As I probably have mentioned, I have over 100 orphan blocks. Some are from swaps, some from blocks I made to learn something, some just extras from quilts I’ve made.
Yes, that bin is full of smaller orphan blocks, with the big orphans stacked on top!
I have made numerous quilts in the past to use some of them up. Here are a few just for review.
Aha! Orphan blocks can be cut up to make new blocks, as I did with my Giant Circles quilt, here
I’ve used orphan blocks to make greeting cards, here
This is a great use for orphan blocks. Just attach to a bag, and you have a handmade gift!
Splendid Stars, 51″ x 53″, was made from orphan blocks left from numerous projects
And of course I’ve attached orphan blocks to shirts.
Here’s another orphan block on a shirt
Recently I was browsing patterns and noticed that the folks at Maple Island Quilts had used one of their patterns to set some orphan blocks, so of course I ordered the pattern.
I have made two quilts. Here’s the first, which I considered the less successful of the two.
Quilt made using orphan blocks and the BQ5 pattern from Maple Island Quilts.
I thought the points coming together would make the design cohesive, but the blocks were just too dissimilar. And yes, there is a “mistake” block that I decided to leave “as is” when including it in the quilt 😀
Oops. But this is not the time to re-make this block!
The second quilt was made with the other design offered in the pattern, and I believe the blocks are more homogeneous as well.
Finished quilt 54″ x 68″, made from BQ5 pattern
Perhaps Elvis helped this quilt be more successful.
But the favorite block is this one. It’s a print from many years ago. I used the fabric to make a quilt for a friend who is a child psychologist.
What do you do with orphan blocks? How many do you have?
And just in case you have a LOT, the BQ5 pattern is available here. It is well written and I do recommend Maple Island Quilt patterns because I’ve never had any trouble following their directions! Several other patterns in the line would work for orphan blocks, too.
Zippy Quilts 
These are all great ideas to use orphan blocks! I’ve used mine in bag making and for kitchen items; placemats and potholders. 🙂
Yep! Love the placemats and potholders, too!
Oh, I sure have orphan blocks, but I have never counted them. Yikes! Like you mentioned, it’s very probable that mine are so dissimilar that I’d have a difficult time finding one design that would suit putting them together. I’m more inclined to go with cutting them up again – love that circles idea! – or using a single block to make something like a pouch or tote bag. Honestly, orphan blocks don’t sound fun to deal with, right now anyway. No doubt someday i’ll want to tackle using them. Thanks for sharing all your great ideas. I may come to you for help, when the time comes!
That second quilt was more fun than I expected. In any case, like you, I am working on decreasing the volume of “stuff” someone will have to deal with when I pass, so orphan blocks are on that list!
You never cease to amaze me with the quilts you do. I just love them all. You are so talented. 😊
And you are so kind! Thanks for your comment 😀
What great ideas for using orphan blocks! I love the child print block! I have used blocks to make tote bags, but now, because of you, I have new ideas…thanks!
I look forward to seeing your projects 😀
Wow you make some amazing projects with orphan blocks – I am inspired 🙂
I wouldn’t even have noticed your “mistake” block if you hadn’t pointed it out. I would just call it an artistic variation.
Excellent point! Artistic variation it is!!!
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Your industry continues to astound me. I particularly like the star quilt — a set of stunning orphans.
To answer your question, I don’t generate many orphan blocks. If I do, I stitch them into the quilt’s backing
Putting the orphan blocks on the back is ideal, but sometimes I just want the backing DONE so I don’t bother.
Yes, I know. Been there done that