Marvelous Miniatures (3)

Miniature quilts require considerable skill, especially when applique is involved.  Today's quilter, Judy Tenen, used a 5 x 7" greeting card as her inspiration... read on to see just how tiny this quilt is!

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns and collectible items. For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !

Greeting Card Quilt by Judy Tenen

There is amazing detail in this tiny quilt, which shows a pair of cardinals perched on top of a clothesline quilt. Here is another photo showing the quilt next to a friend's hand in front of (not touching) the quilt:

The original artwork, by Rebecca Barker, was used with permission. Quilter Judy Tenen explains: "Rebecca Barker is a talented artist with a line of greeting cards that feature quilts [Rebecca calls them "Quiltscapes"]. 

Judy continues, "I asked her if I could reproduce her greeting card in the form of a quilt and she graciously agreed. This little quilt depicts her artwork." Shown below is the actual greeting card. Judy Tenen did a fabulous job reproducing this artwork in fabric!

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2023 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Marvelous Miniatures (2)

Let's continue the week with another fabulous mini quilt!  Miniature quilt blocks are often scaled down from 12" to only 1". As you can imagine, these tiny works of art require considerable patience and skill, but the results are so much fun.  We love the tropical colors of this quilt!

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns and collectible items. For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter ! 

Monkey Business by Peg Clampet

This quilt was inspired by the 2022 Mini Series sew Along hosted by Giucy Giuce and Alison Glass. The The twelve blocks utilize foundation paper piecing to create a variety of tiny blocks. For her primary fabric, Peg Clampet used the Jungle Paradise line by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda Fabrics.

The tiny size of these blocks can be appreciated when viewed next to the red quilt show ribbon (for 2nd place!) and a friend's hand, on the left:

Here are some of the great blocks from the Sew Along posted by Alison Glass, including Pineapple and Courthouse Steps:

Image credits: Photos of Monkey Business were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2023 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Marvelous Miniatures (1)

 Let's start off the week on a small scale! In a true miniature quilt, the blocks are often scaled down from 12" to only 1". As you can imagine, these tiny works of art require considerable skill on the part of the quilter.

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns and collectible items. For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter ! 

Desert Peacock by Peter Adams, quilted by Valerie Greenwell

The creator of Desert Peacock, Peter Adams, explains: "This mandala designed quilt is the end product of a class I took (with Keith Dommer at Quilters Market) concentrating on invisible, turned-edge applique. When I completed the mandala circle, the particular shapes and colors evoked visions of a peacock tail.)

Here is another photo of Desert Peacock (with a hand in front, not touching, to show the scale):

And a closeup photo showing the invisible applique (we can confirm that the applique stitches are invisible!)

Image credits: Photo were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2023 Tucson Quilters Guild show (Quilt Fiesta!)

 

Miniature Quilts Galore! part 4

Miniature quilts are some of the most fun projects we've seen.  In these quilts the traditional blocks are reduced to a fraction of their traditional size. They are technically challenging, visually intriguing, and much easier to display than a regular quilt!

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

Dynamo by Megan Farkas, New Hampshire

Megan writes, "This quilt is a wonderful opportunity to play with color interactions. I chose this name for the quilt because it's electric - and it goes 'round !"

Dynamo is based on the traditional "Trip Around the World" pattern, in which small squares of fabric are sewn on all four sides of the quilt. Megan's quilt really "pops" because she knows that the trick of making this pattern successful is to place high contrast or light and dark fabrics next to each other, so that the geometric points of each fabric can be easily seen.

Megan hand-sewed her entire work, and it turned out beautifully. We really admire how perfectly pieced and stitched these tiny squares are. This intricate, eye-catching quilt really sparkles !  

Photo taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Road to California Quilt Show, Ontario, California
 

Miniature Quilts Galore! part 3

Miniature quilts are some of the most fun projects we've seen.  In these quilts the traditional blocks are reduced to a fraction of their traditional size. They are technically challenging, visually intriguing, and much easier to display than a regular quilt!

