Discover how to transform your scrappy potato chip blocks into a stunning masterpiece using my favorite color techniques. These scrappy quilt secrets are my personal methods for combining colors. This will guide you through the process from choosing a color scheme to the final finish of your quilt. These tips also apply to all scrap quilts. You’ll love the results!
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 potato chip block with this super quick method. This scrap quilt pattern 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!
Click Here for My FREE Color Guide PDF Download:
‘5 Creative Tips for Stunning Scrappy Quilts’
My Scrappy Quilt Secrets
Transform Your Fabric Scraps
The potato chip block is one of the best ways to use your scrap fabrics. It’s also perfect for using leftover precuts. These simple rectangles join together in a multitude of different patterns to create beautiful quilts.
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!
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Tip 1: Color Scheme
Value Contrast Techniques
A great scrappy quilt uses a wide range of fabrics and colors. Deciding on a color scheme guides your fabric choices, keeping your fabrics within a chosen range. This creates a continuity of color as opposed to just looking busy by tying all your blocks together. Be sure to select a wide range of light, medium, and dark fabrics in your color scheme. This will vary the values of each color creating a beautiful blend of fabrics throughout your quilt.
Also vary prints to add more interest. Choose fabrics with different size prints as well as some graphic or geometric prints. Whether you choose a monochromatic design or a mix of vibrant colors, having a simple color scheme will help your quilt come together beautifully.
Tip 2: Create Balance
Balancing Your Quilting Fabric Selection
As you decide on your color scheme, begin placing your fabric choices in a pile. This will help you to visualize how the colors will work together in your quilt. As you select a new fabrics, place them on your fabric pile and test to see which work best together and which to avoid. It’s a personal decision, so be sure to choose what feels right to you.
If you find there are lots of busy fabrics in your pile, add some solids or near solids to add some balance. This will create a break between busy fabrics to avoid a chaotic look. The opposite is also true, adding a different fabric pattern or print is great for creating balance if your fabric selection looks too dull.
Tip 3: Add Contrast
Color Placement Strategy
Gather your fabrics together and make sure you’re creating contrast. Make sure you have plenty of scrappy fabric values for maximum visual effect. Mix up prints with graphics for more interest. If your fabrics all look too much the same, then try mixing in some contrasting colors to brighten things up.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different fabrics. Try adding some bold colors and patterns with graphic and geometric prints. They bring in some solids the varying values to keep the contrast strong. These combinations will add interest to your quilt, making it really stand out!
It’s always a good idea to have multiple pieces from your different fabrics. This way they can be distributed throughout the quilt. Even if they are different values, you will still get a sense of the color in multiple areas.
Tip 4: Block Layout
Block Layout Planning
Try different arrangement options for potato chip blocks. As in this quilt shown in the video above, light fabric backgrounds make scrappy blocks ‘pop’. The Floating Block Effect used in this block emphasizes the fabric colors within the center. By using solids and near-solid low volume fabrics for the outer row, a modern “negative space” is created around the blocks. When all the blocks are joined, they appear to be floating. This actually creates a modern gallery wall appearance.
Be sure to experiment with different layout options to find the perfect arrangement for your scrappy potato chip blocks. Whether you opt for a traditional grid pattern or a more improvisational layout, have fun with the design process.
Above all, embrace imperfections and quirks in your quilt. The beauty of scrappy quilts lies in their imperfect and handmade charm, so don’t be afraid to let your creativity shine.
Tip 5: Be Creative
Finishing Touches for Your Scrappy Quilt
Lastly, have fun with your quilt design! Let your creativity shine by playing with some different design ideas. Try some easy arrangements like alternating blocks. Simply divide your blocks into groups by color, prints, or patterns. Then alternate them to create an all over design that balances out the differences. An unexpected layout like this will make your scrappy quilt truly one-of-a-kind.
You can also add sashing between your scrappy rectangles to create a clean and organized look. Sashing can help frame each rectangle and bring cohesiveness to your quilt. Choose a color you want to emphasize to bring that color out more prominently in the quilt.
Now it’s time for you to begin gathering your fabric scraps and stash to make a gorgeous scrappy quilt! Try a couple of these techniques and see how much easier choosing your fabrics will be!
Happy Quilting, Lea Louise
CLICK HERE to receive your FREE PDF Download of:
‘The Potato Chip Block Book’ including 33 Patterns
