Sunday Morning Quilts: 16 Modern Scrap Projects - Sort, Store, and Use Every Last Bit of Your Treasured Fabrics

by Amanda Jean Nyberg, Cheryl Arkison

Are scrap piles wreaking havoc in your sewing space? Not sure what to do with all those tiny bits of gorgeous prints you hate to part with? Modern quilters Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison share a passion for scraps, and they’re here to help you get creative with 16 scrappy quilt projects that include piecing, appliqué, and improvisational work. This book has ideas on how to adapt patterns for your own personal “Sunday morning” style, plus tips for effectively cutting, storing, and organizing your scraps. Your Sunday mornings just got a whole lot cozier!

Genres: Quilting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing, Reference, Art, How To

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked most about this book was the concept of sewing similarly hued scraps together to make what the authors call "fabric slabs".

Although I probably will not exactly recreate any of the quilts in this book, some of their color placements were inspirational. I even liked some of their pieced backings as ideas for very simple quilts.

They cover some basic skills such as cutting and piecing and throw in some extras like a recipe for homemade starch.

Both authors have small spaces as their studios; one has to use her dining room and move things back and forth daily. So her ideas for sorting and storing fabrics were more helpful to me than someone who shares their "dream studio" storage options.

[Marina Finlayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great advice for scrap storage, plus some lovely scrap quilts to make. A book for beginners as well as more experienced quilters. The authors both have a good eye for colour, and there are a couple of quilts here I'd love to try. Quite a handy addition to the quilting library!

[Tanesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice quilt book with modern quilt designs using mainly scraps of fabric. My favorite project in here were the quilted storage boxes. A good portion of the book is used to discuss design, color, fabric selection, and sorting scraps effectively.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read relatively recently that focuses on sorting and using scraps. I really like a lot of the patterns in this book and will get it from the library again for inspiration, but the system and philosophy of the other book (Scrap Therapy) fits better into my style.

I'm not a modern quilter. I don't have a problem with the modern quilting movement or aesthetic, it's just not what I like to make. That being said, though, this book offers a better summary of what modern quilting is than others I've seen.

The projects here are great, though, and there are several that I would like to do, I'd just do them slightly differently than described. I'm also interested in the quilted storage boxes (page 63) though I don't think their scrap sorting method would work for me.

This quote cracked me up: "The quit police are too busy monitoring missing points and less-than-square blocks to care whether your scrap quilt is 100% scrappy." (page 21) My reaction being, "You mean there really are quilt police?! I am so in trouble!"

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a blog reader of Amanda's blog for years now and have always loved her approach to quilting. This book is such a wonderful resource to have. I (like many quilters I'm sure) have a ton of scraps and this book gives you new and unique ways to use them in quilts and even a couple other projects.
The "slab" technique they use in this book is just genius...I love it! And the patterns in this book are wonderful. I've had a few quilt books where I only like one or two of the quilts but I honestly love all the quilts in this book.
There are great techniques taught throughout the book I especially loved how they showcased what type of quilting they did on each quilt and the "make it yours" tips.
Truly a great book to have in your quilting library!

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm more of a traditional quilt fan, but this has some interesting patterns, and I love their use of color.

[Verylazydaisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore this book, the authors, and their blogs. I'm a long time fan. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, most of the patterns in it, and the scrappy techniques. I really hope to see more of Amanda Jean's scrappy designs in future books. I absolutely love her style! Definitely a book worth collecting on my shelf, and not just borrowing from the library!

[Sherilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts of with very simple instruction. This is a good - no matter how organized or long you have been sewing - its good to start at the beginning.

The pattern ideas included in the book made me want to race to my scraps and sew like a crazy lady.

This book will stay with me for a long time.

[Lisa Glanville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only dropped a star because there are only a couple of quilts I can see myself making from this book.
But the first half of the book, which deals with organisation, is gold.

[Nann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great designs for scrappy, modern quilts.

[kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been learning how to quilt and I love it. I've pinned a lot of the quilts from Sunday Morning Quilts. It came up as a kindle daily deal (half the cost of the paper back book) so I downloaded it. The plus is I saved a lot of money. The con is a quilt book is always better large and in color. I did read it on my phone so I could see the colors in the quilts. This book is all about scrap quilting. As a seamstress I was never one to save a scrap that couldn't be used to make another article of clothing. But as a quilter I find myself saving every little bit of cloth. I bought this book to see how I might use those scraps. These two women have had tons of experience between them and had some good advice for sorting and storing scraps so that they are easy to find and ready to go for many projects. The quilts in the book were creative and different. Maybe after I learn the quilting basics I'll try some free-form quilts. But for now I need a pattern that tells me exactly what to buy and do. I'm glad I purchased this book and can't wait to get my scraps organized. I did spend a few days using the organizational helps in this book and organized my "stash" by yardage and my scraps by color. I haven't used any of it yet but I'm sure it will help when I get to a project where I need it.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the concept behind this book - using your scraps to make quilts to be used in daily living. I appreciated the tips the authors give about sorting and organizing scraps to their best, usable, advantage. The projects are interesting and got my wheels spinning immediately.

Most of the projects involve collecting a certain number of scraps in various widths/sizes to create an entire quilt. I realize a quilt technique book has to offer specific instructions for finished work. I would love to see a quilting book that shows you how to make one (modern) block at a time (I'm sure these exist, I just haven't found them). My brain gets scrambled when presented with instructions involving 12 yards of fabric and 600 strips of this color and that width, etc. This book is a little more friendly that way, and the projects can definitely be tweaked to the way I prefer to work.

This book showed up frequently on my amazon recommendations and I skipped right by it. The title (what is a Sunday Morning Quilt, exactly?) and the cover photo (blurry and not really showcasing the quilt) made it uninteresting to me. Only after highly praised by a quilting blogger did I give it a look and a buy and I'm glad I did.

[KellyS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this book! It begins with the basics in quilt making and how Amanda Jean and Cheryl differentiate their scraps for storing. I love how they share how they store their scraps and their scrap bucket project is definitely on my list to make. With this book in hand, I am motivated to tackle organizing my scraps in a more effective manner.

The book is very beginner quilter friendly, the beginning focuses on a lot of the basics of quilting and designing scrap quilts. Some easy projects for beginners would be Gumdrops and The Original Ticker Tape quilts. It is also filled with great step-by-step pictures, clearly written instructions and tons of hints and tips. I love how they focus on the quilting for each project afterwards and share why they went with a particular design and color. They also have a "Make it Yours" block at the end of each project with more ideas on how to turn the design into your own, rather than directly copying their quilts. Definitely a great addition to a quilter's library.

My favorite projects are the scrap bins, Gumdrops, The Missing U, Nap Like an Egyptian, and the cover quilt, Candy Coated.

[Kellie C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite quilting book! I admit to being a bit obsessed with buying quilt books. Usually, there is only one or two projects in the book that I'd want to try and I end up being disappointed. That is not the case with Sunday Morning Quilts! Of the 16 projects in the book, there is only one that I wouldn't want to make; it's gorgeous, but a more tedious process than I am interested in.

In addition to the lovely and do-able quilt projects...most are geared toward the beginner/advanced beginner level quilter...I appreciate that Amanda Jean and Cheryl discuss modern quilting. The approaches they use and the quilts pictured have a most definite modern slant.

What I most appreciate is the way in which they cover scraps. Something all quilters have to deal with. They present some good ideas for sorting and storing those extra bits of fabric that we just can't seem to part with. Best of all, every project in the book puts those scraps to use!

Good presentation of information, lovely photographs, and easy eye-catching quilts...I love it!

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this book. These girls are amazing artists, organizers, thinkers, writers...and I love how they are so inclusive- they are telling about their methods, but it's OK if you aren't as wonky as they are! And they have little kids and pets and husbands. I think they are super talented.

After reading this book, I think I want to take a quilt class to learn how to use those rulers and rotary cutters.

The diagrams and pictures helped me get more of an idea how these quilts come together. I liked how they showed and talked about not just the piecing, but the type of quilting they chose and why.

so now it is January 2017 and I did learn to use the tools, have thoroughly enjoyed making quilts, have 3 in process, and I am reading this book and enjoying it all over again. It is still inspirational, and I am surprised at how many ideas I actually use that I first read about in this book! Ain't life grand?

