quilting  www.masterpiecequilting.blogspot.com

          Meg's Choice Patterns  https://megschoicepatterns.blogspot.com/

7/14:  Devoted Quilter  https://www.devotedquilter.com

          Orange Blossom Quilt  https://orangeblossomquilt.com/blog

7/21:  Dragonflys Quilt Shop  www.dragonflysquiltshop.com

          Patchwork Breeze  https://patchworkbreeze.com

7/28:  Duck Creek Mountain Quilting  https://www.duckcreekmountainquilting.com/

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  

 

 

 

June Quilt Block Mania: Wave Block

 

Looking for some fun summer themed blocks?  Great - this month, the Quilt Block Mania theme is Under the Sea, and there are a LOT of amazing and different blocks to capture the warmth and joy of summer!

My block is Wave - and it is an easy paper pieced block that shows my favorite part of sunny summer days - beaches and waves!

How do you get your copy?  Easy - click the link below and sign up for my newsletter.  When you subscribe, you'll get a follow up email with link directions to download a copy of instructions.  But hurry - this offer expires June 30th, 2022.

Please note: this pattern is complimentary to folks that click the link and subscribe to my newsletter.  Please do not copy or share this block!  Thanks so much!

 

 

Want more Under the Sea themed blocks?  Great!  Here are all of the participating designers for June:

 

Carolina Moore	AlwaysExpectMoore.com
Carolyn Burgess	https://www.appliquesquiltsandmore.com/blog/
Manon Hunt	https://www.momandmequiltingco.com/
Jennifer Fulton	www.inquiringquilter.com
Julia Schweri	http://www.inflorescencedesigns.com
Sue Griffiths	https://www.duckcreekmountainquilting.com
Kris Driessen	https://scrapdash.com
Jen Frost	https://faithandfabricdesign.com
Monika Henry	www.pennyspoolquilts.com
Maria Magdalena	https://www.limeleaves.biz
Celine Perkins	https://www.perkinsdrygoods-blog.com
Heidi Pridemore	https://heidipridemore.blogspot.com/
Susan Arnold	http://www.quiltfabrication.com
Becca Fenstermaker	https://sugarsandquilts.com
Sherry Freyermuth	https://boberrydesignco.com
Kaye Collins	www.ohkayequilting.com
Jessica Schunke	https://www.blueskymoderncraft.com/blog
Nancy Myers	https://patchworkbreeze.com
Judit Hajdu	https://www.quiltfox-design.com/blog
Tammy Silvers	tamarinis.typepad.com
Reed Johnson	https://bluebearquilts.com/blog-the-bearister-quilter/

 

Hey - before you go, I wanted to let you know that my Free Mystery Quilt Block Challenge started June 1st.  Click to get all of the details for this free, fun month long challenge!  And yes - you have still have time to jump in.  It's just one block - but what block?  Ah....that's the mystery!

Interested? Click here (https://view.flodesk.com/pages/624df0c78d82793f8155498a) to sign up to get the weekly emails (four in June)!

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis?

Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  PS - I'm trying to get to the next milestone number on Facebook and Instagram (I am trying to get 2000+ followers) and would REALLY appreciate your help - so please click and follow!  Thanks so much!

Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.