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
Oh Pat, if you have a lot of neutral scraps then a Bonnie project is the way to go — her quilt designs always use tons! I do save scraps using a combination of the sizes used by Bonnie (in her “Scrap Users System”), Joan Ford (“Scrap Therapy”) and of course nickle/charm (5″) and 10″ squares.
I save most scraps but haven’t used any in a long time. I love BH’s quilts!
I have scraps! I use them on crafty gifts. Like a Christmas stocking made out of denim and plan to use it on a scrappy log cabin, but I don’t quite have enough scraps yet. It a work in progress.
I do save scraps and I cut them into Bonnie’s system sizes.
I have lots of scraps and strings. I am just finishing up a quilt from Bonnie’s String Fling book.
Do I save scraps? Heck yeah! Apparently I even save other people’s scraps, cause some of these don’t look the least bit familiar — I know I never had any of some of these fabrics!
I have been using Bonnie’s Scrap User System for many years. Recently I took a class with Bonnie (Jamestown Landing) and had all the strips and strings I needed already in my stash thanks to using the Scrap User System. Wonderful system! Thanks for the opportunity to win your generous giveaway, Pat.
You could say I’m obsessive about saving every little scrap I can. I’ve even been known to dumpster dive at sew ins & retreats. Lol!! Love the look of your quilt pieces. Now to get my “treasures” organized by color way. You’re such an inspiration!!
I have some scraps. Before a move last fall, I gifted most of my scraps to other quilters
I DO save scraps. Scrappy quilts are what speaks to my soul.
I save all of my scraps they have come in handy for small projects.
Yes, I save and have lots of scraps. I am not always so good at using them 😂
YES! I save scraps!! I love, love, love scrappy quilts!!! I also love “shopping” in my scraps and fabric stash before I go shopping in an actual store. So.Much.Fun!! (I have been quilting for about 40 years, so I have a quite a stash!!)
I am currently making Carolina Chain, one of Bonnie Hunter’s patterns, from Addicted to Scraps… I have used only scraps, and I am loving how it is coming along. The backing for this one is from my stash as well. The only thing I need to buy for this quilt is the batting!
I have lots of scraps, thanks to Bonnie Hunter and her scrap system which in my case has gotten a bit out of control!
Who doesn’t save scraps? YES Isave then and my intention is to use every piece that is big enough
I have scraps, I save scraps, I use scraps . . . sometimes I go through my scraps and toss skinny little strips thinking, “what was I thinking?! this is too skinny to save!”
I love making scrappy quilts. Whenever I get done with a project, I cut the leftover scraps into 5″ charms, 2 1’2″ squares, 2″ squares, 2 1/2″ strips, 2″ strips, and 1 1/2″ strips! I’m ready for almost any scrappy project! I’ve made 4 quilts using Bonnie’s patterns! I love my scraps! 🙂
I save all scraps up to the very smallest.
Yes, I save scraps, but I need to get more organized about how I do that.
Yes I love to use scraps and love going into my fabric stash and making quilts just from stash. I have made several of your sew alongside just from my stash. I bought the book String Frenzy and hope to dig into it soon.
Yes, I save scraps. I have started sewing the strips together with the hope of one day having a bonus quilt made out of then.
I have been following Bonnie for years. I love all her scrap quilts!
I like using my scraps for table runners and small curtains that hide things behind them.
I save scraps & use them to make scrappy blocks that one day I will make into a quilt lol
Yep! I sure do save scrapa, even crumbs!
I have been saving scraps ever since I can remember… I love using them.
I’ve been saving scraps for 30+ years. Last year I finally decided to do something with them. Am using Bonnie Hunter’s system for scraps and have 3 quilts in progress.
Yes, I save scraps. I starting to sew the 2 1/2″ squares together into 12 1/2″ squares.
Which eventually will make a quilt to giveaway. It is a leader/ender project. My scraps were getting out of control. This project is helping. Getting two quilts done at the same time plus using up those little squares. Also cutting strips for a strip quilt.
Yes, I save scraps and my favorite type of quilt to sew is a scrap quilt. I like to put lots of different fabrics in my projects so I really need all my scraps to make it happen!
I have scraps. I have seen how other quilters save theirs. Some cut into 1-1/2″, 2-1/2″, 3-1/2″, 5″, 7″, and 10″ sizes. So that is what I do. They are in bins until I find a pattern to use them in. One quilter said when her bins are full, she pulls them out and starts a quilt. Love all your ideas, tips and everything else you do. Your fireside chats are fun!
I can’t throw fabric away! I really have a goal to get my scraps under control this year.
I do save my scraps. I am trying to plan scrap quilts to use up my flannel, 30’s and oriental fabrics.
Thanks
OMG, do I save scraps? I have 8, 18 gallon totes filled with scraps from 35 years of quilting. I love Bonnie Hunter and you of course.
I love that you profiled Bonnie Hunter and her quilt style today. I’ve been following her for a few years and have developed a love for scrappy quilting. I’m a bit disappointed though that your link for her “String Frenzy” book doesn’t go to her site!
Love scraps and buttons! <3 You can never have enough of either.
This book looks fantastic!
I save all different sizes of scraps including strips and strings. They are so much fun and add incredible variety to my quilts.
I have so many scraps I need to get using them up. This book looks awesome.
I have lots of scraps. I keep everything fabric and also bought some grab bags of scraps for surprise. This book would be wonderful.
Just started up Quilting again so not alot yet but lam saving what a great book to start putting them together stay organized. Thank you for recommending the boo” opening up new quilting adventures as l call them
I do keep all of my scraps. Scrappy quits are wonderful.
I have scraps and now I have a creative way to use them and love the results at the same time
Yes I save larger scraps. Have used scraps for doll quilts .
Sandy
I save the scraps. We laugh and say that they grow like rocks. They seem to multiple faster than I can sew them.
I do save scraps. Wonky log cabin is my scrap-busting favorite. No idea how many charity quilts I have done using this process. So, why does my scrap collection never seem to diminish?
Boy oh boy do I save scraps! I gather them out of the throw-away piles at quilt retreats.
I have so many scraps and love string quilts
I have a lot of scraps and have made several scrap quilts. My Grandmother made string quilts, using every bit of her scraps. Bonnie’s book will give me lots more ideas for my scraps. Thank you for sharing the information. (And don’t the “quilt police” show up if I throw out my scraps?)
Pat, I love to save and use my scraps, much as I see you do. I store them according to strip width not color. but often sew a color strata together. as I finish cutting my project I see what sizes I need and cut for my scrap bins.
Yes, I save scraps using Bonnie’s scrap saver system. I have recently made 3 scrap quilts and the scraps just seem to multiply
I do save scraps. Try to save according to size, loosely, so if I need a charm or jelly roll strip, I might have it from a larger peice.