Scrap Quilting Inspiration: How Quilted! Helps You Use What You Already Have
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again.
You do not need new fabric every time you start a new quilt project. The propaganda “Buy More! Get Now!” is something quilters should not be falling for, but have fallen victim to almost all the time. And well, we couldn’t fault you for it either.
Quilters are natural-born fabric collectors. It’s a default in our system.
And as certified hoarders, we tend to forgive and forget the fabrics we deemed too pretty to cut after we just purchased them. Yes, even after saying you’ll immediately get to sewing after buying said fabric.
Never mind that, let’s also consider the amount of scraps getting brushed under the rug after every finished quilt project. If you have your own sewing room, you’ll know what kind of problems you usually face when it comes to scraps… they get everywhere!
That could be a good thing. Especially right now.
At Quilted! The Virtual Summit, we’re all about repurposing and recycling used fabrics and scraps. This year’s theme, we’ll be pushing our own propaganda of “Get Creative! Reuse Scraps!”
Fabric scraps carry memories, potential, and, if we’re being real, a bit of guilt. But what if instead of feeling overwhelmed by the pile, you actually felt excited to dive in?
We’ll walk through why scrap quilting is such a joy, how Quilted! The Virtual Summit is here to help you embrace it, and some fun project ideas to spark your imagination. Plus, the exact classes you can take to make them happen.
Why Scrap Quilting Is So Vital in Today’s Economy
Scrap quilting is the art of turning “random” into “remarkable.” It’s about pulling colors, textures, and prints you might not normally pair together and watching them shine in unexpected ways. It’s thrifty, it’s creative, and it’s deeply personal.
Most importantly, scrap quilting is freeing. It’s not about perfection; it’s about play. Instead of matching sets and flawless coordination, it’s about following your gut and discovering beauty in the mix.
And once you really get into scrap quilting, you’ll find yourself wanting to spend less. Because if you were able to create something out of zero spending, then the sky becomes the limit. The question of “What else can I do that doesn’t require too much consumption?” rises, and the domino effect takes place.
And at Quilted! The Virtual Summit (happening September 16–17), you’ll find plenty of inspiration and step-by-step guidance from teachers who love nothing more than helping quilters embrace the joy of scraps.
While most of the classes and workshops waiting for you at the quilting summit this September are absolutely applicable to scrap quilting, we’d like to give a few honorable mentions to these fun scrap project ideas that you can definitely try too.
4 Fun Scrap Project Ideas to Try
Here’s a taste of what you can do with your overflowing scrap bin, and the classes at the summit that will show you exactly how to make it happen.
Log Cabin… but Make It Funky!
Scraps and log cabins are a match made in quilting heaven. If you’re tired of the traditional block, try mixing it up with semi-improv techniques that give your quilt a bold, sporty vibe.
Learn it in: Scrappy & Sporty Semi-Improv: Log Cabin Lateral Quilt Block Tutorial with Jessica Steele
Bonus inspiration: Wonky Log Cabin with Tabatha Smith will show you how to embrace asymmetry for a playful twist.
2. Tiny Pieces, Big Impact!
Those fabric slivers you can’t bear to throw away? Yes, even the ones your non-quilty friends swear are “trash.” Turn them into stunning quilts that prove no scrap is too small.
Learn it in: Confessions of a Scrap Hoarder: Making the Most of Every Fabric Sliver with Julius Rempe-Night
More ways to use it up: Four Ways to Create Gorgeous Quilts With Scraps with Lori Dickman will give you multiple approaches to scrap-friendly quilts.
3. Unify the Chaos with Sashing!
Ever feel like your scraps are too random to actually work together? Sashing is the magic trick that ties everything into a cohesive whole, no matter how wild your fabric choices.
Learn it in: Smashing, Sashing, and Other Ways to Unify Scraps with Diane Harris
4. Tell a Story With Scraps!
You can stitch together your quilting journey (and even your life story) by being intentional about how you piece them.
Learn it in: Scrap Quilting & How Scrap Quilts Tell Your Story with Amy Lollis
Want more? Upcycling Old Quilts: Creative Projects and Techniques with Ronni Chavez takes this storytelling approach even further by breathing new life into existing quilts.
With so many scrap-focused classes, Quilted! The Virtual Summit is basically a stash-buster’s dream. Instead of stressing over buying “the perfect fabric,” you’ll discover how to:
Mix and match scraps confidently
Turn the tiniest leftovers into design features
Find cohesion in chaos
Celebrate the stories behind your fabrics
“You do not need new fabric every time you start a new quilt project!”
Say it with us at the virtual quilting event! Join us for free at Quilted! The Virtual Summit on September 16–17, 2025. Save your spot here Quilted! The Virtual Summit.
This summit is your chance to transform scraps into quilts you’ll treasure. Think of it as permission to stop saving and start sewing.
FREE quilting classes. 25 speakers. A lifetime worth of quilting knowledge and experience!
Quilted! The Virtual Summit is returning (newer and better) on September 16-17, 2025! We’re excited to see what projects you can finish with just your scraps!
