Twiggy and Opal: minimal mini quilt

Showing posts with label minimal mini quilt. Show all posts

Friday, January 12, 2018

The Final Minimal Mini's

The truth is, I couldn't stop at two Minimal Mini's inspired by Curated Quilts! I was feeling the inspiration, feeling the vibe and just plain and simply...was having way too much fun!

My first two mini's: Tendrils and The Square should have been enough, yet I couldn't end there. I had these ideas. This was the chance to finally get them out and into fabric form.

The open entry deadline ended a couple days ago. I'm going to include the link to the entries so you can take a look at the playing field. There are some pretty amazing mini's and I don't envy whoever has to pick the few for the magazine! This link will take you to the link and post with the rules, Minimal Mini Quilt Link.

'Split'
14" x 14"

The simplicity of a triangle. I simply framed the triangle with Kona Shadow and then with the bright pink. When it came time to slice and dice, I won't lie...I was a little freaked about it. Considering this was an idea I had, I wasn't sure it would come together.

There were a couple head scratching moments, like making sure the top part of the pink frame was lined up when sewing the two sides together. Other than that it was straight forward!

This time I wanted to keep it pretty simple with the quilting. I used Aurifil Blossom Pink (2530) in the pink frame and continued the lines across the bottom.

For me, this is pretty sparse on the quilting scale! That being said, I love it. I like the simplicity of the design both in the quilting and the triangle. Simple is good!

And the final mini would be this one:

'Configuration'
11" x 11"

I really had fun with this one! I kept thinking of other ideas and what I really want to do or should or could have done. At some point you have to stay with the plan and focus!

I stuck with a square, triangle and rectangle for my shapes. The blue, green and pink frames are 1/4" wide. Wide enough to see the color, but not glaring!

While I really like this design, I wanted to use a circle for one of the shapes. At the time I didn't want to take the time...to make a darn circle! Call me lazy! I was more focused on getting it finished!

So, when it came time to quilt this little jewel, it occurred to me that this was the perfect importunity to add that circle idea. Enter concentric circles! I no longer felt like a lazy slacker!

I'm not sure how many Minimal Mini quilts will be selected for the next issue of Curated Quilts, and I wouldn't want to be the one who has to pick...and there are so many creative entries...and I'm crossing my fingers! A girl can hope!

LINKING:

Saturday, December 30, 2017

The Square Version :: Minimal

This time...I got my square on! In my previous post 'Tendrils', the Curated Quilts Minimal Mini Challenge, I didn't read the rules carefully and basically disqualified myself. In the rules they specifically specify the quilt should be square. I couldn't modify 'Tendrils' to be square, so the next best thing to do is make another entry. And so I did.

11" x 11"

Recap of the challenge: use the specified color palette (some or all of the colors), interpret the theme and then submit your quilt via a linky. Let's not forget the square part!!

This time I used a very, very small amount of the colors and relied on the overall design to carry me through.

The triangles are tiny at just 1/2" high. It was a little tough piecing them together because of the size, but not in the least bit impossible. After the triangles were together I built the rest of the quilt around them.

The light gray is Kona Shadow, dark gray is Kona Medium Gray and the black is Kona Black. Gray is a color I have on hand at all times. Its been my go to background and backing fabric for years. As much as I'd like to change things up I never seem to get there!

What's your favorite background color? Do you find it hard to change it up sometimes?

Because this was a mini, I was looking forward to giving it the quilting treatment. I quilted a triangle design in the section above the triangles and straight lines throughout the rest of the quilt with Aurifil Light Blue Gray (2610). The lines vary in width from 1/8" to about 1/4".

I had to add a little twist to go along with the triangles! I mean, why not?! I pulled out Aurifil Spring Green (1231), Delft Blue (2730) and Blossom Pink (2530) and quilted lines above and below the triangles. I like the subtle detail.

I know most people don't wash their mini's, but I do! Not this one, but 9 out of 10 I'll wash. I'm a die hard sucker for the crinkle effect!

Now I can enter my quilt knowing I followed the rules and at least have a chance! Again, the reason I love these Curated Quilt challenges is for the challenge. It gives me a boost of energy, gets my creative juices flowing and stimulates my brain! In or not...it's a worthwhile challenge.

Since the Minimal Mini Quilt deadline isn't until January 10th, I may have time to squeeze another one in! Get obsessed much Jayne?! You never know!

LINKING:

TGIFF

Finished or Not

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Tendrils :: Mini Quilt

There are always certain events that get me excited and inspire me to create. Like the Pantone Color of the year (Ultra Violet this year), Block of the Month (especially paper pieced ones) or a good Quilt-along (one that is easy and quick). But there is another event that I've been waiting for.

Curated Quilts is a quarterly magazine that has a Mini Quilt feature in each issue. Last issue it was Log Cabins (here is my entry), this time they are asking for Minimal Mini Quilts.

Curated Quilts
Minimal Mini Quilt Palette

You just have to follow the rules, use the specified color palette (some or all of the colors), interpret the theme and then submit your quilt via a linky. This link will take you to the link and post with the rules, Minimal Mini Quilt Link.

The reason I get excited about this challenge is it has a theme and color palette, but they leave the inspiration and interpretation up to the maker. Also, the quilts need to be from 10" up to 16". That makes it pretty easy to put an idea together from start to finish before the deadline!

TENDRILS
11" x 13 1/2"

A little out there I suppose! 'Tendrils' was a fun little quilt to make and then quilt! I got to play with curves, skinny little curves! I've been stagnate with my quilting the past week or so, and this challenge was just what the doctor ordered! Something quick and super fun!

The colors for the challenge are: light gray, dark gray, blue gray, leaf green, orchid pink and black. The good news is you don't have to use all the colors...I like those odds! I grabbed my version of the colors and was off and running!

My idea wasn't fully formed in my mind before I started. I knew I could work out the details as I went along and if it worked...great! If it didn't...great. This was my play time!

I wanted the tendrils to feel like they were in motion. Almost writhing from deep down in the depths of the abyss! I just made that up, but I did want the motion part!

The bottoms part of each tendril is 1/4" wide and straight. I wanted the bottom part to be the grounding force, the stabilizing factor so that the tendrils felt like they were stretching out. Much like the tendrils on a plant.

The quilting was a combination of organic curve and straight lines. I used Aurifil Aluminum

(# 2615) for all the quilting. The straight lines are about 3/8" wide.

I'll make a confession...I machine quilted with a regular foot, used the side as my guide for each line and didn't do any special adjustments or use a walking foot.

There is no guarantee that this mini will make the cut for Curated Quilts. And now that its finished I may have disqualified myself! It isn't square! Oops...it helps to read all the rules before hand! I guess it's a good thing that I have one more I'm working on...and it is square!

If you are thinking about entering a mini you better hurry! The deadline is Jan. 10th! Good luck!

LINKING:

Finished or Not