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Friday, November 11, 2011

Vintage Sheet Wonky Star Mini Quilt

Today I want to talk about a fun mini quilt that I made back in June 2010! I'll tell you why I'm bringing this quilt up at the end of this post! :)

This was one of the first few mini quilts that I made. It was made as part of a swap for Amanda of Msmcporkchopquilts, the mini quilt queen! Boy was I nervous! Here I was, having just started quilting, trying to create a swap quilt for an accomplished quilter! Luckily, Amanda is a sucker for anything with stars on it, so that became the plan right away.

Secret by jenib320
Secret, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
At this time, I had just discovered vintage sheets. I had participated in the Vintage Sheet Patchwork Swap and receive 80 fat quarters! I was so excited to play with them and they just seemed perfect for a summer mini quilt. They're so bright and cheerful, who wouldn't love that? :)

Secret by jenib320
Secret, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
Looking back on this quilt, design wise, it's a lot more risky compared to what I do now. The crazy background, the bordered stars and random strips of additional patchwork. I think the sheet patterns themselves bring it all together, but I sure was experimenting! Maybe it's time I revisit some of that!

When it came to quilting this, I remember being a bit stumped. I had recently free motion quilted my second bed sized quilt, so was in no mood for more of that. In the end I went with straight line quilting, even though I didn't have a walking foot! I can't believe the quilting didn't end up with more puckers or pulling. I got luck on that one!

I backed this mini in another vintage sheet fat quarter. I was determined from the beginning to make the entire mini with vintage sheets, and I'm glad I did. I wasn't quite ready to mix quilting cotton and vintage sheets just yet. Actually, I still don't do that much!

Almost Finished by jenib320
Almost Finished, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
I just so happened to have the perfect sheet for binding. The stripe pulled together all the colors going on in the quilt, I'm so glad I got that fat quarter!

Finished & Folded by jenib320
Finished & Folded, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.
I was really happy with the way this mini quilt turned out, which made it hard to give away! But, the recipient loved it and that made it all worth it! This is really the mini that started my love for mini quilts and also, my love for vintage sheets! A month after making this little quilt, I started up my etsy shop, Ironsea to help me grow my vintage sheet collection without breaking the bank (and filling up my apartment with sheets!).

So why am I talking about a mini quilt from a year and a half ago? Two reasons: First, Holly of Bijou Lovely started up a flickr group called Modern Mini Quilts! Look at the cute button she made! Okay, now go add your mini quilts! :)



Second, Amy of AmyLouWho is having a Mini Quilt party and linkup today! Hope you'll check it out, it's going to be fun and there are even prizes!



I'll be back later today or tomorrow morning with this week's Favorites! Cheers! :)

25 comments :

  1. TwinfibersNovember 11, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    totally cute, Jeni! What a great story!

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  2. RamonaNovember 11, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Love it. I just read a blog that said DO NOT USE SHEETS to back your quilts!! Because of the tighter thread count, it said your needles would break the threads on the sheets resulting in holes. Your cute quilt top seems to indicate that is not the case. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Lynn DouglassNovember 11, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    It's adorable! Thanks for sharing the inspiration and the button!

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  4. IsaNovember 11, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    When I saw your very first vintage sheet quilts I totally fall in love.
    I'm still dreaming of making another vintage sheet quilt but my to do list is already super long ;)

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  5. MeganNovember 11, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    Love this, Jeni! I need to get my hands on some sheets. :)

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  6. Elizabeth DacksonNovember 11, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Jeni, that mini is so adorable! How on earth did I miss it before??? Love the story behind it, too!

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  7. BreeNovember 11, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    What a fun quilt - loving the wonky stars and vintage sheet combo!

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  8. AmandaHallNovember 11, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    So cute!!!

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  9. tirane93November 11, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    lovely mini - very springy and refreshing!

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  10. holly | bijou lovelyNovember 11, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Love this mini Jeni! Isn't it funny how we seem to be more daring when we first start something and don't know any better yet? I was the same way when I first started quilting! It's definitely something I need to try to get back to myself as well.

    Thank you so much for posting about the Modern Mini group, and for adding all of your gorgeous minis to the group! :)

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  11. trishNovember 11, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Too cute! :o)

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  12. DebbieNovember 11, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    darling mini! I have yet to make the foray into vintage sheets - cool.

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  13. taraNovember 11, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Love vintage sheets! Looks great

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  14. HeatherNovember 11, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Super cute! I love how all the different vintage prints work together so well. Love the straight line quilting, too. Great job!

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  15. CarmenNovember 11, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    It's so cute! I have a respectable stash of vintage sheets and I really need to cut into them for a quilt. I think a vintage sheet quilt would look awesome on my guest room bed. :)

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  16. MaritNovember 12, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    It is super sweet! You are a big inspiration, Jeni! And I do love your shop (no need to tell you so, as you may have noticed)...

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  17. KarmenNovember 12, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Adorable! Karmen

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  18. LisaAnnNovember 12, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    So cute! All the different patterns work so well together, it is a lovely project!

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  19. DarciNovember 12, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Apparently Amanda and I have more in common that I thought! I am also a sucker for anything with stars :) Such a great mini.

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  20. ~Dawn~November 12, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    Couple of questions...what size are mini quilts and is there a site to buy the vintage sheet quarters or charms? Thank you to whom ever can answer these questions ~ vermont66@yahoo.com

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  21. aneelaNovember 13, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    So sweet and pretty!!!

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  22. JezibelsNovember 13, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    I dont have a walking foot either on my machine and I cannot free motion on it either, its a 1950 Brother. Nice to see someone straight line quilt something with no walking foot and it turned out just beautiful! You give me inspiration to straight line quilt my next quilt.

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  23. Lucy | Charm About YouNovember 14, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Brilliant Jeni! I love the vintage sheet and stars combo! :)

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  24. Heather GrowNovember 19, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Very cute and I'm so glad that I have the backstory.

    Thanks again for sharing on the Vintage Sheet Blog.

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  25. RupprechtOctober 28, 2014 at 3:39 AM

    I had participated in the Vintage Sheet Patchwork Swap and receive 80 ... catbedsheets.blogspot.com

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