Orphan Block Dilemma

We all have them.  Sometimes they’re leftover from quilt making.  We may find them on the free table at guild meeting or purchase them from an estate sale. What am I talking about?  Orphan blocks. 

Orphan blocks are those quilt blocks which are either left over from making a quilt or have never put into a quilt.    I have blocks in my stash from both. Sometimes you accidentally make too many blocks, or you’ve made all the blocks for a quilt but then decide to make the quilt smaller than what the pattern calls for, so you don’t use all the blocks.  I’ve got a box of orphan blocks that came from quilters who have passed away or became unable to quilt any longer.  Sometimes you can look at these blocks and almost immediately come up with a plan for them.  Other times, it’s harder.  But if you’re like most quilters, you just can’t bring yourself to throw them away.  After all, someone put a lot of time, effort, and talent into these blocks.  It would be a shame to just toss them.  So what do you do?

I’ll be honest.  My favorite way to use them is to sandwich them up and practice quilting on my domestic sewing machine.  It’s one thing to be comfortable dropping your feed dogs and quilting, but it’s another thing to know how to quilt a block.  Orphan quilt blocks are a wonderful way to practice designs on half-square triangles, flying geese, four patches, etc.  In addition, orphan blocks also help you learn how to handle bulky seams.  But I know not everyone quilts on their domestic machines, so that idea won’t work for some folks.  In this blog, I want to give some creative orphan block ideas so instead of just hanging out in your quilt room with no clear purpose, your orphan blocks can be transformed into beautiful creations.

Before you begin, there are a couple of steps you probably want to take.

• Take inventory of your blocks.  Take some time to evaluate your orphan block stash and determine if you want to make one large quilt or several smaller projects such as table runners or baby quilts.
• Consider the size of the blocks.  Smaller blocks may be better suited for mug rugs or other small projects, while larger blocks may be considered for a quilt (if there are enough blocks) or table runners or quilt backs (if there are only a few blocks).
• Think about colors and fabrics.  If you have several blocks made out of different fabrics, could you make a scrappy quilt?  Or would you rather take all the coordinating blocks and make one smaller project out of them? 
• Evaluate the blocks.  Some blocks may be better suited for individual projects such as potholders or pillows, while others may be perfect for a quilt.
• Evaluate the condition of the blocks.  Orphan blocks can come into you life in many ways.  You may have made them yourself and you know your blocks are good, quality blocks.  But the other orphan blocks may have come to you via an estate sale, as a gift, or from an antique store.  Look for loose seams, fairly even edges, and uniform size.  If the blocks are stained or reek of cigarette smoke, you will want to make plans for them to have a long soak in the sink, lay them flat to dry, and then give them a good press.

Block inventory and evaluation done, now it’s time to plan your project.  If your blocks are small or you only have a few of them:

Mug Rugs:  Single blocks or small groupings of block can be used to make mug rugs.

Table Runners:  Several blocks can be stitched together, along with some sashing and borders, to create a table runner, especially if the blocks are 10 to 12-inches in size.

Doll Quilts:  Smaller, more intricate blocks can be used to make doll quilts.  Depending on the size doll quilt desired, some borders and sashing may need to be added. 

Pillows:  Orphan blocks can be used to make pillows, either individually or in a patchwork design.

Potholders and Trivets:  Quilt leftovers can be used to make a potholder.  If the orphan block is large enough, you can make a trivet.

If you have larger blocks, and you have several of them:

Quilt Backs: Orphan blocks can be used to create a patchwork design for the back of the quilt, or even as a quilt label.  This takes a little creative “mathing” to know how to cut out the back, but those blocks really do make the back look stunning.  Personally, I think this makes you have a reversible quilt.

Charity Quilts:  If you don’t have enough blocks to make a big quilt, consider making a smaller quilt and donating it to a charity.  There are lots of organizations that accept these small quilts (such as Project Linus).  Just do a little internet sleuthing and find a charity you’d like to donate your quilt to.

Crazy Quilts: Orphan blocks can be used in a crazy quilt, along with other scraps to blend the edges.

Scrap Quilts: These blocks, combined with scraps and leftovers from your stash, can create a wonderful scrap quilt.  Just be sure to throw in a neutral (such as white) to make all the colors play nicely together.

Other Ideas

Tote Bags and Purses:  Individual blocks or blocks sewn together can be used to make small tote bags or purses.

Wall Hangings:  If you have enough similar blocks, you could sew these together for a wall hanging.

Scarf:  By cutting the orphan blocks into strips and sewing them together, you can create a really interesting patchwork scarf.

Sew Them on Clothing:  The last couple of years have shown an interesting trend in clothing.  Some folks are using embroidery stitches to mend holes in jeans and shirts.  Why not join in this fad by adding a small orphan block or two to a shirt, a jacket, or your jeans?

And if none of these suggestions are remotely appealing, donate them back.  Senior Centers, quilt guilds, or other quilty organizations may love to have your orphan blocks to use.  There is no shame in this game.  It keeps the blocks out of the landfill.

The point is, for this blog, keep things moving.  I know it’s difficult to throw a perfectly good quilt block in the trash can.  You think about the time, energy, and talent it took to make the block(s) and you just can’t toss it.  So, if you’re like me, you tuck it away somewhere thinking you’ll make a few more blocks to go with it and make a small quilt.  Once put away, it’s easy to forget about the block and it languishes in a tote, drawer, or box somewhere.  Instead of putting that block in “quilt jail,” go ahead and repurpose it into something beautiful and useful.

Until Next Week,

Love and Stitches,

Sherri and Felix