Scrap Quilting Basics and a Giveaway

There is so much freedom when it comes to creating a scrap quilt. My philosophy when it comes to scrap quilting basics is anything goes. I mostly just dump my scraps in a bin, dive in and create. I do have a few tips for you if your feeling a little unsure. Plus a little giveaway for on lucky reader.

Simply Charming

An easy way to choose fabric for your scrap quilt is to pick a print with lots of different colors in it, that you just love. Pull scraps from your stash that match those colors, going lighter and darker. Value in a scrap quilt matters a whole lot more than color.

Gradation

Use a variety of fabrics when creating a scrap quilt. It’s a great place to get rid of fabrics you don’t like. They blend in and add a fun element to your quilt. As Bonnie Hunter said, ” If you don’t like a fabric you just haven’t cut it small enough yet.”

improvisational log cabin

Any quilt can become a scrap quilt by simply using a variety of fabrics. I try to give all my quilts a scrappy feel. They are my favorite type of quilt. Some of my favorite patterns to use are log cabin blocks (I have several tutorials using these kinds of blocks), stars, four and nine patches, and rail fence blocks. You can find many scrap friendly patterns here.

I hope these scrap quilt basics get your creative juices flowing and help you bust through your scraps. I have a copy of the latest issue of Love of Quilting where I’m featured as a scrap quilter for one lucky reader. Leave a comment telling me what color tends to pile up in your scrap bins for a chance to win. Good luck!

Recommended For You

Scrappy fabric strips to skinny to sew Blog 5 Ways to Use Fabric Strips too Skinny to Sew

5 Ways to Use Fabric Strips too Skinny to Sew

Emily Bailey
Emily BaileySeptember 25, 2026
Blog How Small Quilting Projects Help Quilt Shops & Quilters

How Small Quilting Projects Help Quilt Shops & Quilters

Emily Bailey
Emily BaileySeptember 18, 2026
Three patchwork drawstring backs on a wood deck with ivy. Blog Simple Drawstring Bag: One Pattern, Endless Possibilities

Simple Drawstring Bag: One Pattern, Endless Possibilities

Emily Bailey
Emily BaileySeptember 11, 2026

2,944 Comments

Leave a Reply

Share