Scrappy Quilts
 

I would like to make a scrappy brick flannel quilt. My problem is how do I let myself let go and not want it to be so organized. I have never been able to make a scrappy quilt because I always want things to match. Help!!!

I am in the same boat as you are. I love looking at all the beautiful scrappy quilts, but every time I try I feel so tense and can't breathe...lol.......................and I go back to a different pattern :-)

I am thinking to try at least semi-scrappy with bunch of different fabrics, but same color tone, to make it easier. You might want to give that a try.

Charming, I have gotten it down to a color tone, but when I get ready to sew them I don't like fabric a next to fabric d, etc. Yet, when I see scrappy quilts done by others, I love them! I am afraid my being able to make a scrappy quilt is out of my element and I love them sew much.

Just because it's scrappy doesn't mean "helter skelter"... You can do 'controlled' scrappy, choosing which fabrics you want, where. "Scrappy" just means lots and lots of different fabrics. It's up to you what you choose and where you put it. Some people do just pull bits randomly out of a bag and sew them together in that order, but that is only one type of "scrappy".

The best lesson I had in scrappiness was from the book, "Color from the Heart" by Gai Perry. One of the projects was to cut 100 2" squares, put them in a bag, then pull them out one at a time and lay them out to make a postage stamp block. What was helpful was that you were allowed to move a few pieces, if it helped the layout. And – if the whole thing left you cold, you could put the squares back in the bag and start over.

What I learned was that some fabrics looked better together than I ever would have thought. I learned that moving one or two squares could make a difference, but it wasn't necessary to micromanage each square. And I did end up tossing the squares back in the bag and starting over once – the second time things looked much better. Best of all, it was no stress. It was just one little project. It really helped me let go (to a degree) of the need for controlled scrappiness. I ended up making a pillow out of the block.

It was a fun project, I highly recommend it!

Wilferg, I have that book and I did that same project when I first started quilting. I still didn't know how to sew a consistent seam, so the tiny quilt had major problems. I had very little stash, and it was poor quality. When the quilt was done I thought it was hideous, but now I think it's not so bad (except for the sewing quality). I've learned over the years to appreciate more color combinations, and now scrappy is my favorite type of quilt.

I think the secret to making a truly helter-skelter scrappy quilt is to not stress over whether one fabric "goes with" another. When they're all together, they will get along. If you look at just two together, they will fight. Make a deal with yourself that you're going to make "just one" quilt without thinking about whether two fabrics belong together, and pay attention only to value (if that's a part of your design). (And don't stress about whether a fabric is light or dark - if it's not obvious which one it is, then it can be used in either place, as long as most of the fabrics fall into the definitely dark or definitely light categories.)

I like "controlled scrappy" where I use one color in tons of different tones, prints, patterns, etc. Another way is to cut it out, lay it out on the floor or design wall, take a step back and see if you like it. I also like to do scrappy quilts that are all pastels or all primary colors or batiks. You get the idea. I don't like to mix everything together. Just have fun with it. If you hate it, donate it and learn from what worked and what didn't.

I did a brick quilt where I sorted the fabrics into light and dark, and further into blue/green, brown/black. Then I alternated those, making a diagonal pattern on the quilt.

just put them in a bag and pull out, you don't like it, change it.

I used to be in the same boat of not being able to sew scrappy quilts I liked, but I started doing controlled scrappy because most I make are for cancer patients and buying coordinating fabric got expensive. Here is one that I so love making. Size is 41 x 61. Directions are on b-quilts.com/blog. I made this from one that a friend made, wrote limited instructions and Marjorie at b-quilts posted the instructions on her blog.

Brown bag it.. cut variety of sqs- put in two bags ,. pull one from each and sew..only exception is the same exact fabric- but if you cut up scraps its pretty rare to pull the same exact two... dont think.. just sew.. put in a movie and just sew.. this is leaders and enders.. 2x2 sqs..

[ATTACH=CONFIG]457724[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]457726[/ATTACH]

more leaders and enders 2x2..

gigigray-Wow I really like this. Are the blocks 2 1/2" square and 2 1/2 x 5"blocks? This looks like something I could do.

luvTooQuilt, yours are also super. Thanks for sharing.

