Best Quilts for Using Your Scraps!
If I had to sew one kind of quilt for the rest of my life, I would sew scrap quilts! Now I realize that I would theoretically eventually run out of scraps. But are we sure about that? It seems like scraps have a way of mysteriously multiplying??? In any case, I certainly have loads of scraps now and making something beautiful from all those leftover bits and pieces is one of the most satisfying aspects of quilt-making.
Leftover fabric scraps can become patchwork quilts in infinite creative ways. Scrap quilts can be simple or fancy, traditionally pieced or paper pieced, wonky or tidy, rainbow or limited color scheme. In every form, I love them! Here are my favorite 10 scrap quilt experiences so far - - -
No. 1 - Confetti Quilt
Hands down the very best quilt for using your tiniest scraps! This one uses a surprising amount of those adorable fabric crumbs, which you just can’t bear to throw away. The foundation piecing method I created for this project is actually faster than improv-piecing! Plus, you can use those tiny scraps without trimming them first. HUGE bonus.
Make it: my Confetti Quilt pattern
No. 2 - String Quilts
A string quilt block is sewn on a foundation of paper, fabric or batting. You start with a center string, placed corner to corner, and then add strips on each side to fill out the foundation. This is a relaxing, easy sew which welcomes strings of different thicknesses and lengths. Very time and fabric efficent!
Make it: my Iridescent Quilt pattern
No. 3 - Coin Quilts
This scrap quilt is ideal for beginners. The concept is so straightforward: just cut scraps to equal widths and stack them up like stacks of coins on a table. You can opt for columns of varied thickness to use your scraps to the fullest (see Rainbow Falls at right) or opt for columns of consistent thickness for a bit more calm (see Bright & Shady below).
Make it: free! My Coin Quilt Recipe
No. 4 - Improv Cross Quilt
Looking to fly free with your scraps? Try this block, which comes together lightning fast and uses great, big chunky scraps as well as string scraps of all sizes! I really need to sew this one again, stat.
Make it: free! Improv Cross tutorial
No. 5 - Drummer Boy Dresdens
With this scrap quilt, anything goes. You can use all the colors and different scrap shapes to efficiently churn out these beautiful blocks. A strong background fabric theme and consistent quarter circles bring a sense of calming repetition and unity to any scrap collection!
Make it: my Drummer Boy Dresdens pattern
No. 6 - Scrap Cabin Blocks
This one is a take on the classic log cabin blocks. My Scrap Cabin blocks utilize scraps of all different thicknesses so very nicely without wasting time and fabric trimming to uniformity. The design creates wild bursts of line thanks to value contrast. It was a such a fun sew!
Make it: pattern and sew-along coming in 2025!
No. 7 - Geesey Geesey Quilt
You can’t go wrong with flying geese blocks. This layout has such a great energy for scrap sewing. Strings of same-color geese keep the eye moving this way and that. Cut out individual patchwork pieces from your smaller scraps or cut in bulk from strips of fabric.
Make it: my Geesey Quilt pattern
No.8 - Starbright stars Quilt
Looking to sew a WOW scrap quilt in just one color? My favorite monochromatic scrap quilt is this starry number. It’s sewn by machine from diamond and triangle shapes. Use light and dark versions of your target color to create a scrap quilt with loads of depth and sparkle.
Make it: my Starbright Stars pattern
No. 9 - Circus Cabin Quilt
Choose your fabrics and then just sew. This one will turn out stunning without any fussing. The throw quilt design makes four perfectly framed low-volume on point squares. Circus Cabin quilt has a custom border that keeps everything nicely centered with 4 large red squares at the corners, to punctuate the design.
Make it: my Circus Cabin quilt pattern
It’s lovely in any color palette and style, so long as you maintain contrast!
No. 10 - Dear Dottie Quilt
There’s something about circles that makes scraps look good, reeaaallly good. Dear Dottie quilt pattern also guides you regarding value - placing low value, medium value and dark value elements to create a funky, eye-catching layout. This is another one that I keep coming back to.
Make it: my Dear Dottie Quilt pattern
Well, I think that gives you some ideas for your next quilt (or two or three)! If you love scrap quilt sewing like I do, I may not have mentioned your favorite. Please tell us in the blog comments which scrap block style or pattern you’ve most enjoyed sewing!
