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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.

Enjoy this FREE Scrappy Quilt pattern and use up those scraps in your favorite colors!

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).

Fabric scraps make beautiful quilts, especially with this free Scrappy Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter! Use your favorite color combinations.

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.

Blue & white fabric scraps.

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.

Use your scraps for leaders and enders! Details can be found @ The Crafty Quilter.

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!

Fabric scraps make beautiful quilts, especially with this free Scrappy Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter!

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!

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.
Fabric scraps make beautiful quilts, especially with this free Scrappy Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter!

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.

Fabric scraps make beautiful quilts, especially with this free Scrappy Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter!

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.
Fabric scraps make beautiful quilts, especially with this free Scrappy Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter!
  • 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.
Trimming the 9-patch in a square block for the Scrappy quilt pattern.

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!

9-patches on point. Fabric scraps make beautiful quilts, especially with this free Scrappy Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter!
Enjoy this FREE Scrappy Quilt pattern and use up those scraps in your favorite colors!
Scrappy Quilt made & designed by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

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.

Traffic Jam quilt made by Julie Cefalu.  Pattern by Pat Sloan.
Traffic Jam pattern by Pat Sloan. Made by Julie Cefalu
Traffic Jam blocks made by Julie Cefalu.  Pattern by Pat Sloan.
Traffic Jam blocks made by Julie Cefalu.  Pattern by Pat Sloan.

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.

A rainbow quilt made from scraps used as leaders and enders.  Full project details at The Crafty Quilter.
Rainbow Leaders & Enders quilt in EQ

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!

Fabric scraps make beautiful quilts, especially with this free Scrappy Quilt Pattern @ The Crafty Quilter!

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

Enjoy this FREE Scrappy Quilt pattern and use up those scraps in your favorite colors!

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12 Comments

  1. I’ve been making 2 1/2″ finished HSTs as leaders/enders for a couple of years, but I’ll make the switch to the squares. Thanks for a clever way to use them!

  2. I love all your ideas which inspire me to start leaders and enders. I always have a long term project going anyway. Your email always is interesting and helpful. Thank you.

  3. Honestly, Julie, your Black and White leaders and enders quilt is the most beautiful black and white quilt I’ve ever seen. And, I really do mean that!!
    Hope all is well – Adrienne

  4. I am not that sophisticated with computer programming. Is it possible to send me the pattern to my email address so I can just print it? I really like the “on point” design.
    Thank you,
    Penny Huston

  5. Hi what if the squares were 2.5 to make the 9 patch what would the square for the triangles need to be thanks Donna

  6. Thank you for sharing this! I love your leaders and enders projects! I am currently still working on my 2023 Rainbow project and love having that going in addition to my other piecing!

  7. Thank you, Julie, for the pattern and instructions! I have a lot of scraps. Can’t wait to get started!
    Jo Ann Falgoust

  8. I have a great tip for you regarding the 4 triangles on the 4 sides of your nine patch. Just cut 2 squares the same size as your nine patch. Cut them in half on the diagonal. Use them for your triangles. You may need to do a little trimming but NO MATH!

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