How to Make an Improv Quilt from Scraps: Tutorial

[@louisealexander2001]

Beautiful

[@FaithandFabric]

Louise, thank you! That means a lot - and this quilt had such a special meaning behind it, too.

[@grahamhughes2025]

thank you...really enjoyed this and it helped me work some good stuff out...I hate wasting fabric too and I love the random...making something beautiful from waste...

[@FaithandFabric]

Graham, YES! I'm like you - I hate wasting anything that still has value, like these beautiful little pieces of fabric. It adds such a striking look to the back of the quilt, too. Happy sewing to you!

[@jeandavegilchrist2545]

Brilliant!! Have been playing around with sewing a 'scrap' quilt for a while, having seen the idea on another video. BUT, your video has helped enormously, and now I feel much more confident and able to produce the effect with more random edges/angles. You explained and demonstrated so well. Thank you.🤗

[@FaithandFabric]

Aww, Jean, I'm so glad!! This is literally my favorite technique for backs of quilts...a super scrappy strip with the tiny bits and then the rest of the fabrics making a scrappy back. I'd love to see how your quilt back turns out!

[@suzannakoizumi8605]

Using the triangle puts a new perspective on scrap quilting.

[@FaithandFabric]

Suzanna, yes, the triangular shape really adds such visual interest to a quilt that would otherwise just be horizontal and vertical lines. I look forward to seeing how your quilt turns out!

[@celiaambrose9008]

I like how you readjusted the pieces as you were doing the last part. Nice technique!

[@FaithandFabric]

Thanks! Agree the readjustment was needed :)

[@queva3062]

I love this project bc we don't know where we put them together -- no border, it's what exactly I'm looking for😃🌼🌱🍾🥂🍾 happy spring.

[@FaithandFabric]

Yes! It's a quilt that unveils itself as you make it. So fun!

[@queva3062]

@@FaithandFabric tfs, good night 🇪🇸💓

[@itsmyparty4637]

crumb quilting! my passion. Love your fabrics!

[@FaithandFabric]

Crumb quilting is such a fun word! (...technically, words) They really are these gorgeous crumbs of color, aren't they?

[@cocotheo]

“Darling little improv block!” 😊

[@FaithandFabric]

Aww, thanks so much!

[@Dranma51]

I love it! My granddaughter made a quilt and I taught her how to use the scraps for a backing. I liked the backing better than the front of her quilt! Plus it saves money that you don’t have to spend on backing fabric!

[@FaithandFabric]

Cathy, that is awesome! I have a quilt that I, too, like the back better than the front. ...and yes to saving a ton of money!

[@cinziabeley7059]

Hi! Thanks for the great tip of joining the angles together to make up the long strips. Lovely end result. I love doing these for the backs of my quilts as well!

[@FaithandFabric]

Thank you! That join really makes those long strips beautiful...so glad to hear you like scrappy backs, too. They add such visual interest!

[@mvc9871]

Your video is like one hour of therapy

[@FaithandFabric]

Haha, MVC, THANK YOU!

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Such beautiful crumb quilt blocks! Thanks for posting!

[@FaithandFabric]

Brenda, I honestly like the back as much as the front on this one!!

[@131dyana]

Great way to sew them together. Thanks.

[@FaithandFabric]

Thanks, Dyana! I really like the randomness of the strip. Glad you do, too.

[@connectingcolors]

Great video! I've been sewing for about 55 years, started when I was probably 10 years old, got my first sewing machine when I was 12, a Singer Featherweight... I've sewn over pins all my life, only hit one once, which is the exact same amount of times as I've sewn over a finger! Lol ( and by the way I still piece on that same machine).

[@FaithandFabric]

Karina, thank you! Haha - yes! Us pin-sewer-overs need to stick together :) I've hardly ever hit them, either - and like you, only had one really good (bad?) sew-through-my-finger experience...though that once was definitely enough for me!

[@pattieccakeart]

Thank you for this....really helpful, especially the tip about joining the blocks which are on an angle.

[@FaithandFabric]

Pattie, I'm so glad it helped! Yes, those blocks on an angle can be tricky when you first start off - thankful the video worked on sharing how to do it :)

[@Sudles2]

Thank you for this, Jen. I'm about to begin an Epiphany wall hanging (for next year). There is a 15" wide wall space at the entrance to our apartment in our retirement community--the Advent candles are perfect there! The one I am making for next year will have your star block at the top, with your Three Kings block below. I am hoping to use this scrap technique to add lots of different blues in the 20-25" space between the star block and the kings block--dark on the top, moving to lighter at the bottom, with a light blue background for the kings--one panel, with sashing to frame it. And then free-motion quilting to pull it all together. That's what I envision anyway...

[@FaithandFabric]

Sudie, I'm so excited to hear how it turns out! I would love to see photos once you finish; please do send some if you're open to it. Wishing you a beautiful 2023 and happy sewing!

[@mbrandeen6368]

Fabulous idea! Thank you!😊

[@FaithandFabric]

Thank YOU! I look forward to seeing how your quilt back turns out!

[@Wanda6308]

Great idea, You wouldn't believe my scrap bag lol lol lol. Now to have some fun

[@FaithandFabric]

Wanda, definitely come back and share a photo when you're done. Making this panel for the back of the quilt made me realize a) how easy it was, b) what a great scrap buster it is, and c) how it leaves me liking the back just as much as the front :)

[@jolynnsholmire2785]

Love your intro. Very creative.

