- I'd like to thank Skillshare
for sponsoring this video.
What if I told you there was an easy way
to use up your scraps?
Or while you're sewing the seams on your current project,
you can be sewing the blocks
on your next one with almost no extra effort?
It sounds kind of magical, doesn't it?
This quilting tutorial is all about bonus blocks,
and why you should be making them.
So stick with me, and I'll show you how to do it.
(lively music)
Hi, I'm Karen Brown of "Just Get It Done Quilts."
I give you tips, tricks, and strategies
to help you make the quilt that you want to make.
And if you like what you see,
please click that subscribe button.
One of the frustrating moments in quilting,
is when you first start to stitch.
If your thread is too loose, it can make a nest.
If it's too short, the needle might need to be rethreaded.
(lively music continues)
Or sometimes it gets all caught and chews up your fabric.
When I first started quilting,
I was told to use a pair of scrap crumbs
to catch the threads and prevent those issues.
These are often called leaders or headers.
But it wasn't long before I thought I could make
a better use of this step.
(lively music continues)
A bonus block is a more intentional way of using leaders,
that is instead of using two crumbs
to be sewn together that will eventually get tossed,
you use scrap pieces that can be sewn together
to make a useful block.
Let me use this example.
This is block number five
from my video "Scrap Sampler Blocks."
It has five pieces and four seams,
and it's made from 2 1/2-inch strips.
So whenever you need a leader in your project,
you sew one seam,
and eventually, it becomes a block.
Now if you've been watching my channel
for any length of time,
you have seen me make these blocks.
While I was assembling my quilt top
for my 100 days, 100 blocks quilt,
I made all these bonus blocks.
(lively music continues)
And that was only just making the top.
(lively music intensifies)
You can choose any block layout that you like,
but keep it simple.
You want to be able to sew straight seams
from one edge of the block to the other.
So avoid anything with a partial or Y-seam.
And keep it to a block that you like to make,
and that you can easily cut your scraps to fit.
I have made several videos on easy blocks,
which might be a good place to start.
By far my favourite is this one,
but it's best that you have several different styles
to choose from because your mood changes,
your scrap pile changes, so you'll want to have options.
(lively music continues)
When you decide on what block you want to use,
make stacks from your scraps
with all your block pieces ready to go.
And keep them near your sewing machine
so that you can grab them as you need them.
If you are interested on how I process my scraps,
please leave a comment below.
(lively music continues)
Obviously, you sew bonus blocks at the beginning of a seam,
but there are other opportunities too.
One of the games that quilters like to play
while they're making blocks, is don't break the thread.
That is, instead of cutting your thread
at the end of a seam, you chain piece
and leave something under your needle at all times,
but there will be moments when you get stuck
and that is a perfect place to use a bonus block.
Here I am making the cheetah block from the trending quilt.
There are plenty of pieces in this block
and lots of sub-block units.
So this is a perfect place to use bonus blocks.
I can save myself a trip to the iron
by working the block units in series.
And at the end,
not only do I have a great block,
I have also all of these extra bonus blocks.
You could also use them to mark in between chains.
I don't know about you, but when I am transferring things
from my design wall to my sewing machine,
I could mix them up so easily.
Using a bonus block to mark the end of a row
or the end of a column,
means you can easily identify the sections
and keep them separate.
(lively music continues)
We've already talked about making bonus blocks
without using much additional effort.
And we've also talked about
how they can help control your threads
and how you can use up your scraps with them.
There are even more benefits to making a bonus block.
When you first start your scene,
because the squares are bigger than scrap crumbs,
they give your brain a chance to tune in
to what you're doing.
And they can remind you to adjust your stitch length,
sit up straight, adjust your seat, or turn on a light.
Maybe change your needle or change your thread.
Because you have a stack ready beside your sewing machine,
they are easy to grab
so you can test out your quarter and seam
(buzzer buzzing)
and adjust it so it's perfect every time.
And sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get it right.
(bell dinging)
And because they're made out of scraps,
they're not precious.
So you can use them to practise your basic skills,
sewing straight, and good ironing technique.
Because there's no stakes involved,
you can test out different colour combinations,
playing outside your comfort zone
and experimenting with value and contrast.
(lively music continues)
And sometimes your brain is just tired
and they are a simple way to relax.
Before I get to the next question,
let me tell you about Skillshare.
Skillshare is an online learning community
with thousands of classes,
for anyone that wants to explore their creativity
and learn new skills.
You can find classes that will match your goals
and interests, like pattern design, lettering, and writing.
Personally, I have used Skillshare for several years
when I've had to level up my skills in photography,
film editing, and graphic design.
This month, I've had to learn about sound editing.
And I took Audio Editing 101 with Yahir Smith.
It is a complex subject,
and I was so happy at how easy he broke it down.
With my iPad right here, they are easily consumed
while I sew, enjoy my lunch or I'm waiting for appointments.
New premium classes are launched every week,
so there's always something new to discover.
The first 1,000 people
who click on the link in the description,
will get a free trial of Skillshare.
(lively music continues)
Bonus blocks are supposed to be easy,
so don't put a lot of pressure on yourself
to turn them into something right away.
Let them grow organically over time and see what happens.
And when you need blocks for filling in your back,
just grab them from the pile.
You can turn to them when you need a block for a project
like a bag, something fun, maybe a quick baby quilt,
or donate some to a community initiative.
You'll also find that since they come from your scrap pile,
there'll be a flavour that can appear.
Me, with my love of warm colours,
I see that I could have enough of these blocks
to make a nice scrappy quilt.
(lively music continues)
No, you do not need to pull fabrics
from Mt. Scrapmore to make these blocks.
You might be a new quilter
and you haven't gathered enough blocks yet.
Or you just don't like sewing scrappy.
You can cut strips from yardage
or fat quarters to make your fabric stacks.
Last year, I turned some batik fat quarters
into 2 1/2-inch strips,
and I used my Jelly Roll Block number 6
to day-by-day and block-by-block accumulate,
so that eventually I had enough blocks
to make a whole quilt.
You can also sneak in other blocks to use as bonus blocks.
As I am sewing together the leftovers
from last year's 100 days, 100 blocks quilt-along,
I am using the blocks
for this year's quilt-along as bonus blocks.
(lively music continues)
Don't forget to consider paper pieced blocks
when you're looking for bonus blocks.
But not all paper pieces will work.
What you're looking for are pattern pieces
that the seam starts on one edge
and continues right to the other.
Ones like the economy block will not work
because they are partial seams.
Now, I am not the first quilter to make bonus blocks
out of leaders and enders.
I can think of Bonnie Hunter or Cheryl Arkison,
just to name two off the top of my head.
So there are a lot of great patterns and ideas out there
to choose from.
If you want to see other ways to use up your scraps,
I will leave a link to my scrappy playlist right here.
If you want to learn how to practise the basics,
straight sewing, accurate cutting,
and a good ironing technique,
I'll also leave a link to that playlist.
Take care, and I'll see you next time.
(logo twinkling)