Scrap Quilts: The Art of Making Do

by Roberta Horton

Important Note about PRINT ON DEMAND Editions: You are purchasing a print on demand edition of this book. This book is printed individually on uncoated (non-glossy) paper with the best quality printers available. The printing quality of this copy will vary from the original offset printing edition and may look more saturated. The information presented in this version is the same as the latest edition. Any pattern pullouts have been separated and presented as single pages. If the pullout patterns are missing, please contact c&t publishing.

Genres: Quilting, Reference, Crafts, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quilt philosophy book; no patterns but chockfull of ideas, explanations, and examples. I love Roberta Horton’s sense of design and style, her open admiration of old quilts with all their idiosyncrasies, her avocation of using plaids that are cut casually off grain, her advice on adding color and interest . Roberta’s quilts are folk art and scrappy, refreshing to look at in a time of increasing mass production. I revisit often.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very inspiring. It isn't a pattern book at all, it is about how to create your own scrap quilts. Horton explains the factors to consider when considering what fabric will go in a particular composition. She also analyzes several scrap quilts in detail which really helped me see what choices had been made in each and the design impacts of those choices. There is also a section where Horton walks the reader through her process for designing "Corroboree," a quilt that features an large-print Aboriginal fabric in a Goose Chase setting. I found that process extremely illuminating as well. I borrowed this book from the library, but it is definitely one I want to add to my own collection.

[Mmfniteowl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't think it had very many good patterns

[Janna Odenthal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspirational

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good lessons about combining fabric to make interesting compositions.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This got me to thinking about my scraps, so i made up an improvisational rule and pieced 9 sections. I've put 4 of them together- making a medallion center, a border of one fabric, and then going to piece some more scraps for the border. My rule was- pick a scrap or one color, pick a scrap in an analogous color, and then a filler piece of the complement of fabric 1.
Got to the end of the book and went right back to the beginning! I need my own copy- so inspiring. The part at the end with all the blocks and their names is a super resource.

[Lee Uptegraff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I asked for this for Christmas after reading a library copy. I Love it. I'm currently buying fabric online to try some of the exercises and am planning several quilts to make. This all started with me teaching my granddaughter to quilt last spring! Now I'm hooked back into it. I adore Roberta Horton. I've also purchased & read her Amish Quilt book; also excellent.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

No patterns. Just photos, definitions/descriptions, and some tips.

Liked the 16 patch pinwheel that was shown, wild goose chase (circa 1890), delectable mountains (both versions), turning a new leaf, and the folk art section.

Many of the fabrics were so dated (1998 book), it was hard to look past them, but overall I liked this book more than the artsy pretentious ones that are newer.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a colorful and very informative scrap quilting book for a beginner. It included basic things such as types of fabrics to choose from, what tools one needs to have, how to combine colors as well as many great patterns.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

not that i have made any of the quilts suggested and displayed in this book, but it inspires me. this is the look i like and aim to achieve in my starting quilt career. this book also makes great bedside reading.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any quilting book by Roberta Horton is worth owing. She is most inspiring.

[Stephanie Johnson]

Old book with old patterns(so dated.) But still has some insights about how to pick scraps and colors for a quilt. Interesting if you don’t know where to start. Has no useable patterns though.