Tuesday, April 25, 2017

mini nines quilt

Welcome to day 2 of the No Scrap Left Behind blog tour! Today the lovely Lee Monroe of May Chappell is sharing a project based on the mini nines quilt from the book. I've had a chance to visit with Lee a few times at Quilt Market and also at Quilt Con this past February. She's just lovely and she does amazing work. Go check out her post for some tiny piecing, her scrap sorting methods and a chance to win a copy of the book!

This quilt was started in July of 2013 and I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't be done if I hadn't included it in the book. I needed the deadline! It was definitely a labor of love (or perhaps all out crazy?) but I'm glad that it is finished, not a languishing UFO! I had it draped on the back of the chair yesterday and my husband asked if he had permission to lean on it. Hahaha! He knows it's a special one!
Those tiny pieces in the 9 patch blocks finish at 1/2"! It's quite fun to hear all the gasps when I share this one at trunk shows. It is a good sign that I am living up to my blog name. Ha! I'm not exactly sure how this quilt started out, but I think it was because of a pincushion. My friend Tara said, "wouldn't a whole quilt out of those blocks be amazing? We should do that!" So I did.
Since this one was in progress for so long, I decided that the word perseverance needed to be put on the back. Originally, I wanted to paper piece the word, but I ran out of time, so I wrote it with free motion quilting on a piece of fabric backed with some interfacing instead. It got the point across and it was much quicker.
The biggest lesson I learned in making this quilt is that when you are piecing tiny things like this, it's helpful to make some of the pieces larger, then trim them down. In this case, cutting the borders for each block a touch bigger than needed was very helpful. If only I would have learned that sooner, I would have saved myself a sleepless night or two. But hey, here's to lessons learned! :)

35 comments:

May Chappell said...

The pieces are so tiny!! But the impact is awesome! That quilt is a labor of love:) Simply gorgeous!!

Sharon Tucker said...

You've got nerves of steel to work with pieces that small!! For me, anything smaller than 2.5x4.5 goes into an over-sized pillow case that will be donated to an animal shelter when full <3

Shelia said...

Beautiful! So fresh and colorful. I'm going to do a couple pin cushions and if that does not satisfy me I will have to get a book and start a quilt!

Joan said...

Wow! I absolutely love your quilt and the colours just pop. Thank you for the link to the pincushion. You've sparked my interest.

Sherrill said...

Well I, like everyone else, LOVE it--every thing about it! The design, the colors, all of it! Simply beautiful!

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty said...

This is stunning!

Bernie Kringel said...

This is a gorgeous quilt. However, looking at all of the choices in the book, if I had to pick the one I probably won't make, this would be it!!! ;-)
1/2" finished squares???? Umm, I don't think so.

It is a gorgeous quilt tho. Well done!

Ariane said...

This quilt is amazing!!

claudia said...

I love this quilt!!!

tink's mom said...

Got the book, wonderful. Started this quilt on a slightly larger scale. I'm starting with 1 1/2 inch squares. Not so intimidating. This will be a long term project since I also started the Remainders quilt.

Kay said...

Simply stunning. x

Quilteuse Forever said...

I already have this book and I like it as much as your first one!
Love the change of scale here and the general idea of using every scrap!
Katell, France

Susan said...

This is the quilt that made me buy the book!!!!!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I am not a Modern quilter, but really like the pattern! Yes, Lessons Learned are usually learned after the fact! I am finding that one out again on Robin's Nest.... I may look at the book. This is a pretty quilt! Working with small blocks does require patience, but once the technique is mastered it flies along smoothly.

Quilter Kathy said...

I love love super love this quilt! And I have so many tiny 1" pieces hanging around here that I could probably sew it today if I had the time!

CandyR said...

I absolutely LOVE it!! Now off to buy your book!

Lesley Gilbert said...

Well worth the effort - it's a beautiful quilt :)

Hedy said...

This is a beautiful quilt. I wish I could do something like this but my fingers are just not that nimble and never have been. I couldn't even sew doll clothes for the small Barbie doll that my daughter loved.

Susan said...

Amazing and Beautiful

Unknown said...

That truly is a beautiful quilt, Amanda! Perseverance doesn't begin to say it -- vision, skill, grit, and maybe yes -- a touch of crazy. But in a good way! Well done, you.

Dakotamom said...

What a beautiful quilt...so love the colors! You have the patience of God!! Well done ..and as always... You continue to inspire my quilting spirit!

piecefulwendy said...

I finally have both of your books. I love this quilt; I'm a sucker for nine patches. I might have to try this, but on a smaller scale, meaning smaller quilt not smaller blocks! Haha. Wendy at piecefulthoughts@gmail.com

mangozz said...

That is a beautiful quilt! I love 9-patches and minis and the colors remind me of candy! I am inspired!

mumbird3 said...

Great quilt - so many little pieces!!!

Needled Mom said...

Wow...that is amazing.

Susan said...

A pretty quilt and you're crazy indeed! I mean that in a good way!

Marsha said...

I think this is one of my most favorite quilts I've ever seen. I'm saving the pic as an inspiration to make my own some day. I love it.

Susan Jonsson said...

Phenomenal quilt! Heirloom for your family. Just plain out of this world beautiful ! You set the bar high for all of us fans!!!!!♡♡♡♡♡♡

Karen said...

Tiny pieces make a stunning quilt.

LavenderBlue said...

Cannot find info on today's (Wednesday) guest website re No Scrap Left Behind. Help please.

Qltr89 said...

Oh my! Those are tiny blocks. The quilt looks awesome though. Perseverance deserved a place on the quilt.

Christine S said...

Love this so much!!

KaHolly said...

It's totally amazing! XO

Chris said...

This is one of my favorites!

Rhonda D. said...

I love this! Thanks for the tip on sewing such small quilt pieces! It will come in handy!