24 May 2016

Mini Mini Mania

They all say that bigger is better. But I beg to differ. Tiny can be so satisfying!

Have you heard about the fantastic #MMminimini challenge hosted by Make Modern MagazineYou can read all about the details here

I had so much fun making this wee little mini mini quilt.
And now have plans for making so many more!




This Cougar #miniminiquilt was made for my good buddy Sarah of Cedar Fork Stitches 




I used a variegated thread for the straight line quilting and finished my binding by machine. Because I am too lazy to do any hand sewing. Here you can see that I added borders to my 4" x 4" Cougar block and am ready for the quilting! 




After quilting, I trimmed it down and it now measures exactly 6" square.





The binding on a mini mini can be a little intimidating. I found a single fold binding tutorial on Crazy Mom Quilts blog hereBut I did a mitered joint for my binding. I measured the perimeter and then added the amount for the overlap to miter. This was the length of my binding:

6" sides x 4 = 24" plus width of binding 1.5" = 25.5"

After applying my binding to the back, I then pressed and folded to the front and pinned the binding in place before stitching. Next time I will have to remember to add some corner tabs on the back for hanging.


You know I am not the only crazy quilter out here that has been sucked into the mini mini craze. If you are looking for some mini mini inspiration, here are some great links!!!

From Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl.

Tutorial for single fold binding on mini mini quilts


From Jayne of Twiggy and Opal.

Mini Mini Quilts





mini Raccoon blocks finish at 5" x 4"


I've been working on some tiny piecing lately while making the blocks for the mini quilts included in the recently released Raccoon pattern. And now am making tiny baby blocks for the My Pet Hamster pattern, which will also be released soon. 



mini My Pet Hamster blocks finish at 5" x 4.5"

And I also started a couple of mini mini quilts back in October when I made the Wee Little Bird table runner. What took me so long to finish them? I had so many other things to do. And I was getting frustrated with the binding. After finishing these three mini mini quilts, I think I have it down to a science now.

Here are my two finally finished Wee Little Bird mini mini quilts.


mini Wee Little Bird blocks finish at 4.5" x 4"


And here are the backs.










How do you feel about tiny piecing? 




Keep On Quilting On!










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26 comments:

MC said...

Really looking forward to seeing more of those hamsters. So adorable!

Nancy J said...

Maybe a bit small for my not so nimble fingers now, but love yours so much. I can see a whole row of these as table mats, racoons and hamsters competing for a prized place at the table. Those eyes are super, and the straight stitching is a perfect finish.

Paige said...

One of the first quilts I made was a miniature flying geese, so I like tiny piecing! Yours turned out great! And your bindings are so neat, well done!

Danice G said...

I do love making mini quilts, but really small is kinda hard with arthritis. They are so cute though. I love your Wee Little Bird block, and want to use that one soon :)

Dorian said...

Oh Lorna, those are GREAT projects, I just love that cougar. It's so cool they are all so little. Great job.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

love the little bird - do you have a pattern for that one?

Stitchin At Home said...

Mini sewing can be rewarding and frustrating at times. I love your hamster.

Quilter Kathy said...

I love mini quilts... it's my all time favourite!
I think I need to make a whole quilt of your little birds...so sweet/tweet :)

Sandra Walker said...

I'm with Cindy, but after using Yvonne's tutorial on binding as a jumping off point to pin down (lol) my own technique, I quite love mini minis! Doing a mini Round Robin with some friends (of whom Cindy is one) in QBL starting this week...should be fun. :-)

Patty said...

I'm getting hooked on minis too! Yours are very fun!

Jayne said...

I love your mini mini's! I'm so glad you used your bird pattern for one! It's perfect! I need to get back on the band wagon and make some more. They are a wee bit addicting! Thank you for sharing some of my posts and mini mini links!

Laura said...

I like tiny paper piecing. Not as fond of regular tiny piecing. A little error in cutting or sewing can make a big error in the design when the block is tiny.

Ruth-Anne Hayes said...

Love them all. Those wee birdies are too cute! ♡

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Tiny piecing is awesome! I think your style is captured beautifully in these, Lorna. :)

Ruth-Anne Hayes said...

Love them all. Those wee birdies are too cute! ♡

Sarah@123quilt said...

I love working with tiny, fiddly pieces. Those mini minis are too cute are way too hard to resist. In fact, I plan on making one later today!

Unknown said...

So, so adorable. The nice thing about tiny piecing is that you get a finished "quilt" in a short time. I am doing The Splendid Sampler blocks, and some of those 6.5 inch unfinished blocks have 50 or more pieces!! It is INSANE sometimes!!

I adore all the mini blocks you posted.

Lara B. said...

What a great cougar! Mini-min-mania has bitten you for sure Lorna! I can see how this will be contagious too. The little birdie minis are sew cute too! And I just love your darling hamsters and raccoons! Thanks for sharing all those inspiring links too!

Unknown said...

I love the cougar mini quilt and was wondering if there was a chance you could share it. Our high school mascot is the cougar and my husband works at the school and our youngest son will be a senior next year. It would be great to use it for them.

Karen @runsewfun said...

These are all cute but I'm especially in love with those birds!
The tiniest piecing I've done was a 1/4 size Hazel Hedgehog I made it into a pincushion for a guild swap. It took me three tries but it came out darling and was "stolen" the maximum amount of times so that made me feel good. The woman who ultimately got it loves it and still thanks me for it often. (Still haven't made one for myself!)

Tish Stemple said...

I do love me some tiny piecing! Both Jayne and Yvonne have been rocking the mini minis for quite some time now. I keep wondering just how teeny tiny they will go. The Wee Little Bird blocks are so sweet.

Jen said...

Those little minis are such a great little gift exchange item.
I think the smallest thing I have done ever is my wall hanging butterfly at about 48" across. :)
I am seeing tons of mini projects around and it might be something that I will soon dive into though. They look like so much fun.

Lisa J. said...

I've done about a 4 inch mini. Love yours they are all so cute!

Diana @ Red Delicious Life said...

Those minis are adorable. I've not jumped on the mini mini bandwagon as of yet but they sure look like fun.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

I generally don't like tiny piecing, but for some reason, I have enjoyed making mini minis.

Jasmine said...

Tiny piecing isn't really my thing, but your blocks are super cute!

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