Let me chat you up about Go Mini or Go Home

You may not know this about me but I’m 5′ tall. (This comes in very handy at the shop where I work – I can demonstrate what 1 2/3 yards looks like rather easily.) So going mini in piecing was an eventuality. My quilts have gotten smaller and smaller over the last few years. They take a long time but they’re smaller.

Let’s start with the class description: If great things come in small packages, then miniatures quilts are the greatest! We will learn to confidently piece  blocks from either 1″ or 3/4″ strips and take the mystery out of piecing and/or quilting the smallest of quilts. Go Mini or Go Home makes great use of the patchwork foot and free-hand embroidery foot (open toe quilting foot) and learning how to make simple adjustments on our machines for the greatest success.

I went mini on a lark. Melanie Testa gave me some of her printed fabric, these are 8″ squares an I wanted to do something fun with them and I wanted to finish quickly. Ahem.

I thought I’d share with you a few tips:

1) The ruler is our best friend – and a fresh rotary cutting blade. Oh and a new machine needle. Then there’s the full bobbin and good piecing thread (like Aurifil 50 wt or MasterPiece or even Bottom Line if you’d like)

2) Being mindful of what we’re doing is key – let me add that for the class I’m not going all quilt police on your seams and points – I’ll give some direction as needed and maybe encourage you to use your seam ripper but i won’t make you do it
3) choosing colors is fun – I have these gorgeous Cherrywood color runs but you can have whatever you’d like. Large Scale prints can even be used. What you say? Why yes they can – the patterning will be a bit of a surprise but they can be used. If you want some help before the class begins please feel free to send me pictures of your fabrics

4) Do you have to finish in class? No. I just won’t make you do it. Whether I teach piecing or quilting working at your own pace is essential. If you get one full block done during class I’m thrilled to bits!!!

5) Toward the end of class I’ll give some quilting tips!

like sit at your machine, breathe, blink and stitch!
or stitch in every ditch
you can copy my homework!
trapunto is fun!
this is a great place to add a wee bit of embellishment
shocking pink and lime green are the best colors ever!

Happy Quilting!

Teri