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
I have scraps and they are sorted by size in bins.
I save all my scraps and use Bonnie’s scrap system immediately after finishing a project so they are ready to go whenever I need them.
I’m saving them, but I only have them divided by Christmas and Everything Else. This book might be my solution to “what am I going to do with all of this”?!
love Bonnie and make lots of scraps quilts
Absolutely love Bonnie Hunter and her Scrapilicious Quilts!
I made a quilt for my mom using all the blue scraps in my stash. Mom loved the Florida and she said it make her feel cradled in the beautiful blue Gulf of Mexico when she was under it. Mom has since passed and her quilt is now with me. I think of her every time I use it.
Yes I save all my scraps, even my T-shirt scraps from my T-shirt quilts. Those scraps come in handy for various things. My grand ones are small and I’m teaching them to sew pieces of fabric together so I’ll grab a small scrap of fabric for them to practice on. My scraps are my favorite items in my sewing room. My project are what I work on but my scraps are what I create and teach with. Love my scraps.
Yes, I have years of saved scraps and little motivation to use some of the not so pretty ones..
Love Bonnie’s quilts and her scrap system is the best for making use of my scraps
Not only do I save scraps, I save selvage edges too! I’ve made pet beds and comfort quilts with these leftovers.
Thank you
I absolutely save scraps–and I need to start using them!!!
I have lots of scraps. I even bought 33 pounds of scraps at a garage sale a couple years ago. Have been trying to get them sorted and corralled.
I save all the scraps. You never know when you will need them.
I just started quilting but I’ve kept all my scraps. I figure when I get more practice I’ll know what to do with them and I’ll have enough to make a great quilt.
Yes I have scraps. I use the pieces that are too small for quilting to make dog and cat beds for the local veterinary and animal shelter.
I keep all my scraps; some I use in appliqué others, I now plan to use in single colour scrappy quilts like the ones you have shown on you blog. Thank you Pat for constantly keeping my creativity fired up.
I save all my scraps and try and use them in any project I can.
I always save my scraps. Who can throw away all the pretty colors? I don’t use my scraps but have found several creative places in my town where I can donate them.
Oh yes, I save scraps. It’s hard to throw out leftovers from fabric I love but they usually do have to be at least 2″ to save.
I have lots and lots of scraps. Oftentimes, I strip piece them together and trim to desired size block.
Do do I save scraps?! Every piece of fabric I have is practically a scrap. I save the tiniest scraps to make wreaths for my door. I save my fabric scraps as hair ties or bows for presents. I use scraps to make pineapple quilts, string quilts, scrap quilts. I love scraps. I take other peoples scraps that they don’t want.
Yes, I save scraps. Frequently, I use them for small applique. But my scraps are becoming overwhelming.
I do save my scraps. I cut as small as 1 1/2” squares. I tend to leave them until I can’t get a 2” square though because I’m working on a “Farmer’s Wife” quilt with 6” finished blocks. I feel thrifty when I use my scraps.
I save 2.5 inches and above . Have so many projects and spent one whole day just organizing scraps by sizes . Would like to try this string quilt
I love scraps! Mine are sorted by colour in boxes, and some are cut on my Sissix into various sizes of squares and also sorted by colour. . Well, some of them anyhow! And If they are smaller than 2 1/2” I give them to a friend.
Yes I save all my scraps. Realized I don’t have many
neutrals, wish I had your stash!
Yes I do! I am working on cutting, sorting, etc for easy use!
I definitely save scraps….need to put them in some semblance of order though. They just hang out in a basket all together right now.
I am scrap RICH! I have lots of scraps! I try to use them whenever possible.
I have lots of scraps and have made scrappy quilts but none as organized as these. It’s surprising how beautiful they turn out.
I have tons and tons of scraps.
I have a great variety of scraps and yardage.
I save my scraps but I haven’t been quilting long enough to have a very large supply. But, I am working on it!
Yes I save scraps. Right now I am piecing strips on 6 1/2 in. old pattern papers. Hope to have enough done for a quilt by the end of the year. lol
Oh my yes. Awhile back you posted on how to cut up your scraps in 2”, 2.5”, 3”, etc. pieces. I did that for awhile then started saving strips thinking when a pattern comes along I’ll make a strip quilt. Lol
Yes! I do scrap quilts! I just this morning finished bonnie’s Good fortune! Next I have to quilt your Take the Roundabout! Thank you!!
I have saved scraps and started to make string blocks and postage stamp quilt blocks. Very addicting.
I have so many scraps, just need to get more organized so I can use them better. Bonnie Hunter is a great stirring my juices to do so. I am loving your blocks of the week too. So many ideas, not enough time.
Yes I save scraps I started when my daughter (now 42) was a little girl and I was sewing most of her clothes. I had seen and Sunbonnet Sue quilt and decided I would make one for her and I got some scraps my mom had from a few thing my sister and I wore. That quilt is not done yet I will be finish for my granddaughter, she is already 10 so I better get busy.
Hi Pat,
I love scraps I never throw any fabric away the really tiny unusabkevthread and fabric goes to the birds. No it really does for their nests. My way if recycling since a very tiny age.
My Dad was very frugal and smart he showed me multiple ways to help others and I make and Diane quilts in his memory.
Have a great day.
Patty Bertrand
I have a lot of scraps. Always looking for ideas on how to use up my scraps.
I have lots and lots of scraps set up in Bonnie’s system — best thing I ever did. Unlike you my neutral stash is low — time to go shopping?
Yes, I save scraps and acquire other people’s scraps too. My scraps overflow, but I have some good ideas to use them!
Oh yes! When I first started quilting I had no idea what little gems those scraps were but little by little I found it harder and harder to part with anything but the tiniest piece. Now, every scrap gets cut down into the largest square I can get out of it (no smaller than 2.5”), 2×3.5” rectangles (they make a lovely rail fence quilt), and 1.5×2.5, 1.5×4.5, and 1.5×6.5” rectangles (along with a 2.5” square in the center, make a cute scrappy log cabin type block). I will admit that I don’t usually save strips except the remainder of my bindings because one day I’m gonna use them for a super scrappy binding. Any other pieces that are smaller than 2” but not small enough to want to toss I save in a zip lock for crazy quilt blocks or paper piecing projects. Never waste a good piece of fabric! 😉
Yes I have tons of scraps! I love scrap quilts, they are my favorite! I did give one of my quilting friends a bag of scraps recently and she is working on a scrap quilt now!
My husband complains that I am a saver of everything so of course I save my scraps. I haven’t done anything with them yet but used some selvages & wierd skinny strips as plant ties. Color in the garden before the tomatoes show. Isn’t saving the scraps another form of recycling plus saving money?
I love my scraps. I can’t give them up. I’m in middle of postage stamp quilt, save and use my selvedges in prominent places. I crumb with itty bitty pieces. This new book looks awesome.
Do I have scraps??? I have many totes and bags and boxes full of scraps and they are overflowing… I really need to use them up. They are all different sizes. I would love (and really need) to have this book and so I can use up a lot of my scraps.
Yes I have many scraps…have made 2 sting quilts with greens…love how they turned out…about 2 months ago sorted through scraps and cut smaller pieces into 1 inch ,2 inch and so on…much more oranized…have made some mug rugs with 1 inch strips and then cut across the strips…love the look of each tiny little square (1/2inch) after seams sewed.
Yes. I have scraps! I even save all those strips in a separate drawer(s), so I can make a great strip quilt someday. 😉