The Scrap-Buster Quilt Block—Square Within a Square
If you sew quilts, home accents, or crafts, chances are that fabric scraps abound in your sewing area. Rather than worry about where to store those creative treasures, use my Change-Up Patchwork techniques to create quilt projects with contemporary designs. Watch the second episode of Change-up Patchwork online to see all the details!
Scrappy Square Quilt
This scrappy square design was made from leftover fabric. My staff and I auditioned what was stored away. Then, we turned coordinating fabrics into an ideal kids’ quilt. Learn how to stitch the square within a square design, using simple strip piecing techniques. Watch online to see how it’s done!
- Assemble square within a square blocks with large centers. Cut 4-1/2″ crosswise strips for the centers and 1/1-2″ crosswise strips for the sides. The blocks are 6-1/2″.
- Then, create again as many 6-1/2″ squares with small centers. All strips are cut 2-1/2″ wide for this easy block.
The layout is simple—alternate the blocks!
Scattered Squares
Now it’s time for artistic expression. The Scattered Squares Table Runner features four different block configurations that are mixed and matched to create a conversation piece. Watch online or read in the book how to design your own square within a square block with the use of “old school” graph paper.
Four different scattered-square blocks were used in this table runner:
- Square within a square with a large center
- Square within a square with a small center
- Square within a square with a medium, offset center
- Square within a square with a small, offset center
Deciding upon the arrangement took the most time!
Flip Flopped Rectangles Quilt
Designing quilt blocks is as much fun as sewing them—I call this design, Flip Flopped Rectangles. Replace a square with a rectangle to create a modern look. The skill set is the same, but the strip sizes have changed.
All the blocks featured in this blog and on the Sewing With Nancy TV episode are strip pieced. Square or rectangular blocks are all pieced using the same techniques. Half the blocks have a vertical contrast…
…the other half of the blocks have a horizontal contrast.
To keep with the modern look, I chose not to add a border. The quilt is finished with a traditional binding. Do you like it?
Watch Change-Up Patchwork Part Two and Part One on Sewing With Nancy online.
To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.
Book Features Nine Great Quilts
Find these easy 4-patch quilts, and six additional quilts, in the new Change-Up Patchwork Book and DVD or in the Change-Up Patchwork Starter Set.
Bye for now,
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Dawn
I love the Scattered Squares quilt. It looks like a great quilt!
Barb
Love the Scrappy Square quilt. That would be the one I’d make first. Thanks for the opportunity for the give-away. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
Susanne Wiora
I’d like to try the scrap busters quilt. It is visually so interesting but so simple. Beautiful.
Joey
I like them all! But love Scrappy squares
Sunshine Amthauer
It is 8:00am. I just saw your quilts and I am ready to run down and try them. Having the book and DVD would make it much easier. At least I would look like I know what I am doing. Happy Holidays!!
Karen Misner
I like them all, but I especially like the Scattered Squares. 🙂
Marianne
I’m loving the two color flip flop rectangles … I have a few big chunks of solid reading fabric to marry with a midnight black on black. I’m usually not attracted to modern quilts but this one sparks my imagination
Sandy Baxter
Love the large and small square in a square quilt. We always have cute scraps around and this would be a great way to use them up!
Jamie
I love them all but it’s the scrappy square in a square that’s been on my mind. I just bought a baby girls themed jelly roll & charm pack the other day with the thoughts of doing a square In a square. And now here’s your post & book offer. Suppose it’s meant to be made soon.
Carol
Nancy, trying to pick one design to make is impossible! They’re all such great answers to using up my scrap stash in a pleasing & creative way! Thanks for such wonderful options!
Marilyn
I was drawn to the scattered square table runner. After years away from sewing, my husband bought me a new machine. I am always on the lookout if smaller projects because of my lack of room. These projects all look fun and a good way to use material and they could all be adapted. Merry Christmas and I look forward to all of your helpful hints this coming year. Thank you
Linda E in AZ
I make MANY community quilts using scraps but have never tried anything like your Scattered Squares table runner. Love all of the scrap techniques.
thanks!
Martha Hood
Think the two I like best are the Scrappy Square and the Scattered Squares – both would make up in great quilts- and use the left over material I have sitting round – have a great day
Marla
It would be either scrappy squares or
Flip flop rectangles Gotta check my stash.
Shirley Caldwell
I like the first quilt,the scrappy one. and think the children would also like this one too
Karen L.
I like the scrappy squared. I made a Bento Box quilt once and for some reason I am drawn to geometic designs. And boy would I like to use up some of my scraps soon! Thanks for the give-away.
Ilana
I’d love to make the scrappy squares.
Denise Rehlander
The scrap buster square within a square would certainly use up my colossal heap of scraps! But I like the looks of the flip flop rectangle too!