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

Annabelle by Kellie Willey

 In our opinion, this little quilt is a masterpiece. Kellie Willey says, "I wanted to make quilt in honor of my Grandmother, Annabelle, who was a quilter.  She owned a velvet and satin crazy quilt and I decided to make a miniature version. Friends contributed velvet, taffetta and embellishments."

Kellie continues, "Most of the blocks were made using ties that belonged to my husband and my father.  Charms and buttons were collected during my travels and I found many of the stitching ideas online and in books."  Kellie is the owner of Little Quilt Creations; please visit her website for inspiration, lessons and patterns for miniature quilts.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Road to California quilt show.

Miniature Quilts Galore ! part 2

Miniature quilts are some of the most fun projects we've seen.  In these quilts the traditional blocks are reduced to a fraction of their traditional size. They are technically challenging, visually intriguing, and much easier to display than a regular quilt!

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

Log Cabin Village by Joy Palmer (California)

This contemporary miniature Log Cabin Village puts a modern twist on a very traditional block! We love the way Joy Palmer nestled the tiny log cabin blocks in a gorgeous blue field.  

The maker and quilter says, "Many early Americans lived in log cabins and managed to exist by using everything in all possible ways until it was completely worn out.  This log cabin village is made from thrift store silks, all of which had a prior life as something else.  To add interest to the image, I used minimal pieced blocks supported by similar structures in the quilting."
 

The abundant negative space gave Joy Palmer plenty of room to create quilting designs, ranging from traditional (feathers) to stacked right angles that echo the log cabin design.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Road to California quilt show.

Miniature Quilts Galore ! part 1

Miniature quilts are some of the most fun projects we've seen.  In these quilts the traditional blocks are reduced to a fraction of their traditional size. They are technically challenging, visually intriguing, and so much easier to display than a regular quilt! In the next few weeks we'll be featuring some beautiful examples of this art form.  You'd never know that this quilt is less than 12" in size.

p.s. Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt inspiration, please visit us on Twitter.

Very Mini Mari by Emily Jackson (California)

Emily Jackson made this stunning miniature mariner's compass star quilt in a stunning green and blue design.  The high-contrast colors give the star blocks a 3D appearance! The very creative reverse applique border echoes the circular shapes surrounding the compass stars.  Emily Jackson says, "My love of tiny applique and reverse applique tied the blocks together." 

We admired Emily's perfect paper piecing of the eight-pointed star blocks. In the quilt description she says, "A dear friend introduced me to miniature quilting, and encouraged me to take it to the extreme by miniaturizing a traditional compass block from 18” diameter to about 3” diameter." 

To show just how tiny this quilt is, here's a photo of it hanging with other miniatures on the display wall:

  Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Road to California quilt show.

Quilt Arizona 2020 ! Day 2

In February, when life was still "normal" , we attended the 2020 Quilt Arizona! Show which is an outstanding display of statewide quilts from the Arizona Quilters' Guild. This year's theme was "Desert Stars". We hope you enjoy these highlights from the show !

Please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns, books, and collectible items !
For the latest free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter.

Whooo's There by Pearl Sceviour

Pearl's wonderful original design won both the President's Choice Award and the Second Place Award for Best Pictorial Quilt. She explains, "Translating photos to quilts is a passion. Using commerical fabric as a medium poses serious challenges, but there's a great satisfaction in seeing the picture come to life."

Pearl quilted her strikingly handsome work herself. We really like this owl's large, clear eyes which make him (or her) appear to be very wise indeed.

Delightful Nature by Beth Norris, quilted by Cindy Paulson

Speaking of Sophie Carcaud's design, Beth says, "I love this designer's animals- they make me chuckle. The mouse choir, the courting hedgehogs, the zany zebras, the bear and squirrel discussing subtle acorn flavor.....they all just delight me."

