Today I’m excited to tell you about a new book from author Judy Gauthier, owner of Bungalow Quilting and Yarn in Wisconsin. I first met Judy when we were both panelists for a discussion about how to store your stash at QuiltCon earlier this year. (You may notice recognize a few of the people in the pic below – it was quite the panel!!)
Left to right: Judy Gauthier, Rossie Hutchinson, Mary Fons, and me at QuiltCon 2016
During the discussion Judy mentioned how much she loved working with scraps. This all makes sense to me now, with the release of her book, Quilts for Scrap Lovers.
Quilts for Scrap Lovers by Judy Gauthier
I never really considered myself much of a scrap quilter until I realized that I loved color-blocked quilts. A good example of color-blocking is shown on the cover quilt – Sunshine and Shadows, where a block is made from scraps of the same color. In order for scrap quilting to work effectively, Judy states that, “there must be a high degree of contrast between the colored and neutral fabrics.” I totally agree with that sentiment and Judy has done a fabulous job creating contrast in the 16 beautiful scrap quilts contained in her book.
Let’s take a look at a few more of the lovely quilts from Quilts for Scrap Lovers:
House Divided, 72″ x 82″
I think House Divided is a really clever design. Notice how the blocks can either look like houses, or like modern arrows!I love it when negative space is used in the border, creating more white space around a design. This is definitely my favorite quilt in the book. I bet it was so fun to gather the scraps for this one!
Modern Anvil, 53″ x 69″
Modern Anvil really floats my boat, too. Just look at all that low-volume scrappy goodness in the backgrounds! Those brightly colored anvil blocks with pops of color in the borders give this quilt lots of movement. It’s another effective example of high contrast fabrics.
Chevron, given in Three Sizes
Judy’s Chevron quilt is another great example of color blocking. It’s also shows that you can make an effective scrappy quilt even when you don’t have any background at all. Her clever placement of color provides contrast in between each of the chevron stripes so that the design doesn’t get lost.
The golden rule of book-buying is that if you like at least three of the projects in a book, then it’s worth the price. Trust me, you will like ALL of the quilts in Judy’s book! I think my favorite part is in the front of the book where she includes lots of great tips on how to combine fabrics together.
The last thing I want to share with you is the introduction, set against the backdrop of another lovely house quilt included in the book. (Click the image for a larger view that’s easier to read):
Pick up a copy of Quilts for Scrap Lovers today!
Giveaway Time!
Judy’s publisher is generously giving away a copy of her book for each of the blogs on the book tour below. For your chance to win, leave a comment letting me know if you’d ever made a scrap quilt (or three). Winners will be chosen at the end of the week. Happy reading friends!
Christa Quilts 
I haven’t made a scrappy one-yet! I sewed for a long time before I started quilting but our daughter is “artsy” and used so many of them. I haven’t made enough quilts yet to have much of a scrap bag again.
Not yet but I have plenty of scraps and some fabric/block exchange.
I love scrap quilts and would love to check out this book. Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville is another scrappy quilter I love. Thanks for sharing
I love making scrap quilts. Feel like it connects me to my grandma who lived on a farm and made feed sack and scrappy quilts from clothing. kathy
Wow! Like this book was written just for me! Thanks for the preview! When I began making quilts I had already accumulated boxes of scraps and hunks of fabulous fabrics from many years of periodic sewing binges. Shopping for quilting fabric turned out to be exactly like all of my art work. I call it the “shotgun method”. That is, buying, accumulating, whatever excites me in the moment, trusting that the materials will inspire the object to occur. I’ve made many iterations of luscious excitement this way and do not plan on using others methods until my stash is exhausted. (Ha! Lol.)
I love making string quilts with scraps especially Christmas ones.
I only make scrap quilts anymore. Just love them. I am sure i would make a number of the quilts in the book. Maybe some in a smaller version but all scrappy. It is such a good way to up that starch you have. Please enter me in your drawing. Carol
I have made four scrap quilts and love them all. My favourite is a churn dash, as that is my favourite block.
No, I’ve never made a scrap quilt and this book looks like it might be just the inspiration I need.
No, I guess I really haven’t made a whole quilt from scraps! I have culled my fabrics for a specific pattern in mind, and then purchased what I need to fill in. I do , however, have enough scraps to make several quilts! And after I win this book, I will! I love the house/arrow pattern! And others also! Too many choices! The best scrappy quilt pattern book I have seen! Thank you for the chance to win!
I have only admired scrap quilts, cause I really don’t know where to begin! Maybe this book could help me with my ever-growing amount of scraps!
Scrap quilts are my favorite. I have made several
I have not made a scrap quilt! I am pretty new at quilting so I do not have a very big stash, although I am working on that! I would love to make one. The quilts you highlighted are beautiful.
I love scrap quilts in bright colors. The book looks awesome.
Since scraps seem to multiply at an insane rate, I typically make 1-3 scrap quilts a year.