Jewels Sowers
Have a great respect for you Nancy. I know people who go to church with you and say you are as wonderful in your amazing career and genuine caring for us all, but more important a real Christian in your personal life. Someday I hope to meet you. Thank you for all you do for us.
scstephquilts
Of all of your books that I have, this is one I do not but would like to add to my library. I have too many scraps and would probably do scrappy squares first.
Jo Ann
Love the modern look. This would be great for the charity quilts I make for Ronald McDonald House here in Cincinnati!!!
Bonnie Keough
Always looking for creative ways to use scraps, it’s very satisfying to create something from nothing.
Brenda Ackerman
I would make the Scattered Squares Table Runner. A lovely project with bright bold colors that can be arranged in a variety of ways is always a fantastic challenge! Thank You for the opportunity to win this great book! Happy Holidays to Everyone!
KayZee
Scrappy Squares would be a good one to use leftovers from the charity quilts I already make to make MORE charity quilts.
Maeve
I particularly love the very colorful patchwork quilt shown first. So many different fabrics and colors make it such a “happy quilt”. Makes me think that I could easily make a block after each project, put it aside, and continue to stash them until I have enough for a quilt to donate. Love this idea! Would truly enjoy having the book! Thanks! Merry Christmas!
Cheryl
I am teaching my 9 year old granddaughter to quilt and I think she would love to go crazy with all my scraps and make a Scrappy Square quilt. She is so excited to be getting a real sewing machine for Christmas.
Mary B
Love the scrappy squares quilt, another great way to use all those scrapes while having an option to ‘control’ the quilt with the use of the solid fabrics.
Bonnie
I love the Scattered Squares Table Runner. Depending on the scraps used in the blocks, It would make a great quick and easy gift any time of the year. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway. Happy Holidays!
Caroline Stromich
That’s so cool,, love the quilting on the pink and grey quilt.
Nanette Edmonds
I’m always open to a new way to deal with scraps!! Those look like they might be right down my alley…. Thanks Nancy!!
Dell Martinez
I love the simple idea behind these patterns Makes me wonder why they are not used by all of us to keep our stashes under control. ..sigh…
Karen Harrison
Such a great way to use scraps. Like the ones where no white fabric is used.
Eva Sabin
I love block in block Quiles. Like everyone I have a large collection of pieces I keep looking for a good use.
Love your posts, they are always great
Starla
Love this idea for using up scraps!
beth
I would love to make a scrappy square quilt. It would be great for one of my relatives.
peaceful
I love any patterns that use scraps. I need to dedicate a month to working on my scraps. These patterns are great. And learning how to create my own would make it even more interesting. Many thanks.
Maggiie
Scattered Squares! Great idea for fun place mats.
Merry Christmas Nancy and to all at Nancy’s Notions folks.
linda. walter
Oh my. I have so much fabric….so little time. I’d love to win this book to use up some fabric and teach my grand daughter how to sew!
Jackie Taxter
I like the Scattered Square table runner best & the Scrappy Square quilt would be great for a child. Have a merry Christmas.
Mamie
Scattered squares would help bust my stash.
Tina
Difficult to choose but I could see myself doing scattered squares.
Lorri
I like the square within a square. Thank you for all your great ideas!
Jan N.
I would make a quilt with the scattered-square blocks. Love how the design looks on the table runner, and think it would look awesome in a larger quilt.
Sharon
Wow, that Scrappy Squares quilt is really a stash buster! I like more than one of the quilts you showed, but I think I’d first make Scattered Squares – maybe in a lap size. Thanks for the give away.
Lillian K
I really like the 2 solid colors used in the Flip Flp rectangle quilt.
Carol Parker
Thought I was going to do the spinning 4 patch until I saw the scrappy square quilt. I was sorting my scraps last weekend then read comments here. Maeve had such a wonderful idea of making a block after each quilt project, putting it aside and then putting together a quilt when enough were made. This is my plans for all future projects. Thanks Nancy for your patterns and thanks Maeve for such a great idea.
Gail Beam
I like the flip flop rectangles. Thanks for another great turtorial!
Carole P.
I like the Scrappy Quilt….would make a cute baby
blanket. Blessings for a Merry Christmas!
LoAnn Trowbridge
I love scrappy quilts!
Marty
I’d like to make FlipFlop Blocks from two contrasting-print fabrics
Debbie rhodes
All of them. !!!! Love your show and all your great ideas.
Karen
I’d like to make the flip flop rectangles! Merry Christmas Nancy!
cecilia huether
Like all of them, and have tons of scraps(who doesn’t), and would love to make one of these quilts
Jennifer Fried
Dear Nancy,
Have a Very Merry Christmas. I like the scattered squares. It just looks happy. A Christmas print in the centers would make a great table runner and a nice gift.