Beth's exquisite workmanship shows in this large owl sitting in the tree with delicate, precise leaves.

Here's the mouse choir of which Beth speaks. We can imagine them singing in their squeaky little voices !

Sedona Trails With A Difference by Andrea Williams

Second place winner for Pieced Medium-Size Quilts, Andrea notes, "The top was pieced by Ellen Outten. [ I ] have been quilting for 4 years, learning with each completed project."

Andrea adds, "This quilt is a variation on a sampler quilts with a combination of 11 curved pieced blocks and straight pieced blocks. The pattern is Sedona Trails."  We admire Andrea's elegant quilting work.

Diamond Log Cabin by Mary McElvain

First place winner for Paper Pieced Quilts, Mary states, " [This is a ] paper-pieced small quilt. The pattern was from a vendor, Cindi Edgerton, at Paducah, KY, so the quilt holds many fond memories."

These fabrics are a luscious shade of raspberry pink and really made the center medallion "pop" against the pale white hues of the background.

Evening Starlet by Lois Wendling, quilted by Donna Goldbeck

First place winner for "Best Use of Theme"  (Desert Stars), Lois explains, "I chose the Deb Karasik pattern 'Audrey III'   to show the beautiful starry nights we have in Arizona."

Lois adds, "I used desert colors to highlight the beauty of this star and added Swarovski Crystals." We admire this stunning work, and the dual sun/moon motif in the center gives an extra emphasis to the theme of the sky above us.


Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Arizona Quilters Guild show.

Highlights of Quilt Arizona 2019! part 5 (the finale)

Here is the finale of our Quilt Arizona photos! The Arizona Quilters Guild has over 35 chapters, and they all get together annually for the show. The 2019 theme was Jewels of the Desert: "Every quilt is like a gemstone, the dancing colors play through patterns to endlessly fascinate and amaze. This year your quilt should convey Arizona's iridescent beauty, from golden sunsets and emerald cacti, to clear sparkling memories."

Note: please check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns, fabric, and vintage jewelry ! (For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !)

Spring Cleaning by Patti Kupferer

This adorable small quilt has eight different mini quilts hanging from a clothesline. Patti Kupferer says, "The Gallon Bag Challenge [in my guild] required me to use the 12 different items/collections a fellow quilter had placed in the bag in a wall hanging." We enjoyed seeing the crocheted doll (in the lower left corner), the clothes line and pins, and decorative buttons.

Look at how tiny these little quilts are, compared to the gloved hand (below)!

Extra, Extra, Read All About It by Millie Burgheimer, quilted by Millie Burgheimer

Extra, Extra won a first place ribbon in the Mixed Technique category.  Millie Burgheimer based the quilt on a story of her dad selling newspapers.  The newsboys in this original design were created with thread painting.  The background is made of newsprint-themed fabrics.

Dresden Elegance by Gail Witt,quilted by Jessica Gamez
 

Dresden Elegance won the award for Exemplary Professional Machine Quilting, along with Third Place in the Mixed Technique category.  Gail Witt says, "I am inspired by Di Ford medallion quilts. My original design features hand appliqued center star, swirls and Dresden plates. Jessica Gamez' trapunto feathers and border Gothic arches are beautiful." Here are two closeup photos of her lovely quilting.

Treasures of the Southwest by Judith Tobias, quilted by Karen Toomey

This wonderful quilt features a hot air balloon, pueblo, saguaro cactus, and more.  The pattern is Enchanted Lands at SW Decoratives. Members of Quilts N More, a Fountain Hills (Arizona) group, created this quilt to donate to Quilt for a Cause which raises funds for research, education and treatment of breast and gynecological cancers. The beautiful batik fabrics lend so much beauty to this quilt.

