Sensational Quilts for Scrap Lovers: 11 Easily Pieced Projects; Color & Cutting Strategies

Gauthier (Rainbow Quilts and Quilts for Scrap Lovers) calls on her expertise as a scrap quilter in this helpful offering. “Playing with my fabric scraps is my all-time favorite sport,” she writes, emphasizing the fun and efficiency of creating new quilts out of used fabric. To Gauthier, a scrap is anything smaller than a fat quarter but must measure at least 3½” × 3½” to be usable. She recommends using three sizes of templates (3½”, 4½”, and 5½” squares) from acrylic templates, explains the science of marrying colors on the color wheel, and includes instructions for handling odd shapes, piecing curves, and dealing with bias edges (treat them like pie crusts, she advises). She recommends the “keystone block,” her personal go-to while scrap quilting, as allowing for the most varied array of layout options. The 11 quilt designs include stylized representations of an aerial view or of precious metals, and the playful “Knit Stitch.” Quilters who peruse this enjoyable compendium will agree with Gauthier that her patterns provide “more scrappiness to love.” (May)