Scrappy Quilt Ideas, Simple Blocks with Scrap Fabric

Quilting is not just a craft, it’s a way for us to express our creativity and make something beautiful out of leftover fabrics, scraps, and orphan blocks. Try some of these scrappy quilt block ideas for your next quilt.

Today’s assignment is scrappy quilt ideas only using my scrap fabric. Scrap quilting is a labor of love, especially if you only try to use low volume fabrics and stuff from your stash. Trying to use any piece of fabric for this scrap project as long as it’s not new. Not dipping into new fabric waiting to be used, no sir. Just using fabric leftover from other quilts and quilting projects to see what I can create.

Improvisational quilting at it’s best, no pressure, easy pace, and loving every minute of this stress free scrap buster. Let me show you what I’ve made, what I’ve tried for the first time and tips learned along the way. 

Here are some scrappy quilt ideas to turn your scrap fabric into a quilt or something useful. Challenging myself to only using fabric in my scrap bins, not buying anything new for this scrappy project. Let me show you what I’ve been working on.  Taking small pieces of fabric scraps, making quilt blocks. Then turning those quilt blocks into something, I have several ideas up my sleeve.  

This is a free scrappy quilt pattern made with quilt blocks, easy applique hearts and low volume fabrics. I need to start using up my scrap stash, leftover fabrics and any orphan blocks that fit my color palette. Scrappy quilts are the perfect way to use up those small pieces of scrap fabric and turn them into something beautiful. These scrappy quilt ideas are made using low volume fabrics but you can use any color palette you want.

Over the last year, I really fell in love with low volume fabric and when I would get home from the fabric store the majority of my purchases were low volume fabric choices. There are actually quilts called low volume quilts. They are all over Pinterest and it’s time I tried using them in one of my quilt projects. Patchwork quilting is the only way I quilt so these “applique heats” are just sewn directly onto the quilt block, no interfacing or anything special.  I’ll show you how to do that and give you ideas to make your own scrappy blocks. 

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THIS OUT!

After you read this post, make sure you also check out Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginners. It’s jam packed with information to make your first quilt. It also has links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. There’s lots of free quilt patterns that are great for beginners and all skill levels too. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!

Grab a copy of my free Quilt Planning Journal. It’s filled with graph paper and note pages to help you design at least 4 quilt or sewing projects! Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process!

Scrappy Quilt Ideas – TUTORIAL

Now I had some larger scraps of 10″ x 9″ muslin pieces. I can’t even remember what project these were for but I was trying to create a string quilt project and thought I would use the muslin to sew fabric strips to. Sewing onto these muslin pieces was a great base for my scrappy quilt ideas. We all have cut fabric incorrectly or started a project and then didn’t like it so we stopped.

What better way than to use these as larger pieces and turn them into blocks. Making a quilt out of blocks is easy, so many ways you can lay out the blocks on point or with sashing. Here’s a scrappy block or blocks that you can see and duplicate if you like.  Any skill level can create these, then turn these blocks into a lovely scrap quilt!

Materials Needed:

1. Scraps of low volume fabrics
2. Leftover fabrics from previous projects
3. Orphan blocks in coordinating colors
4. Background fabric
5. Sewing machine
6. Iron
7. Basic quilting supplies

Step-by-Step Process for Making a Single Block:

Start by collecting an assortment of low volume fabrics from your scrap stash. These fabrics will serve as the backdrop for your appliqué hearts. Feel free to mix and match patterns, colors, and textures to create a visually interesting quilt.

​If you have orphan blocks lying around, choose ones that complement your low volume fabrics. These blocks will add variety to your quilt and give a unique touch to each quilt block.

Organize your fabric scraps into sizes and shapes. You need to know what you are working with. Then you need a design or scrappy quilt block ideas before you can sew onto the scrappy block. Cut your background fabric into squares, rectangles or strips, depending on the size of the orphan blocks or the desired finished quilt block size.

Experiment with the placement of your low volume fabrics, scraps, and orphan blocks. Create a balanced and visually appealing composition for each quilt block. Because I’m using muslin pieces cut into 10″ x 9″ pieces as a base to sew on, it makes this a fun time of sewing.

Select two pieces, please right side together, lay one piece wrong side down and sew 1/4″ seam allowance down one side to attach to muslin. Trim fabric if needed, you can do this before or after you sew to muslin piece.

Continuing adding one piece at a time using the same method as above until the muslin is completely covered with fabric.

Press with iron when needed. Once you are done, press again then square up.

Turn block upside down and trim all four sides using the muslin as your guide. Use a scissors or rotary cutter, cutting mat and straight quilting ruler to complete.

Continue making blocks using the muslin pieces until you have enough for your project. Below are some examples of the blocks I made:

My favorite scrappy block is on point because it creates a secondary design when you join blocks together. Orphan block turned on point and then adding fabric scraps around it, so easy.

Four patch block as base, then building around it with fabric scraps. This was my favorite method when I wasn’t attaching the applique hearts to the blocks.

Scrappy Quilt Block Ideas

Direct Stitch Applique Hearts

I’m lazy, so if you’re looking for an easy way to add applique hearts to your quilt blocks then check this out. No interfacing used on these and they will be just fine.

Let me walk you through sewing appliqué hearts directly onto those scrappy quilt block ideas, and how layering these hearts can create a sweet added element that makes your blocks pop. These are sewn on but they look appliqued.

Use fabric scissors to cut out heart shapes directly from your chosen fabrics.  You can draw your heart shapes or find templates online.

Cut out the hearts and arrange them on your background fabric. For a more eclectic look, vary the sizes and shapes of the hearts. This step allows for a raw and organic feel to your appliqué.

Using your sewing machine, stitch around the edges of each heart directly onto the background fabric. You can choose a straight stitch, zigzag stitch, or any decorative stitch that enhances the overall aesthetic.

To make a bold statement, consider layering hearts on top of each other. Stitch one heart onto the background fabric, then place another heart on top and stitch around its edges. This technique adds dimension and texture to your quilt.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors and patterns. You don’t have to do hearts, you can do any shape you want. The direct stitching method allows for a more spontaneous and eclectic design, making it a perfect opportunity to showcase your creativity.

Continue the process of arranging and stitching hearts until you’ve covered the entire quilt top or achieved your desired design. Adjust the density of hearts based on your preference.

Once the appliqué hearts are stitched onto the quilt top, proceed with quilting using your preferred method. Finally, bind the edges to complete your unique and statement-making quilt. Check out my resource section for tutorials on each step in the quilting process if you need help.

Direct stitching appliqué hearts onto quilt blocks provides a hands-on and artistic approach to quilting. This method allows for creativity to flow freely, resulting in a quilt that not only tells a story but also makes a bold statement. Embrace the imperfections and unique textures created by this technique, and enjoy the process of turning fabric scraps into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

More Quilt Blocks You May Like

Here are some more quilt blocks you can use with scrap fabrics or the new stuff, it’s your choice. Each of these blocks come with a free quilt pattern.

Log Cabin Block

Pinwheel Block

16 Patch Block

Pinwheel Block

Birds in the Air Block

Chevron Block

If You’re New Here

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