Modern Scrap Quilts

If you don’t have scraps, you can still make scrappy quilts

Do you keep scraps? What size does a piece of fabric have to be for you to consider keeping it? Do you only use scraps for scrap quilts, or do you cut larger pieces of fabric, too?

I don’t make many scrap quilts, but they’ve been on my mind lately as I ponder the small mountain of scraps that keeps migrating around my sewing space. (In my world, mountains migrate. But only when they’re kept in a folding wagon.)

For me, the minimum size of scrap I’ll keep varies depending on my mood, but usually it needs to be at least the size of any standard pre-cut. If I can get a 2.5″ square out of it, I’ll almost always keep it. Anything smaller goes in a bag that gets sent to a fabric recycler.

Once in a while, Ye Olde AccuQuilt GO! Big gets a workout on a scrap-cutting day and I end up with a bunch of homemade pre-cuts for leaders and enders. Other than that, the mountain just grows and grows.

I was happy when I received a review copy of Modern Scrap Quilts (by Sylvia Schaefer, from C&T Publishing) because maybe that mountain will translate into a quilt or two…or more. Lots more.

book cover of Modern Scrap Quilts by Sylvia Schaefer showing an ombre pink and white quilt made from scrappy Drunkard's Path blocks with dark pinks in the center fading out to neutral colors on the edges

Usually when I have a book to review, I’ll make one of the patterns in the book before writing a post about it. This book is different.

What’s so different about it? Well, each chapter covers a different technique or strategy for tackling scraps and using them effectively, then has a pattern that exemplifies the technique. There’s lots of advice and inspiration to design your own quilt, too. I especially appreciate the advice in the very first chapter on how to organize and evaluate your “stash” (what I refer to as my fabric pantry) to help you make decisions later when adding to it.

Sylvia also includes a useful key to help you see what sizes and quantities of scraps each pattern uses.

a small scrappy flying geese quilt hanging on a brick wall — *Homeward Bound* from Modern Scrap Quilts by Sylvia Schaefer

a small scrappy five-pointed star quilt with scrappy blue background fabrics on a cobbled brick walkway — *Free-Form Constellation* from Modern Scrap Quilts by Sylvia Schaefer

I’ve pulled a variety of teals and neutrals from my fabric pantry to create my own version of the cover quilt, Ombré Symphony. It’s a mix of scraps and fat quarters, and I’ll supplement with other fabrics from my collection if necessary. I’m going to play with either the Quick Curve Ruler or the QCR Mini to make it instead of using templates.

Peel and Patch will probably be the next up on my list. I don’t have a photo available for that one, but it’s made with large orange peel blocks using improvisational created fabrics, and it’s spectacular. The whole chapter on Created Fabric inspires me!

When I get started on these, I’ll post my progress over on Instagram – give me a follow, I’m @sugarsandquilter there.

*Embers Rising* from Modern Scrap Quilts by Sylvia Schaefer

Almost every sewist has more fabric than they know what to do with. Modern Scrap Quilts will help you sort the scrap situation and use that fabric in quilts that will be used and loved!