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On the Scrap Heap?

4/22/2024

On the Scrap Heap?

(If you stick with me to the bitter end, I have a spectacular treat for you!)

I don’t know about everyone else, but I have a habit of accumulating massive amounts of scraps. I’m cheap and just can’t stand to throw out even the tiniest scrap. My mother used to say she was “Mighty savin’” but when you are the product of depression era thrift it’s totally understandable.

 

Toward the end of her life Mom decided she was going to try and eliminate as much extra fabric as possible and she made a pretty good effort - notwithstanding the half of a double garage I ended up with to distribute to good causes.

 

This is a little lap quilt she made to use up a bunch of 3 1/2” squares and some random strips that were left over from other projects. She thought the top was pretty ugly and sent it to me to quilt and give to charity. I thought it was charming and added the gingham and did a quick loopy daisy e2e and set it aside. Later, our family heard that a longtime friend had lost a child in tragic circumstances. Wondering what we could do to send our love and I suggested this little piece. The recipient was delighted with it and it has become a treasure to her. 
 

I spent years gathering fabrics for a massive black and white quilt and when I was finished with that one I had a bin full of extra fabric. I used some of it to make this quilt for my neutral loving sister. Then my granddaughter used some to make her first quilt. I still am planning several others to make use of the bounty. 

These pictures show the original quilt, the one for my sister (Turning Twenty Pattern), My granddaughter’s first project and some blocks from a black and white sampler I’ve been working on for a while. 
 

Beside using up extra fabric, other ways to use your scraps are with the variety of different methods of piecing together. There are string quilts, crazy quilts, postage stamp quilts, crumb quilts or just sewing pieces together. You can be as creative as you like, or follow some sort of pattern. Often where scrap quilts are concerned- color has nothing to do with anything- you sort according to values- without worry about color- dark, medium and light is what makes scrap quilts work...color is just…a special feature. 
 

Quilting In The Fog is a blog that shows terrific examples of this style of quilting.

She has MANY different styles of putting together scraps. I am going to try some. I stash them by lights and darks and when sewing, don't even look at the colors. I just pick the top one out of the dark stack and the top one out of the light stack and begin sewing. I used to not like scrappy quilts, but have found quite a few patterns that appeal to me and they are a great way not to waste fabric. With scrappy quilts, the more variation, the better. that's why some folks just put the pieces in a bag and sew as they are drawn out... randomly. That said, I just don't like to sew similar pieces together, so I put those back in as I go. I prefer light/dark mostly in scrap quilts and I don't like to use the fabric more than once in a block. Other than that, anything goes, the more fabrics the better. 
 

Scrap quilts (usually strip piece) are terrific for the quilts for charity and raffles. Having a brightly colored and patterned design is usually appealing and impressive, because the average non quilter hasn’t got a clue you used up a lot of leftovers. 
 

OK, now for your surprise. Several years ago I worked for a company who quilted lap quilts and panels and the other gal who worked there became a dear friend. One of the first things she requested was that she wanted me to save all the scraps, if they were at least an inch, for a pineapple quilt she was planning. I did as asked and later, when she and I worked for a time for a well known fabric company assembling quilt kits the same request was honored. She later was able to complete her quilt. I hope you are as overwhelmed as I am with this one! Her name is Marie Graves and the quilt pattern was designed by Bonnie Hunter. Enjoy! 

— Queen Bee

Today’s Tip - Creating Scrappy Quilts

Scrappy quilts are a wonderful way to use up fabric scraps and create visually interesting designs. Here are four tips to keep in mind when making scrappy quilts:

  1. Embrace Variety in Fabrics: One of the key elements of a successful scrappy quilt is variety. Don't be afraid to mix different colors, prints, and textures in your quilt. Experiment with a wide range of fabrics, including florals, solids, plaids, stripes, and novelty prints, to add depth and interest to your design.

  2. Maintain Balance and Cohesion: While variety is important, it's also essential to maintain balance and cohesion in your scrappy quilt. Pay attention to the overall color scheme and distribution of fabrics to ensure that no single fabric or color dominates the quilt. Consider using a unifying element, such as a consistent background fabric or sashing, to tie the diverse fabrics together and create a cohesive look.

  3. Organize Scraps by Size or Color: Sorting your fabric scraps by size or color can make it easier to plan and execute your scrappy quilt. Consider organizing your scraps into separate containers or bins based on their size (e.g., strips, squares, triangles) or color family (e.g., reds, blues, greens). This will allow you to quickly access the fabrics you need and make more informed decisions when piecing your quilt top.

  4. Embrace Improvisation and Creativity: Scrappy quilting is a great opportunity to embrace improvisation and creativity. Don't feel constrained by traditional quilt patterns or rules—feel free to experiment with different block layouts, asymmetrical designs, or improvisational piecing techniques. Allow yourself to play and explore with your fabric scraps, trusting your intuition and creative instincts along the way.

By embracing variety, maintaining balance, organizing your scraps, and embracing improvisation, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and unique scrappy quilts that showcase your creativity and resourcefulness. Enjoy the process of playing with color and fabric, and let your imagination run wild!

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