Summer 2023 Scrap Along Challenge - small units

Welcome to the Summer 2023 Quilt Along Challenge. This summer I’m challenging myself to empty as many of my scrap bins of fabric as I can and make quilts for charity. Check the previous post for more information.

If you are joining me, we’ll be using 2 1/2” cut squares and 6 1/2” cut squares. These measurements include the 1/4” seam allowance and should be measured from the outside edge of the fabric.

How is it coming with sorting your scraps and cutting the 6 ½” squares? We are now going to start with the 2 ½” units.

For this quilt, we’ll need 684 units measuring 2 ½” x 2 ½”. That seems a lot, but this size of unit can be cut from the leftovers of binding, the remainder of larger strips cut for other projects, from those really odd pieces or from yardage.

I've recently learned that instead of dumping left over fabric from a project into one of the large tubs, I have been preparing my “scraps” when I finish a project by folding anything larger than half a meter and putting it away. Anything less gets cut into 2 ½” strips WOF and smaller pieces into 2 ½” square units. This saves time and mental energy as I can deal with them in small doses.

Pieces of fabrics less than this and the trims from making these sizes are put into a basket for dog bed filler. I used to save all these pieces for the "mile a minute" or crumb piecing projects. Let's face it, I ain't gonna happen!

Step 2:

Press the fabrics flat. Cutting and Piecing always works better with flat fabrics.

To make things easier, I fold the fabric so it will fit nicely on my cutting mat. I can then cut multiple layers quickly and easily.

I start by cutting strips of fabrics 2 ½” wide.

Then I cut the strips into 2 ½” squares.

When there is a little bit of fabric left on the strip, open the fold and you may be able to get another square out of it before you add to your dog bed filler bag.

Any size and shape of fabric scrap can be used, as long as it is big enough to trim down to the the desired size.

You will need 684 squares.

Tip

If you are trimming longer pieces of fabric, you might want to save them as strips in a separate bin for use in bindings and strip piecing projects. On larger pieces that I'm trimming the backing of a quilt, I'll often save these for another project.