trying something new - a mini plus quilt challenge

I recently had the honor of making a quilt for a new quilt exchange partner, the darling Julianne in California, and the assignment was trying something new. I pulled out my Mini-Mosaic Quilts from Paula Doyle that I had in my library since it was hot off the press.

The book showed me how to use an older technique and sparked new possibilities for a very popular design in mini! What is cool about this technique is that you adhere one and a half inch squares to paper or fusible web and sew everything in strips. Your points always match! (Just make sure you sew in opposites directions when you sew the strips. If you don't, your final patchwork will be bowed in one direction. My logical sense allowed me to accept this advice without trying it out. ;-)

I really loved sewing this and kept going! I made a matching mug rug using one inch squares. They finished up to 1/2"! Is that not cool?? My hubby actually said he wanted one for the office! And since you use the fusible web, you don't have to use additional batting!

Here are a few pictures from the process. It is a great way to use up scraps; I used a 6" charm pack!

Don't you just love those night photos? I was determined to get it done that night! If you have a chance to try this technique, go for it. It will enhance your mini quilt possibilities!

Here is my challenge to you...
I challenge you to use this book or technique to make a mini plus quilt. It can be any size you want but those pluses should be no larger than 3 inches square or each segment no larger than one inch finished. Make your quilt and send me a photo of your completed quilt by March 14 (1pm, German time)! I will upload all photos and pick a winner on March 15, 2014. You have one month! The winner will receive....a lovely new charm pack. I will ship internationally. If you will be participating, leave a comment in the comments section of this post. If you a Google+ member, you may be a "no-reply blogger" so leave your email address as well. If you need a badge, grab the one below by clicking on it with a right click and copying the graphic address and insert into your page.

 I look forward to seeing some really lovely mini plus quilts ladies and gentlemen!! Knock my socks off!

Happy patching!
-Karen

happy new year 2014!

Greetings everyone from sunny Germany. Yes, the sun is shining today with an average temperature of 0°C/32°F. It is wonderful soaking up the sun rays. The winter months are always very gloomy here since we live in somewhat of an overcast region. Winter can get quite depressing at times, but not this year!

The holidays were great. Everyone seemed to have gained a few more pounds with all of the great food we ate. The kids are ready to go back to school, at least the parents are. ;-) I think they had too much Christmas - staying up late, getting new toys, and not having a regular schedule.

And I am gearing up for my WAKE UP to KONA Challenge. I worked just a little bit more on it last week. I got a little distracted on Monday, because I went to use one of the threads for quilting (the green spool on the post below), and couldn't find it anywhere! I had to drive into Neu-Ulm to get just the one spool. I would be ready to put some binding on it too, IF I had all of the fabric as well. It is currently on back order but luckily not in Customs. I was smart and lucky enough to order fabric locally this time. Kona is readily available here in Germany. I ordered my solids from Quiltmania which has a large supply of Kona as well as Moda precuts.

I am really, really excited to show you a sneak peek, but I think I have already given away more than I should. The quilt will be debuting on January 10, 2014, here on my website as well as on the Sew We Quilt Blog Hop starting on January 7th and lasting through January 21st. Please join us and see what we have made with Kona solids.

I will have the full pattern FREE for download here at my site.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Kind regards,
Karen

the forgotten five mini quilt

Hello everyone! My new favorite pattern is now available at Moda Bake Shop! Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments and support. A warm and special thanks to Lisa Calle for planning and organizing the project and to Sarah Huetschtemann for sewing it all together! The Moda Weaves
Collection looks like real linens in fantastic modern colors.

The pattern has directions for one 12" mini quilt, one 4" pin cushion and one 15" (40 x 40cm) pillowcase.

I can't explain how much fun this pattern really is. Everyone thinks that it is really complicated and time consuming, but it goes together like a snap.

I know that some people are intimidated by little quilts or little blocks, but now that I am making more mini quilts, I try to find ways or use special techniques to simplify the block and quilt making, especially for you. It is really too bad that mini quilt magazines are no longer published, because they illustrated a lot of very useful techniques.

I think you can use just about any type of fabric to make this creation. I have used solids, brights and pastels. Everything works, even plaids. You might want to steer away from large scale prints though. Larger scale prints don't usually work in any miniature quilt.

Here are a few of my favorite Forgotten Five Minis:

Don't forgot to join the site. I will be drawing a name/number this Friday. The lucky viewer will receive a little package of goodies from me including a charm pack to make lots of Forgotten Five Minis!