Remember my quest to use up all my scraps? Well here’s #6 all finished up!
Years ago I had a quilt book that included this pattern. I no longer have that book, but I did make a quilt in 2012 from this design. I included a photo of it here because it’s interesting to see how the design look changes with your placement of value and how clearly defined your lights and darks are.
In my earlier quilt, the lights and darks are opposite locations. Also, my earlier quilt had mainly very lights and very darks, whereas my current scrappy quilt has every value of light, medium, and dark, which gives it a softer look.
I made up a little drawing here that will hopefully help you if you want to make this design. I just showed you how to make one block (it’s a big block, like 18.5″ square) so to make a nice lap size you could make 12 blocks in a 3 by 4 setting like I did here.
Now let’s talk a little bit about using value. I prefer my current use of value over my original quilt. I love the way mixing in medium values with both the dark and light areas can blend the design and make it more interesting. So don’t overthink whether your medium values are dark or light. You’ll be amazed how the design will emerge beautifully even though you could use the same medium value fabric in both the dark and light sections.
I also included some dark squares purposely in the lighter section. I actually started out thinking I would do that for the whole quilt, then changed my mind and decided to stick with mostly lights in those areas. But this adds interest and movement to the quilt! It’s really hard to mess up a design like this! Small block quilts are so forgiving this way, although they do take a long time to piece!!
Now let’s talk a bit about backing choice. I find choosing a backing to be a hard decision sometimes. There are times where there’s an obvious best choice, but sometimes I have no idea what will compliment the quilt. I usually carry the quilt top over to my fabric cupboard and stand there with it over my arm for awhile, holding it up to different backing fabrics. In this case, I saw this yellow vintage sheet out of the corner of my eye, and instantly felt a physical tug towards it. But I dismissed it subconsciously because I thought the quilt had enough yellow. And also yellow seems like a less popular choice, less likely to appeal to most people. (I think about this slightly when planning to sell a quilt) So I tried a lot of different fabrics but nothing seemed right and in the end I realized that this yellow piece was the one! I’m so glad I used it, as I think it’s the perfect companion for this cheerful scrappy quilt.
Amazing! I love this.
You have inspired me – Thank you. It is sooooooo pretty.
This is a quilt that will be treasured for years and years. Love it and hope to make it one day.
Stunning, Jolene. I adore this.
I have been making bear paw quilts in a color scheme, all facing up, and nine patches in between. I love making nine patches now and really will continue.
Your quilt is absolutely beautiful A treasure indeed
You are the value queen!!!👑 I love it! Thank you for the drawing.
-Jean ❤️
This is MY kind of quilt – love it so much!! Thank you for the drawing, too. NOW I have a way to start cutting up scraps and having a leader/ender project for all my other sewing stuff. Thanks again!!
I was just wondering what to do with my bags of scraps. This quilt is perfect for busting those scraps! Thanks so much for sharing your quilt and your pattern. I'm getting right on this one!
It's lovely!
SEW glad to see another one of your super scraps finishes. Love it!!!
I love the dark one! You've inspired me to make a scrappy one. Thanks for the info 🙂
Just stumbled upon your site, and LOVE the pictures of two versions of very scrappy beautiful quilts! Also appreciate your insight about value and placement. Beautiful work! Thanks for the inspiration!
This is stunning. I marvel at your creativity and all the hard work that went into this quilt, so many pieces just for one block. x
I love this quilt! Thank you for the diagram, I believe I will give it a try as I have lots of scraps.
I love your encouragement regarding medium values. Your quilts inspire me everyday 😊
Beautiful! What a perfect mix of scraps, excellent value placement and just sheer fun.:)
I made my first block today from your diagram pattern. I do want to continue to make more blocks, and trying to organize myself. I had four inch blocks already, so used those and trimmed them. Have strips of 1 1/2 inch already so turning those into squares. I LOVE your quilts, you have a wonderful eye for color. Thank you so much this quilt is amazing, my heart beats faster looking at it! Scrappy, scrappy, scrappy!
Beautiful finish!!!
Just found your blog rather randomly via Pinterest and WOW!! Your sense of color and design is amazing. I admire your use of scraps in such a painterly way. Thanks for the inspiration to start wading through my scrap bins.
I am just now seeing this and it is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing the pattern. I like both versions.
I love this quilt so much! I started cutting out scrap pieces after you posted this and have been working on it ever since. I am almost done with the blocks, after deciding to make mine slightly larger. I must say, the blocks are time consuming for me cause of all the seams to press and get to lay flat, but it is worth the effort! The scrappy look is excellent, and I love how you work on the color values. I am learning not to be so literal with darks and lights, and that it is okay to mix the medium colors into both sections. Thank you for this lovely inspiration!
That was simply amazing. Thanks for taking me along.
hi