5 Tips For Making Scrap Quilts
To watch this video for this, click on the image above or click HERE.
There are two types of scrap quilts. Well, two that I can think of. I am sure there are many more types, but for this blog and for these purposes, let’s just say there are two types.
Everything-Goes Scrap Quilts: With these, anything and everything goes in the mix. All colors, all prints, all everything. Now don’t get me wrong. These are great quilts! I love them! I am just not very good at making them (yet), and for me, they aren’t something I am drawn to. I love, appreciate, and even collect them, but I need some sort of order, or rule (more on that in a minute), to help me stay motivated while making a quilt. That brings me to the other type of scrap quilt. See Number 2.
Controlled Scrap Quilt: Okay. Let’s start by clearing this up. I did not invent this term. I also can’t remember where I first heard. Either way, it is a thing. It is a term quilters use for scrap quilts that have some kind of rule, or control, in it. There are many ways to make a rule: color, layout, background, etc. These types of scrap quilts—controlled scrap quilts—are what I will be discussing in this blog.
Now on to the tips. That is why you are hear, right? 😊
Tip 1: Use Classic Patterns
Now, I don’t mean you ALWAYS have to use classic patterns, but if you are just getting started or if you are stuck, this is a great way to have success and to use up some of those scrap fabrics. Tried and true patterns are your best friend. They offer a guide, a map, or a compass. They are usually made up of different values of fabric (more on that soon), offering a built-in success strategy for your scrap quilt. After all, a lot of the work is done for you.
Tip 2: Set A Rule
I love to make a rule for my scrap quilts. It adds cohesiveness in what is usually a chaotic grouping of fabric scraps. It is an anchor of sorts, allowing all of the textures, tones, colors, and more to play together well. If you are stuck for ideas for a rule, here are a few:
Rainbow Quilt
Colors: Limit your fabric choices to a certain color or colors. This will automatically add consistency. I used this technique with this rainbow quilt. Although there really isn’t an area for your eye to rest, it still works because of the juxtaposition of the colors.
Fall Quilt
Background: Chose a background that is either the same fabric (yes, it is okay to buy fabric for your scrap quilt!) or the a fabric with the same tones. This will offer an anchor. I did this in the fall quilt . My rule for this one was beige background and fall/earth tones for the focus fabrics. Also note it is a traditional pattern. Just sayin’. 😊 I have a tutorial for this one. Click here to see it.
Christmas Quilt
Sashing Strips/Corner Stones: Picking the same fabric or same shade of fabric for the sashing in this Christmas quilt helped bring it together. This added the sparkle this quilt needed. I have a tutorial on this one, too. Just click here.
There are so many different rules you can make to help you have a successful controlled scrap quilt. What rules can you think of? Let me know.
Tip 3: Understanding Value
Now, I don’t mean monetary value, although that is important, too. What I am talking about is color theory and how the fabric color value is important. The value is how light or dark a fabric color is as it compares to other fabrics in the quilt. Karen Brown from Just Get It Done Quilts has a wonderful series on this. It is amazing how much fabric value helps scrap quilts go from just okay to spectacular. It is important, however, not to just trust your eye. Make sure to use either a black and white image of the colors or a Ruby Beholder. Both are great tools for determining fabric value. You can see it here. I took a class on color value and this quilt is what I made in the class. It is not great, but it is a great start.
Tip 4: Look At Other Scrap Quilts
I mean, REALLY look at other scrap quilts. Study them. Figure out what makes them sparkle. Ask yourself these questions: What is the best thing about them? What is the worst? What can YOU do to make a similar quilt? What mistakes won’t you make? Studying other quilts will make a world of difference in your scrap-quilt-making journey. You can do this at quilt shows, quilt guilds, on Pinterest, Facebook, etc. There is so much inspiration out there!
Tip 5; Give Your Weird Piece A Friend
Again, I didn’t come up with this. This is something Marianne Fons and Liz Porter always said. Give the weird (or even not-so-weird) fabrics in your quilt a friend (that same fabric in another location). This will help to balance your scrap quilt and give it a cohesive look. (Side Note: how many times did I say cohesive in this blog post? Eek!)
I hope this helps you in your scrap-quilt-making journey!
Happy Piecing!
Kris