Sunday, January 28, 2018

Scrumptious Scraps Quilt-Along - Making The Most of Binding Scraps!

Hi, all!

Is there anything with more potential than a big pile of fabric scraps?  Most of us have them - some of us have way too many - and all those scraps are like free fabric.  They are left over from other projects and crying out to be used - and this year's quilt-along will give you six great ways to use them!  


As you may know from past years, I've been hosting a "quilt-along" in the six weeks before the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge.  Now I call it a quilt-along, but it's not really that - for six weeks, I'll share six quilts that follow a theme.  In 2015, it was Sweet Sixteen (all sixteen-patch quilts), in 2016 it was Nifty Nines (all nine-patch quilts), in 2017 it was Stunning Stars (all star quilts).  Each of those posts had a tutorial so you could make the quilt if you wanted to.  All the quilts are designed to be simple enough to be made quickly and used for charity quilts - perfect if you want to participate in the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge that follows.  

This year, the theme is Scrumptious Scraps - six great quilts designed to use up those fabulous scraps we all have sitting around!    So let's get started with our first Scrumptious Scraps quilt - designed to use up your overflowing binding scraps!


A long time ago, I decided that if I was going to use my binding scraps, I should stop just throwing them in a tub all higgledy-piggledy and get them organized.  The picture above shows what my binding box looks like today.  All the pieces are measured, then wound up and pinned with a post-it note stating the length of the piece.


This way, when I want to make a scrappy binding, it's easy to pull out just enough pieces to make the length I need!  But even using those binding scraps, sometimes my tub starts to get over-stuffed and I know it's time to make a quilt.  Since I always use the same size binding (2.25" is my favorite size), I can sew those strips together to make a jelly roll quilt.  Here's one I made recently using all my solid binding pieces, and I added a red cornerstone between each binding scrap for a little extra punch.  


This quilt was made using a variation of the super-easy and ever-popular Jelly Roll Race pattern.  You can find a video tutorial showing the original Jelly Roll Race pattern here.  Once you've mastered the basics, it's easy to find ways to vary the pattern, and that's what I've done with today's Scrumptious Scraps quilt!


This quilt started with a basic Jelly Roll Race quilt top, made using my binding scraps.  I pulled out a bunch of print pieces from my tub, cutting anything longer than 40 inches in half or thirds (or more if it was really long) and pressing them flat.  Then I threw them in a big basket and mixed them all up.


Randomly drawing out pieces (just making sure I didn't repeat colors too close together) I put these together and created a jelly roll top using the basic method.  


Using this picture as my inspiration, I cross-cut my finished jelly roll quilt top into four 5.5" strips, two 10.5" strips, and one 15.5" strip.  Then I found a piece of fabric (mine was about a yard) to use as the horizontal sashing to separate the strips.  You can use a solid, but I found a near-solid Cotton + Steel print in my stash that I really liked.  I cut my strips 2.5" wide for the horizontal sashing, and also cut two pieces of the sashing fabric to put into each row of the jelly roll fabric.  


Now comes the fun part!  You can mix up the prints in your jelly roll strips so that they aren't right over each other by opening the seams to add in your sashing strips.  Feel free to flip the jelly roll pieces, or move them from their original positions (end to end) to vary to positions of the fabrics.  Stagger the vertical sashing strips in each row.  They serve to move the eye across the quilt and provide visual interest.

Assemble the quilt with two 5.5" jelly roll strips at the top, then a 10.5" strip, the 15.5" strip, then the second 10.5" strip and the two remaining 5.5" strips.  If you have enough of your sashing fabric left, it looks really good as the binding (as you can see in the inspiration piece) but as you can see in mine, I didn't have quite enough, so I had to find a coordinating fabric.


The "pickle" color of the sashing strips was hard to match, but I found just enough of it in this stripe to echo both the sashing strips and the jelly roll fabric!  Sometimes it pays to have a big stash!

Are you looking at your binding scraps a little differently now?  Or maybe you don't have a stash of binding scraps - there are still ways to make this quilt.  You can always use that jelly roll you've had stashed away forever - - - or you can pull out your stash and cut a 2.5" strip off each piece.  We've been doing that at church lately to create jelly roll kits and it's amazing how great those quilts look!  Scrappy always looks best when you don't think too much about how the fabrics work together - don't ask me why!


And now, how about a little fun?  I have WAY too many scraps in my stash, and I'm looking to share.  So - I'm going to give away a box of scraps!  If you're feeling a little scrap poor, or you want to supplement yours with some new scraps, leave a comment below and let me know.  I'll draw a name next Saturday and announce the winner in next Sunday's Scrumptious Scraps post!  Please be sure to leave your email address in your comment if we don't regularly correspond - I'd hate to be unable to send it to the winner because I couldn't contact you!  And if you want to comment but don't want any more scraps, just let me know in your comment and I'll exclude you from the drawing.

