Traditional Potato Chip Quilt Block
‘The Scrappy Rectangle’
These tips shared below are what I learned from my first scrappy potato chip block quilt pictured above. I used the ‘Scrappy Rectangle’ pattern by Jo Parrott which was included in her book “Favorite Traditional Quilts Made Easy’ (Pub 2010). Unfortunately it’s no longer available online, though you may find it in your local library or a used book shop. The pattern is also published in the Big Book of Scrappy Quilts and is currently available online.
It’s not uncommon to learn a new trick or two when making any quilt. Scrappy quilts were not new to me when I made this one, but this pattern was something very different from anything else I’d made. What I learned has provided the guidelines I still use for selecting my scrap fabrics for most quilts. Fabric choices make a big difference in any quilt, especially in scrappy potato chip block quilts. While the idea is to use as much of your fabric scrap pile as you can, using some simple guidelines helps to transform those bits and pieces into a beautiful design.
Click Here for My FREE Color Guide PDF Download:
‘5 Creative Tips for Stunning Scrappy Quilts’
Also keep in mind, a lot will depend on your personal choices as much as what’s in your leftover fabrics and orphan block pile. You can use anything mixed together as long you create balance through your quilt design. I’ve made so many boring, monochromatic quilts that are just tucked away. Once I started bringing in more color and balance my quilts took on a totally new look. This is the process I want to share with you today!
This fabric selection method is perfect for Beginner Quilting! Now you can make the BEST Scrap Quilt Ever using easy quilt blocks and colorful fabric scraps! Learn How to Make A Scrappy Potato Chip Block Quilt with this super quick method. This scrap quilt method is a perfect beginner quilt! It’s a great way to use up your fabric scraps and create a beautiful quilt! Start quilting your next scrappy quilt project today!
Color Scheme or Not – Your Choice
Value Contrast IS a MUST
Years ago I made lots of monochromatic quilts and didn’t understand why they were so boring. When I finally realized it was because every fabric color was in the mid-range, I went a bit wild with my choices from then on. Previously there had been no lights, darks, or contrasts. Everything looked the same without some kind of varying colors. Even though there were multiple prints there was nothing to draw attention across the quilt top. Now when I buy new fabrics, I still gravitate to favorite colors, but I make sure they stand apart when placed side by side. No more melting into a puddle of gray!
The lesson learned is to use a wide range of light, medium, and dark colors in your fabrics. Definitely mix prints up for interest which means they should vary from small to medium to large in size. This is a great place to use those ‘purchase-regret’ fabrics, or what I call my Ugly Fabrics! Cut them up in small pieces and add them to the mix. There had to be something you liked enough to buy them in the first place!
Create Balance with Your Fabric Selections
Fabric Selection Scheme
Another way to vary your fabrics is to include different style prints to create balance within your quilt top design. Florals always get my attention so I have lots of those. But you’d be amazed how great they look when mixed with geometric prints. You see lots of those fabrics in shops today. From dots, to stripes, to small dainty illustrations, to big bold graphics prints, you can find most any thing printed on fabrics. There’s no reason why you can’t use them all together as long as you have a plan.
The potato chip block is also an easy quilt block to make and you’ll find this quilting tutorial will take you step-by-step through the fabric selection process. My scrappy quilt secrets are very easy to follow. You can download my free pdf reference list as a future reminder for your next scrappy quilt. Now it’s time to start thinking about how to use that fabric stash!
That plan may be a focal color or print. For example you want to make a blue quilt, so you want most of your scrap pieces to have a bit of blue. Or you want to use all watercolor floral prints, yes another favorite of mine. Though these can get washed out when all are placed side by side. A great option here is to add some solid bits here and there. I rarely used solid fabrics before my scrappy journey took over my quilting style. Now I use them in most every quilt either to bring out a particular color or to add contrast with a nearby fabric.
