I love this idea. As a child, my great grandmother had a “crazy” quilt that she made and it had velvet patches in among all the other fabric pieces. We always sought out the velvet. It was magical. Thanks for sharing.
I adore crazy quilts/crumb quilts made like this! I have a few tips that I enjoyed while making mine. This is a wonderful way to use up old/partial bobbins of thread. I like to keep a large spool of white thread on the upper feed of my machine, but use up every leftover bobbin of thread down below, since all of these seams are short and it's not hard to tell when the bobbins run out (unlike in a project with long seams, where bobbins running out halfway causes such frustration). The white upper thread is because after I sew each seam I like to topstitch with one of my machine's many decorative stitches. I just pick one at random and enjoy seeing what they all do. I think this is a fun way to get to use the functions of my machine which I rarely need in any other circumstance. Plus, the white decorative topstitch (no matter what the stitch pattern looks like) becomes a unifying factor throughout the quilt, and adds a lot of character on top of an already interesting art piece! When planning where to trim a block, I try never to trim it very close. I like to have at least an inch of overhang on all sides, so that I can skew my clear ruler as needed to get not only the best arrangement of fabrics/seams within the block, but also to leave good scraps/cutoffs (as you mentioned in this video) with which to build future blocks. It's a mindset shift from thinking only of the block you're on towards thinking of improving the quality of scraps you're leaving. I don't enjoy sewing bulky seams on top of one another, so I try to never trim any piece closer than an inch to an existing seam. It still happens sometimes, of course. But if I see that some seam is very close to the edge, I make a point of joining a long strip beside that to clean up the edge and make it easier to join the next "seamy" scrap. It's almost like sashing, but within the block itself. Along those lines, I also like to put long scrappy "sashing" strips around the outside of crazy-pieced blocks. It's a good use for leftover jelly roll scraps, or strings. I build them log-cabin style around the edge of the patchwork block, and this makes it much easier to join one finished block to another because I'm not fighting accidently bulky seam pileups as much. Since the fabrics I use for this "sashing" are all as random as the ones inside the blocks, it doesn't really interfere with the overall crazy patchwork feel of the top. Finally (and this one may not be for everyone) I have a way I like to use even the tiniest scraps smaller than an inch. Instead of doing a normal seam with them, I merely butt them against each other, overlapping slightly sometimes especially if a scrap is jagged, and support them underneath with a used dryer sheet. So, the dryer sheet has no more chemicals left in it, it is just the nonlinear webbing left over after it has already softened a load of laundry in the dryer. It is light, and strong, and flexible, and can be ironed no problem. It provides a foundation for these insanely tiny crumbs. I use decorative white topstitches as I mentioned above, to help seal one fabric to another and to the dryer sheet foundation, instead of trying to sew anything like a regular seam. This creates a small patch that I would not try to make a normal quilt out of because I'm sure it would fray apart under normal laundering. But it does create a decorative piece useful in non-laundry applications such as a purse pocket, a book cover, or a decorative jacket patch. (I like cutting these into heart shapes, then applique'ing them to my jean jacket sleeves with a satin stitch edging.) I think they're also nice for doll quilts, as long as it isn't expected to be the type of toy that should last through laundering. ... then again... if a seam DID pop open on this, it would be the easiest thing in the world to patch over it with another tiny scrap of anything, and it would only continue to add to the character of the piece! But it is more a type of "tiny, up-close art" than normal quilts which are a sort of "across the room" art.
I see a lavender check with looks like flocked strawberries. I have searched everywhere for that fabric.. it’s sentimental for me. I had made the cutest dress for my step-daughter(who now is around 55 yes old, was 5 or 6 at the time.
I started making crumb quilts about a year ago. Love this technique because I get to use all of my beautiful fabric. No waste. Lol. Love your video. The only thing I do a bit differently, I make pretty large “scrappy” blocks and THEN cut them into the smaller blocks (6 1/2”). Then I use those scraps too. I see, sew, sew, cut them apart, sew more and then make my blocks. So much fun!!!
My grandmother made a lot of scrappy quilts.if she had what we have today such as a rotor cutter, cutting mat,rulers of all sizes . She would have loved it she cut everything with scissors and sewed on a treble type sewing machine.
