Discover Scrappy Christmas Quilting for Creative Gifts
What is Scrappy Christmas Quilting
Making distinctive gifts for that special someone doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Discover the creative and satisfying results of scrappy quilting. By upcycling your scrap fabrics, all you’ll need is a bit of time – no shopping required! Keep reading to learn how you can create memorable gifts for the people who mean the most to you without breaking the bank.
Materials You Need
If you sew and have fabric scraps you likely have everything you need to get started. The key is that stash of fabric you have tucked away along with all those leftover scraps from previous projects. Once you pull it all together in one place, you may be quite surprised with how much you have to work with.
Additionally, you’ll need your standard sewing supplies. The beauty is that your only investment is your time and endless creativity! All those fabrics you have right now tell a story and have meaning to you. Now you can create a new story through the keepsakes you make and give to loved ones. You may have enough fabric to work with that you can also make special pieces to donate to local charities or hospitals. The possibilities are endless and what a great way to use what otherwise may just sit on your shelf.
Repurposing Fabrics
There are a multitude of reasons why repurposing your stash and leftover fabrics is beneficial. First is to reduce the unnecessary clutter and waste of space used for storage. Which brings us to the next reason, this fabric is reusable for more quilts! Why keep buying new fabric when you have a bundle just waiting to be used? My stash quilting technique uses all the excess fabric scraps and pieces you already have and repurposes it into new fabric. It’s totally customizable by the colors you choose to use. You get to design your own scrappy fabrics!
Get Creative with Colors and Patterns
Begin by grouping your fabrics in a way that makes sense to you. Maybe it’s by color or the size of your fabric pieces. You know what you like to create so take this opportunity to have fun and do what you love.
Here’s a pile of my scrap fabrics. I began with everything leftover from past Christmas quilt projects. The color theme was pretty much set by the fabrics included, but I also added a few other colors as accents to bring some life to my projects. Since I do lots of patchwork quilts, my scraps include plenty of squares and strips. Once I looked through what I had the ideas started coming quickly.
Frist squares were sewn to strips which were then crosscut into smaller units which were then sewn together again with another piece. I kept adding blocks and strips until I created a piece of fabric large enough to work with. It’s a quick process and before long I had lots of different scrappy blocks coming together.
The fun was joining all those blocks into a single piece of ‘new’ fabric! The collage effect of those pieces is wonderful as the fabric takes on a completely different look. Once you create large enough pieces, you’re ready to cut your ‘new’ fabric for those special project you have in mind.
What Are Some Good Projects to Get Started
Scrappy Quilts to Simple Gift Wrapping
The size of the fabric you create will determine what projects you can begin. Lots of blocks can become a quilt such as the one above or even a holiday quilt label. Smaller pieces can become more personal items or even be used wrap gifts with a big fabric bow. Think about favorite family traditions and what special mementos are meaningful. Perhaps holiday decorations or ornaments would be a perfect thoughtful gift. Also think about the personal interests of those you’re making gifts for. Who doesn’t love a handmade ornament tied to a wrapped present?! When you begin to think about the recipient, you’ll have some fun ideas to get started on right away.
Click to see these FABULOUS Mug Rugs that are also Hot Pads!
Try some creative Christmas quilting with the beautiful ‘new’ fabric you’ve assembled from your scrap pile. Every hostess will appreciate a festive, one-of-a-kind table runner to display throughout the holidays! This simple table runner is made completely from scraps. Plus there are two versions you can try. The scrappy look or the simplified method that goes together in an afternoon! You choose or maybe even make one of each. You’ll see in the tutorial how to make each one and combine them into a reversible table runner. You’ll love quilting this spectacular project!
Click to see this Creative Christmas Quilting Table Runner.
It’s Reversible!
Do you know someone who enjoys entertaining and cooking? These placemats plus a super-sized hot pad would be a perfect gift.
Be sure to download this FREE Super-Sized Hot Pad Pattern!
Alternatively, maybe you’re purchasing a special gift and need the perfect wrapping. How about a gift bag or fabric basket that can also be used on its own once the gift is received. It’ll become a memorable keepsake of that special gift. You can include favorite fabrics colors or prints that that are meaningful. That would work great for a tote bag or a book cover for an avid reader.
Click to see this FREE Tutorial for a DIY Super-Sized Hot Pad!
Tips and Tricks for Scrappy Christmas Quilting Success
Don’t over-complicate the process! Keep it easy and stress-free. Simply enjoy creating your beautiful ‘new’ fabric. Putting all those pieces together gives you the opportunity to play with colors and how they are placed together. There is no right or wrong. It’s about sharing your creative ideas with those important to you.
If you have an idea that will work for multiple gifts, create them in an assembly line method. Do all the cutting first, then piece it together, and finish each one with the personal touches you want to add. This can help you work through multiple projects much quicker.
Even if you’re not making the same gift for everyone, you’ll still benefit from working in batches. Sew all your scraps together first. Then create your pattern and do all the cutting, and sewing, etc. It’s fulfilling to see everything progressing along in stages, knowing that you are creating very special gifts for family and friends.
Scrappy Christmas quilting can be a great way to make thoughtful gifts for those you love. It offers a creative outlet, can be done on any budget, and leaves you with a beautiful, one-of-a-kind item that you can enjoy or share with those you care about.
Now it’s time to get started! You already have what you need so pull everything together and make some fabulous scrappy quilted gifts!
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