Mini-Quilt Process – One

After completing my mini-quilt of Leil’s self portrait I made a pitch to the other parents in her class for a custom quilt using their own child’s self portrait. I received my first order last month for two, each in different colorways. I’ve finished the first one and thought I’d do a couple of posts about my process in making these quilts.

The parent I’m making these for requested Lavender for one and a French Country Blue/Yellow scheme for the second. Commissions: the challenge is exciting and fun, the anxiety about meeting the client’s expectation makes me nervous. Even though I had a base color scheme I needed to pull in some other ‘wow’ colors to add movement and interest to the palette. I tend to be loud in pairing colors which may or may not appeal to others. Not sure I’m cut out for commissions in the long run but for now it’s a way to practice my technical skills and make a little money too.

I scanned in the original art and used Photoshop Elements to resize the document to 4.5 x 7. I printed the image onto Printed Treasures, trimmed the edges to 1/4 from the picture and then framed the edges log cabin style with black Kona cotton. I then trimmed the black frame to make both sections an even 6 1/2 x 8 inches.

The grid squares are 3/4 inch finished in size. I cut my fabric strips to 1 1/4 inches, selvedge to selvedge. The size is so small that I decided to cut the length at two inches and then trim the squares after they were pieced together. I’m happy with that technique, I think cutting them to size before sewing would have left me with more wonkiness than desired.

I use my design board to keep myself organized as far as sewing order. Different colored pins are placed in the first upper left hand square of a group being pieced. I can then make different stacks, take them to the machine and begin one big round of chain piecing.

These squares were pressed and ready to be cut to size.

After piecing each round I take the components back to the design board and make sure I’m happy with the color composition and make sure nothing has gotten too out of order. I ironed my seams in different directions alternating by row. It makes the square interlock easily when piecing the rows together. The row seams are pressed open to try and reduce bulk for the final quilting.

Tomorrow: Mini-quilt sandwich. Yum.