The old sew and sew, Jenny
Helen Heise
My granddaughter just received a sewing machine and will be learning to sew. I think the square within a square will be a great way for her to start. I have plenty of scraps for her to begin with. It will incorporate cutting, sewing and coordinating colors.. A great way to begin and learn.
Cyndi
I love the striking contrast on the 2 color quilt. All of the quilts are beautiful.!! Thank you for the give away.
Joy Banks
I think the scattered squares pattern would help me use up the most scraps. And boy do I have scraps!
Mary Wippold
I love, love, love the scrappy square quilt. I love the colors in the one shown here-they are so bright. You could also do one in black and white prints.
Karen
I would like to make them all it would take awhile.
Valerie M.
Scrappy square
Sharon
After sewing for people as many years as I have, my scrap baskets are brimming. What a great idea. Considering all the garments I have made, probably several thousand, I have yet to make a quilt. This would be a good way to start.
Marie
All of the quilts would make good charity quilts which I make for our church donations to veterans and hospitals.
Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year.
Rosalind Gutierrez
The Flip Flopped Rectangles quilt that is done in two colors catches my eye.
Gretchen Berg
Wonderful way to use scraps I have saved!
Enid
Merry Christmas. I have to sort through the scraps to see what I have before deciding which to make.
eginter
Love the idea, I have sewed for 50 yrs,and have never thrown any peice away,so am trying to USE UP peices, I cut 12 1/2 to 51/2 any cheap fabric or sheets for foundation and made stripe quilts ialso used peices of fabric to stripe the quilts,peice the backs and gave to homeless and abuse shelters. So it feels good to empty and do good at the same time. Thanks for your ldeals keep up the good work!!
Jodi Bowlden
what a terrific idea for scraps. I want to try making the table runner called scattered squares. I would like to have the triangle fabric that you used for the inside squares but I will try with actual scraps that I do have first!
Marie Malone
I like the Flip Flopped Rectangles quilt. It’s beautiful.
Carol Netzler
What a great way to use scraps. It surely is colorful!
Ginger
I really like all the designs. If I had to pick a favorite it would be scattered squares.
Alice Segura
Scattered squares looks like the most fun. i also like the square within a square quilt. Thank you for a chance to win the book.
Ell
The scrappy quilt would mean I could use a lot of scraps and free up some space.
Linda
The scrappy squares quilt will be a great way to help clean out my box of scraps.
Deb J
I like the scattered square quilt.
Melody DeGraziano
I like the flip flopped rectangles quilt. It’s such a nice modern look.
sherry creech
looks like a great book!
Kate
It’s 3 a.m. Merry Christmas! The scattered squares is really beautiful, especially with the fabric you used. At first glance it looked like you spent hours piecing all those triangles. You and your team never cease to amaze me in your creativity.
Joanna
Scrappy squares is my favorite…Love to get rid of my stash in a very Decorative way!
Joanne P.
I would like to make the scrappy square quilt. Have a lot of
scraps accumulated and this would be a perfect use for the scraps.
Cherie
This morning I watched this episode. I love the scrappy squares quilt! It’s definitely on my radar.
Cynthia
Flip flop rectangles but my daughter wants the scattered squares quilt next year for Christmas so I guess I better get started
Yolanda H English
I enjoyed watching the video instructions and gave me some wonderful ideas for 2 baby quilts. This pattern allows for multiple use of fabric scraps–which I have.
Hope to win!
Goldie Kiser
I just received a bunch of scraps from a special lady’s stash … the Scrappy Squares may just be the answer to what I can make with them. Thanks!
Susan T
I have never been a scrap quilt person but the Scrappy Square. Design has changed my mind. Too fun!
Brenda
I love the scrappy square!
Barbara
I LOVE all the possibilities that can happen with all of the designs. My head is swirling with so many ideas—ideas for charity quilts as well as quilts for loved ones. I also like how using scraps or from my stash can result in a more traditional or a more contemporary/modern look very easily and quickly. Can’t wait to see more.
Mary
The square within a square offers so many possibilities. Love the creativity and a way to use the growing “stash of scraps.”
eginter
What about using peices of designs to make a table runner and or place mats
Patti
I like the flip flop rectangles, it will make a great quilt for my son. Thinking it’ll make a nice birthday present for him. Thanks Nancy!
Patti
I like the flip flop rectangles, that would make a great quilt for my son! Pick me!!
Linda Kasevich
Flipflop is fun to look at and would be fun to create. Hoping to be selected!
Shelley L. in La.
Scattered Squares is my favorite. It’s very eye catching. All of them are, really, but this is the most appealing to me. I hope to be the winner! Thank you for sharing the beautiful work!