Mini quilt blocks can have a big impact in a quilt. Learning tips for working with small pieces will make the process easier on the quilter. Making tiny nine patch quilt blocks can be a tedious process. Using the traditional square-by-square piecing technique, you must cut and sew nine small individual squares for each block. If your goal is to make very scrappy blocks, that’s really the only way to do it. However, if you want a quilt that is scrappy but faster to piece, I have a modified strip piecing method that enables you to make five tiny nine patches at a time from just two rectangles of ..read more

This post is about the differences between a straight set quilt and one with the blocks set on point. It will also teach you how to calculate the size of the corner and side setting triangles for any size quilt blocks. What is the difference between a straight set quilt layout and one that is on point? For straight set, it is just that. The square blocks are laid out along their straight sides so they look like squares. On point, the quilt is laid out so the blocks are on one of their points and look like diamonds. You also need to finish the ends of each row with triangles. Laying the same bl ..read more

Learning to sew a tiny nine patch quilt will enable you to enjoy the construction process and result in an amazing quilt for you to enjoy! The nine patch quilt block is often the first quilt block beginning quilt makers will try. It’s easy and you can vary the design so much just by changing  your fabric colors and combinations. Or, vary the scale of the blocks. Nine patch quilts are quick and beautiful to make. Beginner instructions usually give you measurements and instructions for large scale blocks, like 6″, 9″ or 12″. The pieces are easy to manipulate and the seam allowances are more ..read more

Use this easy table runner quilt pattern to add to your holiday décor or surprise someone special! The muted shades of pine green, plum, deep rose, cranberry and amber subtlety glow! Learn how to make this easy quilted table runner The warm glow of Christmas colors shine through in this cozy table runner, perfect for adding festive cheer to any holiday table setting. This quick and easy quilt can be made from a 5-inch charm pack or scraps you have on hand in festive holiday prints and colors. A few fat quarters are all you need for the light background fabric and narrow borders. The pattern is ..read more

This post is about a community of scrap loving quilters who gathered together on social media in fall 2023 for a special project. We are reproducing a charming antique utility quilt made from the Ohio Star block. What makes this project special is the original quilter seemed to use whatever fabric she had on hand without much of a plan. The result was an explosion of color and pattern that just seemed to “work.” The Original Quilt The antique quilt dates to about the fourth quarter of the 19th century. It was last owned by Judy Roche a beloved quilter and quilt historian who was generous with ..read more

From our series “Favorite Blocks for Small Quilts” This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase a product through one of my links I may be paid a commission without any additional cost to you. The Ohio Star Block The versatile Ohio Star quilt block has been popular among quilters since the 19th century. It looks striking in two color combinations as well as in an “anything goes” scrappy look. At first glance, the block looks complicated but if you follow the simple steps in this tutorial, it’s easy to construct. This tutorial shows you how to make the block using two fabri ..read more

Deciding whether or not to prewash fabric for quilting can be a challenging choice for many quilters. Some highly recommend prewashing, while others prefer to work with the fabric as it comes off the bolt in the quilt shop. This article is designed to provide you with an understanding of the pros and cons of prewashing fabrics to help you determine the best course of action for your quilting projects. Prewashing fabric serves several purposes: it can prevent dye bleeding, eliminate excess starch, and control shrinkage. This process will help ensure your quilts maintain their appearance and str ..read more

Organize your fabric scraps so they are ready to use when you want to make a scrap quilt. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase a product through one of my links I may be paid a commission, without any additional cost to you. If you love to quilt, you’ll definitely have a lot of fabric scraps. The most common challenge when it comes to these leftovers is storing them in an organized manner. Some sewers keep only the larger pieces, while others choose to save even the tiniest piece. But the question stays the same: how to store fabrics scraps so they are organized an ..read more

From our series “Favorite Blocks for Small Quilts” This post may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase a product through one of my links I may be paid a commission without any additional cost to you. Learn to make a bowtie block using a quick quilt hack that eliminates those dreaded set-in seams. This method is a fantastic way to make tiny blocks the easy way. One slight alteration makes these bowtie blocks a breeze to sew and the design looks nearly identical to the traditional block. Skill level: confident beginner or intermediate quilter. The small pieces can be a little fiddl ..read more

This tutorial demonstrates how to use a modified strip piecing technique to make many scrappy four patch blocks much quicker than going square by square. Introduction Strip piecing works well when only using two fabrics to make four patch blocks but it won’t work if you want a scrappy quilt. Instead, a modified technique using rectangles instead of strips is a fast and easy way to get a lot of scrappy variety in your four patch blocks. How to make a scrappy four patch using rectangles Step 1: Cutting the rectangles For this example, I am making finished 2″ square four patch blocks. So, to fa ..read more