Day One – The Easter Mini Quilt Along

Welcome to Day One of The Easter Mini Quilt Along! Today we will stitch up 16 little four patches. These will make the border of your mini quilt. Here is a recap of the materials you need to make this little quilt:
about 30 charm squares. ( A charm square is a 5 x 5 inch square. You can use from your stash if you like)
a neutral background fabric, white or cream, 8.5 inches X 16.5 inches.
a bunny colored fabric, if you don’t want to use charm squares. My bunny is going to be chocolate brown. 🙂
about 3 strips, for binding. ( 2.25 inches X 44 inches)
(18 in X 26 in) pieces of batting and backing
Fusible web such as wonder under, misty fuse, steam a seam, or heat and bond.
Paper Scissors

For the first step of this mini quilt, you will need an assortment of 16 squares. Choose different colors, prints, solids and scales. This looks better if the blocks have a good variety.

Mark a vertical line down the center of each charm square. The squares are each 5 inches, so the marking with be at 2.5 inches.

Mark a horizontal line across the center of each charm square. The squares are each 5 inches, so the marking with be at 2.5 inches.

Pair the five inch squares with a fabric that has contrast. You don't want any blending of prints.

These two fabrics have a different color background, but the print is so similar that they blend. AVOID this type of pairing.

Stitch your squares right sides together. First stitch a quarter inch to the left of one marking. Then turn patch around it stitch on the other side of the line using a quarter inch seam again.

Once you have sewn along both sides of the marking, cut on the marking line to seperate the patches in two.

The seams should be pressed towards the fabric which seems more like a solid. In this case, I pressed towrds the purple and the red.

Pair the patches again. Chose a mate that contrasts. Place a solid type fabric next to a print to avoid blending of colors and prints. Save the two other halves to pair with different patches.

Pin the side seams to nest them together. You will stitch down the marking line again, crossing two fabrics this time. Stitch on both sides of the marking line, in the same way you did the first time.

Once you have sewn on both sides of the marking line, cut the patches apart for the second time.

This will yield two identical 4 patches.

Finish sewing the remaining charms together in pairs, cut them in half, and press open. Pair them each with a contrasting pair.

I laid the patches out to see how they would look as the border of my Easter Mini Quilt. We will sew them together in a later step, but isn't it fun to see how they will look? 🙂

If you need help with nesting seams, you can visit my tutorial on that very topic.

Tomorrow, we will do some applique letters. Now if you’ve never done applique, do not worry! I will show you how to do it step by step, and by machine! It is super duper easy. 😉

If you are planning to quilt along, please leave a comment! I’d love to hear about your progress. Now if you have any questions, you can ask in the comments section, or feel free to email me at Bradie at quiltcetera dot com.

Quilty Hugs,
Bradie

ps. Hop on over to see Vickie! She is having a giveaway!! and it’s moda Botany…. one of my FAVES!!