July 2010

Do you have a copy of the Whip Up Mini Quilts book? Lets make the quilts from the book together. Post them on the whipup flickr group under the tag “Whip up mini quilts”.

Here is what we are going to do – each week – say on a friday – for 6 weeks [oops sorry I missed a week] – I am going to post one of the quilts from the book that I have made – and give you a few tips and ideas to help you make it. At the same time I will be giving away a copy of the book (that’s 6 books to give away). Do you want to join in?

And if you don’t yet have a copy of the book but want to join in straight away – there are 2 free Mini Quilt patterns available for download from the Chronicle website + The pattern and templates for Kellie Wulfsohn’s little girl’s applique wallhanging ‘A little birdie told me’ is available at the Woman’s Day website

Last week I showcased my version of Lisa Call’s ‘Modern Geometric’ mini quilt

This week I am going to show you my pattern from the book and a couple of variations too. Its the Shibori sampler and was so fun to make. In fact it turned out to a bit of a family project and we made lots of versions.

Step 1. Cut your white cotton fabric into squares (you will need 9 for your mini quilt – but it essentially it doesn’t matter how big your sample pieces are – start with 8x8inch squares if you like). Fold the squares into different configerations – use an iron to get crisp fold lines and then hold your folds in place with clamps, pegs, or folder clips. Traditionally these folded fabrics are held firmly between wooden blocks which are kept in place by tightly bound string.

Step 2. Prepare your dye – if you know about fabric dye methods then great – if not then simply purchase fabric dye from your local store and follow the directions carefully – using safety equipment and protecting your surfaces and clothing, eyes and hands (rubber gloves, plastic apron and plastic table cloth come in handy). You can choose to fully immerse your folded fabric bundles, or dip in the edges and sides, you can wet the fabric first with warm water or not. Leave the dye in the fabric for at least 20 minutes before rinsing – but really this bit is the fun experimental part and when it comes time to unwrap your folded fabric packages you will be surprised and addicted. Make a few extras so you have choices when putting your final design together.

Step 3. Rinse and dry and iron your folded squares of fabric and sew then together in a simple 3×3 design – lining up the corners and arranging them how you like. Press the seams as you go then press the entire quilt top. Now use this finished quilt top and cut out a piece of backing and binding the same size. There is no binding required – instead you are going to use the ‘bagging out’ method otherwise known as the ‘pillowcase method’ of binding.

Step 4. Place your quilt top and backing RIGHT sides facing each other, then place your batting on top. Sew around the edges of all three layers (1/4-1/2 inch seam), leaving a 5 inch gap on one side. Put your hand into the gap between the quilt top and back and turn it right side out. Fold the inside corner seams to create neat corners. The close up the gap with a hemming hand stitch. Now there is some basic hand quilting involved next – use a quilting hoop and a hand quilting needle, thread and thimble to run a line of running stitches around the perimeter and then using an assortment of cups and bowls and some tailors chalk, trace circle shapes onto your quilt design, which you will then hand quilt around. To finish hand wash and dry. You may like to hang up your mini quilt or make a few more to use as table mats.

VARIATION:
Here I have used plain white strips of fabric (available as a Moda jelly roll) and then sewn them together once I dyed the strips. Here I used a pole wrap method – wrapping the fabric around a pole and then tying tightly with string before dying. I like the storm like effect. I then quilting them on my machine with a messy scribble quilting design – echoing the shibori string lines.

Have fun making this one – or one of the other quilts from the book. Don’t forget to post your results in the whipup flickr pool – under the tag “Whip up mini quilts”. Post your finished mini quilt or progress report and then link here in the comments – and I will draw a winner.

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