Ornate Mini Quilt | A New Pattern

When Erin asked me if I’d be interested in teaching mini quilt classes at Sewing Summit I knew immediately curves would be a fantastic topic.  There are so many quilters that want to learn to sew a basic drunkards path, but aren’t sure where to start and so they never do.  Sometimes it just takes having someone show you how to erase the fear involved.  When it came time to put together a mini I knew I wanted it to have lots of curves for practice (because you just can’t feel accomplished with only one curve to sew).  I also wanted it to be something that felt “new”; an arrangement of curves that hadn’t been seen before.  I’m pretty sure I accomplished just that.

To me the pattern has a traditional feel to it with the arrangement of curves, but I heard many students comment on how “modern” it felt as well.  I think that is a great accomplishment to have something that feels both traditional and modern at the same time.

I made several mini’s in many different fabrics: Halloween prints on black print background (this went home with my friend since high school, Sew Fantastic), scrappy prints on white (this went home with Kaye), orange prints on dark grey background (that went home with Audrie…we need a picture Audrie) and a Mendocino print on light grey background (which my good friend Jeni won at the silent auction).  But my favorite mini was the one you see in this post.  It’s a collection of traditional, civil war era prints (mostly, if not all, by Jo Morton for Andover) paired with a light polka dot background fabric (Clothworks).  Because the pattern feels traditional to me, I thought the fabrics were fitting.  I think I surprise a lot of quilters when I tell them my favorite fabrics are these traditional prints.  I love finding the beauty in the small prints and pairing them together in soft palettes. 

I had aspirations of making a few more, and have actually started on one with Heather Bailey prints from her Fresh Cut line and I think Liberty prints would work beautifully as well!  I think the pattern really works well for many different fabric pairings.  So without further ado, I am listing this pattern in my shop.  It is a great pattern for beginners, as I walk you through all the steps of constructions with written instruction as well as diagrams.  I refined the pattern to address questions I received when working with my students at Sewing Summit and feel confident even the newest of quilters will be successfully sewing curves in no time at all. 

I devised a new template for this pattern that is really quite innovative if I do say so myself.  I was getting tired of loosing one or the other of my two drunkards path templates and finally decided to put them into one.  It’s a little different than you are use to seeing, but you will love that both pieces are always together.  There are no inside curves to cut, making it so you can use a 28mm or 45mm rotary cutter with ease.  As always, Jill of Tabslot will be selling the acrylic template for my pattern in her shop, but there is a printable template included in the pattern so you can make your own at home if you prefer.  I would suggest using template plastic (found at your local craft store where sewing supplies are carried – Joanns, Hancock, probably Hobby Lobby….) as you will want to see through the template to line up your cuts.  The pattern explains how to use the template, and if you’re still unsure I’m always available for help via email.  If you decide to cut with cardstock instead, you can easily cut the template apart and use the two pieces separately with the same success.

The pattern is available for purchase through my website here.  I’m using a new host client for my patterns, so hopefully there will be no hiccups.  As with my past host, an email is sent right after purchase with a link to your unique download.  There is no waiting for me to email it to you!  Of course, if you prefer, you can always buy it from my Etsy shop and I will email patterns within 24 hours.  I’m really looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts and seeing some minis in different colorways!  I hope to follow this up with a full size pattern in the very near future.  I have some Chicopee set aside for just that!