Disappearing Four Patch

Easy instructions can be found here, on the Sew Wonderful blog.

what it uses: 5 inch squares (or could use another size square)

Peaches and Dreams....

From a free Judy Laquidara pattern.

What it uses: larger scraps, 2.5" strips, 1.5" strips, 2" strips

Modified Nine Patch

What it uses:

1.5" squares or 4.5" squares or 5" squares

1.5" strips

This block finishes at about 5" - you could, of course, start with a bigger square size...

Slice it up

what it uses up: 3" squares, 3x8" rectangles (you could use 3" strips for these)

When I originally blogged this quilt top, I explained the process - so you can check that out over here. I'd like to do this one again in a more controlled way - perhaps using only two colours for the larger rectangles (or one) and scrappy in the middle. Maybe for the next colour challenge!

Boxed-in batiks

What it uses up: 2.5" squares

You could use this pattern with any colour or theme of 2.5" squares - and of course, you wouldn't have to use black for the sashing between the sections. I saw it originally on the So Scrappy blog, in blue and white - as you can see, a totally different look - but equally good. Unlimited possibilities!

Squares and Rectangles

What it uses up:

• 2.5" squares,
• 2.5"x5" rectangles (i.e. half a "nickel" piece)

OR any combination of squares and rectangles where the square is half the size of the rectangle

Easy block to do - plan to create a square from three pieces - a rectangle, which is half the width of the desired square (plus seam allowance), and two square, each of which is half the size of the rectangle (plus seam allowance).

For instance, you'd like some 6" (finished) blocks. Rectangle size: 3.5x6.5"; square size, 3.5"

Or if you want to make 8" (finished) blocks, rectangle size 4.5x8.5"; square size, 4.5"

The block construction is so simple, I don't think I even need to tell you how to go about it!

Strippy Quilt

what it uses up: strips in any length and width

Perhaps the easiest thing you can do with strips to use them up - make a strippy quilt. This is a small baby quilt size example, but you can make much larger ones if you like. Not only do the strips not have to be all the same width, but it actually looks better if they aren't. And they don't all need to be long enough to go all the way across your width - you can piece them together. I recommend you do so in some rows even if you don't strictly need to, as it adds to the texture of the piece.