I have always been intrigued by scrap quilts. Recently AQS posted a quilt by Kathleen Loomis entitle “My Life in Pieces”. Each small square is 4″. Wow! She really uses up the tiny scraps!
This triggered a memory and I dug through my images for one of a brown scrap quilt made by my friend Betty:
I really love this one! By not using diagonal seams, the small squares are even more interesting, in my opinion. I also like the monochromatic theme.
That got me looking through some of my older scrap quilts and I found this lap sized top I made as a sample for a class I call Schnibblework:
It’s definitely not monochromatic, and it does contain diagonal seams, yet it is appealing also.
Another friend, Vicki (of see through mask fame), made a bunch of quilts from scraps that became a series she called “trash can quilts”. She actually gifted me a tiny trash can quilt. I treasure it 😊.
My friend Lori is truly a scrap quilt expert. I did a post about her work in 2018. Click here to read that post.
These are two of my favorites by Lori:
And, if you remember my post from a few weeks ago, you know I’m working on my own version of this last one. The blocks are 5″ x 10″, and I’m making it king sized, so it may take a while.
Do you like making scrap quilts?
Do you do them on a foundation?
Are you addicted to saving small pieces?
Do you go through other peoples “trash” at guild workshops?
Do you have a photo of a favorite scrap quilt you’d like to share?
If so, please email it to me at and we can do a virtual “Scrap Quilt Show”!
PS. I am having so much fun making my version of Lori’s quilt, and it’s using up so many of my scraps, that I think I’ll do a tutorial on it next week. Stay tuned!
Stacie says
Love the scrap quilts. I started a string quilt at our last retreat. I am using a backer (muslin or old sheets). I know it will use up a lot of scraps but seems like making more smaller ones. I’ve decided now to make 12” blocks and then with smaller scraps make 6” blocks.
Thank you for all the great tips and pictures!
Judy says
Always great. Thanks for your posts
Patti A. says
Great quilts, would love to see your ideas for making them.
Jan says
I love the diamond strip pieced quilt. I need to try that one.
Sandra Kohls says
I save (hoard) scraps but don’t really enjoy making REALLY scrappy quilts. I do like scrappy quilts that others make but mine feel like a mess when I try to combine the bits and pieces.
Shasta says
I love making scrap quilts. I don’t use a foundation. I am gathering up my scrap quilts and will make a post of my scrap quilts soon.
Lori says
Yes to all of your questions. I sometimes don’t use a foundation – it just depends on the pattern.