Crumb Quilts: Scrap Quilting the Zero Waste Way

by Emily Bailey

Crumb quilting is the ultimate way to zero waste patchwork using tiny scraps or 'crumbs' of fabric that are so small that most people would throw them away. This collection includes instructions and techniques for how to turn your stash of crumbs into beautiful quilts and quilted projects.

Tiny fabric scraps or 'crumbs' don't have to end up in the bin - now you can learn how to use these crumbs to create 15 beautiful quilts and quilted projects to bust your stash. Author, Emily Bailey, explains how to make fabric from 'crumbs' which you can then cut to your preferred size and use as a quilt block, a dramatic background fabric or as a piece of applique for added texture and interest. These instructions include step-by-step photography for extra clarity around the techniques.

Emily shows you how to quickly piece together small scraps to create larger pieces of 'crumb fabric' using chain piecing to build up the fabric. All of the instructions are accompanied with step photography so you see exactly how to create your own scrappy fabrics. There are also instructions for all the quilting techniques you will need to sandwich, baste and bind your quilts and projects.

As well as the step-by-step instructions and photography for how to make the crumb fabric Emily also shares her tips and tricks for how to group fabric colours and prints in order to get the best results. In addition to the instructions for how to create background crumb fabric, crumb blocks and crumb applique there are also step-by-step instructions for 15 stunning quilted projects including full-size bed quilts and smaller projects including a pillow and pin cushion.

Choose from a full-size bed quilt which features crumb piecing in all its different forms: as a background; as applique and in blocks, to spectacular effect. Other quilts include Under The Sea - a crumb quilt featuring a whole host of scrappy sea creatures and Night Sky - a dramatic quilt which uses crumbs to create a richly textured background with crumb applique for the stars and planets.

So why not take another look at your own stash of crumbs and get patchwork and quilting the zero waste way!

Genres: Quilting, Nonfiction, Sewing, Reference, Crafts

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2021

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more about the actual crumb piecing process, like creative ways to deal with irregular shaped pieces, etc. There’s literally one page about crumb piecing and the rest is specific projects, none of which appealed to me. Oh well.

[JayeL]

I saw this book referenced or reviewed in a quilt magazine. I thought about buying a used copy, but decided to get it out of the library. It was my first opportunity ti use Link+ in awhile. What a great service!

This is essentially a project book. It starts out with a short introduction saying "Quilters are thrifty, resourceful and creative. " (pg.4) I think 'thrifty' is aspirational, but quiltmakers are definitely resourceful and creative. I do agree that using scraps "...produces gorgeous original quilts full of interest and memories." (pg.4). I really enjoy looking at my Scrapitude quilt as I move in and out of my bedroom. Different fabrics I used remind me of other projects and make me smile.

The introduction is followed by the normal 'Tools and Materials " section(pg.6-9). Page 8 and 9 include extras that aren't always in quilt books. I do think that the information about scrap fabrics (pg.9) is a guideline. When I make my improv quilts _insert link- I use whatever size works for me.

The author alludes to curating fabrics but doesn't come out and say it, so I will. Choosing your scraps carefully will make your quilts look more successful.

Don't let Bailey's size guidance limit your use of favorite fabrics. You can use any size that works for you. You may want to insert a super skinny strip. Go for it. If you have made quilts, you know this stuff.

The Crumb Quilting Method (pg. 10-15) provides good instructions if you have never made 'made' or crumb fabric before. I particularly liked her technique for appliqué (pg.13-14). The author's technique makes a lot of sense. She also has instructions for reverse appliqué (pg.15), which I haven't seen in this context before.

The ubiquitous 'how to quilt' section is at the end (pg.116-121) and is called 'General Techniques'. Emily points out that using a specialty ruler (pg.116) to cut certain shapes can be really helpful. I agree. There is a lot going on with 'made' fabrics, and not having to focus on figuring out where to cut can be helpful. Quilting and making a label are covered in this section.

The rest of the book is all projects. Emily's quilts are cheerful and happy, in general. The shapes she uses are simple but interesting as well. I like the curves of Zoodles (pg.26-29). The curve is fun, and it reminds me of learning curved strip piecing back in the dark ages. Friend Julie pointed out that the grey in Zoodles was a little too dark, so it didn't provide enough contrast with the 'made' fabric. If that is the look you like, then GREAT! However, 'made' fabric takes a lot of time and energy, so I like to make sure the individual blocks or pieces stand out.

I think the Flying Geese Runner (pg. 38-41) lis my favorite project in the book. I like the simplicity of the overall design. I also like the squares combined with the Flying Geese.I would, again, pay careful attention to the contrast with the background. There is a fine line between creating movement using different colors and losing parts of the design because fabrics used in the Geese are too close to the background color.

Some of the appliqué projects look a little forced. I think it is the fabric choices and not the quilt design. Choose your fabrics carefully to achieve the look you want. The author may not mind parts of the design disappearing. I prefer to be able to see the whole motif.

Loose Change (pg.50-55) is an appealing pattern. The circles could be pieced into the quilt using the Clammy or techniques by Ruth McDowell instead of appliqué, which could be more precise.

Remembering Ida (98-113) is a cool sampler quilt using 'made' fabric. Again, when making this project, be sure to pay attention to contrast so your hard work stands out.

All in all, this is a cheerful book with some good ideas.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There has been an increasing interest within modern quilting to use ALL the fabric when quilting, to not throw any of it, or almost none of it, out. I did not quite get this at first, but then realized that I have always done a version of this, using a lot of a fabric in a quilt, then weaving in the smaller pieces into the next quilt, and so on.
Then I heard a lecture on Libs Elliot's Sew Squad about the textile industry, which uses a staggering 20% of the world water used every year. What?? That is insane. So now to ramp up your creative juices there are books and workshops aimed at how to use it all. This book mostly advocates that you use smaller pieces of fabric, sew them together and make larger pieces of fabric that you then use to create shapes to then quilt with. I did not find a lot of patterns that I would want to make (one to be exact) but I did find the description of the author's process to be very good, with detailed instructions to carry this out.
I got the book out of the library, but it is the best description of how to proceed with this that I have read to date.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book

I have quilted since 1989, won a blue ribbon on one of my quilts, and made many scrap quilts. So for me it was interesting and I don't need much instruction. I thought she could have had more photos but I guess you can look at her YouTube if you need it!

[Carol A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written quilting book with clear instructions and a number of quilt ideas using crumb quilting techniques.

You can use it to make quilt tops without requiring templates.

I am making a version of the wonky rose - great idea thanks.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Emily Bailey, in my opinion, has revolutionized crumb quilting.

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting

[Nann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas!

[Colleen Froats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas for using scraps

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great idea for using scraps and lovely patterns.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

thought there would be more discussion of the crumb technique, less full quilt patterns. didnt really contain much useful information.

[Sonja H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quilts and instructions on how to use scraps. Good for beginners too