25+ Modern Scrap Quilt Patterns
In this post you will find over 25 Modern Scrap Quilt Patterns to help you make a dent in your scrap bin!
If you’re anything like me you probably have enough fabric scraps to fill a giant tub (or several)!
Scrap quilts are a great way to make use up that pile of fabric scraps of course, but for many, the idea of a ‘scrap quilt’ conjures up images of mismatched fabric and randomness that might not be to their taste.
However, I thoroughly believe that scrap quilts can be both beautiful and modern.
Below I have compiled a list of modern scrappy quilts (some free some sold by talented quilt pattern designers). I hope you will be inspired to make something different with your scrap stash!
Check out the range of beautiful scrappy quilts below and pick your favorite!
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Table of Contents
What Makes a Quilt Modern?
This is a tough one, and you will get different answers from different people, but here are some elements that you might find in a modern quilt (you don’t need to have all of them to make your quilt modern!):
- Negative space
- Asymmetry
- Traditional blocks with a twist or used differently to make them somehow unexpected (bright colors and modern fabrics or a literal change in the block layout).
- Use of solid fabrics.
- Bold color contrasts.
- Graphic or large-scale elements.
- An improv or unplanned look (even if they were planned).
This definition is not definitive, and what makes something modern is always going to be subjective at the best of times.
25+ Modern Scrap Quilts to Try
25+ Modern Scrap Quilt Patterns
Check out these fun quilts with scrappy patterns to make good use of your leftover fabrics while still keeping your quilts looking fresh and modern!
Happy quilting!
This free scrappy quilt pattern is one of my designs and should make a serious dent in your scrap pile
The central X strips are made with tiny scrap fabric crumbs and the background fabric is also scrappy!
This is one of my patterns. It is a beginner-friendly Foundation Paper Pieced-based pattern. I have made this with old clothes like a memory quilt as well as to use up small quilting cotton scraps
I like the idea of making one of these heart blocks with the scraps from each quilt you gift to someone else so you have a memento of all the quilty love you have sent out into the world.
This simple free pattern is a perfect way to use up any small squares of fabric you have lying around.
Denim quilts are warm, cozy, and hard-wearing, ideal for cold winter nights.
This great free pattern is a perfect way to repurpose old jeans, denim shirts, and jackets, sprucing it all up with bursts of color with your leftover tiny scraps!
Designed for large scraps but also fat quarter friendly this is a decidedly striking looking quilt with a definite modern feel.
This fun improv quilt pattern is perfect for making a dent in your fabric stash.
Embrace the creative process and make a crazy quilt with contrasting colors and patterns. Alternatively, you could stick to the same color palette or color value categories.
This modern scrappy quilt pattern doesn't even look scrappy because of the solid background and solid-colored elements.
So if your stash of scraps is mostly solids this might be the quilt for you!
This is one of the simplest scrappy quilts; this easy-to-make strip quilt has a pretty all-over ombre effect.
Use up some of those scrappy strips with this funky modern design. This a great, easy-to-sew quilt for beginners.
Perfect for gifting at a baby shower, this cute quilt is ideal for using little scraps of different colored fabrics.
The 'pattern' for this beautiful quilt top is really a skill-building tutorial that will allow you to get creative and have another technique in your back pocket for future piles of scraps!
This striking quilt pattern isn't necessarily designed for scraps but it is designed to be pre-cut friendly so could easily be adapted to use up your leftover jelly roll strips or fat quarters.
This free quilt pattern was part of my first ever Scrap Fabric Love Sew Along!
Along with the written quilt block tutorial, there are four YouTube videos covering everything from layout to fabric choices and ideas for quilting your finished quilt top. There are also photos from other sew-along participants.
Have fun using up different colored tiny scraps for this pretty modern quilt design.
The perfect scrappy quilt pattern for all your small pieces! The question is - will you have enough scraps?
Everyone wants easy patterns they can put together quickly for high impact. This is one. Kind of a modern take on a string quilt?
All you need to do to make it suitable for your scraps of fabric is to spend some time grouping your scraps so that you can follow the fabric requirements.
This eye-catching design is an ideal way to use up different colored scrappy squares.
This whimsical, modern quilt pattern makes an ideal baby quilt and is a fun way to use up some scraps.
This adorable quilt would look great using scraps in all colors of the rainbow!
A simple way to use up some different colored fabric scraps. You could even switch it up and use loads of scraps for the background and solids for the flying geese!
Another beautiful Karen Griska Quilt Pattern.
This whimsical scrappy quilt comes together quickly as there is no measuring required. Easy to size up or down, it makes a perfect gift, cozy throw, or wall quilt.
Log cabin blocks are a really great way to use up some of that scrap pile. For this modern quilt, you can use scraps of various sizes as it's meant to look wonky!
A modern quilt scrappy pattern for Jelly Rolls. The perfect project for a beginner modern quilter. And the scrappy hearts are just adorable!
We've actually featured this pattern before in our post all about scrappy heart quilt patterns.
A modern-looking baby quilt with fun I Spy elements. Very beginner-friendly!
Turn your scraps into something beautiful with this simple but eye-catching design.
This scrappy quilt is a modern take on the Disappearing Nine Patch block. This is a beautiful modern throw quilt pattern and an ideal way to make a dent in your scrap basket.
The lasagna quilt is so much fun to make, and an ideal way to use up loads of scrappy bits. You can stick to a select color palette, or go all out and use lots of contrasting colors.
What makes this quilt 'modern' is how it has the look of improv quilting even though you are still following a pattern!
Four Square Simple Charm Pack Baby Quilt and Video! + New Club Havana Fabric
This cute baby quilt is a quick and easy way to use your leftover charm pack squares.
Is this quilt modern? To my eye it is because of the mix of bright colors and denim - my favorite combination!
Top Tips For Your Modern Scrappy Quilt
- If a pattern calls for X amount of Fabric A (let’s say it’s blue), you can make that pattern ‘scrap-friendly’ by substituting ‘Fabric A’ with a whole pile of blue scraps instead of just one specific fabric. It takes a little more thinking, and you probably won’t be able to follow the cutting instructions letter for letter, but you will stretch your fabric way further!
- Bored of your own scraps? Try swapping scraps with a friend and fall in love with making scrap quilts out of someone else’s new and exciting leftovers!
Frequently Asked Questions
What sets modern quilting apart from traditional quilting is design features such as the use of bold prints and colors, asymmetry, minimalism, and the use of negative space (like my teardrop quilt).
If you’re still unsure, look for designs that are modern and trendy to your eye, rather than twee and traditional looking. And remember, ‘modern’ is in the eye of the beholder.
It’s entirely up to you! If you’re a beginner, you might want to use fewer colors or color value categories in your palette for simplicity.
A lot of traditional quilt patterns tend to use five or six colors. Modern quilts can use fewer as minimalism, and simplicity are often key features.
Often, the key is contrast.
For example, a low-volume background with dark or bright-colored focus elements will give a better visual impact than having both your background and focus fabrics of a similar tone or value.
Other Posts You Might Enjoy
- Scrap Fabric Love Shop & Resources
- Free Patterns from Scrap Fabric Love
- 19+ Free Quilt Block Patterns for Fabric Scraps
- 20 Heart Quilt Patterns to Make for Someone you Love!
- 21 + Gorgeous Applique Baby Quilt Patterns
- 17 Fun & Easy Free Baby Quilt Patterns
- 17 Scrap Fabric Friendly Sewing Patterns on Etsy