River Scraps Quilt Block Tutorial

If you’re looking to dive into a new quilt pattern that’s both fun and a great way to use up fabric scraps, then the River Scraps Quilt Block is the perfect choice!

This quilt block features a unique, flowing design that mimics the winding path of a river, making it a beautiful addition to any quilt.

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Whether you’re a beginner quilter or someone with more experience, this pattern offers a perfect balance of simplicity and creativity.

In this River Scraps Quilt Block tutorial, we’ll guide you step by step through the entire process of creating this stunning quilt block. We will discuss fabric selection, cutting measurements, assembly instructions, and how to incorporate the River Scraps Block into a full quilt. Let’s get started and bring your quilt to life!

What is the River Scraps Quilt Block?

The River Scraps Quilt Block is a pattern designed to highlight a beautiful, flowing design that simulates the winding curves of a river. The pattern is made up of a series of patches that form diagonal rows, creating an effect of movement across the quilt. It’s an excellent choice for using up scraps of fabric and experimenting with different color combinations.

The beauty of this quilt block lies in its flexibility. While it has a traditional look, the scrappy nature of the design gives it a modern, dynamic feel. The contrast between light and dark fabrics helps create a sense of depth, and the varying sizes of the blocks add to the flowing, organic look of the pattern.

If you want to create a quilt that’s visually striking but doesn’t require overly complicated techniques, this quilt block is a fantastic choice. The River Scraps Quilt Block is a great way to practice piecing while still producing a stunning quilt that looks intricate but is relatively simple to make.

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Supplies Needed for the River Scraps Quilt Block

Before we begin with the cutting and piecing, let’s first gather the necessary materials. Proper preparation is key to making sure your River Scraps Quilt Block turns out beautifully.

1. Fabric Selection

You’ll need a variety of scrap fabrics for this project. The beauty of the River Scraps block is that it’s a scrappy quilt, which means you can mix and match different prints and colors. Choose a combination of light, medium, and dark fabrics. The light fabrics will create the “rivers,” while the dark fabrics will form the “land” areas, creating contrast.

For a typical 12-inch block, you will need:

Light fabrics (for the river paths): 1 yard
Dark fabrics (for the background): 1 yard
Accent fabrics (optional, for added detail): ½ yard

You can adjust the amount of fabric depending on the number of blocks you plan to make for your quilt.

2. Cutting Tools

You will need a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and a quilting ruler for precise cutting. Accuracy in cutting the fabric pieces is essential for ensuring that your block lines up properly. A quarter-inch quilting foot on your sewing machine will also help to maintain consistent seam allowances throughout the piecing process.

3. Sewing Tools

In addition to your sewing machine, you’ll need straight pins or quilt clips to hold the fabric pieces in place while you sew. A tapestry needle is also helpful for weaving in loose threads after piecing the quilt blocks together. Don’t forget your iron and ironing board for pressing seams as you go.

With all the necessary supplies in hand, we’re ready to start cutting the fabric for the River Scraps Quilt Block.

Step 1: Cutting the Fabric Pieces

Accurate cutting is crucial in ensuring that your quilt block turns out the right size and shape. The River Scraps Quilt Block relies on a series of pieces that come together in diagonal rows, so careful measurement is important to achieve a crisp and clean look.

1. Cut the Background Fabric

For the background fabric (the “land”), you will need to cut strips that will create the base of each row. For a 12-inch block, cut the following pieces:

2 strips of background fabric, each 2 ½ inches by 12 ½ inches (these will be the horizontal strips).
4 squares of background fabric, each 2 ½ inches by 2 ½ inches.

2. Cut the River Fabric

Next, cut the light fabrics that will represent the river. These strips will be arranged diagonally within the block to create the flowing river effect.

4 strips of river fabric, each 2 ½ inches by 6 ½ inches.
4 strips of river fabric, each 2 ½ inches by 4 ½ inches.

These pieces will form the meandering river in the center of the block. The variation in strip lengths will give the river a dynamic, flowing appearance.

3. Cut the Accent Fabric (Optional)

If you’re using accent fabrics for additional interest, cut small pieces to fit within the background or the river. For example, you could cut:

4 small squares (2 inches by 2 inches) of accent fabric, which will be placed at the intersections of the background fabric strips. These accents can add an extra layer of visual interest and help tie the block together.

Once you have all the pieces cut, you’re ready to start assembling the block.

OTHER QUILT PATTERNS HERE

Step 2: Assembling the River Scraps Quilt Block

Now comes the fun part—piecing together your River Scraps Quilt Block! The goal is to arrange the pieces in such a way that the flowing river looks as though it’s winding through the landscape.

1. Sew the River Strips Together

Begin by arranging the river fabric strips diagonally within the background fabric. Start with the longer river strips (6 ½ inches) and sew them onto the background strips. Use a ¼-inch seam allowance for all your seams.

Sew a river strip to the top of a background fabric strip (2 ½ inches by 12 ½ inches).
Sew another river strip to the bottom of the same background strip.
Repeat with the remaining river strips and background strips, ensuring that each piece is positioned diagonally across the block.

Press the seams open or to one side after each step to ensure the block remains flat.

2. Assemble the Squares

Now, take the smaller squares of background fabric (2 ½ inches by 2 ½ inches) and place them at the intersections of the river strips. These squares will help define the separation between the river and the land, creating a clear distinction between the two areas.

Sew the squares onto the background fabric strips. You’ll end up with a series of smaller sections of the block, each of which should resemble part of the flowing river with the squares as markers.

3. Final Block Assembly

Once you’ve sewn the river strips and squares together, the final step is to piece the sections of the block into a completed 12-inch block. Arrange the pieces to form a complete square, and sew them together row by row.

After joining the rows, press the seams flat and check that all the pieces are aligned properly. The block should now resemble a flowing river surrounded by land, with a dynamic and scrappy feel.

Step 3: Adding More Blocks to Create a Full Quilt

Once you’ve completed your River Scraps Quilt Block, you may want to make several blocks to create a full quilt. This pattern is versatile and can be used to create quilts of different sizes, from lap quilts to larger bed quilts.

1. Determine Quilt Size

To determine how many blocks you’ll need, decide on the size of your finished quilt. For example, a lap quilt made up of 4 blocks by 5 blocks will measure approximately 48 inches by 60 inches. A queen-sized quilt could require 7 blocks by 9 blocks, or even more depending on your desired size.

2. Layout the Blocks

Before you start sewing the blocks together, lay them out on the floor or a large table. Experiment with different arrangements to see how the river and land flow. You can mix and match the blocks in a random pattern or create a more structured layout depending on your vision.

3. Sewing the Blocks Together

Once you’re satisfied with the layout, begin sewing the blocks together. Start by sewing blocks into rows, pressing seams as you go. Then, sew the rows together to complete the quilt top. Afterward, you can add borders to frame the quilt if desired.

Step 4: Quilting and Finishing the River Scraps Quilt

Now that your quilt top is pieced together, it’s time to add the finishing touches.

1. Create the Quilt Sandwich

Lay out your quilt backing fabric, then place the batting on top, followed by the quilt top. Pin or baste the layers together to prepare for quilting. Make sure all three layers are smooth and aligned.

2. Quilt the Layers

For quilting, you can choose a simple quilting pattern like straight-line quilting or opt for a more intricate free-motion quilting design. A straight-line quilting pattern that follows the lines of the river can add a beautiful texture to the quilt.

3. Binding the Quilt

Once the quilt layers are quilted, trim any excess fabric and batting. Add the quilt binding by sewing it to the edges of the quilt. You can either use a store-bought binding or make your own from leftover fabric.