it's sew emma Scrappiness Is Happiness scrap quilting book — 32 stash-friendly, block-based quilt projects

It's Sew Emma's Scrappiness Is Happiness is a quilting book by Lori Holt that teaches how to turn leftover fabric scraps into 32 charming, stash-friendly quilts.

This book shows quilters how to use what they already own—no new yardage required—to build cohesive, scrappy quilts. Lori Holt shares approachable block-based designs, organization strategies for handling scraps, and practical tips to help you mix prints and colours with confidence. The result is a creative, time-saving guide for anyone who wants to turn a pile of fabric remnants into coordinated quilt tops.

How will this book help me use the fabric already in my stash?

Scrappiness Is Happiness focuses on turning mixed scraps into finished quilts by using repeated block patterns and simple planning techniques. Instead of hunting for matching yardage, you learn to group scraps by colour, scale, and value so they work together on the quilt surface.

• 32 quilt projects organized around easy-to-follow blocks
• Step-by-step examples showing fabric pairings that read as intentional
• Practical advice on trimming and standardizing scraps for efficient piecing

What kinds of patterns and skill level are included?

The book centres on block-based quilts that range from confident beginner to intermediate skill levels. Lori’s instructions emphasize reproducible units which make complex-looking quilts achievable without advanced techniques.

• Block-focused designs that repeat simple units for visual impact
• Clear diagrams and tips that streamline cutting and piecing
• Projects suited to fat quarters, leftover strips, and small scraps

Does the book show how to organize scraps so piecing is faster?

Yes — one of the book’s core strengths is a practical method for collecting, sorting, and storing scraps so you can stitch without searching. Lori outlines systems that reduce setup time and keep your cutting table tidy while you chain-piece blocks.

• Suggestions for grouping scraps by value, colour family, and pattern scale
• Time-saving tips for pre-cutting and labeling scrap units
• Workflow ideas for batching seams, pressing, and trimming consistently

How will these designs help me mix and match fabrics confidently?

The book encourages creative fabric play through curated examples that show effective mixing of prints, textures, and colours. Lori offers guidance on balancing busy prints with calmer backgrounds so each quilt reads harmoniously.

• Illustrated examples of contrast and value relationships that read well at a distance
• Advice on anchoring a quilt with recurring neutral or solid pieces
• Ideas for creating deliberate scrappy palettes from otherwise mismatched fabrics

Who is this for: Scrappiness Is Happiness is ideal for quilters who want to make beautiful, cohesive quilts without buying large amounts of new fabric. It suits newcomers who need straightforward block-based projects, intermediate makers seeking fresh scrappy layouts, and anyone who wants to tame a growing scrap collection into finished quilts. If you enjoy practical organization tips, reproducible block strategies, and playful fabric combinations, this book offers a clear, creative path from scraps to satisfying quilt tops.