Hugs!

Sarah

PS - if you are interested in checking out the previous years' tutorials, you can find the links on the Tutorials page under my blog's header photo!

68 comments:

  1. Great way to use up all those bindings. I recycle mine in finishing off minis and wallhangings (not as many as you). But using stash to make strips for the same purpose would make a very eye catching quilt. And no more scraps for me please.

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  2. That is my favourite width for bindings, too! Great way to use them up!

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  3. I have a heap of scraps, and postage to down below would be so expensive, so I hope my entry will go to another quilter up North. I love the way you joined the strips, giving the quilt "flair and style", ( that sounds like an estate agent who says... This home has great indoor-outdoor flow)!!! But the crossway seams are wonderful, and the sashing is a beaut colour.

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  4. I've been looking forward to this year's quilt along, and it looks like I won't be disappointed! I don't have too many scraps yet, but I've been working to build some up as I love the look of scrap quilts. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into creating this quilt along each year!

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  5. I don't need any scraps, but I do like the idea of using the leftover bindings to make a quilt. Do you cut your binding on the bias?

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  6. Scraps are always welcome in my studio. They make the best quilts.

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  7. I love your quilts and would love to add to my stash. I have some, but not enough to make anything. Thanks for sharing your quilt ideas and the great giveaway.

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  8. What a great twist on a Jelly Roll quilt! My church quilting group is making Jelly Roll baby and kid size quilts for a local charity and could certainly use your scraps. sjvonfumetti at yahoo dot com

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    1. I'm part of a Prayer Quilt Ministry at my church and we've found the Jelly Roll RAce quilte to be great for new quilters to practice those 1/4" seams. These would be great for a change from the initial JRR quilt.

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    2. I forgot, regarding the above post on the JRR quilts. We use 2 1/2" scraps and have a huge tub full that seems to have no bottom. When we have small widths of fabric left over they all get cut into 2 1/2" strips for a JRR or narrower for foundation piecing. No fabric goes unused. Then, every sliver of fabric or batting goes into a flannel pillow case to be made into a cat pillow for a church member. Just another thought for everyone.

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  9. That is a really great idea, Sarah! It's always fun to mix someone else's scraps in with my own and see what I come up with, so sure put my name in the hat:)

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  10. Those are gorgeous scrap quilts. Awesome idea. Love it. Except I don't have binding scraps as I cut them length wise and use them as strings. Still, I love your quilt. It's quickly done yet beautiful. Great job.
    I would like a chance to win the box of scraps. Yes, I am addicted, lol. ;^)

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  11. I don't need any scraps, but I like your system for organizing them! And that quilt is lovely.

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  12. Love the lolk of scrappy quilts. Count me in for the giveaway. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  13. I keep my binding scraps too and you've just given me some new ideas to use them! Wonderful how your brain works! As much as I love scraps, I could also use some more. The more the merrier and yours would be in good company with mine! duchick at gmail dot com

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  14. That is a great variation on a jelly roll race quilt--much more interesting to look at. I can't wait to see the rest of your Scrumptious Scraps quilts!
    I have lots of scraps already, but am always happy to mix in some new-to-me fabrics.

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  15. Scrap quilts are all I make and can't pass up a bag of scraps at a sale. These small treasures make me happy!!

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  16. clever use of binding left overs and i love the idea of the red squares. i would love to win some scraps for leaders and enders projects.

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  17. I would love to add some scraps to my stash! Thanks for the chance to win. radosevichr@hotmail.com

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  18. Heck ya I want to play in your scraps!!

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  19. I love, love, LOVE this quilt!! My youngest daughter made a "race" quilt top and didn't like it, at all! As soon as I can get it out of storage, I'm going to try this magic on it! Thanks for the inspiration. About those scraps---yes, pleases!

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  20. Your scraps would be welcome to come live here and have fun with my scraps. frog2quilt@gmail.com

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  21. I have way too many scraps myself. I gave bags of them away to other local quilters. But more scraps just seem to appear. I am readying myself for this years H2H quilt drive. Looking forward to seeing your scrappy creations.

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  22. Scraps do make the best quilts! I'd love some fresh scraps to mix in with my familiar ones. I have that blue & gray quilt pinned as inspiration and yet, I never really realized you could make it this way. You have such a great eye for translating ideas into really doable methods. I'm looking forward to seeing what else you've got for us! bolderbaker.at.gmail.dot.com

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  23. I would love to win some scraps. Crystal_jordan_235 at Hotmail dot com.

