Sunday, April 25, 2010

Nine Patch Minis

Instant gratification…well, almost.

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For the last little while, I have felt ‘quilted out’ and the thought of starting another quilt did not inspire me at all.  Having said that, I have had the burning desire lately to try my hand at minis or doll quilts, so what better time than the present, especially since it’s my friend Lucie’s birthday on the 1st of May and for the last couple of years, we’ve tried to include at least one hand made item with our gifts.

I the look of nine patch quilts so I decided to ‘shop’ in my stash cupboards to see if anything inspired me.  I decided to use my red 19th Century and Civil War fabrics for this particular project.  I even used some turkey reds and decided to go with shirting fabrics for the connecting blocks.

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It started out like this…

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And I was having so much fun, I ended up with these!

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It was just as easy to work on three at once so that’s what I did.  I decided that the most neutral-toned one would be for Lucie.

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I finished hand quilting it last night and put the binding on this morning.

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The finished mini/doll quilt measures 19” square.  Each block is 3” finished and the border is 2” finished.

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I think I could become hooked on making these mini/doll quilts.  There is quite a bit of work involved, especially if they are hand quilted, but the gratification is instant…well almost. 

Not only are they great for display purposes…

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They also seem to placate my desire for patchwork and my favorite part…handquilting!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

49 comments:

  1. Your minis are so pretty! And good job getting three done at once! :0)

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  2. It's amazing how these mini quilts seem to multiply! Simple but elegant! Your friend Lucie will love her nine patch mini quilt! :0)

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  3. OMG, Kaaren, they are adorable. A darling display. Might have to be a big old copy cat. LOL :-)

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  4. Very cute mini's, plus they are great for end tables or wall hangings.

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  5. Your mini quilts are so wonderful! I can definitely see how these could be so much fun to make. And you hand quilted them too! I think that your friend is going to love hers!

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  6. Love your little quilts, and you have such a knack for displaying them...great job!

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  7. Those are darling! Lucie is a lucky friend.

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  8. A fast finish is always a good thing! Your little 9 patches are adorable.

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  9. What sweet little quilts, Kaaren! They're wonderful--I love how you used them in your decorating. Your friend will love hers!

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  10. I love your comment: "so I decided to ‘shop’ in my stash cupboards to see if anything inspired me." And it's wonderful to try new things on those occasions that require new inspiration!! Great adventures await...

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  11. Beautiful! Love the nine patch. that is one of my absolute fav's.

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  12. Kaaren, I love making the minis, they are so cute and such an instant feel of accomplishment too. I love putting them with dolls.
    Hugs,
    Maggey

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  13. Very sweet. Large quilts get overwhelming and I find myself putting them aside to work on something else. Minis are the perfect solution. Lucie will love her gift.

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  14. I love mini quilts. And I agree working more than one at a time makes sense.

    Marie

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  15. What beautiful results and so quick. I am sure the gift will be much appreciated.

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  16. your mini quilt looks good it is something I have to have a go at this year as a birthday group is having a swap of fabrics that we have to make a mini from........

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  17. Oh what adorable mini quilts---I have not made one in civil war--in fact I have not made one in awhile--hummmm--I will have to think about this problem!!!!
    great job---love all three of them.
    Hugs, Di

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  18. Wow!! I love them Kaaren!
    I might make one (or three!!) too!!

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  19. cute,cute,cute!!!! Your little quilts are the bomb! B=)

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  20. Oh Kaaren, I love the 9 patch ,one of my favorites, but the mini's are just wonderful!! I love them so much and I know your friend will too!! what a fun project!

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  21. Beautiful Kaaren. I am sure that Lucie will love it. Does she know how lucky she is??

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  22. How SWEET! I love mini's too - I'm burned out on big quilts for now, and I'm staying small! I LOVE your 9-patches!

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  23. I love your mini nine-patches. I do the same thing, making two or more at the same time, doesn't take mich longer. Your friend Lucie is going to love it. Now you need to quilt one of the other Mimi quilts for your display.

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  24. Kaaren, what cute mini quilts. I love the traditional patterns, brings back memories of all my grandma's quilts.

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  25. What a wonderful gift! Those mini quilts are all beautiful. I love how you integrated one into your lovely vignette, too. I keep intending on trying out hand quilting, and a little mini like this seems like a wonderful way to start.

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  26. Cute little quilts Kaaren. Makes me want to make one too. It's nice to have a little project in between the big ones so you can have something finished.

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  27. Love your cute mini quilts..so simple but so lovely..

    Take care!

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  28. Your minis are so cute. I liked the three I couldnt decided my favourite. The blocks you have choosen are simply but effective. You really know how to choose the colours!

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  29. It looks so nice :) wonderful doll quilts!

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  30. Wow, I really love those mini's. I tried to enlarge the quilt you hand quilted to see what quilting you did, but I still couldn't see it properly ;-(.

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  31. Oh my goodness! All three are adorable!!!

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  32. Oh so gorgeous Kaaren, I love doll quilts and what a perfect quilting fix so you can get on with that cross stitch. I think they make the most wonderful wall art and it looks great in your display.

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  33. Beautiful. Kaaren - just the inpiration I need!
    Hugs - Lurline

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  34. Kaaren, your mini's are lovely, and your friend is very lucky.Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Love these mini quilts. You have given me another project. Great job, well done, and thank you for sharing. I can see how these are a "bet you can't make just one" project.

    Have a super great day.

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  36. Your little quilts are so adorable. I love displaying little quilts, I have them all over my house.

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  37. Maybe I should have stuck with a mini quilt instead of trying to make a nine patch out of 1 1/2 inch blocks.

    Your mini is lovely.

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  38. Nice job....I'm sure your friend will love it.

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  39. The little nine patch looks very good artfully draped over the cabinet. You have a knack for decorating....among your other talents.

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  40. I just love these...I have been making tiny nine patches too lately!!

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  41. I have been making minis too, they are fun and somewhat fast and great to decorate with. Yours came out wonderfully.

    Debbie

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  42. Well, since I had the preview what can I add that I have not already said to you. I am thrilled the miniature quilt fairy has come to tickle your quilt genes into action. They are all three fabulous and Lucie is one lucky gal! I agree that these kinds of quilts are perfect to decorate with which is why I love making them. I use them in so many different ways.

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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  43. I love your minis. I have been thinking of doing something similar with the little triangles that are cut off from other projects. Waste not........

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  44. I love these minis too...I love to hand quilt small projects like this...and love to give little quilts as gifts!

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  45. I love making small quilts -- they are almost instant gratification and are so much fun! Also a great way to play with a fabric or pattern without committing to a huge project.
    Your 9-patches are lovely!!

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  46. I really love mini quilts. They give you a chance to start and finish a project in a reasonable time and they are so darn cute!

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  47. Well, I am glad you got happy again making some minis. They turned out great and all finished. good job.

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