This is weird....but I actually go out and buy fabric for a scrappy quilt! Just how crazy is that?

The only time I use uncontrolled scraps is with a string quilt. It just seems everything goes, but for all else I like to control my selections......

Depends on the mood. Sometimes, random colors, other times I plan the design.

I tend to be more of a controlled scrappy quilter now. When I first started quilting, everything had to match, be a certain colorways, certain fabrics, etc. I find that I'm now more interested in doing more scrappy projects than I used to be.

I'm a totally grab and go scrappy person. When it's all done, it's fun and vibrant and, oddly enough, goes well.

I haven't learned to make anything scrappy yet. The coordinating of color types, etc. just isn't there. So, I guess I am a controlled scrap person...

Put me in the controlled scrappy group. I am a lover of anything bonnie Hunter, but I tone my things down. I did Bonnies Ocean Waves and made a box full of 1/2 square triangles - little ones. I love how triangulations does 1/2 squares, but I would end up with too many alike so I cut the papers in thirds. I've got enough to do another quilt one of these days.

I've done it both ways. I just made sure that I didn't use the same color too close to its twin. I never liked scrappy in the past till I tried one of Bonnie Hunter's pattern.........Pineapple Blossom. I fell in love with scrappy ever since. Made the totally scrappy one 1st then a controlled scrappy later. Love them both. My avatar is the controlled scrappy in reds, blacks, silver and white.

I use a controlled scrappy approach. I can't handle the idea of grabbing a scrap from a bag and using it regardless of how it looks. I use scraps often, but I choose them. Sometimes I even put them on my design wall. Scrappy can be beautiful.

I guess I'm a control freak. When using many different fabrics I like to at least see some kind of order.

Folks often think of a scrappy quilt as random, when in practice they actually require a lot of thought and placement! I like to make scrappy blocks and try not to think about the whole top until I have made a bunch of the blocks. When putting them on my design wall it becomes pretty clear if one of the blocks should wait for the next top and if a particular color needs more play. Then I only have to stress over a couple color blocks to fill out the top. And I always have a couple blocks waiting for the next project. As I have mentioned before, I keep my orphan blocks in stacked pizza boxes. The cardboard is great for preventing any moisture problems (from handling) and I can write on the outside what is in it - and they are free from my local pizza place!

This is the most fun, most freeing and one of my very favorites. I did no matching, I just sewed pieces together and then cut them into 6.5 squares. [ATTACH=CONFIG]551237[/ATTACH]I call it "When life gives you scraps." Some of the squares looked like vomit they were so ugly...but I love them all put together. Hopefully you can see the quilting.

I have made a few scrappy quilts and what I have learned from them is that the more different scraps used the better.
If I use only a few different scraps I end up with color blocks instead of a scrappy look. The more the merrier.

You have to stand back and look at the quilt as it grows. Some colors may not look good right next to each other but if you separate the " offenders" by at least three places they become good friends.

Try taking fifteen 3" squares picked randomly out of a bag. Line them up with no space in between them and in no particular order. Now re arrange them into 4 patches so that most of them look nice next to each other. peach and green look great next to each other, teal and orange, purple and anything, just play with them and they will each find a good friend to live next to. In a whole scrappy quilt they all blend together

Remember the whole of what you are doing. A scrappy quilt almost never looks good with only a few blocks done. The more you add to it the better they get.

If you are making a small wall hanging build many small blocks instead of a few larger ones. Anything goes in a large quilt.

Scrappy quilts are a lot like stew, it's only good after all the ingredients are added.

Play with your scraps!
peace

This is an awesome example of how every "odd" (meant in a good way) piece of fabric works great with all its odd friends. A great scrappy quilt.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]551239[/ATTACH]Scrappy no control.. ; )

I normally do controlled scrappy quilts but here and there I just grab and go.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]551240[/ATTACH]
just the white strip in the middle was planned. I like no controlled quilts when I do tumblers, strip quilts and postage stamp quilts...great way to empty my scrap bucket.

