Tips for Selecting Fabric for a Sensational Scrap Quilt
Great Helps Whether You’re Coordinating Colors or Not!
There’s something special about scrap quilts of any kind, but have you noticed that some stand above the crowd? By paying special attention to fabric selection you can turn a nice scrap quilt into a sensational one.
We tend to think of scrap quilts as fitting into one of two groups. There are those that are more controlled and coordinated around a particular color theme, and then there are the “anything goes” scrap quilts made up of everything but the kitchen sink.
“Scrappy Stars” by May Chappell.
Regardless of which style you choose to make, it pays to take your time when selecting fabric. First, make sure all of the fabric is in like-new condition and will wear well for years to come – and that they all have the same fiber content (all cotton, for example).
Secondly, pay attention to values and separate out your fabrics into light, medium and dark piles (or whatever is required by the pattern). You’ll find a great value tip here.
Finally, choose as many different fabrics as you can. The National Quilting Association (now disbanded) required a quilt to contain a minimum of 75 different fabrics to fit into their scrap-quilt category. While you don’t need to use that many, unless you want to, a wide variety will add interest and appeal to your quilt.
Quilt in progress by Lizzie the Quilter.
But what about the combination of fabrics? An article from Quilter’s Connection outlines 10 important tips for creating an especially appealing scrap quilt.
In the following video, Kate Henderson, author of Scrappy and Happy Quilts: Limited Palette, Tons of Fun!, covers several of the same ideas as they pertain to selecting fabric for a one or two-color quilt.
Click here to view the video at YouTube if it does not play on your device.
Be sure to allow plenty of time for making a scrap quilt. You’ll need to locate and prepare the scraps before you begin. And, you’ll want to make sure each block is balanced as you’re constructing them. You might want to work on a few blocks at a time in between other projects.
Image Source: The photo at the top of the page is from Moda Fabric.
