Scrappy & Happy Quilts

Kate Henderson, author of Strip Quilts and Strip Savvy, now offers quilters thirteen quilts in a limited palette--but what a palette! Each quilt bursts with color, so full of joy they will brighten the gloomiest day. Take a look at the quilts in Scrappy & Happy.

Wouldn't you want to drink your morning brew to this sunny view?

Sunrise consists of 7" square blocks to make a 28 1/2" x 35 1/2" wall hanging. Paper-foundation piecing allows perfect points. Henderson used fat quarters and fat eighths cut into strips. Illustrations show each step of piecing; I think even I could be successful following the instructions!

A Friendship Star block variation, Happy Stars finishes at 68" x 68." I love the yellow palette, but for those who want something more subdued, imagine it in calm blues. This is an easy block to piece.

Petunia Patch flowers have green stems that form an interesting grid pattern. This is another easy piecing project and finishes to a 68" x 68" quilt. Henderson chose a complementary color palette of pinks on the purple side with a yellow green.

These super sized Poppies remind me of Marimekko's famous Poppy print. It is very Modern in  its use of negative space, simple super sized shapes, and limited palette. Solid color fabrics would bring it into Contemporary Modern style.

Henderson uses a Drunkard's Path block to make the flowers in two sizes: 24" square blocks and 12" square blocks. This is one of the harder blocks to piece because of the curved seams. (Frankly, I would likely use hand applique because I am a lousy piecer and expert appliquer!) The quilt finishes at 72 1/2" square. 

Triangle shapes also make an appearance in the book. In Mountain Hiking, 72 1/2" x 80 1/2", Henderson used low-volume prints for the backgrounds and a vivid print for three sizes of  'purple mountains majesties." Triangle rulers would make cutting a snap.

While hiking in the mountains you will likely see a lot of Triangle Trees! Finishing at 66" x 74 1/2", each tree is made of triangles and squares, so simple! You can use up your green scraps making this forest grove.

Perhaps you don't care for hiking in the woods and A Day at the Beach is more your idea of relaxation. Use cool, watery colors--pale blues, greens, and aqua. The quilt finishes at 60 1/2"x  60 1/2".

Yellow and gray really Shimmer in this half-square triangle quilt that finishes to 52 1/2" square. You can use 5" charm pack squares or draw from you scrap stash. The blocks are easy to make using Henderson's 'perfect point' hint; the lay out gives the quilt its punch.

Between the Lines uses complementary blue and orange--just three fabrics. Talk about simplicity! This 38 1/2" x 44" quilt pattern would be a great baby gift. By choosing you fabrics carefully, you could elevate the pattern to a very stark, modern statement.

Sherbet colors of orange and pink contrast with aqua to give Mellow it's demure look in this 56 1/2" x 70 1/2" quilt. Sewing strips for the blocks is easy. Thoughtful fabric choices in a variety of sizes and motifs draws the eye across the quilt.

The opposite of warm colors like orange, pink, and yellow are greens and blues. Fields of Green, 60 1/2" x 69 1/2", uses both cool and warm greens with an overall effect that is inviting and calming. Henderson draws from improvisational quilts, using a combination of  large squares and rectangles with Flying Geese strips. This is a great quilt for those who don't trust their instincts to just wing-it. The result feels free wheeling but the pattern design is planned and fool-proof.

I wish I had a full quilt photo of Pink Daisy for you! This charming, easy to piece pattern in one color was inspired by Henderson's love of Daisies. The 67" square quilt seen in full looks like a Daisy chain with interlacing blocks surrounding the central motif. Henderson notes that by using a smaller block size you can turn this into a baby quilt size, She suggests using a design wall to ensure this scrappy quilt flows well.

Last of all we have Add It Up, which Henderson made in red, white, and blue. The quilt consists three blocks: a nine-patch variation like a "plus sign," a Churn Dash variation, and a Spool variation. Together they create an interlocking chain surrounding red motifs which look like Plus Signs and dots.

General instructions, loads of illustrations, and step-by step instructions are included.

I had to smile when I saw these quilts. I hope you did too!

I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Scrappy and Happy Quilts: Limited Palette, Tons of Fun! 
by Kate Henderson
Martingale/That Patchwork Place
On Sale Date: January 16, 2018
ISBN: 9781604688627, 1604688629
Paperback $25.99