Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Mini Mini Sunburst Free Pattern


When Kitty first e-mailed me to ask if I would like to participate in a mini mini quilt swap, I sat there for a bit having an inward discussion with myself: Would it be fun to join a swap? Do I have the time? Will I commit to this and end up having another WIP just lying around waiting to be finished? Can I really sew something that mini mini? After much debate, I decided to just do it!

I knew that in order to be able to sew something so teeny, tiny, I would have to paper piece. I have noticed that the smaller my fabric bits get, the more crooked my seams become. Once I started sewing on my paper pieced Facing East quilt, I've never looked back and have become a total fan!


I thought that it might be fun to get more people in on the mini mini quilt craze and share my free "Mini Mini Sunburst Pattern" to tempt others to hop on board. WARNING: Use with caution. Making mini mini quilts is extremely addictive. Even just one mini mini project could lead to additional and frequent use. Mind wondering may occur and finishing current WIP's may become increasingly difficult.


Picking colors was not hard for me since Kitty and I share the same passion for color and all things Alison Glass. But when I was working on additional mini's I decided that I really wanted to push my limits and work with colors that are not in my usual palette of colors. I've been sitting on a fat quarter pack of Cotton & Steel fabrics from Sarah Watts for a long time. The designs are fantastic, and I really like the colors, but I have a tendency to mix softer shades with fairly bold colors because I prefer a stronger contrast.


It was a challenge to think muted, soft, and delicate... basically the complete opposite of every one of my other projects! I am always amazed at how designer's like Carolyn Friedlander can take the most quiet and understated fabrics and turn them into WOW - it really is an art all of it's own.

  
What pushes you or is challenging when it comes to working with colors? Do you have your "standard color palette" and stick to it, or do you force yourself to step outside that comfort zone?

Linking up this week to WIP Wednesday and Let's Bee Social.

25 comments :

  1. I love these! I have been trying to ignore the mini-mini quilts on IG! You are making it difficult! Thanks for the pattern :).

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  2. Love your mini-mini quilts. Make me smile. Thanks

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  3. Sooooo great! I am sorry (not sorry) for dragging you into the mini mini craze. It is exceedingly fun, though, and I'm so grateful to have a piece of your art on my wall (once it arrives):)... You did a great job with the muted colors mini! You know me... I'm very much stuck in the bright, rainbow colors mostly in rainbow order with high contrast color scheme, but I'm trying to stretch out a little. What can I say, though. I love bright pops much more than I like soft, gentle colours. Shouldn't we make what we love? That said, I am trying to stretch my color comfort zone little by little. Maybe one day I'll make a soft colored quilt. Maybe.

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  4. You are so correct to leave the warning about the mini mini craze in the post. They are so addicting! Your pattern and minis are fantastic; what a great idea to paper piece for more precision. I especially love the quilting on the more muted color palette mini.

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  5. Your mini mini is awesome. I can't imagine paper piecing something so small.

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  6. Awww!! Addicting is correct! I'm having a blast making mini mini's! Very challenging and fun! I just, just finished a starburst just like yours! Great minds...think...alike!

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  7. Your mini minis are wonderful! And you were so successful branching out with color themes outside your comfort zone. It's all gorgeous!

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  8. Oh I can't wait to try this. I only have fabric I've bought - so I haven't try to sew with a color palate that's not "me". I do love both mini quilts.

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  9. Love this! Yours are so cute/beautiful. I have some free time tomorrow.... hmmmm... I might be printing the template right now...

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  10. Love your color combos. I did a paper pieced Mandala wall hanging and enjoyed the no-sweat precision experience. If you are curious here is the link
    http://dianeloves2quilt.blogspot.com/2015/06/traveling-mandala.html

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  11. This looks soooo very little, definitely mini beyond mini, but I'm thinking it would be a lot of fun to try.

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  12. Wow, these may be my fave mini minis yet! Terrific job and great idea. Love the fabrics you used - all of 'em!

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  13. These are beautiful and so tiny! These days I always find myself veering towards greys, aqua and yellows... very strange, I am trying to try some jewel colours... but just haven't got round to it! :)

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  14. Super cute, had no idea that it was that mini! Wonderful happy colors.

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  15. I am beginning to wet my toes on minis. Thanks for the warning! :)

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  16. Thanks so much for the pattern. I've been making single blocks and turning them into potholders for quite sometime now. I think I'll start calling them "mini-mini quilts" !

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  17. Those are absolutely adorable!!!

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  18. Wow I love your mini mini!! Many thanks for the free pattern. I have just downloaded and printed it. Another to add to my to-do list!

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  19. Hallo Allison, ich wollte nur "hallo" sagen. Ich habe Dein schönes Geschenk an Kitty heute bei Instagram gesehen. Du nähst richtig tolle Sachen!
    LG, Karen@easypatchwork

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  20. Both of your mini mini quilts are simply beautiful! And you are so generous to share the pattern. When it comes to colours, I do love to stick to a cool colour palette. And purple is the hardest for me to use.

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  21. Made two of these today; thank you so much!

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  22. Your work is really beautiful. I hope I can make of these sunburst in a near future and be able to show it off. Thanks for the free pattern.

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  23. Is your pattern for mini mini sunburst still free? I've tried to get it but I can't seem to get to the page. I love mini quilts and this one is too adorable. Thanks for your help.

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