It's interesting to me how trends come and go in the quilting world. I can remember when I first started quilting in the 1990's that Mini Quilts were IN at that time. Then interest in them waned. Now they're back!
Why Mini Quilts?
1. They don't use very much fabric, especially when fabric prices keep rising.
2. They are smaller and most likely won't take as much time as a full-sized quilt.
3. They don't take up much storage space.
I teach a yearly quilt class at my local quilt shop. We meet once monthly and each year we have a different project. Often, my co-teacher Mary Lee and I design our own sample project, but sometimes we use someone else's pattern or book.
SHHHH! Don't tell anyone, but our "class" isn't really a class -- it's a sewing group in disguise. Some might even say a therapy group. LOL!
This year we are tackling Pam Buda's new book, Vintage Patchwork.
I met Pam at Fall Quilt Market when I went to one of her book signings. Her enthusiasm for Minis came through with each quilt she showed. I knew right then and there that I wanted to make the mini quilt projects in her book. Then I had a brilliant idea -- why don't we do this for our 2019 Saturday Class/Group?
The group was pretty skeptical at first. Some were downright appalled (snicker....).
But I didn't give up and YAY! We are going to make almost all of the projects in Pam's book this year.
We just had our first meeting. They were still skeptical.
Our first project was Pride and Prejudice.
(Photo from the book)
I showed them my samples, which by the way are far from perfect. But I find their quirkiness appealing and cute. I am planning to proudly display a grouping of my mini treasures on a blank wall in the living room.
The class was willing to give it a go, even though they were still dubious. I showed them three different ways to sew the tiny pieces together and we even checked our 1/4" seam allowances.
1. Cut out all the 1" x 1" squares and sew them RST together into pairs. Then the pairs into 4 patches and so on. This method yields the scrappiest project.
2. Cut 1" squares of assorted mediums/dark and cut 1" wide strips of your background/light fabric. Sew a square RST to the light strip. Stop then place another square, sew that square, then stop. And so on. After all the medium/dark squares are sewn to the light strip, then use the 1" squares to cut the
light fabric and you have pairs of squares. You can get a scrappy look but the background will be the same with this method.
3. Cut a medium/dark 1" strip and a light 1" strip. Layer them RST and sew them together. Then cut 1" segments . Open pairs and press. Not very scrappy at all, but you could use smaller medium/dark strips so there is a little variety.
Everyone started cutting and many of them even began sewing and making itty bitty blocks.
The next day, 2 of the class members sent me a picture of their almost-finished minis and I know a third member finished her top as well! Wow!
Hmmmmm. Maybe making Minis won't be as painful as they thought it would be.
