Monday, September 24, 2012

Tutorial: Mini Charm Mini Quilt



Hi everyone!  I have a quick and easy tutorial to share with you today.  This project tutorial was made especially for a kit that our Moda FQ Club customers got for free this month.  (You can learn more about our Moda FQ Club program here - why we're different and the perks our customers receive.)  I don't always share their exclusive kits & patterns here, but thought I'd share this one with you all.  :-)

For this project, you'll need a mini charm pack, a FQ of a solid, and a 1/4 yard cut of a coordinating print.  I am using a Marmalade mini charm, Bella Porcelain, and Vintage Modern dots.


The first step is to choose 24 prints from the mini charm pack and sew together four 2x3 patch rectangles. Press seams open.


I used a method to the madness, including one square each of pink, red, orange, yellow, green, and aqua prints and kept the placement of the colors the same in all four blocks.

Next, let's cut up your solid.  Use the diagram below for the basic cuts (note - diagram not exactly to scale).


Now, let's start assembling!  Add a 1.5 x 4.5 strip to both ends of two blocks.  Arrange your blocks as shown, alternating the direction. (I chose to keep all my pink blocks in the center.)


Then add a 1.5 x 4.5 strip one side of the remaining two blocks as shown.


Then, add a 1.5 x 8.5 piece to each vertically-oriented block as shown in the photo below.


We'll keep adding strips ... moving on to the 2.5" wide strips.  Start with the 2.5 x 8.5 strips and add to the opposite sides of the vertically-oriented blocks as shown below.


Next, we'll add the 2.5 x 7.5 strips to the horizontally-oriented blocks as shown.


Then join the horizontal blocks to the vertical blocks to make two large rectangles.


Then join to make one large 14.5" square block.


From here, you can either finish as directed or make it into a pillow.  :-)

From the 1/4 yard piece of the dot print, cut two 2.5" x WOF strips.  You'll stitch these together end-to-end to make one long strip for the binding.  Press in half and set aside.


Next from the remaining piece of dot fabric (4" x WOF), cut in half at the fold to get two 4" x 22" pieces.  Take one of the pieces and add the larger pieces of the remaining Bella on either side to create a backing piece with a strip up the middle. Press toward the center strip.


Of course, you could use the leftover mini charm squares to piece the backing strip, but I chose to save them for something else (shown here).

Now, its time to baste.  Place the backing right side down, then batting, then the pieced top right side up.  Baste as desired - I used pins this time.


Then quilt as desired.  I used some straight stitching with a walking foot and a lengthened stitch length.


After you've quilted the piece, remove pins, press and trim.  Mine measured 14.5" square.

Time for the binding.  (I have a binding tutorial here, if you need help.)


I machined it to the front and handstitched it down to the back.


What do you think?!  If you haven't had a chance to play with Marmalade yet, you should.  The colors and prints are so lovely.  :-)  I am looking forward to getting the yardage for the collection next month.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you enjoyed this quick little mini quilt tutorial.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Happy Sewing!  :-) 

4 comments:

  1. Very sweet! The red spotted binding is cute!

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  2. How cute and yes the binding is adorable! Great tutorial.

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  3. I love this. I think I'll make one!

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  4. Thank you for the tutorial. I made one in just a few hours. It turned out so cute. If you're interested, you can see it here..
    http://sunshinesews.blogspot.com/2013/05/mini-charm-mini-quilt.html

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