I have a bit of a problem with scraps… Though I hesitate to call it a problem because it’s not really a BAD thing. I have a ton of scraps that I’ve accumulated, both through cutting up my fabric and scrap packs I’ve bought and been given. I was talking to Alicia from Felt with Love Designs as I was sorting through my scraps and we came up with the idea for the No Scrap Left Behind Challenge and we would love for you to join in!

Here’s how it works –
Every month we will announce a theme. The first month we are keeping it simple and open, just make any Small Project.
One of us will post a tutorial or tips related to that month’s theme while the other blog will have a link up of different scrap project ideas.
Then one month later we will both post our finished projects we made and we will be hosting a link up so you can show off your scrap busting projects too!

That’s it!

I absolutely love scraps, even when I buy fabric by the yard I only get 1/8 of a yard which is less than 5″. I know the people cutting my fabric think I’m crazy because they don’t understand what I could do which such a small amount of fabric but it’s perfect for me. I love that because the cut only ends up being a couple dollars, I can get more fabrics and a bigger variety of prints to have around.

One of my favorite things to do with scraps is to make a patchwork panel and use that instead of a solid piece of fabric for a pattern. I’m going to show you how I do that.

Start by cutting all your pieces to the same size. I started with 1.5″ squares so they finished at 1″ but you can really use any size you would like. I just love the look of the tiny squares.

Work one color at a time and sew two blocks together with a 1/4″ seam. I like to chain piece them together. Basically, chain piecing means you just continue sewing without cutting the blocks in between, leaving you with a long string of all your joined squares.

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Cut the squares apart. I kept debating buying a Gypsy Quilter The Gypsy Cutting Gizmo* and then recently I learned something extremely exciting. The Clover Desk Needle Threader* also has a little cutter blade and can be used the same way! Or you can always use scissors, but why would you want to?

Continue joining the squares together by color.

Once you’ve joined all the colors into rows, press the seams to the side. You want to alternate each row which way the seam goes. This makes it easier to join them.

Match the seams together, I like to use Clover Wonder Clips* instead of pinning. Sew them together row by row until everything is attached.

Give it a good ironing and then you could use it in place of a piece of fabric for a pattern. I used this for the back of an embroidered pouch I made, but it could be used for anything. If you are going to cut a pattern piece out of it, it’s a good idea to use interfacing first.

Make sure to head over to Felt With Love Designs to get some ideas from Alicia for scrap busting small projects!

And we’d love to see what you’re making with your scraps! Use the hashtag #NoScrapLeftBehindChallenge on Instagram!