[@FaithandFabric]

Aww, thanks! If only it were really that easy :)

[@esperansaloughran693]

very cool, thank you so much! Its a beautiful piece!

[@FaithandFabric]

Esperansa, I'm so glad! Happy sewing!

[@marleneabbot7708]

Wonderful tutorial, thank you for sharing 😘

[@FaithandFabric]

Marlene, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's lovely to use up all those little bits for a lovely back!

[@lupewithers5151]

Loved your colors. Very informative tutorial can’t wait to start squaring up my ragged edge fabrics

[@FaithandFabric]

Thank you! I look forward to seeing how it turns out; be sure to send a photo when you have time.

[@marykubach1188]

You are such a good cook. Loved this.

[@FaithandFabric]

Haha! Mary, if only quilting really *was* that fast! Thank you for the compliment ;)

[@jeannesnodgrass8073]

Thanks! This is a great idea that I will definitely use!💕

[@FaithandFabric]

Jeanne, I'm so glad! It feels so good to not only make a gorgeous quilt back, but to use up all those remaining scraps from paper piecing. Happy sewing to you!

[@rachelburgener819]

Ohhh this was awesome, first time here and just subscribed! ❤️😀

[@FaithandFabric]

Yeah and welcome! Glad to have you here, Rachel.

[@omisfavorites1054]

Love it! You gave me lots of good tips for making my pieced backs look better. Also how to have fun with the process! Thanks for the video!

[@FaithandFabric]

I'm so glad - honestly, saving those little fabric scraps and turning them into something beautiful feels great on so many levels. Not only is it reducing waste, but it makes such a one of a kind quilt back. Happy sewing to you!

[@donnarichey144]

I have heard do not press on your wool mat on your cutting mat. It can warp it. I know I did mine on a wood thing and it warped it. First time here and thank you for doing this video. I love it.

[@FaithandFabric]

It’s true - it’s not good for it. I tend to cut a few corners when I’m filming as I hate moving the camera equipment, but you’re right - pressing shouldn’t happen with anything plastic beneath it.

[@قماشة]

رائع

[@FaithandFabric]

Thank you! I'm glad you though it was "fabulous" :) Wishing I could reply in Arabic, but I don't trust Google Translate to do that for me!

[@70acres]

Sorry but scraps are not waste. And oddly shaped edges don't prevent you from using the fabric. I live for crumbs and scraps. I actually buy scrap bags and prefer them over pristine yardage.

[@FaithandFabric]

I agree! It’s great to turn those scraps into something beautiful, and turn those oddly shaped pieces into something grand. Like you, I have a scrap collection I value as well!

[@paulinechapman5669]

Someone after my heart..totally agree..🇨🇦

[@Biddybee]

I don’t understand your comment! Her whole video was about making best use of what some people would consider ‘unusable’ leftover scraps.

[@leannemori9688]

Ya, it's called crumb piecing

[@FaithandFabric]

Yes! I love that term. Crumb Piecing. It's also what I do when I mush the brownie bits together in the bottom of the pan to make one last brownie! Haha!

[@Jana-TheCraftyGambler]

Oh how I wish I was one who kept every scrap of fabric. It’s a illness, I’m sure.

[@FaithandFabric]

Jana, I'm horrible at keeping an actual fabric stash; everything I have fits in a small dresser. I love this method because it lets me use up all those scraps from the front on the back, not waste, and not be left with fabric when I'm done. It's the minimalist in me :)

[@bettycoffin4206]

Use up all your scraps because you paid for the entire piece. Don't waste it. I even use fabric that weren't used in the quilt top for pieced backings. I don't care if it doesn't match the front.

[@FaithandFabric]

Betty, YES!! Use up ALL those scraps...it's so great to not have leftovers because, as you said, you've already purchased those fabrics. Plus, I think these quilt backs are BEAUTIFUL

[@lindawilson3770]

Great idea although I cringed every time you sewed over a pin. 😬

[@FaithandFabric]

Haha! Linda, I know - old habits die hard :) I try to be more conscious of it now, but admit I still sew over them from time to time.

[@ingrida.r.1533]

too much t alkiing, there are better patch shows

[@FaithandFabric]

Ingrid, that''s the best part of KZbin, isn't it? If my gift of gab isn't your style, feel free to find another channel that works for you. Happy sewing!

[@kirstencook1439]

I agree years ago when l drove few quilt shops in hour or nearer me l sit at their scrap box for up to hour sorting what l like so not to cut into my big piece l needed. Yet l still cut into the big piece not to much untill l used for that bigger patchwork l 🤑🤑 To create.l was saving recycle from land fill before it was 🤙cool thing to do theses days fir 🤑right as today or just could not let the itty bitty gem compost rot. Yet let it take root 🧠🤯✂️📏✒️📍🪡🧵 🌱🌿🪴🏵️ I this what of designing a quilt wast not Make do redo use it up improv quilting 🥰 Keep Rocking 🤙 the good stuff 👍 Beautiful people & comments😘to all agree or not if you not need your tiny gems l know who does.💜🙏💚🕊️🐇🍁🤗

[@FaithandFabric]

Kirsten, yes! Saving those scraps is such a great way to keep them out of the landfill, to reuse them in a way that makes something beautiful from something that would be otherwise discarded.