The Best of Scraptherapy Quilting Books

I've been a fan of scrap quilts ever since I began quilting. In fact, at first I thought all quilts were scrap quilts! Joan Ford of Scraptherapy has some of the best quilting books. Here's my review of two of them - "Scraps Plus One!" and "The Versatile Nine Patch".

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Scraps Plus One! New Patterns to Quilt Through Your Stash with Ease

This 200-page book builds on Joan's first book "Cut the Scraps!" that explains her method for controlling (organizing) fabric scraps. "Scraps Plus One!" shows you how to use your leftover fabric plus one new element (focal print, solid fabric, or technique) to create beautiful quilted projects.

Chapter 1 

Scraps Plus One Inspiration

Joan tells the journey that led to the inspiration for this book. 

Chapter 2

The Seven Steps Revisited

This chapter reviews Joan's seven-step method for cutting, storing and using scraps. 

Part Two - Scraps Plus One Projects

This section of the book has detailed instructions and diagrams plus beautiful full color photos for 20 different projects. Quilts, totes, table runners, pot holders and pillow covers are all represented here.

Miracle Max - Large throw using one-color scraps (red in the example) and a white background

Basket Case - Bed-size quilt with a woven design plus a focus print

Flower Bed - Easy bed-size quilt using floral scraps and white

Stained Glass - This bed-size quilt has a bold stripe used in the sashing and border and uses a unique piecing technique

From Little Acorns - Throw-size applique quilt with a focal print

99 Bottles - Lots of little pieces in this throw-size quilt and a fun, wonky-pieced border

Prairie Porcelain - Light scraps and a dark blue fabric in this throw-size applique and pieced quilt

Scraptop Pouch and Carrier - These two use light and medium/light prints with a bold print

Magic Carpet Table Runner and Quilt - Depending on the size you make, this quilt uses scraps plus one fat quarter, one yard, or four one-yard cuts

Sweet Revenge - This bold throw-size quilt uses a black solid along with bright prints

Square Peg, Round Hole - Throw-size quilt made from the scraps of Sweet Revenge plus a solid fabric

Friendship Bread Runner - Use more leftovers plus setting triangles

Georgia's Garden - Got leftover half-square triangles? This throw fits the bill!

Square Deal - Throw-sized modern-looking quilt using blue and yellow scraps with a green accent fabric

Citrus Kitchen Set: Pot Holders and Table Runner - Totally cute yellow and lime colored kitchen items. Applique and pieced projects.

Petal Pushers - Throw-sized pinwheel variation quilt using a cheerful floral print for focus

Confetti Pillow - Interesting pillow cover. Not sure what it would look like after a washing or two though!

Twirly Whirly - Throw-sized quilt made with lots of pinwheels and a cream background

Chrusciki Tote - The handle on this tote is based on the chrusciki cookie

Beach Blanket Bingo - Beautiful throw-size quilt using graduated colors and only nine and four patch blocks

I've made a couple of quilts from this book that turned out beautiful! I really like the way Joan cuts her scrap fabric. For example, I made a throw quilt and there were a few leftovers when I got done. I turned to this book and made a pillow cover to match the quilt from the leftovers! 

The Versatile Nine Patch

In this 220-page book, Joan shows a multitude of ways that the simple Nine Patch block can be used to make stunning quilts.

The book is split into two sections:

Techniques for Making a 9-Patch

This section goes over the basics of making a Nine Patch block and also revisits her seven-step method for cutting and using fabric scraps.

The Projects

This section has 18 different projects from quilts and home dec projects to totes and project bags. There are a wide array of designs to spark your creativity! I especially like her "Mix 'n' Match" mug mats and "Sneaky Peek" project pouches.

Moody Blue - Easy, unique churn dash technique in cool tones plus a very light yellow for contrast

Button Collection Pillow - Cute "buttons" all over this pillow!

Daisy Fresh Runner - Uses the basic nine patch and the nested nine patch

Fiesta! - Throw-size quilt featuring the hidden nine patch with pinwheels in the center of each block

Pomegranate Rose Table Topper - Features the transformed nine patch with cute 3D appliques

Mix 'n' Match Mug Mats - Several different applique shapes and side border options on top of nine patches - cute as can be!

Split the Check - Easy, chevron design made with splitting nine patches in two color-ways

Cross-Body Market Sack - Cute tote with a zippered pocket

Bolster Pillow - Very nice design on this pillow with detailed instructions on sewing the circle ends

Beetle Mania - Nine patches in two sizes plus applique bugs 

Citrus Coverlet - Throw-sized quilt using half square triangles in a nine patch setting

Elsa's Prayer Quilt - Very striking quilt using the elevated and transformed nine patch blocks

Sneaky Peek Project Pouches - Awesome project pouches using clear vinyl so you can see what's in the pouch

Argyle Dreams - So pretty! Bed-sized quilt uses lots of light fabrics and a few darks to create a plaid design

Laptop Sleeve - So useful zippered laptop tote!

Once again, the book has detailed instructions, tips, and illustrations along with full color photos of the finished projects. 

Conclusion:

I really love both books. Each is well thought out with appendices on Quiltmaking Basics and Quilting 101 (machine quilting and binding), a Glossary and Metric Equivalents sections. And the quilts are gorgeous! Joan includes humorous stories about what inspired the patterns, and lots of tips about construction and color selection.

I hope you've enjoyed this review of Scraptherapy quilting books. If you liked this post and want to see more plus my free tutorials, simply click here to sign up for my newsletter and also receive a free PDF quilt pattern called Chained Weathervane.

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

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