The lesson learned is to let you fabric show you what it can do and you’ll love the results! With all your fabric together determine what stands out. Is it a specific color, contrast, or something else that draws your eye. Start from that point and try a few ideas until you find exactly what you want.
Add Contrast to Every Quilt You Make
Plan a Color Placement Strategy for it to Work
First consider what you want your quilt to look like. Will it be an attention getting, bold, color-splashed design? Or will it be muted with lots of low volume fabrics?
Sometimes its fun to group fabrics to highlight an accent color. Back to considering a blue quilt, think about all the blue print fabrics you’ve seen. There are generally some accent colors included to make those prints stand out. Try grouping those accent colors together to slightly change the color emphasis in that section of the quilt. It’s still a blue quilt. The difference is that one area may include green tones, while the other side of the quilt looks turquoise.
floral print fabric used in the center of each block.
Below is my first potato chip block which I love despite its shortcomings. There’s a lot that worked well in this quilt. It’s the emphasis on the bold black and white contrast in addition to all the bright colors that makes it hard to focus on a single spot. It’s as if every block is screaming for your attention.
The lesson learned is to be bold in your fabric choices of color, print size, patterns, natural or geometric elements, and always add lots of your favorites! That last one will ensure you’ll love your quilts every time. But don’t try to do everything in the same quilt. Had I used white in half my blocks and black in the rest, it would have been much better balanced. Instead the contrast is present everywhere with few spots for your eyes to rest. The above image is only three blocks of the quilt and it’s hard to figure out just what you’re looking at.
Low Volume Borders around each block.
More Quilts Brings Better Ideas
Fortunately, I’ve since made another 20 PCB quilts and each one has a specific focus. Whether it’s a contrasting border or sashing within the block, or a focal fabric that sets the color scheme, each has a theme of sorts. The fabrics in each quilt set the direction of the design and finished look of the quilt. So work with you fabrics. Pile them all together and see what you like best. Set a few aside for now, but don’t be surprised to find more that will work great with those, too!
The video for my first quilt is included at the top of this page. If you’d like to see more of my PCB quilts, check out my Potato Chip block Video Playlist which has all of them together!
Block Layout
Block Layout Planning
With you fabrics chosen, you need to decide how to design your block. Completely random or with a colorized pattern. Here is a post How to Make a Potato Chip Quilt Block 3 Ways with three different ideas to consider.
Another idea is to place a repeating piece in the center of each block. Earlier I mentioned using a focal fabric but also think about a favorite patchwork block you could add. The Scrappy Chevron Spinners uses flying geese blocks. This would also be a wonderful opportunity to make a memory quilt with family photos in each block. Your imagination is your only limit, so get inspired and see what amazing ideas you can come up with!
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TWO Potato Chip Block Layouts in multiple sizes!
Be Creative with Your Fabric Scraps
Add Your Personal Finishing Touches
Remember that we quilt because we enjoy the process and find pleasure in what we create. So remember to have fun and enjoy the experience of a scrappy quilt. For some added inspiration, below you’ll find a link to a FREE PDF pattern booklet of 33 different PCB layouts that you can try. Use some colored pencils on the last page which is a blank grid so you can design your own ideas. Or use a pattern from the book and try some different ways to colorize it.
Though beware! This block is called the potato chip block because you can’t make just one! A bit of a play off the Lay’s potato chip ad, ‘You can’t eat just one!’ But you will be surprised at how many ideas will jump into your head once you get started.
CLICK HERE to receive your FREE PDF Download of:
‘The Potato Chip Block Book’ including 33 Patterns
My creative idea was to use a potato chip block as a hot pad. You can see How to Make a Potato Chip Super-Sized Hot Pad in the Free PDF Printable Tutorial. This simple block has been an imensely creative journey for me! Each quilt looks so very different despite the same repeating pattern in each. I always keep a stack of PCB ‘bricks’ cut and ready for my next quilt. Keep following along as I’m sure there will be another coming soon!
Happy Quilting, Lea Louise
