Great idea, I didn't think to use crumb blocks for the back! 8)

[quote=OrchidQuiltFish(OQF)
Rag rugs can also be made out of small strips. I made a lot when I was younger because one of my aunts was a seamstress.

Cut a piece of burlap to the size of rug that you want. Use a hook or in my case I used a large hairpin to pull the strip through the burlap. The strips can either be tied or put in a row and then sew down the middle of each row as you go. These rugs are very colorful and can be always put to good use around the house.

Did I say before that I love scraps??? :D :D :D [/quote]

Burlap! That's what people use! Thanks for that. Now I know ... Mahalo! 8)

I've done that before and made coasters with a denim back. 8)

I am always interested in patterns for scraps. My email address is cmeldrum
@neo.rr.com or snail mail address is Charlotte Meldrum, 200 Third St E, East Canton, OH 44730;

Thanks.

The best pattern for scraps is so old that it is no longer in print but you can watch the video at QNNTV if you have that service. I recommend it even though it costs 24 dollars a year.
It is by Sewing with Nancy and is called Scrap Happy Quilts.
She uses strips cut at all sizes fron 1 inch up to 5 inchs (add 1/2 inch for seams) then cuts them so that they go togather many ways to make a 6 inch block then combines them into 12 inch blocks. It makes a striking quilt and so much fun to make. Example combine 3 inch with 2 and 1 to make 6 or 3 -2 inch to make 6. All these cuts are 1/2 inch larger for seams.
I tried to find the book online even used but no luck.

we use this pattern to make "soldier" quilts....they are so pretty and colorful

Do you have a picture to post??? (hope, hope, hope!)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE scrappy quilts. I have always saved all my scraps and have made lots of scrappy quilts. I am currently working on a crumb quilt using 6 inch blocks so that uses lots of little pieces. I am also working on string blocks and pineapple blocks too.

I even use the trim offs to make/stuff a comfy pillow for my cat's bed.

lots of uses for scraps ... too many ideas to little time to sew

Hi Betty

yes my squares are made up of 4 smaller squares......... I do this because I can use a lot more of my small pieces..... and I think it gives the finished blocks more movement.

That is just me and my thinking........... no set rule.
scrap quilter

I was always 'afraid' of using the scraps - I just knew the quilt would not look right - well, I started a bom project with five friends and now I am HOOKED. I love it!! The scraps that are big enough to use for squares, triangles, etc. I have in a garbage bag and in one drawer of the chest... then the little bitty 'true' scraps I have now started sewing as I go - more or less :) - and will cut 8" blocks as it gets large enough - I will eventually have enough blocks to make a quilt!! I know some people will say - WHY? - well, I paid for ALL the fabric so why not use it. It may take two years - hope not!! - to make one quilt but I will have a nice qulit for 'free'/

I would be lost without my scraps. Even the quilts I buy fabric for usually get a scrap treatment. Quilting traditionally was made from the left overs from making clothing. My favorite style is to use one fabric throughout the quilt and match my scraps to it to make the blocks. I keep my scrap pieces sorted by fabric content. I lost most of my scraps and stash during our moving around era while I was teaching. The 3 little bags of scraps I do have came from last Christmas sewing for my adult children.

Another thing I do is to sew my scraps together in long strips, then sew strips to strips until I get a square yard. Then I cut squares on the diagonal. Sometimes they get framed, sometimes not. I make these into tablecloths, skirts and vests. I even made a jumper from them. When I quilt these I usually use crochet thread and tie the majority. These last forever and don't need ironing. The skirts are really warm and easily match lots of other things.

Just a few ideas. Gwyn

Okay, quilters! We need PICTURES!
I started a thread to show others how to use their scraps:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/l...77.page#590150

scraps are a GOOD thing! Using them is BETTER! :wink:

I just made my Doll quilt all from scraps! Hurray adn it is really cute---I will post a pic just as soon as I can..don't want to spoil it for my partner!

you could whisper it in my ear ... idea :idea: :idea: :idea: :idea: :idea:
all of you who want to share, but keep things a surprise?
You can just send me a picture! I will NEVER tell! <g>
not a good thing? Bummer!
sounded good to me :?
you early finishers are just teasing the rest of us, aren't you??? cheeky bunch! LOL

I will try to find my picture of Scrap Happy but have a hard time finding in my HP file.
Not very good quality but ok in download screen.