See What You See Under The Sea by Magdalena Castillo-Cockrum, quilted by Eunice Hill

Magdalena Castillo-Cockrum won a First Place ribbon in the Pictorial - Non Original Design category for this collage-style quilt.  She says, "Turtles are beautiful and peaceful. I love watching them swim. Exploring fabrics to fulfill my expectations for this turtle was fun, exciting and adventurous. I am excited with my turtle’s uniqueness." The turtle brings to mind Laura Heine's Seawell Collage Sea Turtle design, enhanced with many other design elements and fabrics.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Arizona at the 2019 Quilt Arizona show.

Free pattern day! Star quilts (part 1)

Here are 30 free patterns for STAR quilts!  There are Sawtooth Stars, Ohio Stars, LeMoyne Stars, Lone Stars, Mariner's Compass Stars, Friendship Stars, Feathered Stars, and Bursting Star quilts (and more!)  To go to a pattern: Scroll down the page until you see the quilt you like, then click on the words "PDF download" (or the hyperlinked website name) in the title above the quilt. For Part 2 of this series: click here! For Part 3 of this series, click here!)

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great deals on quilt patterns and vintage collectibles ! For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !

Tropical Dynasty quilt, 60" square, free pattern at Paintbrush Studios (CLICK for PDF download)

Designer Star quilt, 99 x 99", free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Cakewalk quilt, 68” square, free pattern by Rebecca Bryan for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Morning Glory Quilt, 72 x 72”, free pattern by Patrick Lose for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter’s Promise quilt, 92” square, free pattern by Christine Stainbrook for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Photobomb quilt, 77” square, free pattern by Stacey Day for AQS (CLICK for PDF download)

Feather and Flora quilt, 88” square, free pattern at Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Feathered Stars quilt, 72” square, free pattern by Carl Hentsch for Tula Pink / Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Breezy Batiks quilt, 66” square, free pattern at Moda Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Center Stage quilt, 91” square, free pattern by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Gazebo Medallion quilt, 74” square, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Genny & Ruth Quilt, 36” or 72” square, free pattern by Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Dream Away quilt, 59 x 71”, free pattern at Anthology Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Starlet Basics quilt, 33 x 43”, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Blank Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Starlight Paths Quilt, 61” square, free pattern by Stacey Day for P&B Textiles (CLICK for PDF download)

Bursting Star Quilt, 42”square, free pattern at McCall’s Quilting (CLICK for PDF download)

Starstruck quilt, 50” square, free pattern by Marsha Evans Moore for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Hollyhock Garden Stars quilt, 50” square, free pattern by Jan Krentz for Timeless Treasures (CLICK for PDF download)

Red Star quilt, 48” square, free pattern by Cortney Heimerl for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Lost at Sea quilt, 92” square, free pattern by Alex Anderson Quilts (CLICK for PDF download)

Beachcomber quilt, 51” square, free pattern by Lynne Goldsworthy for Makower (CLICK for PDF download)

Enchanted Navigation quilt, 57 x 71”, free pattern by McKenna Ryan for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Hexy Stars quilt, ~55 x 64”, free pattern by Tula Pink (CLICK for PDF download)

Giant Log Cabin Star quilt, 84” square, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Kaleidoscope quilt, ~60” square, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Crystal Fusion quilt, 48” square, free pattern by Karen Combs (CLICK for PDF download)

Interstellar quilt, ~73” square, free pattern by Barbara Hollinger for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Sunset Star quilt, 56” square, free pattern by Felice Regina for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)
 

Star Gazer quilt, 40” square, free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Blissful Star mini quilt, 20” square, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Winter’s Grandeur mini quilt, 24” square, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Image credits: This post was updated on Novemer 21, 2024. Individual images are copyrighted by their owners. Please respect their generosity in sharing their free patterns, and the restrictions they have placed on the use of these designs; complete information can be found at the designers' websites provided in the links. The photo montage shown on this page is a derivative work that is the property of Quilt Inspiration. If any links are broken, we'd love to know so we can fix it. Please email us at QuiltInspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.