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I enjoy making
two-color miniature quilts because the contrast is so beautiful in a small quilt. Prove my
theory when you stitch your version of "Smoothing Irons" (15"
x 18"). |
If I had to
choose a favorite miniature quilt from all I've made, I'd pick "Burgoyne in
Blue" (18 1/4" x 22 3/4"). It has everything I like best, blue and
white fabrics and a classic, traditional design. |
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| "Perplexed by
Purple" (16 1/2" square) is easier than it looks, thanks to foundation
piecing. The block is a variation of a traditional one known as Allentown. |
After seeing "Rosie's
Posies," a quilt by Elsie Vredenburg, which appeared in Issue 37 of Traditional Quiltworks magazine, I felt challenged to
reduce the block size to 3" square. The result, "Kansas Sunflowers"
(20" square), forced me to reconsider my habit of never using yellow in
quilts. |
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| My friend Eileen Roseberry gave me
enough feedsack and other vintage scraps to make a half-dozen miniature quilts, including "Eileen's
Scraps" (14" x 16 1/2"). This experience inspired me to start my
own collection of feedsacks. |
A quilt doesn't have to be
expensive to be pretty. Many of the fabrics in "Yard Sale Brights" (12"
x 15") came, as you might guess, from a yard sale. |
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| What happens when you combine blue
and white fabrics with a block known as Birds in the Air? You get "Blue
Birds" (9 1/2" x 11 1/2"), of course! |
"Little Bit of
Sparkle" (8" x 10 7/8") may be tiny but it sure has a lot of
punch. I used a dark blue background to contrast with the multicolored scraps. |
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| "Tiny Rosebuds" (10
1/2" x 13 1/2") demonstrates an easy way to coordinate colors for a little
quilt. Start with an interesting border print in miniature scale, and then choose
additional fabrics to match the accent colors found in the border print. |
"Baby Plaid Paws" (18
1/2" x 23 1/2") is the perfect quilt for all plaid lovers! Use an assortment of
small-scale plaids to make this country-style mini. |
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| Make your own version of "Grandma's
Nine Patch" (16 3/4" x 20 3/4") using feedsacks and vintage scraps
or a few reproduction fabrics. I made mine using all three. |
Half-inch squares sparkle in "Road
to Oklahoma" (16 1/2" x 20 1/2"). This miniature version of a
traditional pattern has a genuine old-fashioned look. |
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| Three shades of green qualified "Green
Beans" (14 3/4" x 17 3/4") for a monochromatic quilt challenge.
The Corn & Beans block is a traditional one, but the color scheme results in a quilt
with a contemporary look. |
After "Bits and
Pieces" (14" square) won a ribbon in the miniature quilts division of
the Kansas State Fair, I noticed one block is turned in the wrong direction. If you need a
hint to find it, check the corners. |
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| "Streak of
Nine-Patch" (11" x 13 1/2") is proof of how generous quilters can
be. I realized too late that I didn't have enough navy fabric to bind the quilt. I
searched every quilt shop within 100 miles, unsuccessfully. Months later, a complete
stranger overheard me discussing the problem with a friend, took a look at my sample and
announced she had some of the fabric at home. She mailed me the fat quarter later that day
and refused to take any payment for it. |
Strip piecing makes construction of "Peaches
and Stones" (16 1/2" x 20") easy. The muslin background nicely
highlights the red and blue print. Choose similar colors to accentuate your stepping
stones. |
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| When our group presented a challenge
that required the use of 45º diamonds, I couldn't resist. I made "Lone Star
Challenge" (22 1/2" square) with the required paisley and red print
fabrics and some of my own prints. |
My colorful "Cobweb
Confetti" (21 1/4" x 26 1/4") won second place in the
foundation-pieced category of the 1998 Miniatures from the
Heart Contest conducted by Miniature Quilts
magazine. Winning the award made the time spent removing the paper foundations worthwhile. |
| Patterns for all projects displayed are
available in Jayne's book,
Little
Traditional Quilts. |