My grandmother and my mother taught me to sew by hand and on a treadle sewing machine when I was 8. Basting first. So I can say yes. I've "helped " sew a quilt by hand.
YES I did make a quilt by hand. It’s not perfect but I love it. I call it my $ quilt bc it was a time when we were very low on money, as my husband was writing and trying to get published, so I bought 1.00$ fabric from Walmart and spent my days creating.
Hi Tracy- I love your sense of humor and your style of teaching. Does anyone sew by hand? I do! Every stitch. It’s weird because there are lots of sewing machines in the sewing room but for some reason sewing by hand makes me happy! Maybe it’s because I don’t have to get off the couch!😂😂
You go girl🤣 Really though it's wonderful that you love it...I sure don't LOL Sometimes I wish I enjoyed it so I can stay on my couch for awhile too. haha
I enjoyed watching you do this. I've never done a scrappy quilt only scrappy tote bags and potholders. I tend to get hung up on trying to make all the fabrics colors match. Whereas it looks like you're just throwing anything and everything together which looks fun and it might make my brain have to really let go to do that.
I'm so glad I found your channel, I was gifted lots of little scraps recently and wasn't sure what to do with them. I can't wait to try this method. Thank you for sharing.
I loved the quilt. If I had young grandchildren near me I would put the scraps of fabric in a grocery bag. I would have them reach inside and hand me a scrap. Once I had finished it I would give it to the child that helped then they would be able to say I helped my grandma make my blanket.
Love this ! Scrappy is my favorite! Also I tried to leave comments on a few of your videos when Josephine helped you with your binding ,Adorable with a Capital A ! I started sewing when I was 5 . No fear . Now 65 , starting quilting 5 years ago, when I sewed fashions my whole life before . I'm really into using my scraps and quilt as you go as mentioned before .I'm binge watching you . 😊 will watch all of them till I catch up . A Fan !
I have not had success with scrappy quilts because I always started with the 5 side middle piece. I always ended up with big v spaces. I am going to try your method today. Thanks
This is awesome, love how the colors come together regardless of shades from different colors Love love love. You are so good with instructions and growing my confidence. Thank you
I have the 12.5" ruler. I use it a lot. I have the 6.5 "square. And the 4.5 " too. And i also ended up with a 6 inch square too somehow. Lol true about lookin through it to see what you mjght need for fabric on a particular side.
Sorry, but I can't Not think a bit. I like to find a coordinating piece next to each other. I keep going, right down the row. I have made piano key borders successfully doing that. To NOT think makes a border, or even a quilt block that "ruins" the whole quilt, to me. It isn't any more trouble to coordinate strips if you have a table full of various stacks of strips, either by color, pattern/solids, or however one wants to set them. Have fun with your method, but I like to make it look like I put some effort into mine. They still look scrappy, Just with some order to them.
I made a quilt by hand in school for a class. We each made baby sized quilts by hand. I was probably 12 or 13 at that time. Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to it. I know that I took it home though 😂
I put a basket of scraps and a pile of strips next to my machine. I pull a random strip and random scraps, giving myself long strips of two and four patches. It goes so much faster and the strips get cut down so you don't feel like you have a ton of the same color all in one space.
Oh gosh I want to do this. I’ve been making patchwork skirts and have so much scrap fabric leftover! Do you also reuse the bits you trim off for the squares?
I just saw your quilting tutorial. I love it! I started sewing strips together but got bogged down by thinking too much. I'm looking forward to making a quilt like this for myself. I really love how the colors go together - even if they don't "go together".
Such a fun and simple way to make a quilt. Gonna make one of these for sure. Thanks for the info and the inspiration. New subscriber to your channel. 💕🧵
Be careful of the thread you use. My first impulse was to use a large cone of thread, but, it was polyester and when you press it you run the risk of the iron MELTING the polyester and you don't notice it because of the nice press. I didn't notice it until I was tugging a block on the final press and it all came apart.
UGH... you didn't warn us that this is very very addicting 🤣...My brain keeps saying "I can do just one more "... the dog can wait, dinner can wait... Seriously, this is the most fun relaxing quilting project...