BrendaK

You can try "controlled" scrappy. Instead of one red (blue, whatever) put in 12 or 25! I love fabric - all of it & think more is better. If you keep the "feel" the same -like modern or repro or whatever - it will all work. Scrappy doesn't & shouldn't mean kitchen sink. Good luck

I love scrap quilts. I just finished four of the same quilts for my staff, and just started eight for nieces, and nephews. I am now picking strips out of a container, and adding on as I go. It is very fast, and since I work long hours, it doesn't take thought to do it. I also have been in swaps for squares to make postage stamp quilts. I am lucky that some of the board members shared some of the most wonderful fabric scraps.. Yes, I am grateful...

This is a great way to look at the light/dark issue. Very liberating! Thank you!

I suggest you go to www.Quiltville.com, which is Bonnie Hunter' s website. Lots of scrappy fun and ideas over there.

I like you, want everything in order. I started my "freedom" quilting by making 3 crazy quilts for my grandkids, but I still was very aware of matching colors next to each other, etc. I then made a 3" charm quilt. After cutting my squares, I threw the blocks in the dryer on air and let them mix. then I put them in a bag, and took them out without looking. I was able to "let go' this way and it actually turned out very nice. If I could ever figure out how to post pics, I would.

I recently made a scrappy string quilt for my grandson. Didn't think I would like it at first (I was using all my scrap pieces) but when I had it completed, I loved it. So does my grandson.

Love scrappy quilts!
The 1st one I made had only one common theme. Black fabric in the middle strip. At first it was hard to just grab a piece of fabric and sew. But you know what? Turned out to be fun!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]457804[/ATTACH]

I am making one now with a red strip down the middle and dark, light, dark, light pieces down one side and light, dark, light, dark down the other, sort of a crazy looking Log Cabin design. All the side pieces are black prints and white prints. Looks like it will be a real barn burner. I also have a nice black/red/white floral border print that will go around as the final border.

I agree with ALL the quilters who have posted on this thread. I tried the pulling out the bag and it didn't work for me. What works for me is using a design wall, laying out the fabric moving it around until I am happy with the balance. Then I carefully stitch it. If I don't like it, I keep trying a different mixture until I am satisfied. Working on this African Safari quilt.

I am a scrappy girl thru and thru. I could never do a 2-3 fabric quilt. I shudder at the thought.
My first scrappy was a log cabin and I had to pay attention to light, medium. and dark values so much that I forgot to worry about if a color went together. Even today I will see two colors that I can't abide next to each other and I have to change, but I found out, even if I change it I will invariably put these two colors together anyway, somehow. So, I really don't worry about it. I just finished a spool quilt (Bonnie Hunter's leader/ender challenge for last year.) I made over 1,000 3 1/2" spool blocks and everyone was different. It's on my long arm now and I love it. Bonnie just finished her mystery quilt and what I like about her patterns is the controlled scrappiness of them. I didn't use her color palette but chose my own and used bunches of different fabric within that color palette. Give yourself a chance to create your own special scrappy style.
I do respectfully disagree with the poster who said scrappy was not intended to be and shouldn't be kitchen sink. That is exactly what scrappy started from. The farm wives used feed sacks, old clothes, and such, anything they had handy. We are lucky enough we can be a bit more selective now. I also disagree about using only certain "styles" of fabric. I don't have many of the more modern styles, but everything I have, if it's in the color range I'm looking for in it goes. I sprinkle batiks in with the civil wars, with the 30', anything goes in fabric choice. Bonnie Hunter says about ugly fabric. "If it's still ugly you haven't cut it small enough". She is so right. So, think twice before not using what you think of as ugly. The ugliest fabric I've ever owned (don't know where it came from) was on the cover of a book. I laughed so hard at that.
What have you got to lose? Give yourself permission to really go crazy and mix like mad. If you don't like it, donate it, someone will love it.

what is the worst that can happen? you like the results or you don't. either will be a learning experience. the quilt is not going to attack you, eat your house or burn your supper. so, just do a small quilt.

As others have said, try controlled scrappy. I am making one of Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Trip Around the World quilts. I started with a fat 1/8th pack and added more from my stash. I am also using the same fabric in all blocks for the center diagonal. It only has about 15 fabrics, and some are of the "ugly" variety or a bigger print that makes the small squares have more variety and the look is a very scrappy quilt. Will post a pic in a new thread when I get it together.

