As mentioned previously, I have well over 100 “orphan blocks”. Many are just leftovers from quilts where I made extra blocks. A friend recently asked WHAT I could do with them!
I know some of you like to put those on the back of the quilt, and I agree it looks good, BUT: I hate piecing backs, and long-arm quilters hate pieced backs. That’s two reasons, and the second one is the more important; I DO NOT want to aggravate anybody who is willing to quilt for me.
I do piece backs sometimes anyway. For example, this quilt had so very many extra blocks that I just made it reversable:
But what else can be done with them?
If you have 9 that are similar enough in color/value/style/whatever, a Circle of Nine quilt works well. There are multiple Circle of Nine quilt books by Janet Houts and Jean Ann Wright; just look on the used book websites.
I’ve also taken a bunch of leftover blocks, cut them up, and put them on the design wall with variable sashing to make an improv quilt.
I made this quilt from orphan blocks
Orphan blocks can be used in place of focus fabric in quilts designed for big prints, like the BQ patterns.
Orphan blocks can be used as the “focus fabric” in patterns designed for big prints
And some of us are so stuck on the same color families that blocks from many different quilts can be combined into one. This next quilt is made entirely from orphan blocks. Some had to have sashing added, some had to be cut up, but they all worked.
Blue Sky and Sunshine, 60″ x 72″
Of course a limited number of similar blocks can be combined into a table runner, even if it’s necessary to add sashing to make the sizes equal..
This little block was hand quilted and given a facing to finish the edges for a wall hanging.
I had forgotten about this little leaf-pounding piece that I quilted by hand.
And individual blocks can be made into placemats, mug rugs, potholders, etc.
What do you do with orphan blocks?
Zippy Quilts 
Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Mary. I’ve made several orphan block quilts. The only problem is the design process because the auditioning takes up the entirety of my design wall for days and days. I often piece the leftovers into the back before they can become orphans. This year I’ve used many orphan blocks and trial units to make placemats for a Rotary Club project. Our guild had a great speaker, Joan Cain, on the topic. Her examples were so inspiring that I almost want to make a whole bunch of random blocks. (Fortunately that feeling passed, LOL.)
I love it! Wish I’d heard the talk that inspired the random-block fever. Thanks for your comment.
Whew – glad it passed, too. I mean what a squirrel-on-steroids that would be!
Nice suggestions on what to do with orphan blocks and that is quite the collection you have! I didn’t know that longarm quilters had pieced backs. I guess that makes sense plus they have to be sure to line them up on their longarm very carefully!
Honestly, my longarm quilter hasn’t complained when I’ve had pieced backs, BUT a friend who recently started longarming was very specific, so now I know!
I rarely ever have orphaned blocks but all your suggestions are good. The only thing I would suggest is that you don’t have to make into quilts but can make smaller pieces. If you have two the same size that’s two sides of a tote bag or draw string gift bag. Fold them in half and add a zip and you have a little pouch. Cushions, table runners or potholders also a good use.
Yes! Tote bags and pouches are a great idea! I make gift bags but hadn’t thought of using orphan blocks for them.
These are great suggestions about what to do with orphan blocks. I certainly understand and appreciate your criteria for using them. I really admire how you’ve put your orphans to use. It’s a great idea to insert them in quilts with block shapes (like BQ patterns). In your cut-up version, the idea that they’re orphan blocks seems more apparent than in the all-blue orphans quilt.
However…. (smile) since I quilt all my quilts myself, I can use them on the back. That is, if I have enough orphan blocks. Unfortunately (or maybe that’s fortunately), I don’t have the quantity of orphans you have. Mostly I have a pile of discarded, unacceptable, improv-pieced sections that I hesitate to call blocks, because few, if any, of them are square. So it seems that someday, I could put together a quilt top of these disparate pieces, in a wild array of colors. Hmm. Now wouldn’t that be a fun self-challenge?
Yes! That would be a fun challenge–go for it! Nann just sent me info on a good guild program by Joan Cain on what to do with orphan blocks, so I’m going to see if I can get her for our guild. And yes, I guess since you quilt your own you can put anything you jolly well want on the back!!!
These suggestions offer more ideas for those orphans…I am always impressed by your methods and the fact that you tend to ‘zip’ out final products with ease! Your little leaf-pounding piece, I remember. Seeing it again, it just **feels** peaceful. Glad it ended up as a wall hanging and that you kept it.
Thanks, Laura! We’re having a busy summer here. Hope you are getting some music time.
Absolutely!
I try to avoid producing orphan blocks. 🙃
I have friends here who don’t have orphan blocks either; I guess there are two styles of quilter: those who make orphan blocks and those who don’t!