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
Article continues below this Ad
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
I do my best to take Bonnie’s advice to organize and use my scraps, and it pays off. I have several quilts made with her designs.
I just stared cutting up my scraps using Bonnie’s system and making my very first scrap quilt it is so relaxing just sewing my 9 patch blocks together.
Yes, I have scraps!
I do save scraps and use Bonnie Hunter’s scrapsavers method but as of yet I haven’t made a strip quilt
I save scraps for sure. I try to organize for piecing and applique. I use Many of Bonnie’s techniques for organizing scraps.
I keep my scraps in shoe boxes and try to use them up as they fill up the box.
I love using my scraps. You can make some fun quilting projects with your scraps.
I ha I have been making Bonnie’s quilts for a few years and now am to the point where I don’t plan them out as much and are getting pretty much just scrappy.
I have bins and bins of scraps and I love dipping into the hins to find that perfect piece of fabric that fits into whatever I’m working with.
Of course I save my scraps! I need to start sorting the 2.5 strips by color as I have so many of them. Then, they can be easily grabbed and incorporated into my scrapy quilts.
Do I save scraps? Yes, nearly every one! Only something that’s less than 1″ might go in the trash!
Yes, I save scraps. I also use them – but the pieces in my scrap bins seem to multiply faster than I can get them used!
Do I save scraps? Oh my! So many after all these years. Occasionally, I buy a “new” piece to ‘stir’ things up a bit. The more scraps I use, the more scraps I have, it seems. But it’s a good thing.
I do save scraps, but I do not have any strings! I need some for this book, LOL I think I will dig out larger pieces of fabric that I am just storing and cut it up!
I love Bonnie Hunter and her quilts so, of course, I save my scraps!
I have been quilting for almost 30 years NdhVe always saved my left over fabrics. One of my resolves for the new year was to bring some kind of order to my stash. It has taken me several weeks to make a dent and I’m now trying to get all my scraps cut into a Bonnie’s scrap saver system. Looking for ideas in using them all up. String Frenzy is just the thing I need.
I save anything larger than 1″. Been making “tiny houses” pinwheels and 4 patches. One day I’ll have enough for an entire quilt. Love Bonnie’s scrappy desgns.
I love Bonnie’s style. She has made me a scapaholic!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win her book.
I am definitely one to keep the small stuff (sometimes sweating could be involved in keeping my scrap photo boxes from bursting at the seams,lol).
I have lots of scraps. Keeps multiplying mysteriously
I have made scrap quilts and they make more scraps!! I estimate that I have 30 yards of scraps. Oh my goodness, times that by $10 a hard and that is a pretty penny! Yes, use it up.
I have what might be called a love / hate relationship with scraps..
I save all kinds of scraps, even itt, bitty pieces. Don’t always know what to do with them, but can’t bear to throw away the pretty pieces!
I have so many scraps, and I love them! I am going to attempt to sort them by color over the summer, so I can use them up..
I save all scraps down to strings and crumbs and I love using them all.
I save lots of scraps and cut them into various size squares and strips. They are all ready when an exciting new scrappy project comes along. I even liol for fabric scraps at garage sales to add variety to my scraps.
I’ve made many scrap quilts using 2 /2 inch squares including your quilts, Traffic Jam and I Remember. I haven’t made a dent in my scraps! I haven’t tried a Bonnie Hunter pattern yet but am anxious to do so.
Lots of scraps here too! Thanks 4 the giveaway!
Yes, I save scraps. I’ve even saved a few phone books to use the pages as foundation like Bonnie Hunter does. One of these days I’ll get busy and make another scrap quilt.
Yes! I save scraps! I have lots of ideas to use up scraps. I love your colors in your scrap quilt.
Oh Amy Hosh! I save and use up scraps like crazy! Making little for most anything possible. Right now it is mini quilts, mug rugs, pot holders and mini pin cushions. I mostly give them away. And all those stringy trimmings are dumped into a like can by my table to be stuffed into to pinnie cushions. I may be making some ornaments next with a basket of scraps I created.
I save and use all my scraps. I have them sorted by size and color.
I absolutely save scraps. squares strips. I buy remnant pieces at Joanns and make scrap quilts all the time. Love it.
Yes!! I save all my scraps!! They are stuffed everywhere in my sewing room.
I could really use Bonnie’s book to bust up this stash of craps!!
Yes I save my scraps! But they are just leftovers awaiting their turn. Looking forward to accumulating enough orange so I can make the Pumpkin Patch.
I cut my scraps into Bonnie’s scrap saver system and use lots of them in quilts.
I am making a Bonnie Hunter quilt. Love her patterns Also love your patterns and fabric.
I am a scrapaholic! I want to make all of Bonnie’s quilts and probably could :-))
I save my scraps and have begun cutting them into different sized strips. I have them sorted by color and enjoy being able to grab a strip that is already cut.
I love using scraps, now that I have learned how to use them. When you sew with scraps they always multiply. Sometimes i am surprised at how much.
Definitely a Bonniac – almost all my quilts are to her patterns now.
I use scraps, but not quicker than they pile up.
Yes, I do!
Of course I save scraps! What a silly question!
I save my own scraps and other people’s using Bonnie’s scrap saver system. Normally, pieces under 1.5 inches are thrown out but pincushions are my most recent addiction.
I love to use scraps! What I don’t understand is that even though I use a LOT of them, the pile keeps growing!
I do save my scraps and have way too many. I also save my salvages and they are piling up too – help!😖
I’ve been using Bonnie Hunter’s scrap user system several years; however, saving scraps for string quilts is new to me.
Oh yes! I have scraps! I’m making a string spider web at the moment but I think the scraps grow at night while I’m sleeping!
I have more scraps than I do yardage!!!