I have a new scrap quilt pattern for you today called Scrap Magnet.
This pattern will hopefully get you rifling through your scrap pile, looking for gold.
A good scrap pile rifling is like a stroll down memory lane. It’s fun to remember all the projects those fabrics featured in, and to know that they’ve still got plenty of life in them yet.
The Scrap Magnet pattern is a downloadable PDF pattern that will help you find a new home for your scraps.
Scrap Magnet throw-size quilt pattern
Scrap Magnet features a 16-block, 66.5″ square throw quilt.
The colourful centres of the blocks in this quilt are made from scraps. However the background (grey here) and accent (white) are sewn from yardage and put together with strip piecing. This makes sewing up all the background pieces for the blocks much quicker and easier.
A single 17″ Scrap Magnet block
For those who aren’t ready to commit to a full quilt, not a problem. I’ve also included instructions for a single block (17″ square). This can easily be turned into a table topper, a mini quilt or a cushion.
I sewed up this one in all the purples I had. I’ll be turning this one into a cushion later this week.
When cutting your fabric for the 17″ blocks you can either choose to cut individual squares from scrap, or where you have large scraps, cut strips for strip piecing. The instructions have you covered either way.
A jumbo 44″ Scrap Magnet block
For those who want instant gratification, the pattern also includes instructions for a single jumbo sized block (44″ square). This block uses yardage rather than scraps and is perfect for whipping up a baby mat. Multiple blocks could also be used to create a larger quilt in quick time.
Shoes included above to give a better feeling for the size of the block. I’m standing on my sewing table. This block’s a big ‘un.
Choosing fabrics
For my Scrap Magnet throw size quilt I decided to go heavy on the rainbow!
I sorted all my scraps into colour groups.
Then I pulled out little piles of 3 coordinating fabrics for each block. I’d already decided to use black scraps for the points (corner stones?) of each block. Using the same colour there would help tie all the blocks together.
I chose the centre colour for most of the blocks as I was sewing them. I found it easier to audition my fabrics once I had my block pieces laid out in front of me.
Once I had sewn all my blocks I spent a bit of time rearranging them until I found the layout I liked best.
Quilting my Scrap Magnet
When it came time to quilt I couldn’t say no to a good old cross hatch. Given all the squares in the quilt top this quilting design was so easy to do without marking a single line. I just went from one diagonal to the next all the way across the quilt.
I may have gone a little overboard as I ended up quilting every square (to create a 1″ square cross hatch) but the texture is really lovely.
Even though it took a while, I find straight line quilting to be quite relaxing. A glass of wine, some music and a few nights of quilting are quite therapeutic!
Binding
To finish off the quilt I used a black print to echo the black fabric in each of the blocks. I did consider a scrappy binding but I felt the single colour calmed things down a bit and framed the quilt nicely.
I did a machine binding for my Scrap Magnet quilt using zigzag stitch in black thread. If you need a how-to on zigzag stitch binding, I have a tutorial on this method over here.
I really like the way it turned out. It looks like my binding is wearing false eyelashes!
The Scrap Magnet quilt pattern
If you’re ready to attack your scrap pile and turn it into something pretty, you can find the Scrap Magnet PDF quilt pattern in my online shop right here.
You can sew your own throw quilt, a jumbo block baby mat or just a single block cushion or mini-quilt. Your scraps will relish the opportunity to shine again!
Happy sewing!