Scrappy quilt pattern & tutorial

I love fabric scraps. This is most fortunate since I have an abundance of them. It’s also fortunate for you because I have a scrappy quilt pattern and tutorial to share! It’s very easy to make and it can be made into any size you want.

I love this scrappy quilt because it allows you to use lots of different fabrics and the colors can be controlled or not. This is the joy and playfulness of a scrap quilt! Below are three versions. The one on the left is done in red and white, the middle is all polka dots in a variety of colors and the one on the right is a rainbow version (my fave).

I’m making my Scrappy quilt out of blue and white (it’s not done yet). This will be an ongoing project for the year because I’m cutting my pieces each month from fabric that is being used in a BOM project. These scraps will be used as leaders and enders throughout the year. Keep reading for more details on that.

It all started with leaders & enders

Have you heard of leaders and enders? These are small scraps of fabric that you begin stitching on first before sewing a seam or doing any chain piecing. You can also end stitching on a scrap of fabric so that it’s ready for the next time you stitch. Thus the name, leaders and enders, also known as thread savers. I have a full blog post on efficient piecing with leaders and enders here.

A few years ago, I started using pre-cut squares of fabric as my leaders and enders. The idea is to stitch two squares together and create a pair. Eventually, I end up with enough pairs to make a quilt block. And then I have enough quilt blocks to make a quilt. Talk about efficiency!

This year I’m co-teaching a block of the month class and I’m using all blue and white/cream fabric. I’ve decided to cut my scraps as I go into usable squares as leaders and enders. As a bonus project for the class, I gave them instructions to make this scrappy quilt. And now I’m sharing it with you!

About this quilt

This quilt is designed to use up scraps. The more the merrier! You can make it with a rainbow of color or monochromatic (two colors) like mine. The quilt blocks will measure 9 1/2″ finished (10″ unfinished). If you make 35 blocks (5 across x 7 down), you’ll end up with a quilt that measures 47.5″ x 66.5″. You can keep making blocks and end up with a very large quilt!

This tutorial is based on a quilt that measures 50 1/2″ x 69 1/2″. It includes a 3″ finished border.

Because this is a scrappy quilt, I don’t have specific fabric requirements. However, if you want to get an idea of fabric amounts needed for a lap-size quilt, I would estimate the following:

• 12 fat quarters of light fabric
• 24 fat eighths of dark fabric
• 1 yard for the border (if you want a border around 3″ wide)

Cut your scraps

Start by cutting up your scraps so they are ready to go. To make each block, you’ll need to cut the following:

• Dark fabric: 2 3/4″ squares – you’ll need 9 squares for one block, 315 squares to make 35 blocks.
• Light fabric: 6 1/4″ squares, cut in half diagonally once. You’ll need 2 squares (4 triangles) to make one block; 70 squares (140 triangles) to make 35 blocks.

Basic steps

Once your fabric scraps are cut, you’re ready to make your blocks.

9-patch

Sew the 2 3/4″ dark squares into a 9-patch. This will be easiest by sewing three squares together to form a row and then sew three rows together to make the 9-patch. It should measure 7 1/4″ square. I like to press the seams so that they nest.

If you’re making this as a leader/ender project, you’ll start by sewing the squares into pairs. Then you’ll sew a single square to each pair to make a row of three. Eventually, you’ll sew the rows together to form a 9-patch and finally the triangles get sewn to each side to make a block.

I do all of this as leaders and enders. So, sometimes my leader might be two rows that I’m sewing together – it’s just a longer leader or ender than my usual two squares. Same goes for when I sew the triangles to the 9-patch.

9-patch in a square

I’m not sure what to call this block, but it looks like a 9-patch inside of a square. It’s easy, I promise!

• Fold the 9-patch in half and make a finger crease to mark the center of one side.
• Fold the light triangle (cut from the 6 1/4″ square) in half and make a finger crease on the long side.
• Match the centers and pin. Sew a triangle two opposite sides of the 9-patch and press towards the triangle.
• Repeat for the remaining two sides.

• Trim each block so that it measures 10″ square. There should be 1/4″ seam allowance beyond each point.
• If you don’t have a square ruler that is large enough, you can use a long ruler that is at least 5 1/2″ wide. I did not take a picture of this part, so I’ll try to explain with the help of the image below. Place a vertical line of the ruler so that it bisects the block at the 9-patch points. Measure 5″ from the center of the block (there should be 1/4″ space for seam allowance). Cut along this edge. Repeat on all four sides.

Sew the blocks together

Once the blocks are trimmed, you’ll sew them into rows. Make sure to match and pin the points on each side before you stitch. Press the seams open. Then sew the rows together.

I only have four blocks made so far. This will be an ongoing project for me this year. You can’t rush leaders and enders!

Scrappy Quilt Pattern PDF

I’ve made a simplified version of these instructions into a PDF that you can download. Just click the button below.

Note: If you are reading this in an email, you may need to click over to my blog in order to see the download button. If you have any trouble downloading the file, please leave a comment or send me an email.

This is a free pattern and I’ve tried my best to make sure it is accurate. With that being said, it has not been tech edited or tested by others. Feel free to contact me if you find any inaccuracies.

More quilts with leaders & enders

I recently finished a black and white quilt that was made entirely with leaders and enders. The pattern is Traffic Jam and it’s a free pattern from Pat Sloan. I started it two years ago and just finished it last week. It doesn’t really take that long, but the blocks sat in a box for a while until I finally sewed them together.

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I’m still working on my 2023 leaders and enders project (why have just one?) For this one, I’ve cut my scraps into 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles. I’m sewing them into pairs to form a 4.5″ square. I’m going to make this a large quilt in a rainbow gradation. I’m so excited for this one! It should look something like the image below when it’s all done.

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I hope I’ve inspired you to use your fabric scraps to make a scrappy quilt. Better yet, use them as leaders and enders along with my Scrappy quilt pattern and you’ll have a beautiful quilt before you know it!

Make sure to Pin the image below so you can find it later!