[Mary Rohrbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is making modern quilts using up your scraps. Almost half of the book is dedicated to dealing with scraps... what they are, how to cut them, how to store them, how to piece them, etc. There was some good information about scraps and there are instructions to make a neat little fabric box.

The projects are pretty good, there were several that I liked and I always love the idea of using up scraps, except mine would not be from modern fabrics but I think the quilts would be sweet from any scraps. There is one project that I will probably make, a wall hanging with pieced background and an appliqued vine on top.

This would be a great book to read on a quiet afternoon with a nice hot beverage. The projects will leave you itching to get into your studio and start planning a new quilt!

[Zena Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the photos in this book, and many of the quilt patterns too. As a new quilter, I do not have enough scraps yet to make anything, but once I do I will buy this book!

It will now feel better to cut into beautiful fabric, knowing that my scraps will not be wasted. I will eventually make something lovely with them (although I will convert to the quilt-as-you-go method). I will also follow the authors' advice and start sorting my scraps — before it turns into a big job.

If you are new to quilting, I recommend this book for inspiration and encouragement to keep and sort your scraps. If you have been quilting for a while, you should buy it. You will surely want to make one of these quilts from your scraps!

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! This is a great book for both modern and traditional quilters. The two authors have great suggestions for what to do with your leftover fabrics (both for storage and for use). I love how they explain why the quilt works so well as well as recommend ways to "make it yours." This is another book that I am sad to return to the library.

Great projects to try: Quilted Storage Box, Scrapper's Delight, Leaves & Vine, and High Five

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth it just for the storage ideas! I have been trying to figure out the best way to store fabric and scraps so they are organized and easy to find what you are looking for. I also liked the personal tone of this book (how brilliant to show photos of the quilt with people wrapped up/napping with them). This title also focuses on using up scraps that you have not buying new fabric.

Liked:
Checkerboard
Fortune Teller
The Original Ticker Tape
Candy Coated

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I've been quilting a long time, but I didn't find anything here that was new or different or particularly creative. The ideas for storing/sorting scraps have been around for a really long time, and I thought the patterns were boring and repetitive of many, many others I've seen. Fortunately, I checked this out of the library, rather than wasting $$ on it.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the approach of this book: people who are making these lovely quilts from scraps (one of my favourite things) with a neat 'slab' technique (noted) in a small space (ditto) with nice additions like storage suggestions & a homemade starch recipe (tried). All really useful, and visually inspiring too.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday Morning Quilts: 16 Modern Scrap Projects: Sort, Store and Use every last bit of your treasured fabrics by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison (Alberta), 2012, C&T Publishing, library book, read April 2018. I used the strips of cloth with selvage attached, left over from Nan’s brown and green quilt to make a quilted storage box.

[Kimberli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information and creative ideas on storing and organizing your fabrics as well as a few patterns that encourage you to "just go for it!"

I like books that encourage new sewers to throw caution to the wind and at least TRY it!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the designs, but I felt that the quilts lacked Oomph! The instuctions were good and the pictures were helpful. Exactly what you would expect from the two authors. A great resource for your shelf.

[Teesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated with quilts. If I had a sewing machine I'd probably be sewing. This book would also be on my craft shelf. It's a great reference for getting inspired and sorting material. It makes the overwhelming task manageable. The quilt designs are so creative and appealing.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Patterns to use those scraps for modern quilt designs. Intro chapters explain the various kinds of scrap and ways to sort them to stay organized. It's a book I find myself flipping through on various occasions for refreshers.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of these quilts are made using scraps (with a few requiring some background yardage and of course backing). There were several that really inspired me and made me want to add MORE projects to my to-do list!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking to stash bust and have wanted to quilt for a long time. All the quilts in this book are made from scraps so it was exactly what I was looking for. Of the 16 patterns, 3 were ones I would be interested in making

[Ronni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few cute projects, nothing you wouldn't get off Pinterest. The writing has a sort of bossy, this is the right way vibe that's annoying. No real depth to the tips or techniques. So, fun to look at the images but not much else.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great projects, wonderful instructions.