Happy Tuesday! When I typed today’s post title I was a little taken aback…I simply can’t believe it’s already the third week of the new year. Time has been flying by! Since it’s Tuesday, I’m going to talk about sewing and quilting with my stash, but first I have to share a little something I started the other day…
Right before Christmas I made a patchwork Christmas pillow using a tutorial from Amy of Nana Company (her tutorial is here). I’ve had the hardest time putting that pillow away after the holidays. After seeing someone else re-make it using the First Crush collection by Sweetwater, I decided to follow suit and substitute one of my favorite quotes. I can’t wait to get this finished up and will share it when I’m finished.
I mentioned the other day that my first scrap quilt project for this year is going to be a strip quilt. I’m using strips of all different lengths in widths of 1 ½″ to 3 ½″. I will be sharing a tutorial for this quilt, so to get ready, start gathering strips!
Simple Ideas for Planned Scrap Quilts
While I have a few quilts that are “true” scrap quilts–that is I use anything and everything for them, most of my scrap quilts are at least a little planned. Here are a few ways you can “plan” a scrap quilt:
- Use fabrics from one designer or just a few different designers whose fabrics work well together.
- Plan your scrap quilt around a holiday theme: Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, etc.
- Choose a color scheme.
- Start with a bundle of fabric by one designer and then add in other fabrics to make it scrappy.
I want my quilt to have plenty of low-volume options…so I’m actually cutting into this fat quarter bundle and Layer Cake for the “background” fabrics.
I’m also pulling fabrics from a long-neglected scrap bin that was the basis for two of my favorite quilts.
And finally, I’m pulling fabrics from my left-over binding bin. I do use a lot of my left-over binding strips for scrappy bindings (see my scrappy binding post), but I also have plenty of others! Since my binding strips are almost always 2 ¼″ wide (unless I make a mini quilt–those bindings are cut at 2″ wide), I can get some nice sized strips for my scrap quilt from my binding bin.
I hope you’ve gained a few ideas on how to pull even more fabrics from your stash for your next scrap quilt. Remember to start gathering 1 ½″ to 3 ½″ wide strips if you’d like to sew along.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Mary Beth says
Would you mind sharing the name of the fat quarter bundle you are using as low volume for the background? Thank you.
Cathy Marie says
Love your Valentine's Pillow! It is definitely a cutie pie, and I can't wait to see the finished pillow.
Hildy says
Your Valentitne's Pillow is so cute I think I need one for myself!
Love your ideas for a 'planned' scrap quilt!
Libby says
Ready to do a scrappy quilt. My Scrap Basket runneth over………
Sharon Barkley says
Love the words on you Pillow!!
Charise Smith says
How do you organize your scraps? I am a newbie to quilting but already have a ton of scraps. I'm just not sure what to do with them.
Quilt Granny says
Your patchwork pillow is great. . It's a new thing for me but I love how you can make a small pillow top quilt and enjoy it the same day…AND no binding. It's a perfect combo.
Melia Mae Quilting says
Love this. How did you do the embroidery? I mean where did you find the pattern for it? This is just beautiful. I need to make some pillows like this.
Darlene Kenny Hayes says
I LOVE your blog. Is there a way I can subscribe and receive via my email?
Judy Whitfield says
Not too sure this will get answered since I see no answers to the questions above, but it's worth a try. I clicked on the link you provided for pillow forms. There are several in that size. May I ask which one you prefer/used for this pillow or doesn't it matter? Thanks for posting that link – they have great prices!