I have made many, many scrappy quilts. You have done an excellent job with this tutorial. The important point is definitely as you said to “not think too much”. Great job with this one, I’m sure many quilters will now be inspired to try a scrappy quilt.
Love this! I grew up as a MO circuit-riding preacher's daughter and spent a lot of time sitting with the ladies at church around a big quilt frame. I still love to make quilts today. This is a great method. Thanks!
This is my very favorite time in front of the sewing machine...Crumb/scrap sewing! Anything goes and the pieces always look a mess until they're trimmed and squared up. Then the magic happens and they're beautiful. My sewing group "donates" all the leftover scraps to me and I bring home bags full. I have tried to explain how much fun it is to make something with them. Thank you for the validation!
I revisited this - my update is - I’m almost done! It has taken me 3 and 1/2 years to make a queen size very scrap quilt. I used 2 inch and 3/4 inch scraps, assembling and pre quilting sandwich’s- then putting them together as I go - it’s almost done-
Great idea. The squares could be made, kept on hand and used in other quick craft projects eg to make lavender sachets, draw string bags, birthday cards, etc
I sort my scraps by color, and when the container gets full, I make 10" squares of the same color. I then pack them in a plastic bag containing 30 squares. I haven't decided if I want to have 30 plain squares paired with them or maybe make a rainbow quilt when I have enough colors stitched up.
Every month or so I sew scrappy blocks...which I save and often make mug rugs or pot holders when I need a last minute gift. I also try to coordinate these blocks with a person who's familiar with the fabric!
Haha, great minds think alike. Just spent the evening making blocks similar to this to make a small cat bed. I made myself a lap quilt to snuggle under for a winter afternoon on sofa. . The cat loves the polar fleece backing so he's getting his own blanket, using the leftover fleece . Scrap fabric and polar fleece, I know which side he'll be using most. And your right this is so relaxing I needed a break from my Bargello project this weekend.
I will be using my scraps to make a quilt in this method. And yes, I have sewn several quilts all by hand. working on one now from old flour and feed sacks.
I would like to sash them in black or use alternate blocks in solid or a nice gold textured fabric. I have made hundreds of scrape quilts. Not too many with real tiny pieces. I will try that next. I have a longarm quilter. Fun,Fun,Fun😀😀
just wondering? with all the seams..... How did you quilt it and what problems did you have? I currently have about 30 of these after watching your video, thank you by the way.
Hi everyone , I haven't sewed in years but i've been gifted a large very large amount of fabric after my daughters friends mother passed away in Dec. In return I would like to make her husband and two children a quilt but I have all kinds of fabric so far not very much cotton but more stretch and polyester Would this style work for a variety of fabrics or can you direct me elsewhere. Thank you
Love this quilt and looking forward to making one. Have made a string quilt and just loved the process. Have never hand sewen a quilt but I am interest to k ow what sort of stitch is user to do this. Deskey
I really enjoyed this! As a super "straight line / matching angles" person, crumb quilting has always looked like a struggle for me, but the way you trimmed with your ruler made it make sense. Thank you, Tracy! I have so many scraps that I dearly love, and now want to start my crumb quilt after the holidays.♥️
Happy that the YT Algorithm Gods suggested this video, this is definitely the time of year that while other people obsess over diets and gym memberships...us quilters try to get a grip on our sewing rooms and those scrap piles make us twitchy! Last year I worked hard to gift everybody on my list a quilt, never worked on the scraps, and now in January am ready to take a sewing 'breather' by playing with the scraps. Thank you for giving me extra inspiration. This week I'm trying to finish a ginormous UFO from 2006 and when it is done I'll feel like I can 'breathe' and tackle my scraps once again. Thank you for all the great videos you've published to help us deal with scraps.
It’s funny that you mention sewing a quilt by hand as I am currently working on a baby quilt and sewing the entire thing by hand! 😂 it’s not a very big blanket, just big enough for a newborn, but it was really fun to make. Going to be working on a crib quilt for my toddler next and it will also be hand sewn.
I love this for I have a problem with things having to match. So you've given me inspiration to get my scraps out and get started. Thanks so much Tracey, love your channel.
