Mini Mini Quilts
Yesterday in my blog reading, I came across Kitty @Night Quilter’s post and received an introduction through her blog about mini mini quilts. Greatly intrigued, I followed her advice and popped over to Instagram to check out #miniminiquiltswap. Figuring that I would poke through my scrap bin, you know, just to see what might happen…
Squirrel!
You might say I quickly became distracted from my previously envisioned goal for the day (I had thought I would piece the backing to the Love Letters quilt. Nope.).
Honestly, though, the reference to the dog from Up! was not intentional. I just used fabric that spoke to me from my scrap bin. Who wouldn’t want to fussy cut around that cute face?
Mini Mini Squirrel Quilt
The mini mini squirrel quilt finished out at 3.25-inches square and was quickly claimed by Renee @Quilts of a Feather. The mini as photographed for this post is sporting its third binding. Figuring out how to make a nice looking machined binding for such a tiny quilt took me a bit of time and really sucked me in. And by the time I had committed that much, I figured I might as well make another.
Mini Mini Triangle Transparency Quilt
The mini mini triangle transparency quilt is destined for Michelle Bartholomew. It finishes out at 4.75 inches square and was also made from my scrap bin. The mid tone blues are a bit closer in value than I would ideally like, but in person the transition is more noticable than I was able to successfully photograph.
Mini Mini Quilts: Binding
Since I tried so many binding iterations, I thought I might as well show you what I ended up liking the most. I started with a 1.5-inch wide strip and sewed it down to the back of the mini quilt. For the triangle transparency mini, I trimmed the mini larger than the finished top to try to preserve my points (which was mildly successful) and I sewed just less than a 3/8-inch seam around the perimeter. Note that I like to sew up to the 45-degree fold of the binding on the first edge (not all the way to the edge of the quilt), and then when I rotate 90 degrees to start the next side I sew it completely down starting from the edge of the quilt. I like the way this helps create the mitered corners for the back of the binding.
Mini Mini Quilts: Binding
I then flip the binding around and press the binding around the back. I make sure that the binding creates a “bowl” with the mini quilt front face up.
Mini Mini Quilts: Binding
Starting at a corner, I fold the raw edge of the binding down to be even with the top of the mini quilt. I finger press and work my way around the mini quilt creating the fold for the binding that I then machine stitch down.
Mini Mini Triangle Transparency Quilt
Another tip when working with such tiny items to bind: barely tack the binding down near the first corner, then fully sew down 3 sides. I found that gave me the most stability and room to work to join the binding prior to sewing the binding down to the final edge.
Mini Mini Quilt Backs
I warn you, these are highly addictive… and super satisfying little finishes.
Love the minis! They are fun to make, and so gratifying and usually quick to finish.
These are super cute!
I love the fussy cut squirrel! If I keep seeing little minis like these pop up in the blogs I read, I may have to take the plunge and make at least one myself. Great finishes! 🙂
Great projects! They are adorable. Thanks for sharing!
Now you have me wanting to make mini mini’s too! So cute! When I was at the APQ show last year, I saw some superduper mini mini mini flying geese at a fabric store…they were amazing! Thanks for the tutorial on the binding. I’ve seen it before, but I’m sure I would never find it again…Now I know where to look!
Great Christmas tree ornaments they would make!
Oooh! Love ’em both! Reminds me of Christmas ornaments I made, folded patchwork, many moons ago… That squirrel is so à propos in my world…
These are super cute. Love the photograph with the eggplant! I’m almost done quilting yours, and I quilted one for Michelle already (did you see her tiny house for guests? I’m thinking we should invite ourselves over for a sewing retreat, haha). I’m making a third for maybe swapping…because I was already making two, and those tiny HST will get lost otherwise.
Great job! The blue one is beautiful and the squirrel is darling. I can see how these could be totally addictive. Enjoy!!!
Ah – We all could fall in love with your two little mini-minis Yvonne! I’ve pieced minis a few times and know it is harder than one would think, because tiny goofs show up so much more than on a big quilt. You did a great job!
WOW…a mini mini….so very small…yikes. Thanks for the binding tip…although I can’t imagine making something that small.
I saw Kitty’s post, and your comments on that post, and also went onto instagram to check it out. I almost got sucked in as well, but was too intent on quilting my niece’s quilt. I can see how they’d be addictive.
You know, I can see that they are addictive – not only are they quickly satisfying, you are using up small bits of batting (which I have trouble throwing away…) and I’m kind of like the mug rug thing – I hate it when my glass sweats and makes a pool over my work surface, plus they are fun little gifts – all good. may have to try one myself.
Super cute! And thanks for the tips on binding mini mini quilts.
Love the mini minis! Kind of a quilters version of ATCs almost. And your squirrel was perfect for that centre.
I love all these mini minis I’ve been seeing! Trying to resist joining in because sewing time is so limited right now, and I have things I *need* to finish, but making such teeny tiny quilts looks like so much fun!
quick look around your blog and I found the binding tips! Thanks. Perfect.
This system worked great. Thanks for the tips! I had already prepped my fabric to cut on the bias, so I made mine with bias strips, but this went very well. 🙂