AZ Jane, that quilt is beautiful!!

As for the question, I'm a controller, usually basing the scraps on a colorway in a multicolor print I like, and then I try to use that print in each block if the pattern lends itself to that.

I've done the other way on baby doll quilts, and it was okay, but not my favorite.

It depends on the project...but I still think I lean more to controlled scrappy, especially if I need to have contrast of color to define a pattern or (like Rob explained) if I need to keep color values in mind.

I control my scrappy by adding neutrals. I have found that any color works together, if it's small enough and neutral is placed in some order. Value makes a lot of difference in patterned quilts, more than color.

Have some type of overall theme to unify the project. It could be the color, such as blue. It could also be the kind of fabric, such as flannel or reproduction. I wouldn't mix together too many unrelated colors or prints.

That is one awesome scrappy quilt. Yep, I am a true scrappy quilter. Reminds me of some of my Aunt's quilts I have, years ago when I first received them, I thought some of the blocks were so ugly. Now I appreciate them more than ever. I don't think they controlled anything, everything was fair game. Love it.

I try to use the concept: light and medium fabrics. light and dark, medium and a red for zing

Wonderful quilt. You may not have matched the fabrics--but you did "control" the design by using uniform 6.5 inch blocks. I made one using 8.5 inch blocks and was pleased with the results. Another way to "control" the quilt, is to use any scraps but with one neutral throughout--like a beige or white background.

I try not to be a controlled scrapper, but I am. I do like the final results.

I am a total random scrap quilter. I tried to be controlled but I would end up with same fabrics together. Then I decided life was too short and scraps multiply when left alone to be worried about controlling where the fabrics landed. I consider these my "mindless sewing" quilts. Kids love to have these quilts to snuggle under.

Ima controlled scrappy. light neutrals, whites, pinks and reds, blues (lightf and dark) blacks, purples, yellows and oranges. greens and browns. "Smallest size is 2 1/2" square. I don't separate sizes much but strips are atleast the width of my thumb length to first knuckle. Easier to measure next to your fingers.

i just grab and sew mine have always been happy with way they turn out!!

Depends on the project. I grab and sew on blocks with smaller pieces and tend to go more controlled on those with larger pieces.... but not always :-)

This is my first scrappy ever. I haven't purchased anything for it and it probably looks like I need Prozac but I like it. It isn't finished yet but I can tell this won't be my last (throw anything in the salad)scrappy.

Marilyn
You quilt is beautiful this is giving me some ideas as to what to do with my scraps
Janet h

You inspired me to use a bunch of my scraps to make a quilt like this!

i have several tumblers and used the 5" one to make my first one. Now I REALLY want to use up scraps so I will make one with the BIG tumbler!

thanks for this great idea.

Very little control here--I try not to put the same fabric pieces too close together (however, it always happens--even if I use a bazillion fabrics!), I pay attention to value contrast so everything gets to show off, and with string quilts I mix up widths. I often put things that clash together deliberately--I remember reading that the sweetest of perfumes have an elusive, background rancid note which adds to the scent--clashing, if not overdone, adds sparkle!

I rarely do a controlled scrappy. My favorite scrappies are random. The secret to making anything work together is separating lights and darks. The more contrast the prettier the quilt. I, personally don't worry about the prints themselves. The only thing I watch is that I don't add any gold etched fabrics. I just don't like the look. Reminds me of wearing tennis shoes with an evening gown! LOL. But other than that, I use whatever comes out of my scrap bin. I mix fruit fabrics, dots, stripes, florals, and even fabric with words. I don't care if they are pastel or bright as long as there is a mix of both throughout the quilt. My only 'rule' to myself is that I need to use an almost equal amount of lights and darks and lots of mediums, and the more colors the better.

I would have an overall color or theme. Something has to tie it together.

Even with a scrappy quilt, I gather scraps that seem pleasing together first. Then I do a controlled scrappy process during piecing so that I like the color placement within the overall design.