A little of this and even littler of that
I love to make little quilts. Note, when I refer to little quilts I do not mean miniature quilts. I admire the skill and precision involved in making miniature quilts, but I prefer something that looks more like a piece of the full-size quilt as opposed to the exact replica of the big one wrought miniscule. I can finish small quilts pretty quickly and mistakes become “design choices” not disasters. Little Quilts, Lori Smith and Jo Morton are sources for small quilt patterns.
Here are my “top ten” reasons for making little quilts: (1) You can at least finish the top before quilters’ A-D-D kicks in, (2) You can work outside your color comfort zone without wasting a lot of time, fabric or money if your choices don’t work out, (3) You can artfully arrange them around your house and it looks like you have a lot of quilts, (4) You can make enough to decorate with quilts seasonally, (5) They are a good repository of orphan blocks, (6) You can even make one out of a single block–if it’s quilted, it’s a quilt, (7) You can indulge your urge to buy that gorgeous fabric with only a fat quarter and still make it work, (8) You can make a whole quilt back out of a fat quarter, (9) It’s a great way to use up those fabric scraps you just cannot throw out, and, finally, (10) They are so gosh darn cute!
I treated myself to Temecula Quilt Company’s (check out their blog for lots of great small quilt pictures) little quilt of the month program using one of the Lori Smith patterns and the photo above is the fruit of my labors from this past weekend. What a great treat to get a squishy envelope in the mail that included a glossy photo of their completed version of the little quilt and four quarter yards of fabric. I opened the envelope and headed straight to the washer to pre-wash the fabric and then got busy sewing. See how quickly you can finish a little quilt top! The “worse than forcast” winter storm even knocked out our power for five hours on Saturday and I still finished the top. Kathie at Inspired by Antique Quilts blog is doing her own little quilt of the month and her recent post inspired me to do something with the tiny scraps I’ve been saving from a scrappy star quilt I am working on. The quilt top below was made one day during the Thanksgiving holiday and I basted it for hand quilting last weekend.
Great little quilts! The second one looks like "Pick Up Sticks" from Jo's LWC #6 (ish). I have yet to make that one, but I have all the strips ready to go. I should just get on it since I know it's not really that difficult of one to put together! Super job!
I'm back again as I can't help myself keep looking at your little quilt with Rail Fence blocks! I'm so inspired and motivated now with this cute one and heading to my sewing room to make my version with the patriot colors right now!!! Thanks again.
I love your "top ten" reasons!! I've also subscribed TQC's monthly mini club last year then left when you started yours as my LQS has started their club at that time. But I still miss Sheryl's fabric selections as well as Lori's patterns. I've been always wondering about making small quilts, but now I feel pretty comfortable with them 🙂 Thank you!!
this little beauty is fantastic! love it!
I really like the smaller quilts too – hope to make a whole wall of them someday. But I still feel guilty making those when there are bigger ones on my to do list!
I'm a lover of little quilts and I agree with all your reasons for making them. I have them all around my house, hanging on a antique saw, rolled in a basket and I use them as table cozies.
Taryn, I love the colors. Very cute!
Just love all those little flashes of colour. Little quilts are so achieveable for times when you just need to feel the satisfaction of something being finished 🙂
Cheers
Lynne
Repro doll and crib quilts are my passion! Thanks for your list of why they are wonderful to make. Miniatures are another thing altogether. I don't think that our quilting foremothers spent time sewing to scale!
I enjoyed reading your 10 reasons and find them to be very true. Your new small quilt is a treat for the eyes. I want to do a rail fence, too and also inspired by Kathie.
I totally agree with all your reasons. Little quilts are terrific! I am also BIG fans of Lori Smith and Jo Morton!
I'm a little quilt lover too for every reason you wrote!!! I love your little scrappy quilt especially:)
beautiful..love it!
I can see myself getting hooked on these quite easily.
Julia ♥
I also LOVE your little quilts. I bought the two books by Kathleen Tracy and adore her doll quilts. Your 'top ten' reasons are excellent and exactly why I like small quilts!
I too just love little quilts and have them scattered through out my home in baskets, on hooks tucked in here and there. They are wonderful!
oh I love your little quilts!
good for you making that LITTLE quilt! so cute!
I agree with you I like making little quilts NOT minatures, I just don't have the patience for that at all!
Kathie