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  24. You have been a very creative busy bee. Love your interpretation of Jelly Roll quilt. You can leave me out of your very generous scrap give away. I'm trying to use up my scraps and small pieces of stash this year. Already have my 3 H2H2018 quilts started and it hasn't made a dent.

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  25. My binding bin is TOO full and I keep adding to it. LOL This is a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. I have actually done this and it works well. Did a doll quilt with some narrower strips recently. I organize my binding strip left overs in colours that look to me as though they go together. Always happy for a fresh infusion of scraps.

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  27. I am definitely looking at my binding scraps in a new light! I keep them all, as sometimes there's a good choice to slip in when I'm a little short on binding fabric, and I plan to use them as scrappy bindings at some point. But this concept had not entered my head. I really like it! I enjoy scraps, love having more. :)

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  28. I too keep a box with all the leftover binding. I have been able to use some on smaller quilts but usually end up making a new binding. I will be trying this out this week. I would love some more scraps.
    Darlene dhoctor@sbcglobal.net

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  29. I love fabric scraps. I don't think you can ever have too many. Strips, squares, or funny little shapes; they're all wonderful. I want to make more scrap quilts this year. I have made 2 using Christmas fabric scraps and they look great. I hope you select me to receive the scraps.

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  30. I love fabric scraps. I don't think you can ever have too many. Strips, squares, or funny little shapes; they're all wonderful. I want to make more scrap quilts this year. I have made 2 using Christmas fabric scraps and they look great. I hope you select me to receive the scraps.

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  31. I love this new take on a jelly roll quilt! I think scrap quilts are the best, so interesting to look at. I use lots of scraps and it's always fun to mix in scraps from someone else for variety. Thanks for the chance and for sharing your great ideas.

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  32. I love using scraps, too, and all my quilting pals save the smallest scraps for me. I am assuming your binding strips are cut straight? Mine are all cut bias as I prefer to use bias, so couldn't make a jelly roll from them. I do save leftovers and put together scrap bindings for my scrap quilts, tho-perfect for my very scrappy quilts. Can you guess, I love Bonnie Hunter and all her patterns!

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  33. I'd LOVE to have some new scraps! I was just thinking the other day I wish I had people I could swap with. I've made scrap quilts with what I have and would like something fresh.

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  34. I love how you store your leftover binding strips. That's definitely an idea I will use. I love using scraps, whether they are mine or if they are gifted to me. I don't finish that many quilts, so I am always amazed at how many scraps I have.

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  35. I’m always up for scraps, too. As a matter of fact, I spent awhile today cutting strips from leftovers and was lamenting at the limited variety (I probably should be grateful!) I love scrappy quilts and using strings, so this will a great year for sewing charity quilts.

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  36. Love this idea for a jelly roll improvement! Need to cut up my limited scraps though to start this type of a quilt.....

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  37. Love the creativity of this post. Will probably use it in one of our Quilts of Valor. We use scraps all the time, and they always need new friends. creations4u7@aol.com

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  38. Other people's scraps are always more fun than my own--why is that? I've been plowing through my scraps, making kennel quilts, and I'll be happy to get an infusion of newness. (Any Christmas in there?)

    I love the way you broke up those Jelly Roll Race quilts! That would be very fun for our Ronald McDonald Quilts. I'm going to add this to my list. Great idea for "leaders and enders", to sit a bag by my machine and work on the quilt even as I make progress on other projects also.

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  39. I've been using my scraps to make quilts for Ronald McDonald House and could certainly use a little variety to them. I have a top on my design wall now I pieced it as a leader ender project.

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  40. These are all great ideas. I’m committing to doing more with my scraps when I get home because simply using them for applique isn’t cutting it. They continue to accumulate, and what am I gonna do with all the new fabric I bought on this trip, huh? Out with the old. That’s my new motto...when we get home...which is still a couple of months away. It’s a little like dieting, isn’t it?

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  41. Great way to use scraps! Lots of sewing practice can be had without too much matching - great for beginners to practice the 1/4" seam. I'm sending this post to my daughters. Thanks for the scrap offer, I, however, have plenty of my own.

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  42. Good ideas for binding strip quilts! I've always done just a basic jelly roll type quilt, but might have to do something like these when I do another one.

