Are You Scrap Happy?

May 13, 2025

Almost everyone has scraps right? Maybe I should stop here and define what I consider scraps and it's different from my stash. I define my stash as precuts that I haven't opened, and any cuts of fabric that I purchased and haven't yet cut into. I define my scraps as any leftovers from projects I have done, so odd jelly roll strips, or odd layer cake squares plus all those remnants that I have cut portions out of. Now, obviously if I started with a meter cut and only needed a quarter of that for a pattern and I have a nice 3/4m piece leftover, I will return that to the stash shelves. Often, if I have an odd shape left sticking off my larger piece, I'll trim that off for my scrap bins and then return the nice square piece to the stash shelves.

I have tons of scraps and I'm one of those people who love digging through and using my scraps, but I know it can be challenging for some people. I think one of the reasons I utilize my scraps so easily is due to a combination of two things. First, sampler quilts are my favorite quilts and because each block is different it is easy to find a few smallish pieces of fabric that are just big enough to make that one particular block and then you move on to finding pieces for the next one. Secondly, I love the vibe of "scrappy" quilts (you know that handmade, vintage, homey feel). Don't get me wrong, I like and appreciate well coordinated quilts, but there is just something about those scrappy quilts that I find comforting.

It was so fun digging through all my scraps for these two quilts!!

If you are a person that struggles with using your scraps I thought I'd chat a bit about a few things to consider that may make the process a bit easier for you.

Organized Scrappy:

I would consider the above examples more "organized". First, it involves figuring out a more detailed, involved pattern. Then it involves sorting through scraps and planning each block to look the way I wanted it to. If you have time for this and enjoy that process it is very rewarding. However, I know there can be struggles when dealing with scraps. It always seems like I have a lot more colored scraps than background scraps. If your goal is to use up your scraps then it seems counterproductive to go purchase even more fabric in order to use your scraps. One workaround is to go the scrappy route with your background fabrics and that is exactly what I often do. But if you don't like that look then maybe you need to think about doing a scrappy quilt that doesn't need any background at all.

No Background Fabric Required:

This is a great way to work your way through even more of your scraps. We all know that quilt patterns call for a lot of background fabric, so if you aren't using any then you will be using a lot more of your colored fabric.

Look Ma.........no background fabric!

By only using contrasting dark and light fabrics you can still have a visually appealing block. And if you struggle with using scraps, a simple pattern like this might be less frustrating than digging and sorting through mounds of scraps to do the "organized" scrappy type quilt with a more intricate pattern design. I think a quilt like this is perfect for picnic quilts, "tummy time" quilts for babies, or you can back it with a nice flannel or minky and it is a cuddly throw for movie night.

Or if you have some background fabric you could look for a simple pattern that only requires a small amount. Look at this scrappy rail fence:

Utilizes a 2:1 ratio of colored fabric to background fabric.

***An added bonus for simple scrap blocks like the two pictured above is how quickly they sew up with no points to worry about, and minimal seams to match. Easy Peasy!!!!

Low Volume Option:

Another thing to consider would be to use those busier "low volume" prints as your background fabric. Often that type print can be a struggle to use in traditional quilt blocks as they have a tendency to blend into the background fabric more and you can lose the definition of your block design. I know I often have more of those busy low volume prints leftover out of my fat quarter bundles.

By carefully picking stronger colors to contrast with those low volumes they can become your background fabric. The bottom right block doesn't have quite as much contrast as the other three, notice how the design is more muddled and not as defined. The blue block to the left of it also has a busy low volume but because the navy is such a nice deep contrast, the block design is sharper and more clear.

Contrast really is the key when using busier low volume prints.

Often fabric with a definite picture or larger print doesn't do well when cut up and used in traditional blocks like flying geese, or cat's cradle, but if you can use it as the larger center block in a flower block, churn dash, or star block (like below) the picture/print remains intact. I also seem to have a surplus of these leftover in my stash or scraps and I think it's because they can be difficult to utilize in many patterns.

Instead of using a traditional print for the center, try fussy cutting a larger image for the center. And doesn't the dark red star points make a great contrast against this really busy low volume print?

***Obviously patterns like this take a bit more time but you can use a few little tricks to simplify things. Instead of using traditional flying geese in these star blocks, I enlarged the block so the points don't go out to the edge of the block. This way, you can whip these together really quickly and you don't have to worry about cutting off points when you sew the blocks together, plus I like the look of the star "floating" in the center of the block.

HST Discards:

Don't forget to use your hst discards. Many times a pattern calls for hst's but not all of them are used in the pattern. If the pattern doesn't call for the waste side to be used I try to stitch the other seam right then and save them. You practically have a ready made scrappy quilt, and we all know how many versatile designs you can make with hst's. Occasionally, we really luck out and have a surplus all from the same quilt and that means we don't have to try to coordinate anything as that part has already been done for the first quilt. I have tons from one particular quilt pattern I made and I will easily get a baby quilt or small throw from them. I just haven't completely decided how to lay them out.

These are too cute to waste!

Don't forget the back of your quilt:

If you don't feel like you have time to spend cutting and piecing small scraps but you still want to whittle down your scrap bins then maybe consider using larger pieces and making scrappy quilt backings.

After making my quilt top, I used a couple of leftover fq's as well as some of the larger leftover scrap pieces for the scrappy backing.

Challenge Yourself:

Give yourself a challenge, or if you have a sewing buddy it would be fun to challenge each other. I loved when one of our local quilters (and pattern designer), Darlene D'eon, encouraged quilters to use up some scraps working on a 2022 Scrapbuster challenge. I didn't necessarily make a block a day, or a block a week. Some times I didn't make any for a couple of weeks, and then other weeks I would do 10 or 15. I decided any time I had scraps on my cutting table after cutting out a block with Lori Holt fabric that I would cut out enough to make a couple of these broken dishes blocks. At the end of the year I had a full queen size scrappy quilt that has been well used and well loved.

If you struggle to use your scraps I hope this has given you a little inspiration to get Scrap Happy! And remember, you don't even have to commit to making a full size quilt. Start by digging in and making a small scrappy table runner, or a couple of placemats.

Twila

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