My 3 Favourite Ways to Make a Scrappy EPP Quilt
Around 15 years ago, I came to quilting via scrappy quilts. I have a dear friend who makes beautiful scrappy quilts, and when we lived next door to her, I used to admire them over coffee, think on my failed attempts at creative expression through drawing or piano, and think, “Gosh, I could do this!” And so I did. I collected bits of scrap fabric and bought sweet little charm packs and threw them together with happy abandon.
Then I started to read blogs and follow people on Instagram and really got to know the whole modern quilting world, and suddenly my scrappy quilts felt a bit naive, a bit boring. I lost my early nerve and freedom that got me into quilting in the first place and I started making quilts with fabric collections.
Then some of my quilts started to get noticed by the artists and fabric manufacturers who created those collections, and they started to ask if they could use my photos or send me fabric. I started to grow a deep desire to design quilts for a job, and I was convinced that the best way to do it was to use various, curated fabric collections so that they would get noticed and shared by the people I thought were important in the industry, and so they'd be easy to replicate by people who wanted to make the same thing.
Making quilts with someone else's colour palette can be fun, and buying fat quarter bundles and using them is a great way to learn which fabrics are really useful, but last year I started to notice that my very favourite quilts, the ones I made just for me, and not to impress anyone, were my scrappiest quilts.
Do you love scrappy too? Or maybe you're trying to grow your scrappy confidence? Or maybe you're just aware of the huge stash you have that's longing to be used? Below are my 3 favourite types of scrappy quilt, and I'm delighted to share them with you!
1. Totally, Randomly Scrappy
For many of my totally, randomly scrappy quilts, I cut and baste all my shapes first, picking the colours at random from my scrap baskets, and store all of these shapes in a basket like the one above. Then, when I'm ready to stitch, I sit the basket next to me, pick a couple of shapes, and sew them together. Then I pick a couple more and sew those. I enjoy picking 2 or 3 fabrics I like best together, but I try not to overthink it. Once all my shapes are sewn in pairs or trios, I join those together.
I love these kinds of quilts for stitching at home or on long road trips. Having all my shapes in a basket doesn't make it the kind of portable that can fit in my purse, but it is perfect for on my lap in the evening, or in the car. Quilts like this have become my very favourite to sew. It's a very laid back, undemanding way to make a quilt.
Click the link beneath your favourite photo below to make your own!
2. Scrappy, Yet Thoughtful, Blocks
These kinds of scrappy quilts are just perfect for those who like a little extra fabric play, perhaps a bit of fussy cutting, and want something extra portable. Unlike the quilts above, each block is made of 3-4 colours, which I like to choose in batches of 5-10, or in batches of rounds (that means I make all the stars or centres first, then choose the fabric for the next round for each block, stitch those on, and choose the next).
They're great for storing prepped in ziplock bags, and popping a few in your bag whenever you're headed somewhere there might be a wait. I don't think I'd survive afternoon dance classes without them!
Click the link beneath your favourite photo below to make your own!
3. Low Volume Scrappy
Over the last couple of years, I've been particularly taken with low volume quilts. I love the delicate look of white-based fabric on it's own, or the fun contrast of a 2 colour quilt. Low volume scrappy is all the fun of scrappy, without any colour decisions. If you're anything like me, and have seasons where your quilting needs to be decision-free, these are the quilts for you!
Click the link beneath your favourite photo below to make your own!
Choosing a Scrappy EPP Quilt
These are my 3 favourite ways to make scrappy quilts! And, I love being able to choose which one what suits me at that particular time in my life.
If you've been inspired to try one of the quilts I've shared in this post, and want to boost your scrap stash, grab one of the lovely scrap bundles in the shop below!
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