Lori S

If all else fails post them as a donation on this board. I am sure there are plenty of charity quilters that can make good use of them

azwendyg

Becca, Your great aunts blocks look wonderful! It's so nice that you have them out and displayed to enjoy them.

teacherbailey

One of the best ways to use them that I've ever seen was to buy those reusable tote bags in the "right" colors and then applique an orphan block---or four or six or whatever---over the printing on the bag. Makes a cute tote bag for the cost of the inexpensive bag----and great gifts too!

117becca

Thanks azwendyg.....They even wash up well!! LOL!!! I threw them in the washer and washed them normally when I painted the room last fall. I still have more pieces, I just haven't decided exactly how to use them yet.

Dodie

Sharyn Craig also has another great book on making all orphan blocks the same size for a smpler quilt also great for
a block exchange when all blocks are not the same size it is called Twist and Turn a great method

jitkaau

I would just start putting them together as a type of sampler quilt whilst tieing them all together with a blending fabric to frame the smaller ones so that they reach the same size.

Kath12

You don't have to cut down your block. Just make a bigger chicken. I have several of these chickens around the house ranginging from very small to a larger doorstop size. The size all depends on what size block you use.
I use orphan blocks on my quilt backings. Saves on material and makes the back of the quilt pretty too

Kath12

I have also framed orphan blocks. They are great to use as a gift

mhollifiel

I have put orphans into my backs as well. But since, I mostly piece tops for Project Linus, I save up all the "extras" of any blocks even the smaller units until I get a pile. I will join "like" extras into strips before I add them to the pile. Black cotton (I like Kona best) is my best friend when I get to work on this pile. I assemble them into strips for either vertical or horizontal placement. I use black strips for the stripping between blocks or strips of blocks. Somehow this works and really turns into some of my most interesting and colorful quilts. Kids love their "covers" and they are the exact opposite of quilt police types. They know someone cares and that's all that matters to them.

jaciqltznok

go to our links/resources area and check out all of the links that have been posted there over the years....orphan blocks make great gift items!