Artistic Quilts Created from Scraps of Fabric

Whether you sew or simply have piles of worn out clothing, you have all the fabric scraps you need to create beautiful quilts for your family. Cut up fabric scraps into squares or other shapes and begin piecing together a quilt of your own.

Using up Fabric Scraps

Many years ago when fabric recycling was important and most women knew hand stitching as well as embroidery, they would sit in their parlors quilting and embroidering "Crazy Quilts". As fun as these are to make and to personalize, there are so many more ways of making fabric-scrap quilts today, as my basic quilters' article suggests in "Easy-Quilting with Fabric-Scrap Hearts" .

Quilts as Art

AllPeopleQuilt.com features lovely scrap quilts, artistically assembled in waves of shadings as presented in the gallery article "Bargello Quilts by Mabeth", mesmerizes with "Paint by Numbers" , "Rolling Prairie" , and "Jewels" .

Your scrap quilts do not have to be as intricate as those above, but can be just as beautiful, and just as much fun to make. Quilting over an old mended comforter, using fabric scraps you can also create larger patterns, such as this flower-bud design with all-over background stitching.

Quilt Border & Background Stitching

For interesting and unexpected quilt border-stitching, by hand or machine, see "Quilting Design Gallery" for lovely ivy-vines , dandelions or stars , and scrolling. There are also modern quilt stitches in geometric patterns to create interesting wall hangings, or circular-stitched patterns for pastel baby quilts.

For a treasured family heirloom why not teach your kids (or grandkids) to stitch around their hands for handprint-design quilting? Easier basic-quilting stitches such as hand stitched seam-reinforcing , or big-stitches can also be accomplished with embroidery floss and larger needles, so kids can get involved in your quilting projects too.

Home Decoration

Show off your cherished homemade scrap quilts in various ways throughout your home, not just on your bed. Artistic quilts can hang on the wall as you would hang a painting , or as a banner for a child's room . Your works of art can be functionally displayed as a headboard , extra guest-room bedding , and used as fabric to recover that old sofa in the den.

Any of these beautiful quilts would make an extraordinary addition to your home, whether hanging as art, on pillows, or gracing beds. Encourage your kids to help with the stitching so they can learn how to make treasured family heirlooms as well.