Scrap vs Scrappy
I used to think I made scrap quilts. But I’ve reexamined that idea.
At some point I realized calling them scrap quilts suggests they are made only from leftovers: bits and bobs from other projects.
Image courtesy Quiltmania. Used with permission.
And that is simply not the case. I regularly cut up yardage for my quilts. I do dip into my scrap bag bin box corner, below, but I need more fabrics and more varied fabrics than I can find there.
I don’t make quilts with seven fabrics, I make quilts with 70 or sometimes many hundreds. So I’ve settled on the idea that such creations are better called “scrappy” quilts.
In my way of thinking, a scrap quilt is made from leftovers. A scrappy quilt could include leftovers, but has as its main feature many, many different fabrics.
A pieced top I’m going to quilt soon is one I’ve dubbed Trip Around the Tulips.
I have a lot of ’30s reproductions I’m no longer fond of and I wanted to see if I could combine them with other fabric genres and get something exciting. I used my friend Bonnie’s Scrappy Trip tutorial and made a few blocks, loved the result.
I also knew quickly that I wanted more interest than only the Scrappy Trip blocks. I paged through my books and patterns and found these tulips. I think I might have combined two designs—one for the flowers and one for the leaves—but I didn’t record it. If anyone recognizes either, I’ll be happy to add that info. I’ve googled endlessly with no luck.
Buttery yellows were an easy choice for the backgrounds. I kept them very similar so they’d look like a family. The idea of “similar” does a lot of heavy hitting in scrappy quilts.
I made this guy at the very beginning, before I had much direction for the quilt. He turned out not to work so into the orphan box he went.
I downloaded this Honey Bee pattern by Ellis and Higgs on Etsy. I had to punch up the body color to orange so he’d show up against the yellow ground.
That block went swimmingly so I got this Ladybug, too. You can see that I rushed and didn’t get the antennae to line up properly but that was my fault, not theirs. I decided it was good enough. I make quilts for fun, and stressing over a ladybug is not in my genes.
I tried stitch-and-flip units to make a green inchworm and it worked! You really only have to suggest an idea, and a viewer’s mind and eye will make sense of it if it’s close enough.
I added in some spacers of yellow squares on each end to make it all fit. Then I took a victory lap (that’s like stay-stitching the edges so the seams don’t pop open before it’s quilted) and called it good. I’m so anxious to quilt it!
And now you know the difference between a scrap quilt and a scrappy one!
Quilt on,
Tags: dianeharris, ellisandhiggs, fabric savvy, make extraordinary scrap quilts, mashupquilt, quilt design, scrap quilts, stashbandit
Susan Dileanis
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Love the quilt and your thoughts on scrappy quilts which I like to make.
Nancy Sue Arnoldy
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This is adorable. And I “sew” agree, there’s a difference between scrap and scrappy.
I spent some time this afternoon cutting odds and ends into strips for some Scrappy Trips blocks. We are in the middle of a kitchen remodel, but I can play with these blocks without having to concentrate on a specific project.
I like to think of myself as kinda scrappy, so there’s also that aspect!
Amy F
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What a great quilt! Do you ever feel that you have too many colors in a quilt? I’m working on a scrappy sawtooth star quilt that just isn’t coming together for me and I’m wondering if I have too many colors in it.
Diane Harris
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Hi Amy! Hmm, too many colors. I don’t think I’ve ever had that concern. But I tend to go whole hog and maybe that’s the key: Either use ALLL the colors or use an obviously limited palette. If you want to send me a photo, we could think it through together!
Ary
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I enjoyed this pattern, Bonnie’s tips, and resources from Etsy. Liked the variation in the tulips and leaves. Too bad you lost the reference for them.
Jan
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The tulips are a hoot fit and I like that pattern for them. And the bee , lady bug and worm are a great addition!! Great quilt.
Deonn
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Oh, my goodness, Diane! I love how your quilt evolved. The tulips and leaves are a perfect combo and those little critters really add to the story. Thank you for clearing up the scrap vs scrappy definition – that makes total sense to me! I bow to the queen of scrappy happiness.
Diane Harris
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LOL I’ve never been called Queen of anything but I like the idea of scrappy happiness!!!
Barb Kaup
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Really cute quilt–and I love the springtime colors!!
Nann
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We can get hung up in nomenclature (hmmm…another good quilt name?). Non-quilters may hear “scrap quilt” and understandably think that indeed, a scrap quilt is made from leftovers. I’ve heard “multi-fabric quilt” as a term for “scrappy” but I think that’s awkward. Whatever the term, your sparkling designs are always a delight and an inspiration!
Jacque Riese
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I heard another term for scrappy quilts. Crumb quilts. Like the cookie crumbs..