RavenLunaStitch

I am sewing two 2" scrap blocks together as leaders/enders. The smallest scrap I keep in my "food chain" is 2" blocks. Anything smaller than that gets used as stuffing or is tossed. I always cut as many 2" squares from my scraps as possible. I keep them all mixed together in a drawer next to my sewing machine. I just grab two random pieces at a time to sew together. 2" blocks are the perfect size for leaders/enders and I really do save a lot of thread by using them. After they are sewn together and clipped off of my chained pieces I just throw them into a bin to be pressed and sewn together later. It will probably take forever and a day to get a quilt out of them, but little by little they are adding up quickly!
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Sometimes I'll just grab a handful and chain piece them for something "mindless" to do! I love my Nova Montgomery seam guide (it's clear but you can see it in the second picture if you look closely). It really helps my accuracy, especially with these small blocks!

MartiMorga

I have listened to Bonnie Hunter talk about doing this and am meaning to start. Looks like you have a good handle on it, congrats.

RavenLunaStitch

Yeah, I listened to Bonnie Hunter for a long time too and did nothing toward actually doing it. The key, for me, is to have blocks cut to size and ready to go right next to my machine. If I had to get up to get them, or cut anything, I would never do it. One day I just buckled down and cut as many 2" squares from my scraps as I could to make sure I had a large variety of squares ready to go. I finally decided that sewing two things together instead of wasting one piece (to save thread) just made too much sense! We'll see how my scraps come together at some point in the future (and I'll post pics!).

judy5cents

I just received Bonnie Hunters book Leaders and Enders...some beautiful quilts in the book, makes me want to go and cut everything into 2 inch squares...lol

Also check out http://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/tutorials/, she has some great ideas that can be done as Leaders and Enders.

I have just finished piecing the top of a Fading Charms quilt, need to finish a strip of squares for the back and get it basted together. I was surprised how fast this came together with the 2 inch squares.

I would love to know what other people are leadering and endering!

lots2do

JudyScents, thanks for opting that link. It led me to A Spoonful of Sugar blog. That's a great one, too.

linda faye

I spied Nova's Seam Guide immediately. I love mine!

I am new to Leaders, etc. Why are you sewing them together? How they end up in a quilt? I think I need to do some research on this.

linda faye

If others are interested in the Seam Guide.... go to www.novamontgomery.com

RavenLunaStitch

Linda, Check out this website: http://thecuriousquilter.wordpress.c...demonstration/

She talks about "Postage Stamp" quilts and putting the 2" blocks together. Good pictures too! This is what I'm working toward making.

judy5cents

Here is another great website about the benefits of leaders and enders

http://lollyquiltz.blogspot.ca/2010/...ee-quilts.html

running1

I finally get it!!! After reading the link to lollyquiltz... I finally get it!! I must be very visual... could never quite understand the leader/ender thing...
Thank you for sharing!!!!