Love that quilt GIGI

I love scrappy quilts. Just go for it you will be surprised how good it looks.

Our guild used to make scrappy log cabins for charity quilts.. We had one stack of lights and one stack of darks. You were not allowed to match up colors.. You would be amazed at how pretty they come out.. I think the most important thing is to make sure they are true darks.. not medium colors. If you are not sure get a red cellophane and look thru it, it will help you distinguish the darks and meds. I had a cousin that would try to match up colors,, I had to stand over her and make her take one dark and one light just randomly...when it was completed she would be amazed... Just expand your boundaries, by not being so restrictive.... Good luck

I love a super random crazy/scrappy quilt! I don't have the least bit of trouble making them - I really LIKE it when I end up with a couple of colors next to each other that I wouldn't normally choose...I just roll with it and so far zero regrets. In fact I think my taste in color has broadened considerably since I started quilting.

I keep a scrap bin going and when it's too full to close I know it's time to make a crazy quilt or two. I do foundation-pieced 12" blocks on muslin and it's so much fun to just grab stuff and stitch it down however it'll fit. I pay zero attention to color, value, pattern or style EXCEPT I try to never put two matching pieces together. Those end up being some of my favorite quilts! So much to look at, and of course all the little bits and pieces remind me of the quilts they came from in the first place. Spare/failed blocks make it into these quilts too.

Plus, crazy quilts are great for practicing FMQ - all the crazy shapes and colors really hide a lot of boo-boos. LOL

Two of my quilt teachers said to throw all colors of like-sized pieces into a paper bag and pick them out one at a time and sew them together and don't worry about color matching. It works and makes for an interesting quilt.

I had the same feeling about scrappy quilts, love to look at them but when it came to make one for myself.........just couldn't. Too much a control freak so I tried making a controlled scrappy quilt.............using only 1-2 colors of various fabrics. Worked for me and now I can let go when I go really scrappy. Have made 3 controlled scrappy and 3 totally wild scrappy quilts so far.

I'm the paper bag method also; otherwise I get so bogged down on fabric placement that I don't get anything done.

It took me several years before I could make a "traditional scrappy" quilt, so I can understand your reluctance. However, you could make "controlled" scrappy quilts where you pick from one color range or limit it to "X" number of fabrics. Unless you are making a charm quilt where each fabric piece is different, scrappy can mean anything from 5-10-20 or more scraps - you pick. Just let yourself go, maybe making a baby quilt first - it gets easier with time.

The only way I could do a scrappy quilt, because I have the same problem as you, I would get a pair of those glasses with red lenses (the red cancels the color, so you are just working with what appears to be shades of red, so you can just grab what you like!) they make for color selection, and wear them to work on the quilt! Here are some not too expensive ones to get you started.

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page...ense%20glasses

The way I avoid duplicate fabrics is to put different fabrics in each bag, that way there is no chance you will grab the same ones from each bag. I too, like the 2 bag way. Or even 3 bags if I'm doing dark, light and medium.

Just let go and let the material do the work instead of you.

Years ago the late Mary Ellen Hopkins taught a scrappy quilt class not only was it fun but all the quilts looked really nice and wha t she did was use 2 brown paper bags and every brought strips light and dark light went in one bag dark in another we drew one from each bag and had to sew them together when one person tried to peek she got blind folded needless to say lots of fun some neat quilt tops and took away the fear of picky picky try it for fun with a friend or 2 if possible

Google scrap vomit. Very scrappy ,still with a design . That one is on my ever growing list

I too have a hard time going scrappy. I did one of the mystery train ride quilts here on the board. I just threw the strips in a box and pulled them out. It nearly made me crazy some of the strips I sewed together but it came out gorgeous. SOme of the colors I sewed next to each other nearly burned my eyes, but I did it anyway. The only time I threw a strip back was when I pulled out 2 of the same strips in a row. I think it was good therapy for me because now I find it easier to do.

Hi LuvTooQuilt, just love your ideas.I have long wanted to go 'scrappy'Those that wrote in were so encouraging I thought ''Goodness what have you to lose, relax and go for it'' Thank you all. Love Letty