TRY TECHNIQUES | BASICS

Scrappy Quilts

Dear Quilt Doctor:

When I go to my guild meeting, there’s a member who makes fabulous quilts out of her scraps. She must own every piece of fabric invented because I’ve never seen the pieces repeated! I’m not necessarily a new quilter, it’s just that I only purchase fabric for one project at a time. I give the scraps to my granddaughter to sew with so I really don’t have anything extra. What do I have to do to be able to make a scrappy quilt? Do I buy a kit or something? I don’t know where to begin.

Thanks for your help!

Bonnie MacIntyre
Auburn, MA

Dear Bonnie,

First off, stop giving away your fabric! Even the littlest piece can be used. Well, ok. I have hoarding issues … maybe the smallest pieces within reason. Purchase a few cuts of kids fabric for your granddaughter to play with and keep your fabric just for you.

Building a stash takes time. Even the most experienced quilters often lack the variety they’d like to have to create a true scrap quilt. There are ways to establish a stash without breaking the bank.

Here’s an easy way--organize an exchange at your guild. We did this at my guild recently. Each member took a 1/4-yard piece of fabric and cut it in half to make a fat eighth. We rolled three different fat eighths together and tied them up (the cutest rolls had all three fabrics showing!). At our meeting, we gathered our chairs in a circle and tossed the fabric bundles in the center. Then, we did the dice game where you pass the pie tin around. If you shake doubles, you get to grab a bundle of fabric. And then when the bundles ran out, you could snatch one from somebody who had more than one. It was a scream! No one was shy by the end of the game. It  was a great icebreaker.

You can also do a strip swap with your friends. The swap mom determines the size, such as a 3x42" strip, the theme, and how many strips everyone should bring. When you get together, you lay them on tables and everyone walks around the tables and takes a strip until all are gone. This is a great way to build a log cabin quilt.

I like to pick up fat quarters or bundles when I’m shopping, especially if I’m traveling. They always remind me of the quilt shops I’ve visited and act as a souvenir of the area.

Hope this helps …
QD

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