Charm Packs, what do you do?
 

I had only ever bought one charm pack - over 2 years ago. I still haven't used it. On a trip recently I bought 3 and was given two. I look at them and think, "What do I do now?"

I have no problem cutting up yardage but I can't bring myself to do anything with these. So, I stack them back up and put them back in their bundle. Then I put them back in the drawer.

Ideas, please? I did buy some coordinating fabric for some of those I got on my trip but only a yard or so.

I love the fabrics in them and hate to hide them away again. HELP!

there are a number of books/patterns out for charm packs---
Nickle Quilts,
more nickle quilts
are two- (nickle quilts are quilts made with 5" squares)
do some searching for charm quilts-there are tons to look at for inspiration

I would use them to make a very simple one-patch quilt. Use your yardage to make a small border or use it for binging. Should be pretty!

I have made tote bags with them.

They are great for use in I-Spy quilt ... lots of scrappy quilts make use of these too.

I used two plus some yardage for large lap quilts. One a Disappearing 9 Patch and one a Disappearing 16 patch. I cut one pack vertically and made a table runner. There is a thread in pictures today that made a tumbler quilt with charms.

I've made some lap quilts and baby quilts using the charm packs and made the snowball block.

Answer is "Speedy Baby 2"
 

I make this 45" square quilt for more than just babies. I embroider something in the 16 1/2" middle square or use a pillow square and cut it to the right size for the center. This is my favorite pattern and I use it a lot for weddings as a kind of banner that can be used afterward also.

http://schoolgirlsamplers.com/pdftut...peedyBaby2.pdf

I like these books-

http://www.amazon.com/Schnibbles-Tim.../dp/1564779866

Schnibbles Times Two: Quilts from 5" or 10" Squares (That Patchwork Place)

and

http://www.amazon.com/Another-Bite-S...d_bxgy_b_img_b

Another Bite of Schnibbles: 24 Quilts from 5" or 10" Squares (That Patchwork Place)

Make place mats with them. Or like a previous poster suggested, use the Twister tool....so much fun!!

tote bags! Re gift them!

Place mats are a good idea. I need some. I was going to do a disappearing 4-patch with some when I bought them but when I try to sort them, I just freeze.

I don't do well trying to use all of a fabric line. I also have some FQs that have been setting a long time. Some of them I gave up and sorted into my stash by color and finally used them.

I think my OCD requires a little more "matching" than the huge selections of fabric lend themselves to.

Thanks for all you ideas.

I hadn't considered miniature quilts. My rule used to be if it is less than 2 1/2" it goes in the garbage. I am now down to 1 1/2" for some things!

I saw a pattern recently...You take a nine patch block and cut it width wise in half and length wise in half. It makes a new block. Then you just turn it any way you want. 2 charm packs is enough for a lap size quilt. It was really cool. This is not my idea and I can't remember which blog I saw it on. I will keep looking and post if I can find it.

As mentioned earlier , any of the three books in the "Nickel quilt" series is a great place to look for inspiration... but be careful you might just start collecting more charm squares after seeing some of the patterns.

These are some tops I made with charm squares. Some of the charms have been cut in half, some in quarters, and in the last top I cut two half hexagons out of each charm.

If you have the dresden ruler - you can use it to make dresden plates - I used a charm pack (you can get two dresden plates per charm square) and made throw pillows or table toppers. Since you get two blades per charm square - it only takes 20 blades per dresden plate - the charm pack contains 40 or 42 squares - you can make 4 dresden plates. Good luck and have fun.

Missouri Star Quilt has a number of tutorials on YouTube and several feature charm packs. I did Scrappy 4 Patch which gives you small squares without having to cut them or sew the small pieces together. Take a look, lots of good stuff from a first-rate company.

I definitely would try the twister tool, table runners use up a charm pack.

What is the name of the 2nd picture you posted?

I'd say make a Twister or even a Chubby Charmer bag by Quilts Illustrated.

I am currently using a charm pack that is all florals to make a pinwheel quilt. I am using the easy pinwheel construction that I saw (I think) on Eleanor Burns website. You place two squares face to face and sew around all 4 sides 1/4" inside. Then you cut from one diagonal to the other (top to bottom), then diagonally side to side. Open up the 4 pieces, trim the dogs ears and sew together for a very fast pinwheel. It's so fast and easy, especially if you are starting with square precuts -- doesn't matter what size.
cheers

Quiltnmore, I really like that pattern and it looks like a really quick and easy pattern to put together when you need something quickly. I also have a bunch of charm packs that I have picked up but have not used them. This is a really good idea, Thanks for sharing it with us.
Pat

Fabric companies have many free projects on their websites which showcase specific cuts of fabrics. Here are just a few that I've used for inspiration

http://www.modabakeshop.com/
http://www.ttfabrics.net/patterns/
http://www.windhamfabrics.com/projects/

I vote for the twister - it's pretty addictive.

Disappearing nine patch is another good one. Or gift them to me :)

The fabric is Moda's Bliss line, by Bonnie and Camille... No patterns, just did my own thing.

I just made a table topper from 2 charm packs that I have had for some time. I used one of the Schnibbles patterns and it turned out perfect, no left overs. You should try one of their patterns.

I like to make placemats with them. I pick out an additional coordinating fabric from my stash, but a few 5" squares from that, and use the resting for napkins. Works up cute! I can get 4 placemats from a collection of 5" squares by doing it this way.

I'm currently using some charm packs for a Grandmothers Flower Garden. Cutting them into 4ths makes 4 perfect size (1") hexies. I'm using several though since I want at least a generous lap quilt!

I have used them in coasters, placemats, the speedy baby quilt with a "panel" in te middle and the 10 minute block.

I love to use them when making mini quilts. Everyone thinks I did a wonderful job picking out my fabrics when all I did was cut and sew them together. I also use them to make lap size quilts.

Sometimes I add some extra coordinating fabric and make a D9P, cuddle quilt size. For a baby quilt I just arrange the charms how I like, then add a couple of borders, and it's a baby quilt, or lap quilt.

Love the ideas mentioned here!

Go to MQC or Cafty.com. They use a lot of chame packs.

I buy them on sale from Mo. Star Quilt and use them for paper piecing. My favorite are the batiks.

check out Missouri Stat Quilt Company -they have several tutorials on using charm packs

I just saw a Quilt in a Day TV show where she used Charm Packs. Really cute quilt. You might be able to see the show on her website videos.

My avatar is from a charm pack.

Sewbizgirl - Those are pretty quilts!

I made this quilt top using four Moda Charm packs. Just the top, the sides came from some scrap bags. This pattern is very simple, just put some sashing with a center square in between the four matching charms. I put mine on-point, but you wouldn't have to. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...on-t93040.html