Every time I finish a quilt, a few more fabric scraps find their way into the collection. Some are large enough to cut into squares. Others are tiny pieces I keep because I know they’ll be perfect for something someday. Before long, one little pile has become three.
So, yes, my scraps may be multiplying. Luckily, so are the possibilities!
Does your scrap collection seem to grow overnight? Tell me what you love to make with yours.
……………………………………………………………
STOP SAVING YOUR SCRAPS FOR “SOMEDAY”
With Crumbs for the Geese, you’ll confidently turn even the smallest pieces into a vibrant, finished quilt—no second guessing, no overwhelm.
🎥 You’ll also get a 30-minute step-by-step video on crumb blocks and precise flying geese Just sew, build, and enjoy the process
In my last post, I used Bonnie Hunter’s Essential Triangle Tool to cut half-square triangles from 2½-inch strips. I placed the fabrics right sides together before cutting, then clipped the matched triangles into groups of four.
With all of the cutting finished, I sat down at the sewing machine and started chain piecing.
For the first group, I began sewing at the clipped-off end of each triangle. That left the pointed end as the last part to pass under the needle.
It seemed like the logical way to sew them—but it didn’t work very well.
As the triangles moved under the presser foot, one layer slipped out of position too easily. By the time I reached the pointed end, the edges were no longer aligned.
…even when using a Stiletto to hold them in place.
After pressing, those HSTs weren’t the correct size.
For the next group, I tried something different.
This time, I placed the pointed end under the needle first and sewed toward the clipped-off end.
Then, as I approached the end, I could easily slide the next pointed end into the gap and keep on stitching…
That one small change made a huge difference. The layers stayed together, the edges remained aligned, and the finished HSTs were the correct size.
In fact, I ended up with perfect HSTs every time!
Sometimes a quilting problem doesn’t require a new tool or a complicated solution. Sometimes we simply need to turn the piece around.
My new rule for sewing these triangles is easy to remember:
Point first!
…………………………………………………………….
“Let’s Get Scrappy is about how to decide, not about what to make.”
Let’s Get Scrappy is an on-demand online course that helps quilters overcome decision fatigue and finally make sense of their overflowing scrap bins. With four hours of step-by-step video instruction, you’ll learn simple systems for organizing, piecing, and pressing your scraps—so you can stop overthinking and start sewing beautiful, coordinated quilts with confidence and joy.
