What to do with bonus squares?
 

I just finished a project where I got a bunch of leftover or "bonus" HST. I've got about 100 -120 of them all about 4 inches. I've got a more than a hundred (haven't counted them all yet) that are about 2.5 inches. What should I do with them? Do I keep them and eventually trim them all down and square them up and sew together? Don't square them up but sew them together anyway to get the pieces off my table? Put them in a zip lock bag and forget I have them? I love the colors in the fabric and wouldn't mind making something for me with them. But I just don't know where to begin.

Sounds like you're ready for a scrappy quilt with a variety of blocks. Do you like making pinwheels with hst's? If nothing else, keep them for a while until you have more bonus squares ... or orphan blocks. I look forward to seeing what you do with them.

If all else fails, there's someone out there that would like to make use of them.

I always use my extras for pillows-either make some decorative throw pillows or use those hst's as the cuff of some pillowcases.

I made a wallhanging with leftover HSTs and added some applique.

Combine them...use the larger ones in the center and the smaller ones around the edges. Very modern.

Sounds like you have enough to make a baby quilt - larger pinwheels in the center, smaller ones outside, with perhaps a separating border. Then you just have to wait until someone gets pregnant ;o)

I would sew them together in scrappy pinwheels and put them on the back in a tall column.

I just finished Judy Martins Shakespeare in the Park and I ended up with a million left-over triangles. I must have cut the fabric wrong. I was going to use them in the back but nixed the idea and sent it off to be quilted.
Thanks for the ideas.

I think they fall into importance if you are a scrappy quilter, if not they night become a burden?
put them in a bag and send them to me :)

Here are some used in one of Grand Illusion wall quilts, I turned them into small three part units
and 1/2 half square triangles. Not sure that to call them, 2 bonus triangles with short sides stitched together.

the red quilt I titled Dementia, my mother was with me, with advanced dementia when I made these, working with scraps was about as far as my concentration went :) I stitched two bonus triangles together, then another two, then sewed them into a 4 piece unit. then added red strings.

the pink one is 40X40 the red one is queen sized

WOW, Love your scrappies and the red quilt really speaks to me. Did you have a pattern?
Very nice job and thanks for sharing. Karen

kalamaquilts - those two quilts are awesome!

All these are so nice!

I am using my orphan blocks and extra units in my gypsy wife quilt. I am just cutting them down or boardering them to get them the right size to fit. It’s fun to recall which quilt they went in or which class I made them in. Besides, it’s helping me get it done faster!

It sounds like you have enough to make another quilt. There are tons if ideas of how to arrange HSTs into different patterns. Google Half Square Triangle Quilts and look at the images.

thank you for the compliments. No pattern for either, I just played with bits on my working wall.
I love that red one, I'm always extra happy when its turn comes around again. The back is a scrappy too.

Something else I've done with bonus triangles is use them stitched on the corner of sashing or blocks. Set the triangle on the corner, stitch it down (on top of the unit) about 1/4" from the edge. These make little mildly raggedy corners.

this is hard to see because the quilt wasn't washed yet, but on the blue triangle you can see where it is stitched down. Trim off what is behind the triangle

now that I look at it, those pink and brown 1/2 square triangles that make the center of the blocks were bonus triangles, from a gifted scraps box. She owned a quilt shop so could afford to start fresh each quilt ;) the sashing and small blocks are from 1.5" scraps

I usually go with the zip lock bag and forget them. And later donate them. On the off chance I were to do more, I would cut white Or contrasting) 1/2 square triangles, attach the leftovers to them, and then sew them together. It would make a nice table topper, or pieced backing, potholders, doll quilts, bags, whatever.

I usually go with the zip lock bag and forget them. And later donate them. On the off chance I were to do more, I would cut white or contrasting) 1/2 square triangles, attach the leftovers to them, and then sew them together. It would make a nice table topper, or pieced backing, potholders, doll quilts, bags, whatever. Sometimes it's just nice to do a smaller project. Makes me feel I accomplished something!

And you already have been given lots of good suggestions.

I always cut extra 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 inch squares and save them. Sometimes I use them to make potholders, coasters, etc. Sometimes I just play with them to see what I can do. I have come up with some amazing items and someone will really like it, guess what -- I give it to them. They are happy and I have had fun. Sewing scrappy is fun, once you learn to let go and JUST DO T!! I have friend who made a quilt last year using 1,560 different 2 1/2 inch squares. Someone will always be happy to take them off your hands.

That was not mine, but I've saved it to encourage me to make something similar. It would make a wonderful baby quilt. I'm thinking I might bring a lot of my hst's to iron on my vacation!

Go to Pinterest or Google and put in half square triangle quilts. There are tons of ways to put them together. You should have enough for a lap quilt or a baby quilt. Donate it to a local shelter or nursing home. We also give baby quilts to a local pregnancy center.

If you are a pet lover, use some to quickly put together small "kennel quilts" for your local animal shelter. A typical size is 12 by 18. Put in extra batting for a comfy bed.

I would use bonus squares for creating artistic backings. I would not attempt to use them all at once into one backing but into more backings combined with large pieces of leftover fabric. It's more fun that way!

Walker bags, tote bags, potholders, table runners, throw pillows, coasters, toaster covers, checkbook covers, makeup bags, wall hangings, tissue box covers, baskets, tablet cases, pocket organizers, baby quilts, placemats, candle mats.

Sew many ideas for leftovers..here's some of mine

Leftover HST inspired the color way of this quilt I made for GD#5
https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...s-t283892.html

All the triangle blocks in these quilts were leftovers
https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...e-t274819.html

Two of these quilts have leftover HST's
https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...s-t232341.html

And another little one..
https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...g-t174812.html

mine are saved in a small shoebox. Eventually, I pair them with a white, and use them in a scrappy. Can't bear to throw out perfectly cut triangles...they can be so pesky to cut and they add such pizzazz to a quilt block.

Really???? Surely you didn't!!lol

I make table runners and hot pads with some. I have made sampler quilt tops with some. Bags and tot bags also.

Bonnie Hunter's site called Quiltville has lots of free patterns for scrappy quilts, many of which use half sq. triangles.

Tablerinners.and placemats or mug rugs or a baby qiilt
Or pass them on

.

Pillows and also use the extra blocks on my quilt backing.