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 BAGS of scraps! Just not enough time to make them into something. Maybe some day …..
Of course I save scraps. Doesn’t everyone? And someday I will use them to make the patterns I have collected over the years. My favorite now is selvedge edge strings.
What a great quilt! I love Bonnie’s new book and hope to make several quilts from it. I save my scraps and need to organize, then start using them.
I adore making scrap quilts, the variety of print and colour makes everyone of them different.
I save scraps too, but it still seems I don’t have the scraps I want when I decide to use them. I’m leaning more toward modern fabrics but have more traditional and Civil War reproduction scraps. Barb
I taught a quilting class at my church for 8 years, and have saved scraps from each of the quilts the gals made. Now that I am retired I hope to get those scraps out and make a beautiful memory quilt for myself.
I’ve always saved scraps. I’ve been working on getting control of the quilt suitable scraps. I’ve been recently taking some of the others (not quilt suitable) to the thrift shop.
nice color combination
I have scraps! In boxes and tubs and drawers!
I have many scraps. Just cannot throw them away. This book would really be a useful tool!
I have scraps but haven’t used any yet. I should really organize my scraps.
Yes, I do save scraps. There are so many I do try to sort them by size and always check my bin if I need just a bit of something for a project.
I have always saved scraps. What I can’t understand is how my scrap collection never seems to get smaller no matter how many scrap quilts I make.
Bonnie has got me saving scraps of even the smallest size! Her “Wild and Goosey” block has me currently fascinated. 🙂
YES I save scraps!!! YES I use them!!! Scrap quilts are my favorite and neutrals scraps sewn together make the best backgrounds!!! Bonnie is one of my favorite designers.
Yes, I save scraps, including the other half of the hst.
Yes! This is one thing my mom taught me to do, Save anything that is 1″ x 1″ or bigger. Just need the right inspiration for them:)
I have numerous bags, boxes, and bins of scraps. Just waiting for the right pattern to come along.
Yes, I have scraps!! Learned to save them from my mom, who saved scraps from making our clothes and gave them to my grandma to make quilts. 😊
I have done 4 Bonnie hunter Quilts. And still love making them. I just started my first one wih strings. Happy Happy.
I save my scraps, friends scraps, and always check the trash for scraps after a class. I cut them into useable sizes. That’s when I have problems because I have began many projects!
I save all my scraps because I just can’t throw anything away that I just might need down the road.
I have always saved scraps. Over time I have learned how to use smaller scraps. With Children Library, SS1 and SS2 I used 1 1/2″ squares. Now I put together 1″ strips and used a diamond templates. Also I saw people post about dog beds with thread and fabric scraps. Now I I am saving those for a pellow
You bet I save scraps – I paid for tha fabric! Mine are cut into widths of fabric, and also as large a square as possible. And they’re sorted into bins of those sizes. Right now I’m using 2-1/2″ squares in a leader/ender scrap project.
Like the comments on Bonnies new book. I had already made the pumpkin patch and am now working on dawns early light as I have tons of red scraps.Thank you for the review and I like your colors very much.
I always save scraps but have not used them.
I HAVE FOLLOWED HER FOR YEARS. LOVE BONNIE’S WORK AND HAVE BEEN DOING HER MISTERYS. HER STYLY IS SO FREEING FROM OTHERS,THE STRIP CUTTING SYSTEM HELPS ME ENJOY SEWING.I’M A LEADER ENDER TYPE GAL NO MATTER WHAT PATTERN I’M SEWING. I LOVE STRINGS. I HAVE MY EYE ON PUMPKIN PATCH.
When I started sewing my grandmother and aunts told me to save my scraps to make quilts with them. So, my saving started then!
Hi Pat,
Like you I have lots of scraps they make the best quilts!
To me nothing is more beautiful than a scrappy quilt!
I also finally bought Bonnie Hunters scrap book.
Promised my self not to start a new scrap quilt till
I finish some of my UFO’s.
To me noghing is more beautiful than a scrap quilt!
Looking forward to see you making some Pat!
Happy Quilting, Yoka Bazilewich
I save my scraps and I go on craigslist to request fabric/scraps from other people. Lots of fun collect different fabrics.
I save my own scraps and people in quilt guild know I use even tiny scraps so it is a rare meeting when I don’t come home without at least one baggie of scraps. People just hate to see fabric go to waste LOL
if I cant cut it into a 2″ square it go into my pet pad stuffing that I make for the vets.
Scraps are the best! I love making scrap quilts and love Bonnie’s style. I have hoarded -I mean saved a lot of small pieces of fabric for quilting. Thanks so much!
boy am I s scrap saver. I have my baby dresser (75 years old) that I have my scraps in one drawer is strips , one is fat quarters, two are smaller pieces. all these are right next to my sewing machine ready for me to reach in and find snipet of color to make my scrappy quilts and other things. I am making 18″ doll clothes for my 2 Great Granddaughters, 2 square a week quilt tops, and mug rugs for gifts. YES, I love my scrap collection!!!!!
Yes, definitely do! But I need to get a system of how small is too small😀
Oh, do I save scraps! Getting ready to “make fabric” with some of the smallest ones :),
I do try to use scraps as much as possible. If it is too skinny I save it to stuff dog beds. Thanks for all you do.
Oh do I have scraps! But in my defense, I think they’re organized. For years now, as I finish a project, I cut my scraps into 1-2/2, 2 or 2-2/2″ strips or squares 1-1/2″ square or larger. So far I’ve made 4. King size Log Cabin quilts and some disappearing nine patch quilts. Lots of other smaller quilts for charity. I love seeing the different fabrics and remembering where they came from.
I save them in clear shoe boxes with similar colors
I save all my scraps 2” min. Plan is to make the scrappiest quilt.
The pile is getting bigger😄
Doesn’t every quilter save scraps??
I thought it was an unbreakable rule,lol!!
I have bags full of every color & size!!
I love using scraps because I feel free to be really creative and even make mistakes. It’s probably the most fun I have quilting.
Everyone who quilts has scraps You never know when you will need just that little piece
Yes I save almost all of my scraps into Bonnie’s scrap user’s system. It feels great have a system that works! I also save strings for string quilts. I figure I paid money for my fabric…so why not use it?!
I wish I had more neutrals! I save scraps, you never know when they will come in handy, or when they will be perfect when you decide on the perfect scrappy quilt!
I save scraps! I put them in a tote bag, then I sit and cut them into the biggest pieces I can, I have a list of sizes…I need to organize colours..I’m slowly using up my stash… i figure if I live to about 138 yrs I should use them up!
Love scrap quilts, I try to save all my scraps, recently sorting out a pile of scraps that had been amassing for over two years of sewing projects~ all color coded piles now! I even save the triangles when cutting off the extra tips when making flying geese, have several piles of those half square triangles that are going to be included in a “mini” quilt of scraps!! Did I mention I love scrap quilts? ha.. I’m just addicted to fabrics!
I have so many scraps and have been wondering what the best plan of action would be.
This book will be a wonderful starting point. Thanks for the offer and will definately purchase.
My sister and her daughter give me their scraps. Some I cut into squares, some I save for applique, and some are big enough to keep for the perfect project. I cut my own scraps as I sew into squares as small as 1 1/4 inch square. I made a Mondo bag using my purple 2 1/2 inch squares. thanks for sharing and a chance to win.
I am a Bonnie-iac and have purchased the String Frenzy. I need to finish up my current project and then I like to make at least one pattern from any new book. I cut all my scraps into strips or blocks as small as 1 1/2″ That’s where I draw the line. 😀