Scrappy Quilt Block by Amy Ellis


Amy Ellis shares her tutorial for the Scrappy Quilt Block in today’s Sulky Block Party installment.

Logo with the text 'NATIVEST by A' beneath a black and white striped pattern.Amy Ellis Quilt Block

Amy Ellis

About Amy

Amy Ellis is an author, designer, quiltmaker, co-founder of Curated Quilts, and host of #IGQuiltFest on Instagram.  Her books include Modern Basics, Modern Basics II, Modern Neutrals, Think Big! and Modern Heritage Quilts. She blogs at AmysCreativeSide.com and is always busy with a new project.

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Scrappy Quilt Block

Learn how to make Amy’s Scrappy Stella Quilt Block for a new twist on an old favorite!

Colorful sewing threads arranged in a wooden box on a cutting mat.

From Amy:

I love taking a recognizable block and updating it with a twist, like made-fabric instead of using a single fabric in the center of this block. Giving scrap fabrics a purpose is always fun! This scrappy quilt block is made with several colors or fabric that don’t seem to coordinate but do. Mix and match fabrics in your stash to come up with a pleasing arrangement.

To begin, collect scraps to be sewn together for the center of the scrappy quilt block, a dark fabric for the points, and a background fabric.

Quilting supplies with fabric pieces, thread spools, and paper patterns on a cutting mat.

From the dark fabric, cut:

2 squares, 5 1/4†x 5 1/4†and cut on the diagonal twice to yield 8 quarter triangles.

Quilting supplies including fabric pieces and thread spools.

From the background fabric, cut:

1 square, 5 1/4†x 5 1/4†and cut on the diagonal twice to yield 4 quarter triangles

4 squares, 4 1/2†x 4 1/2â€

Colorful fabric swatches pinned on a cutting mat with measurement grid.

I used 50wt Sulky thread in color 1082 – I love the way the thread blends into all of the colors in my block, and the weight is my favorite, as it keeps extra bulk out of my seams.

Colorful fabric pieces pinned on a cutting mat with a yellow ruler.

Sew the scraps together to create the center square. Aiming for 6 1/2†overall as you work. Trim away excess seam allowances and continue to make the fabric large enough for the center square. Trim to 6 1/4†x 6 1/4â€.

Colorful patchwork quilt pieces arranged on a cutting mat.

Scrappy Quilt Block Layout

Lay out the block pieces as shown, using all the squares and triangles cut earlier to surround the center square. The block will sew together on the diagonal. First sew the triangles together on the long sides above and below the center square. Press the seam allowance toward the dark fabric.

 

Colorful star-shaped quilt block with vibrant patterns and geometric designs.

Next, sew the triangle units to either side of the square, starting at the square edge, and sewing toward the triangle point. Press toward the square after each addition.

A hand folding a patterned fabric piece on a cutting mat.

Two hands holding a quilt block with various colorful fabrics.

 

Quilt block featuring black and white triangles with a colorful, patterned strip.

To sew the smaller points, center the triangle point on the square and sew the length. Then press the seam allowance toward the triangle and repeat on the adjacent side.

 

Quilting supplies with fabric pieces, thread spools, and paper patterns on a cutting mat.

Quilting supplies with fabric pieces, thread spools, and paper patterns on a cutting mat.

Sew the points to opposite sides of the center square, and press the seam allowances away from the center.

Quilting supplies with fabric pieces, thread spools, and paper patterns on a cutting mat.

 

Quilting supplies with fabric pieces, thread spools, and paper patterns on a cutting mat.

Pin and sew the remaining sides to the center unit to complete the block. Then press the seam allowances away from the center.

Quilting supplies with fabric pieces, thread spools, and paper patterns on a cutting mat.

Sulky Cotton + Steel thread Neutrals were perfect for this block!

Quilting supplies with fabric pieces, thread spools, and paper patterns on a cutting mat.

A colorful quilt block with a spool of thread on fabric.

Colorful fabric swatches pinned on a cutting mat with measurement grid.

Finished Scrappy Quilt Block

Colorful sewing threads arranged in a wooden box on a cutting mat.

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