When I was asked to share my good friend Bonnie Hunter's Book 'String Frenzy' during her book tour I said heck yes! I've been sewing strips of extra fabric, strings of fabric, together for many years.
Bonnie has such a wonderful eye for combining scraps into very effective quilts! You will love her book. So let's see what I selected to work on.
** BUY a String Frenzy for 20% off! **
I decided that I have a LOT of neutrals that are just not getting used. Some are pretty big pieces, others are 1/2 a layer cake square, or a part of a fat quarter that was left.
I decided that Bonnie's gorgeous 'Indigo-a-Go-Go' would use up the most lights. She make this quilt to use her African Indygo prints. It really stretched those into a full size quilt with this pattern!
I've been making these type of strip units almost since I started quilting. I did one great big project that was part of a challenge and then toured to different shows a few yrs ago. It's very zen like to sew strips like this, I really love it! Another reason I was drawn to this quilt was the fact that I got to sew these units.
Because I want my strips to stay in the background, I'm using fabrics that read tonal and don't have a lot of other colors in them
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As I had left over strips, I sew units to it to be used in the next strip unit, see below, it is an excellent way to use up leftovers!
I am EXCITED to use that strip of 'An American In Paris', I've had it awhile.
I decided to go with the pinky/red Figtree and the aqua Figtree fabrics. I have quite a bit of each and love them as a combo.
Lay out all the blocks so you like the placement.
Note that the direction of the strips in the aqua blocks. Some are horizontal and some vertical string placement.
This little surprise is why I love doing these type of quilts!
I have the top of my office assistant loaded up with this project. That way I can pull it up next to my Baby lock Solaris!
See how nice my Koala Studio table is, I love that my machine sits flush with the top and I have a comfy Koala chair to sit in.
I've decided the best way to do this is to make these 9-patch blocks.
I'll mix and match the red and aqua in the blocks so that when I set them the Figtree fabrics will be scattered around. And it's more motivating to me to sew these big 9-patch blocks as I go rather than waiting until the end.
The book has 12 quilts and tips of how to use your scraps. I love Bonnie's stories about each quilt too!
This is another of my favorites in her book, the pumpkin patch.. do you have a lot of orange to use up?
And Dawn's Early Light is so gorgeous with red/white & blue.
** BUY yourself String Frenzy, you'll love it! **
GIVEAWAY – Leave me a comment telling me
Do you save scraps?
leave the comment by 6pm April 11.
Winner is Nancy P who said "Yes I save my scraps, but now I have added saving scrap squares – thank you Pat Sloan. After being inspired by you, I now have baskets of 2, 2 1/2, 3 and 4 inch scrap fabric squares."
Book Tour:
- Friday, 4/5: C&T Publishing at ctpub.com/blog
- Saturday, 4/6: Pat Sloan at ilovetomakequilts.com
- Sunday, 4/7: Sandra Clemons at makeitblossomdesigns.com
- Monday, 4/8: Susan Arnold at quiltfabrication.com
- Tuesday, 4/9: Bernie Kringel at needleandfoot.com
- Wednesday, 4/10: Bonnie Hunter at quiltville.blogspot.com
CLICK to read the legal sweepstakes stuff I'm required to tell you.
895 Responses
yes, I save scraps! I hope you share your quilt when finished. I love your color choices.
Do I have scraps? Oh yes…tubs of scraps. Some cut up in blocks, some not. When I get the energy, I sit and cut my scraps into the largest block or strip I can, then when I am insirped I can sit an sew a scrappy quilt without any hassle!
I do save scraps. I haven’t done anything with them yet but love the ideas from String Frenzy. String blocks look like so much fun.
We have made string quilts as you go method for police cars.
Hi Pat. Oh yes, I save scraps! I want to sew them together but lately have stayed so busy making quilts that I haven’t had time. I watch Bonnie on YouTube. Love the new retreat center,Quiltville.
I used to save scraps, but did not know why! Then I saw Bonnie’s page in Quiltmaker and started making these blocks every time I got my magazine. Finally, I got on her FB page, and went from there. I now have many of her books, and get emails from her regularly (as I do from you), and make lots of things using scraps. You and Bonnie are my two favorite quilting teachers. Have learned so much from both of you.
Scraps- YES! Sometimes feel like they are taking over my sewing room. I love the idea of your caddy. My girls use them in college to put the keurig and snacks on. Like it better for my sewing space. So much more organized.
I have scraps, trying to organize them a little better . I do have 1780+ 1 1/2” squares that are going to be joined into a quilt top. I hope to do this on my treadle machine.
Yes, I save my scraps! Need to organize them but it’s hard to keep up as I am always adding more and more! Thanks for your tips and tricks!
Yes, I save scraps in a decorative jar. It adds nice color to my seeing room. I often use them to make mug rugs.
I have started saving scraps for a someday string Quilt I dream of making.