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  43. Hi Sarah! I GREATLY enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas last year, so I'm certain this quilt along will be fun too. While a non-crafty type person would state emphatically that I have plenty of scraps...I say, "there's always room for more!"
    Debbie Darlinton
    ollieami@aol.com

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  44. You are an absolute genius! It has never occurred to me to use my binding leftovers for anything but scrappy bindings. My mind is blown! Please don't add me to the drawing as my scraps seem to be multiplying behind my back. There must be bunnies in there.
    hijoffeATgmailDOTcom

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  45. Sarah what are the finished dimensions of the quilt? I have not participated in your quilt alongs or charity quilts before, do they all need to be the same size? I would also be interested in communicating with you about how you started your quilt group at your church. I always look forward to finding your posts in my in box. I don’t need any scraps, but my email is momjjaa@aol.com

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  46. Love scrappy quilts and strippy quilts,looking forward to your ideas. Would like to win your scraps!
    Karb328@aol.com

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  47. I love this modification to a jelly roll quilt. Yours looks beautiful hanging outside too. It seems to echo nature's colors.
    kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  48. I would love to receive some of your scraps! Thanks for the quilt idea, and I am looking forward to the ones yet to come. I do have one question. Do you cut all your bindings on the straight of grain. Several of my binding scraps are on the bias. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

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  49. Great minds think alike, right? Because my scraps are overflowing, and the guild asked me to teach a class in May, I will be teaching a couple of techniques I use to tackle the scrap pile. I’ll send interested folks to your blog if you don’t mind.

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  50. would love to have some new scraps to play with. I use my scraps mostly for donation clumsiness and will certainly make this quilt pattern this year

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  51. darn spellchecker. well maybe my flimsies are clumsies!

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  52. I love that 2nd quilt! Hmm, I have a jelly roll just screaming out for this pattern. You don't have to consider me for the scraps. I have way more than I need!

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  53. This is such a great post! I love the binding scrap tip as I love scrappy binding. Definitely enter me in the giveaway, I’m a fairly new quilter and have to buy yardage to make “scraps” lol!

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  54. love this idea! I have lots of small scraps, but could use some variety (I sew mostly for babies and kids). thanks for the chance. I don't want to post my emailm but if I win you can let me know on my blog :)

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  55. Great idea for leftover binding. When my binding box gets full I just sew pieces together for scrappy binding. I never even thought of making a quilt!

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  56. How exciting to have the first tutorial! I do have a pile of (gasp) binding strips stuffed in a plastic bag. I usually look through it when I need a scrappy binding, but some things have been in there for awhile. Like the pink piece (I just don't quilt that much with pink!) I love the idea of sewing the strips together and then cutting them up!

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  57. LOVE that JRR Variation as a way to use up binding remnants!! Haven't you heard? We're supposed to be using up our scraps this year. Oh, WHATEVER!!! Sign me up for a chance to win a scrap infusion. :o))

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  58. Thanks so much for sharing these ideas. I am determined this year to tame the Scrap Monster. I’ve started some string blocks but have been considering some additional options. I started laughing when I read about your scrap giveaway. I know there are people who will need some scrap enhancement, but this girl isn’t one of them. Thanks, anyway!

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  59. Great idea for using up the leftover binding strips. Love seeing new scrappy ideas.

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  60. Not usually a fan of the Jelly Roll Race quilt, but I like the variations you've posted here. Perhaps it's time to make one again.
    I would LOVE your scraps! I quilt almost exclusively from scraps; the only yardage I buy is for backings....although I do piece a lot of my backings from smaller hunks of fabric. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  61. I have never made a jelly roll quilt because they didn't appeal to me however I love your version. Would you know about how long your beginning length of strips was before sewing them into rows? I really would like to attempt one like you did by cutting the "quilt" into sections and then inserting the sashing. I would hate to have the finished quilt end up too small. Love reading your blog and all the great ideas you come up with are so inspiring.
    Susan Rizzi

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  62. I don’t have a big scrap stash yet, basically one big plastic tub full plus the start of another one. My scraps seem to either be in small strips or in small squares or rectangles (4” to maybe 10”) that I’m not sure how to use. I’d love some more to work into maybe trying a smaller art scene or portrait quilt. Please enter me in your giveaway. My email (I feel weird posting it but I’ll give it a go) is craftyjulz@gmail.com

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  63. I like how you gave us more than one example of quilts made from scraps. It is a great idea to use binding strips in this way. Would hate to waste all that usable fabric! dawn (dot) bulthuis (@) gmail (dot) com

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  64. I would love to have more scraps for a large H2H scrappy quilt - I only have enough for a small one right now. Thanks for the opportunity to win more! My goal is 5 H2H quilts this year....

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  65. I have two small drawers with leftover bindings, and I was actually thinking JUST last week of how to use them. However -- I have enough scraps! I don't want you to send me more. LOL LOL

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  66. Your scraps are better than mine. :-)
    Well, what is left of mine. I gave a huge amount away last year to a local charity, so time to stash back up!

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