Sunday, January 1, 2012

A Change Of Plans


I was planing on finishing up my Blessings From the Hollow Quilt last week, but I made this very tiny quilt instead.  For Christmas my mother-in-law gave me the Primitive Pinwheel pattern from Primitive Gatherings.  My laundry basket full of scraps called out to me to get started......and finished!  



I've never used any of the Lil' Twister tools before and this 11x13 inch quilt was just too cute to resist making during the holiday break.  Christmas Day I sorted scraps and came up with a few possibilities, so there will be more of these on my cutting table in the near future.  The squares for this version are just 3 1/2 inches before they are sewn together with borders. My boys were really interested in how this idea worked.  




 Using the plexiglass square tool to cut out the pieces for the pinwheel, left this interesting scrap on my cutting board in one piece.  


I even got to dig my small, unopened rotary cutter out from the bottom of my sewing box to use for this project! It had never been used before, so when I read that a small rotary cutter was necessary, I was thrilled to have a chance to use it!  Do you use a small rotary cutter a lot?  Maybe I should be using it for other things. Just wondering.       



And a single fold binding was new to me too!  I had always wondered about it, but I just never had the need to make one until now!  After doing a search on the internet, I figured out that it wasn't too different than the double fold binding that I normally make. I just needed to put the binding strip on the quilt without folding it first, then make a small fold as I attached it to the backing.  Not difficult at all!  I was amazed at how many new-to-me techniques and tools I used on such a small quilt!



The quarter in the top right corner of the quilt gives you a better idea of its small size.  Just a warning though, if you decide to give this pattern a try it's a lot like potato chips!  It's difficult to stop at one!

Happy New Year! 


19 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Great colors you used. I have the 5" and 10" twister and have yet to use them. Love the small version better - this is so sweet.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I've seen a couple of these very tiny LIttle Twister quilts. You've mastered good fabric selection which in my opinion, is the toughest part of the Twister projects. Very nice!!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I have that pattern, tool and fabric for that project and I'm going to be taking it with me to do while we're in FL (the whole month of February)! It looks like so much fun maybe I'll bring fabric for a few of them. Yours is so cute!

carol fun said...

Oh what a lovely little quilt! I want to try this sometime soon.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

That is tiny! Looks great. I don't have the small rotary cutter but I have been debating on getting it. I have the Lil' Twister tool. Just haven't tried it yet.

Dandelion Quilts said...

Love the colors and that dark border is really sharp. So, the big question is...is it difficult? I always think these quilts are so cute.

regan said...

It's so darned cute! Love it!

Unknown said...

AWESOME! :)

Needled Mom said...

It looks terrific. I love the fabrics that you selected. Yes, I use my little cutter quite often. I especially like it when I am constructing clothing and cutting my patterns out. There seems to be more control to me.

Happy new year!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Super cute. I love playing with this template and different fabrics. Congratulations on learning a new binding technique as well.

Manda said...

Its very cute! :)

Joyful Quilter said...

What a cute distraction! Is this your first finish for the new year, or is it your last finish for 2011? Either way, it looks like a very fun quilt to make.

Kelly@ Charming Chatter said...

Oh Michele - that is so CUTE!! I love how tiny it is. I don't even own a little rotary cutter - guess I need to get one :)!! Thanks for sharing about your new techniques too - really sweet little quilt!

Carol said...

Your change in plans is wonderful! Love that tiny twister!

Candace said...

Wow, I'm so impressed. I love the twister quilts and your little one is adorable. I always think that if I tried a miniature my fingers would get in my way, lol.

Rachel said...

So cute! I have a Twister book and tool that I've never used. I really should try it!

Michelle said...

LOVE IT! I need to put a mini lil' twister quilt on my list.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

AnnieO said...

Darling! What a sweet micro mini :) Glad you got so much out of such a little project!

Simone de Klerk said...

I just love your little quilt. Great color way.
I often use a small rotary cutter. That is, it depends on how small yours is. I don't use the very smallest, the one after that and it is absolutely my favorite, even if it cuts less good than my bigger one.
Have a lovely weekend.
xo