Knott - Scrap quilt secrets: 6 design techniques for knockout results

Publisher: Amy Marson Creative Director: Gailen Runge Editors: Lynn Koolish and Joanna Burgarino Technical Editors: Ellen Pahl and Del Walker Cover Designer: April Mostek Book Designer: Christina Jarumay Fox Production Coordinator: Freesia Pearson Blizard Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi Illustrator: Aliza Shalit Photo Assistant: Sarah Frost Photography by Diane Pedersen, unless otherwise noted Published by C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549 DedicationTo my children, Kelly, David, and Danny, who make me feel like the luckiest mom in the world. Their laughter and joy fill our home (and my heart) with so much love.To my husband, Bill, my best friend, who believes in me even when I forget to believe in myself. Im so thankful that he is my partner in parenting, love, and life. Special Thanks So many people supported and encouraged me during the writing of this book. I could not have tackled a project this large without their help, advice, hugs, and kind words.Mary Ruth McDonald has been my friend, confidant, and quilting companion for more than fifteen years. We have traveled far and wide together and laughed all the way, in spite of the chickens! I will always treasure every memory we have made together.My quilting bee group generously offered me their time, opinions, and encouragement.

Anne Roth, Darlene Johnson, Kathy Schmidt, Mary Ruth McDonald, and Patsy Eckman have been with me every step of the way. They are my mentors, friends, and stitching sisters. I am so blessed to have them in my life.My guild friends have responded with so much enthusiasm to every project I have made. They make me feel supported and lift me up when I need it most, especially my sweet friend Martha Brach.Betty Alonsious quilted many of the quilts in this book. Its easy to trust someone who is so talented and caring. She devoted her amazing skills and many hours to the quilts in this book.

I am so grateful that she is my friend.My husband, Bill, has taken over more than his share of parenting and household duties while I quilted and typed. He never failed to accommodate my crazy schedule, fix my laptop, or just bring me another cup of coffee. My children, Kelly, David, and Danny, inspire me with their passion, courage, and commitment every day. They never once complained about the undone laundry or the hours I spent locked in my sewing room. They also provided many distractions and much-needed perspective on a daily basis.And finally, to the folks at C&T Publishing, who shared my vision and gave me the opportunity to turn a dream into reality, thank you. The question I hear most often while teaching workshops is, How did you think of that? People want to know, when I see a quilt and I re-create it with my own fabrics, how I got from the photo or quilt in front of me to the new version, which is often very different from the original inspiration. First, I ask myself, What is it that I like most about this quilt? Is it the color, pattern, or fabric? Is it the overall style or feel of the quilt? Is it a certain detail or element? I make sure that my answers to these questions will be the same in the quilt I am making. First, I ask myself, What is it that I like most about this quilt? Is it the color, pattern, or fabric? Is it the overall style or feel of the quilt? Is it a certain detail or element? I make sure that my answers to these questions will be the same in the quilt I am making.

By choosing the elements that I really like the best, I can be sure that those elements dont get lost in translation. What I love about the inspiration quilt will be the same thing I love in my quilt, even if the two quilts are very different in other ways. If I can pinpoint the specific elements that I like best about a quilt, I can make other choices I like better when selecting fabric, patterns, or quilting designs for my own quilt. Second, I ask, How will this quilt be used? The answer determines many things. If its going to be for a baby, it will need to be washable, durable, and safe for an infant. If the quilt is a wedding gift, I make sure it is the correct size for the newlyweds bed (if unsure, a large throw size is always good).

I will make it fit the wedding theme, use the colors in their new home, or feature something they love. I choose color combinations and style that are their taste, not mine. If its a graduation quilt, school colors are always a good choice. Third, I always remember to be realistic about my skill set. I know I cannot hand quilt a king-size quilt in a reasonable amount of time. On the other hand, I know that I have successfully quilted many king-size quilts on my sewing machine, and I love to hand quilt smaller projects.

Also, I prefer hand appliqu to paper piecing, so I am more inclined to choose a pattern that uses appliqu. Better yet, I look for patterns in which the paper piecing can be easily changed to appliqu. By using my skills to their best advantage while being realistic about the quiltmaking process, I can achieve great results and enjoy the journey. In the following pages I offer six secrets to making successful scraps quilts, but the most important thing is to follow your heart. Choose the fabrics and designs that inspire youby knowing what you want and how to accomplish it, you can make the choices in the beginning that will give you a quilt you really love in the end. The secrets in this book are meant to expand your options, not limit them.

I hope you find that each choice you make brings you one step closer to finishing the quilt of your dreams. Enjoy every stitch! Everyone loves being let in on a secret! I have six secrets I want share with you about quilting with scraps. Im sure there are more, but these basics are the foundation for using your entire fabric stash, even the tiniest scraps, to make quilts that truly represent your personality. You bought all that fabric because you loved it (or because it was on a really good sale). You made quilts or other projects from it and now have small pieces you dont want to wastea sign that you were born to be a scrap quilter. Now you just need to know how to use those scraps in ways that look good.

Not every scrap needs to be added to the same quilt, unless you want it to. The decisions are entirely up to you; however, if you want a little help with the process, here are my six secrets to making scrap quilts. Ive arranged the secrets into the acronym SCRAPS to make them easy to remember. Follow these six simple rules and youll be well on your way to making scrap quilts that you will love. S Is for StyleStyle is so much more than just a description, such as folk, modern, traditional, primitive, and so on. Its about your personal twist on an idea.

Do you love flowery pastels? Do you gravitate toward geometrics and bright colors? Are you drawn to homespun fabrics and plaids? All of these things can, and do, fit into more than one style. Remember, just because you see a quilt made in a particular style doesnt mean you cant change it. For example, you can change the style of a quilt from romantic to primitive by choosing different fabrics and perhaps adding some wool appliqu. Change a traditional-looking quilt to contemporary simply by choosing modern colors. Use homespun fabrics and historical blocks and settings for a vintage feel. By choosing a style you like, youll be well on your way to making a quilt that makes you happy, even without a trip to the fabric shop.