Tip for making scrappy ... just figured out ... once in awhile, a block will grow faster than its buddies (can't explain it <g> have just experienced it!)
anyway, unless you are using your scraps to make a specific block, every once in awhile, go through your blocks and pair them together, before putting another strip on those pairs to make a more cohesive look.
I offer this tip for quilters like me who have to believe we are actually in a control and have a plan! :lol:
I have made hundreds of scrap blocks like my sample pictures ... but, they are just put in boxes and boxes because I have never gotten beyond building the block!
Sooner or later we have to put them together ... in order to keep the random scrap look, I think pairing blocks once in awhile will move specific fabrics from specific projects throughout the quilt, without having to put all the blocks up on a design wall (my theory, anyway :lol: )

HI Omak.....I will post pictures as soon as I am done with mine....I have one quilt done...just needs borders...but I am in the " process" of putting my scrap quilts together and there are several of them...so when they are done..I will surely come back to this post! I have to say I also made my swap blocks from scraps...I think I just have such a wealth of scraps...for not doing anything with them for such a long time.

Thank you, Charismah! Your "scrappy stash" will be a welcome addition.
I am so glad we got to meet <wave>!

what is QNNTV? I think I would like it....
Lois

QNNTV has all the quilt shows except Alex Anderson. There are so many it takes months to watch them all.
It used to be free but Fons and Porter bought it so now it costs.
It is worth the price as you can learn so much, it has everything.
http://qnntv.com
There is also a free video web site.
http://quilterstv.com
They dont have near as many videos but it is free.

Billie Lauder has a video on quilterstv.com, I think it is called the Ultimate scrappy 4 patch....she does a fabulous spin on the 4 patch making gazillions of them for a true scrappy look. Love it.

So if you have lots of either charm squares or your own scrap squares, Billie shows how to use them, any size. Love her techniques!

Love scrappy quilts.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

I use mine all the time. I make fabric wall hangings, snippet art (there are books on this) and they come in wonderfully for projects like that. You need at least a piece that is 4x4 or getting that wonder under stuff on the backside is impossible.

Thanks for the link. I am debating whether to renew my subscription to the quilt show. The reason I didn't, was that I didn't have time to watch all the shows and felt like I was wasting my $$ because I couldn't watch the shows. Oh well...I watched the Billie Lauder four patch show...I learned something new. Thanks. 8)

I use my scraps quite often. Right now I have 5 quilts tops made all of scraps. I enjoy using them because I don't have to worry if the colors go together. I was given a lot of scraps from a lady who had to quit sewing and as of today have not used any of my stash but have made 5 quilt tops.

I cut some into blocks sizes, some in strips and enjoy just
designing' my own quilt.

Try it, it is fun.

Charlotte (busysewer)

I am making some paper piecing blocks with scraps and is so much fun!

I went through mine today, and my tub of 5" blocks and strips, cutting out tumbler charm quilt. I am using a 3" template, thinking of starting with 12 x 12 blocks. 70 cut today, out of 144. No rush, will use left over fabrics for the rest of the year:)

I am in the middle of making a fairly large multi-colored Boxed Squares, like the one Twistedstitcher made that she calls Cappacino (sp). I have used up a lot of the pieces in the scrap box. It is looking about half empty now.

Oh ... this is funny! I bought a couple patterns and acrlyic templets today with the thought of using my scraps up. I have more than I care to talk about .... LOL!

Just look at any of my tutorials and you will find a way to use up those scraps!!

I loooove scrappy quilts! Most of mine have used many fabrics. My avatar pic is a wall-hanging quilt with tiny scraps... the whole thing is only 3'x3'.

I was getting ready to just pitch my whole scrap basket last year when a thought came to me. Make a quilt from nothing but this basket. So I did and now all I need to do is the machine applique work & it will be ready to LA. I still have enough scraps to do a couple of others. Goodness I think those little suckers must multiply over night.

Show us a picture please :lol:

Dog gone are you organized!!! :mrgreen: Mine are in a grocery bag waiting to be loved!!! :lol: :lol:

If it is smaller than a fq then I don't keep it. I am just not into keeping small pieces of fabric around - that and I really don't have the room for it.

I LOVE scraps!! I also buy scraps from other people, including my LQS, online, yard sales (I try to catch them in the ad section here, but I notice they get snatched up quick!! :)) etc…. I use them all the time. I usually end up cutting 2 inch squares out of them and I use them as ‘Leaders and Enders’ meaning I sew up two 2” squares after I sew a block for another project to keep from having thread tails, when I get a bunch of these I sew them into 9 patches, I don’t have enough for a big quilt yet, but I plan on making a quilt, table runner or even pot holders with these. I also use all my other scraps for various projects and swaps.

Cheers!
Rachel

i CaN use any scraps thats big enough to cut a 5 inch square

All my quilts are scrap quilts, but some are more so than others. My favorite quilt patterns are a couple that require no pattern, crumb quilts and string quilts. I like to make a sunlight and shadows block with strings (narrow strips).

I would love to get your scraps.

I have this tub under my sewing table that small pieces go into. Periodically I go through and cut them into 2 inch pieces. Those go into another basket. I often use them as leaders when I am sewing. I make a quilt without even trying.

My gd loves my sewing room though especially the scrap bin!

We love to see your quilt? Please post a picture for show and tell!