I love scrap quilts and will even cut strips off yardage to create more scraps to add to the variety.
This appears to be the perfect book for my current project…using my stash without purchasing any new fabric. Easier said than done!ki
I’m slowing building up a scrap stash and hope to make one soon. Thanks for the giveaway.
Scrap quilts are my favorite. This book has outstanding patterns!
I have 3 queen sized beds in my home and each has a scrappy quilt on it.
If your counting using what you cut off when making or cutting out a quilt yes I have made a scrap quilt. My goal these days is to have templates or sizes that can cut when cutting out for a project and then toss the minute scrapes right away.
I have many, many scraps…would love to win the book
I have made many scrap quilts in the past few years. Actually there is one that will be delivered to a Longarm quilter today. Then wil be bound and go to a new women’s abuse center. Most of the scrap quilts I make are going to charity. I find that I am finally making a dent in my boxes of scraps I have been cutting up over the years. I use Bonnie Hunter’s Scrap Saver method.
I love scrappy quilts! Probably more than half the quilts I make are scrappy. I even buy scraps, because I don’t have enough variety! Looks like a great book–thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I’m new to quilting and have begun to accumulate a stash. All the patterns for ‘scrappy’ quilts don’t seem possible for my stash. Sounds like there is hope for a scrappy quilt from my stash in this book.
I love to make scrap quilts – its like working with found fabric! 🙂 My favorite I made I called orange crush. Who knew I had that many orange scraps?! I really like the quilts you’ve shown from this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Yes, I made a quilt out of my brown and neutral cream scrapes for a gift. I never thought I would like it, but I loved it . Now I am working on an orange and black quilt and I love it too. Both of these quilts were made followIng Kim Brackett patterns. Thanks for the book offer.
This looks so delicious! Love the quilts. I love the way she uses her colors!
I love making scrap quilts!!! Feel like I’m more in touch with the true roots of quilting. As my taste in fabric has improved my scrap quilts have too! Thanks for the opportunity to win this fabulous book!
I haven’t made a scrap quilt yet, but my scrap pile is pretty big, and I would love to be able to use them up!
Yes, I love making scrappy quilts and I love the controlled high contrast ones the best. This book looks like one that I need in my library.
Great review! Her three template approach is very appealing to me. Thank you for the giveaway.
scrappy quilts are my most favorite to make. I enjoy handling all the different fabrics. However, it is hard to ever use up my scraps, they seem to multiply instead. Judy’s book has some very interesting patterns I want make.
I have made some scrappy place mats with strips, I use the placemats a lot! I need the scrap organization talk however, mine are stored in very large garden trash can (3/4 full). When I need something I just go dumpster diving – so far it works.
As a beginner quilter, I have not made a scrap quilt-yet. I have collected plenty of scraps now, after making quilts following several QAL! Wonderful book, thank you, Susan
I haven’t ever made a scrap quilt, I’ve gotten as far as cutting scraps, but never much beyond that.
I love scrap quilts & have made many of them. I think most of the quilts I’ve made have been scrap quilts
I’ve made a few scrap quilts. Some are just minis, & others bed sized. They are a great way to use up the scraps I refuse to throw out.
I have made 3 Bonnie Hunter scrap quilts.
I’m pretty new to quilting and so haven’t made a scrap quilt, but the scraps are piling up. This book looks great! I especially love that very first quilt.
Yes, I’ve made scrap table runners and now I’m working on Christmas scrappy stockings for the grand kids…so much fun! Your book looks great.
Yes,I would make a scrappy quilt…or even three! I love the cover quilt and the chevron quilt. And the house divided/arrow quilt could be in my future. The more fabrics used in a quilt, the more interesting it is!
i love the scrappy look but truthfully I thought to myself who has the time with all those scraps to make something. but the Chevron quilt did peak my interest. 🙂
Lots of scrappy quilts. Love the unexpected combinations.
Yes I have made many scrap quilts, but never got much past strips sewn together! I need this book. 😊
I used to give my scraps away because I couldn’t figure out what to do with them. Then I made a string-pieced table runner. Now I’m hanging onto my scraps!
I am getting ready to sew the binding on my first scrap quilt that I started 15 years ago! Made a few squares and buried them because I didn’t think they worked. But after a few years of acquiring more scraps, well, finally got all the colours right! I love your beautiful colour blocked patterns.
I’ve made quite a few scrap quilts. They’ve almost all been strip quilts, a couple of them Court house steps, and one just strips around a center block. But this book looks like it has some fascinating patterns, very different from anything I’ve ever done. I’d love to try something different.
I love scrap quilts! Looks like a great book. I always have fabric for a scrap quilt!
I have made lots of scrap quilts but they are usually what might be called controlled scrappy. I’m still working on the uninhibited part! I have lots and lots of scraps that need to be made into something beautiful so this book would be really useful for me. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.