I do save craps. If I see there are going to be a lot of scraps from a project, I save them separately for a coordinating mini quilt or pillow!
I save scraps! They are to expensive to throw away!
I use Bonnie’s scrap system. I love how easy it is to start a project.
Yes, I have several bins of scraps and a lot of 16 patch blocks that need to be assembled into a final quilt. I am looking for my next scrap project.
I wasn’t a scrap girl until I met Bonnie when she came to our guild for a lecture and class…..Now I’ve started her Good Fortune Mystery and took up to collect fabrics for the Pumpkin Patch quilt. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have scraps, I need to start using them.
I have tons of scraps and try to utilize them into every quilt but they multiply fast.
I have lots of scraps and try to use them as often as possible . I love Bonnies work and I love the blocks you have made .
I save scraps of all sizes. I need to spend some time with them!
Yes I save my scraps. I sort them by color, then cut into 2″,2 1/2″, 3″,5″ and 6″ sqs, also into strips 1 1/2 and 2 1/2. Am currently working on using the 2″ sqs using 36 dark inside and 28 light around them to make blocks that will be joined together with a dark sashing. Also using the strips to make mug rugs for our family reunion coming up in June. The smallest pieces go to my sister-in-law who uses them for stuffing for dog beds that go to the local pet shelter. Nothing gets thrown away here.
I love all forms of quilting but feel scrap quilting is my true love. The favorite quilt I’ve made is a scrap quilt. I love saving scraps, I just need to use them more!
I don’t have enough scraps! I could have more scraps though!
I love working with scraps ! There are girls in my guild that bring me bags of their scraps at each guild meeting. I have a pile of neutral string blocks in my sewing room that I sew one every time I get down there. Don’t know what they will be yet, but I’m still making them.
I have tons of scraps and really need to organize them and then USE them! This book would help me to begin that 🙂
I save scraps sorted by size…..and I keep my containers in an unused bathtub behind the shower curtain because I don’t have room in my sewing room!
I do have scraps that are just waiting to me made into one of these quilts! Thanks for the chance to win.
I love saving scraps! I am not very good at keeping them organized. Any scraps that are too small to use are saved for pet bed filler. Our guild just made and delivered 59 pet beds to the local shelter! We NEVER waste scraps!!
Do I ever save scraps! I have worked a little at using them but I need to spend A LOT more time making projects with these scraps to get them out of the way… Then I can save more! This looks like a great book!
I have tons of scraps. I need to organize them. Thinking now that I need to do squares, strips and odds & ends in3 different containers.
I do save my scraps. I recently took a class from Kevin the Quilter who loves Bonnie Hunter quilts. He has some new patterns of his own using the string method.
I love making scrap quilts and save all my scraps, even the tiniest pieces can be used in appliques.
Love all of Bonnie Hunter Designs! Once you go scrappy, you never go back!
I love scraps and made a Christmas string quilt with some of my scraps.
Love scraps
I need to stop hoarding!
I have started saving scraps. I have been thinking they would be good for purses and totes as well
Yes, I save scraps and I have a lot of them! I hate to throw away pretty fabrics. I’m always looking for new patterns.
Yo también guardo los “scraps”, aunque no tengo tantos… Los voy recortando en forma de cuadrados, triángulos o tiras para irlos uniendo de vez en cuando. Abrazos
I love scraps and save even the tiniest piece of fabric!
Bonnie’s quilts are beautiful and I enjoy seeing and hearing about her vintage sewing machines she sews on. She got me started in in collecting vintage sewing machines and one day I hope to make one of her beautiful quilts with the scrapes I save!
I save all. my scraps – and other people’s too! I’ve even started saving the selvedge to do something with. I want to make a few string quilts one day – particularly one where the strips are on the diagonal, and the middle diagonal strip is white. I’ve found that small scraps can be used I. The 365 challenge – and also in your Splendid Sampler Quilts!
I love string quilts. That is the way I use up almost all of my scraps in my fabric boxes.
Yes I save all my scraps and they are finally getting used! I used some in the Lori Holt Farm Sweet Farm quilt I am making. It was fun to search through and use them in the 5 inch farmer’s daughter blocks. I want to make the Dawn’s Early Light quilt. Just love the patterns in this book! K-
Yes! I have my fabrics sorted by color and even buy fabric to feed into the stash! Most scraps are eventually cut into scrap user sizes.
I have my scraps and my mother’s scraps and love Bonnie’s challenges. I’d love to make more of her designs!
I do save most of my scraps. I am looking forward to following the String Frenzy hop and getting lots if inspiration to use those scraps.
I am a “scrap-o-holic” I don’t want to be reformed:)
I do save scraps & have just started using them.
I love scraps. I am actually doing my splendid samplers (1 and 2) using only scraps.
I have always loved scraps. I watched my GRANDPA make quilts for us grands with scraps of all flavors. Guess I’m a scrappy girl at heart!