A modern throw made from leftover fabric strips in four machine sewing sessions, from sorting the scraps to binding the edge.
This throw uses up the strips you’ve been saving and finishes in four sessions. The design is simple: wide panels of random strips separated by bands of one solid fabric. The solid calms the chaos and makes even mismatched scraps look deliberate.
You’ll need
- A big pile of fabric strips in different widths
- One solid fabric for the bands and binding
- Wadding and backing a little larger than your finished top
- Rotary cutter, ruler, mat, walking foot and basting spray or pins
Session 1: Sort and cut
Pull every strip at least as long as your planned quilt is wide, or join shorter ones end to end. Trim the edges straight. Cut the solid bands and the binding strips now too, so the rest of the weekend is sewing only. If your scraps are a mess, set up a sorting system while you’re at it.
Session 2: Sew the strip panels
Grab strips without overthinking and sew them together along their long edges. Alternate the sewing direction with each new strip so the panel doesn’t curve. Press every few strips. Make three or four panels about the same height.
Square up each panel with your ruler. Wobbly edges disappear once they’re trimmed.
Session 3: Assemble and quilt
Join the panels with solid bands between them. Press the seams toward the solid. Your top is finished.
Lay the backing face down and tape it taut to the floor. Add wadding, then the top. Baste with spray or a pin every hand’s width. Quilt straight lines along the length of the strips with your walking foot, starting in the centre. The fastest way to quilt a top covers spacing and setup.
Session 4: Trim and bind
Trim the excess wadding and backing flush with the top. Join your binding strips end to end, fold in half lengthwise and press.
Sew the binding to the back of the quilt, mitring each corner. Wrap it to the front and topstitch close to the folded edge. Machine binding is sturdy, quick and stands up to the washing machine.
Make it yours
- Limit the strips to two colour families for a calmer look
- Turn the panels vertical for a different feel
- Use a bright solid for the bands instead of a neutral
- Make a smaller version as a baby quilt in two sessions
Leftover crumbs? Turn them into mug rugs from the quick quilt projects list. No special machine needed, as this answer explains.