Gifted: Scarves for everyone!

As I usually do, this year I chose one handmade gift and then proceeded to make a dozen of it to give out to pretty much everyone. This year? Quilted scarves!

These are fantastic for a number of reasons: 1) mega stash-busting! including batting and quilting thread! 2) patchwork = they go with everything 3) who doesn't need a scarf? 4) lined with flannel = a quilt around your neck! What's cozier than that?!

No, really, I love these. I made the first one as a prototype and then kept it for myself. I have a fairly lengthy daily commute on public transportation, and you would not believe how many compliments I've gotten! So, to all you people who I gifted scarves to, I hope you're getting the same compliments!

There's been such interest in these around my LQS that I may be doing up a little tutorial and teaching a class (!!) Really, though, they are so easy. I just pieced and quilted my fabric onto the batting at the same time. So, put down piece 1, quilt a line or two through it, put down piece 2 on top of piece 1, right sides together, sew the seam and sew through the batting at the same time, fold down piece 2, etc. Then I re-trimmed the batting/patchwork, placed it face down on the flannel, stitched around (leaving an opening), trimmed corners, turned right-side out, pressed pressed pressed, topstitched. Done!

I used a couple of half-full spools of quilting thread and was happy to be done with those. I can never tell how far I can get with a spool like that, so I'm often reluctant to start using it on a large-ish project. These were perfect, and piecing with the quilting thread didn't make any difference, just added a little color.

So, the picture above shows most of what I made to give away for Christmas. Most. There's still a bit more, so stay tuned...