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 have made quite a few scrappy quilts for the nursing homes. They tend to be the most popular as it brings back many fond memories to so many of the seniors there.
I have made a few scrap quilts. They’re a lot harder than I thought. I am now looking for the one pattern that will use the most – it’s a challenge. THanks for the chance!
I have soo many scraps and I keep making them even when I sew with them. Having a system that uses them in an efficient way and allows storing them for easy retireval would be great. Thanks for the great review.
I could probably make a scrap quilt a day and still have scraps. I like that there are books coming out to give quilters ideas for scrap quilts other than 4 patches, 9 patches, etc.
My stash is complete with many test blocks that I instead to sew together one day….. to make a scrap quilt😂
I have never made a scrap quilt! I think it’s time!!
I honestly tried to make a scrap quilt with my left over 2 1/2 inch blocks. I don’t like it at all. I like what you were saying about color blocking. That maybe the trick. I also enjoy reading that Judy uses real scraps!
Tracinecharest at gmail dot com
Oh yes, I’ve made scrap quilts, starting about 1974 when I cut up all the saved scraps from the clothing I sewed in high school, including my sea green satin prom dress. Half square triangles galore! That is somewhere around, I’ll have to dig it out. SINCE then I’ve gone on to make many quilts, but always add scraps from cotton apparel.
I have made several scrap quilts without thought of color balances, etc. I thought scrap was scrap. Now, As I begin to learn more about color and contrast, I want to claw them back!!!
I am working on my first scrap quilt. Have been quilting 1 1/2 years, looks like I have enough for a lap quilt. Also, I need this book for inspiration.
I have made a few scrap quilts — I think 3
I am working on my second truly scrappy quilt right now. I am really loving them and lord knows I have enough scraps to make a lot of quilts. I love the introduction and agree that a lot of times “scrappy” quilts in books look to controlled for my liking.
I even make ‘snippet’ fabric to make scrap quilts…love the unexpected combinations/textures that find their way together.
I have made many scrap quilts. The scraps keep multiplying and create scraps of their own.
Yep, that happens!!
I have made several scrap quilts for charity. I have friends who don’t use scraps, so I’m the lucky recipient.
I have made some fun scrappy quilts for giveaways. I love to use Elizabeth Hartman’s fox quilt for kids to use up fun scraps.
I haven’t made a scrap quilt before, but my scraps are multiplying quickly. It’s time! Thanks for the giveaway.
It’s hard for me to make anything other than a scrap quilt. Just love how the varied shades in each color come alive! Would love to win the book by Judy Gauthier!
I am quite new quilter and don’t have enough scraps. Just a mini or two and I love it.
It seems I’m making scrap quilts lately because I need to make room for the new fabrics I plan to get for 2017!
I mostly only make scrap quilts these days. They have a look that other quilts just don’t match. Five fabrics is OK. Fifty fabrics is good. But a really great quilt can have 500 fabrics or more and then they almost shimmer with life. Yep, scrap quilts make me happy.
I have made several scrap quilts, and have an extensive scrap collection to make many more!
The book looks great! My first finished quilt, one for a baby girl, included 145 fabrics, so I guess that qualifies as a scrap quilt. Lol. And all of the others I’ve made except for one also were made entirely of scraps. Somehow I just love that look.
Thanks for the chance at this generous giveaway!
Yes, I have made scrap quilts. I love making them. And winning a new book would inspire me even more. Thank you for this chance!
I don’t have enough scraps yet to make a quilt, but I sure would like to.
The cover quilt makes my heat sing. I have the blocks together for a scrap quilt, but I haven’t completed the top.
Most of my quilts are scrappy, can’t help it I love them.
I have made several, I love scrap quilts. Who doesn’t have a fabric stash, stash makes wonderful scrappy quilts.
I made a baby size scrap quilt that still needs binding. It’s cute, but not my favorite. Hopefully this book will get me on the right track using my scraps.
I have just started my first scrap quilt &I am loving the process
As soon as I win this book, I will have my friend make me a scrappy quilt!
My very first quilt was a scrappy quilt, a star pattern. I love scrap quilts as the various fabrics each hold a memory. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love making Scrap quilts – yet I still have more scraps – how does that work? Ha ha!
Have learned to love scrap quilts, mainly through block exchanges.
I have not made one yet but our guilds challenge this year is a scrap quilt. So I have been exploring ideas to get started. Thanks for the tip on this book it looks like a great way to get ideas.
I’ve made a scrap log cabin quilt out of old clothes and a baby quilt from scraps leftover from another project. Earlier this year, I finished a big bed sized scrap quilt for my daughter. I want my next one to be a postage stamp quilt.
Oh my I love scrap quilts, have made several, can’t seem to get enough of them and who doesn’t have a scrap pile big enough to make a quilt?
Yes– I love scrap quilts!!!
I haven’t made a scrap quilt! After seeing this book I definitely want to!
I have never made a scrap quilt before!
Oh, yes I have made many scrap quilts. I am imagining how I will use the scraps from a planned quilt before the planned quilt is finished. Getting to use the scraps is often motivation to finish a project! Love what I have seen of this book. Thanks to you for sharing and thanks to Judy for offering a giveaway of her book.
I love scrap quilts! Mostly what I make are scrappy. Some with a controlled palette and others are just wild.
I did make a scrap quilt from a variety of very bright printed fabrics. It has black sashing. I am really pleased with the quilt.
I have made several scrap quilts and am always looking for new scrap quilt designs.
I’d say just about half of all the quilts I’ve made have been scrap quilts. In order for it to qualify, does all the fabric need to be scraps or most of it? I’ve been making a fireworks themed quilt each year, for the past eleven years. I bought special fabric for three of them, and the rest were made from scraps.
Scrappy quilts are my favs! Snuggling under one right now. Thank you for the chance to win.
Love, love making scrap quilts. Variations in color and visual texture give such interest to a quilt.
I haven’t made a scrap quilt yet, but when I returned to work and had to leave my weekly quilting group, I missed everyone so much that after the first day of work I made an improvisational scrappy case to hold all my pens, pencils, etc. I’m still dreaming of making a full quilt one of these days.
i love scrap quilts. It is usually all I make..they are fun and colorful..
someone had given me some scraps, they were little and not very many of musical instruments, all of the colors were there, golds and blacks, so I designed a small wall hanging for my daughter. There were triangles to fit in where I thought they would work, and squares and so on. it turned out great, but I had no pattern or anything to go from, just started with squares and triangles. Now I’m trying to look at scraps in a more positive way, way out of my comfort zone, and would love to win this book to help me get there! Thanks