Making Miniature Quilts

(and a Free Mini Quilt Pattern!)

"Making miniature quilts is for people who are nuts!" I overheard this phrase at a recent quilt retreat. I guess I'm nuts then! I think there are lots of us who are. Creating miniature quilts has become quite popular in the last couple of years. There are lots of books, patterns, rulers, and tools becoming available to make the sweet little quilts.

What qualifies as a miniature quilt? Typically a finished quilt that is smaller than 24" vertically and horizontally will qualify in a quilt show in the Miniature Category. Miniature quilts are often made just like a full-sized quilt but extensively smaller! Often a finished quilt block measures 2" or 3" in size.

A few items you may want to have by your side when creating a miniature quilt are:

1. An awl to help keep the small block pieces in line under the presser foot.
2. A pair of small scissors. A 3½" size is nice.
3. Several small rulers: 2½", 3½", and 4½" squares are great. Try to find these with the ⅛" markings.
4. A turntable cutting mat.

Accuracy is very crucial when sewing miniature quilts. I've been asked if it is necessary to sew with a "scant ¼ inch" seam rather than a typical ¼" seam. Personally, I don't find that this is necessary. I've made many miniature quilts and feel that if a quilter is consistent with a typical ¼" seam throughout the project that the miniature quilt will come out just fine. Sewing with a scant seam can be difficult.

A few hints from me to you when it comes to miniature quilts are:

1. Create your half-square triangles a little larger than it states in the pattern. Making them bigger than needed and trimming them down to size afterwards work best!
2. Use a starch type spray. I go through bottles of "Best Press" quite often! I like that it keeps my fabric firm enough to enjoy sewing with yet, at the same time, supple enough to leave the fabric feeling like it hasn't been starched. Spraying eliminates stretch in your little fabric pieces.
3. Remember, the little blocks you are making are yours. This means that if you feel you need to press open some seams to eliminate bulk - go for it!
4. Keep your binding to no wider than 2". Bind your mini quilts just as you do full-size quilts.

What I like the absolute best of making miniature quilts is that I get to quilt them myself! They're small! I can do lots of fun quilting designs. I often use variegated threads and invisible thread because I'm stitching in such a small area that I can buy lots of cool threads. I'm also a stencil hoarder. Lots of stencils are being created to use strictly for miniature quilts. You can find 1" border designs, 3" and 4" square designs, and larger over-all designs to be used on the whole mini quilt top to bottom, side to side.

Please click on the page image to download and enjoy the free miniature quilt pattern shown below.

It was designed by me and is from my quilt booklet "Perfectly Petite" - a booklet with 11 different miniature quilt designs to be made as individuals or assembled together to make a full quilt. Each mini quilt has instructions to be made into yet a fun home accessory! Find "Garden Path Quilts" on Craftsy.

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