I was all set to put the last border on the Central Park quilt. I was going to piece the backing, make the binding, and start quilting it last week.

And then this happened:

Yes. I was sucked into the #scrappytripalong that is taking over Instagram and Flickr.

I only have a small basket full of scraps, but I also have a bunch of fat quarters that have been taking up space for a long time. I’m starting to realize that I generally prefer to buy fabric as I need it. Some of the fabric I have stashed is stuff that I really like, some of it is just okay, and I really hate some of it (buying scrap packs means that you get the good with the bad…). This seemed like a good way to free up some space…and the trip around the world pattern is a good place to hide a couple of those fabrics that I hate.

I’m not great at being scrappy. I love looking at the scrappy quilts that other people make, but as much as I want to enjoy doing it myself…well, it kind of makes me twitchy. I focus on the individual blocks and lose sight of the big picture, and then I usually give up because I don’t love the individual blocks. I decided that I was going to do it, though. I’m going to make a scrappy quilt. I’m going to let go, grab fabric at [relative] random, and go with it.  I’ve been wanting a quilt for picnics and tailgating and other potentially-destructive uses – what better quilt for that than one made of scraps?

And by the time I had 4 blocks done, I was seeing the big picture and starting to fall in love with the process.  I still don’t love what I have done so far – it’s not quite big enough for me to lose track of the fabrics that I don’t love yet – but I’m starting to understand why being scrappy is fun.

I’m linking up with Plum and June and Work in Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!!