5 1/2" X 12" Rectangles
 

I have been given three huge bags full of rectangles precut 5 1/2" X 12". Wonderful cotton fabric already washed. I was told the strips were used to make tote bags. I am looking for any patterns that would allow me to use the rectangles with as little cutting as possible. I have already made a couple quilts just making strips from the rectangles and sewing those together but, there has to be something more interesting I can do with this wonderful mountain of fabric. Quilts, bags, throws anything using that size rectangle. Anyone know where I might start searching for such patterns?
Thank-you for any suggestions

This book gets good reviews, and you can look inside to get an idea of the patterns:
http://www.amazon.com/In-Love-Square...dp/1607056437/

As soon as you are willing to cut some of the rectangles into smaller pieces, you get a lot more variety in terms of patterns you can use.

a herringbone pattern is easy to do with rectangles and can give you lots of different effects. Ive also seen chevron quilts done with rectangles, as well as plus quilts (would require some cutting)... Can't wait to see what you decide on

here is a google image search. the first two that come up would work well with your rectangles
https://www.google.com/search?q=imag...w=1013&bih=668

A brick quilt should work with your rectangles. I did a brick quilt with dark and light rectangles alternating, then the next row, you offset the bricks and continue with the dark and light, starting with half a rectangle. Mine i used larger rectangles and offset each row by one third, but it should look similar to mine.

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A completely different idea: Make reusable gift bags. You know, take two rectangles. Working on the wrong sides, fold down and stitch a "tube" along the top of each of the rectangles. Then put the rectangles together, right sides together, and sew the other three sides. Put a shoelace (or whatever you fancy) thru the "tube" so you can pull the bag tight and tie it closed. Turn right side out. You'll never have to buy wrapping paper again!

I've seen one that had rectangles framed with narrow strips (like sashing with no cornerstones) that was really pretty.

Tartan mentioned one called "Fire Escape". I remember seeing it on Quiltville's site. Scroll down to Tuesday, Sept. 24. That quilt is there as well as several others made from rectangles.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/search?q=Fire+Escape

You can do a lot with 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 " squares, and you wouldn't have much wasted fabric.