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Quilting Patterns and all Kinds of Quilty Treasures

Scrap Quilts – Controlled Scrappy or Anything Goes?

By Deb - Quiltblox on March 20, 2024March 20, 2024

As quilters, we’ll inevitably end up with lots of scraps. Not enough to make another whole quilt – but too much to toss. At some point, most of us consider reducing that pile of scraps by making scrap quilts. For me – and those in my small quilt group – that brings up another question. Just how “scrappy” do we want to be with our quilts?

Some of us (and by “some” – I mean most of us in the group) prefer a “controlled scrappy” look. We prefer some kind of order – even with our scrappy quilts. The rest of us (and you know who you are Mary ; ) are great with an “anything goes” approach to scrap quilts. The more the merrier, the more is more approach to scrap quilting. Her carefree ways are influencing the rest of us as we work to tackle a mountain of scraps. More about that project some other day.

Right now, I thought it would be fun to explore some “scrappy” examples for creating simple scrap blocks – all based on the 9-patch block. You could choose any block to experiment with – but for scrap quilts, simple blocks seem to work out best (in my experience).

Let’s start with an “anything goes” scrappy block. With this approach, any and all fabrics are incorporated into the blocks. With enough of them set into rows and assembled into a quilt, the effect can be surprisingly pretty.

Scrap Quilts - Quilt 1

This next example incorporates lots of different fabrics – in three colorways (in this case yellows/yellow oranges, lavenders, and green). Lots of scraps – with a restricted color palette. The resulting quilt is interesting and feels more intentional – even though it was constructed entirely of scraps.

Scrap Quilts - Block 2
Scrap Quilts - Quilt 2

For the third example, contrast plays a starring role. I still focused on three colorways (Red, White, and Blue) but made the white scraps – a large portion of the block (4 of 9 pieces). When assembled into a quilt top – this block creates a dramatic grid pattern. A red or dark blue binding would really set off this design nicely.

Scrap Quilts - Block 3
Scrap Quilts - Quilt 3

The final option I played with – takes the concept of drama – just a bit further. I switched up some of the dark purples in the 4 corner blocks with different (lighter) shades of purple and lavender scraps in two opposing corners of the 9-patch block. The center block replaces the dark purple altogether with the lighter purple shades. This creates an interesting secondary pattern of the “X” running diagonally in both directions of the quilt top.

This example shows the yellow as all being the same fabric – it would be just as pretty with a wide variety of yellow scraps (maybe even prettier).

Scrap Quilts - Block 4
Scrap Quilts - Quilt 4

As you can see from these examples – playing with scraps can be incredibly creative. Whether you’re an “anything goes” scrap quilter or prefer a more structured approach – scrap quilts can be the answer to reducing that growing pile of scraps.

Final tips: It can be helpful to deal with those scraps right away after you have completed your initial project (the one that created the scraps in the first place).

  • Decide on a size (block or strip) – and cut your scraps into those sizes.
  • Store them by cut size and color.
  • Toss (or donate) anything smaller that you will ever use.

Looking for a scrap quilt pattern that’s as easy as a 9-patch – but more visually interesting? Check out Over and Under. It’s a fun (and quick) pattern to make up – using all those scraps.

Happy Stitching!


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