Monday, March 5, 2018

Serendipity Mini

I'm proud to introduce my latest project, Serendipity Mini!


Serendipity quilt

Measuring in at 24" x 24", this is a perfect size to participate in the Small, Smaller, Smallest Blog Hop, sponsored by Carol at Just Let Me Quilt



First, a little background on this quilt. I started 2017 with good intentions of following along with RSC17. I got as far as red in March, then too many other projects demanded my attention, and RSC17 fell by the wayside.

But I did make at least nine RSC17 quilts during those three months, which is pretty productive. This purple scrap quilt got started, then sidelined because of a fabric shortage. 

So when I saw the Small, Smaller, Smallest hop, I knew Serendipity Mini would be perfect, and I finally had a reason to finish it as it was. 

Before I jump to closeups, I want to talk a bit about the quilting design. Using a vinyl overlay, I started to draw,


quilting design testing

Notice in the picture the three different line directions inside the stars - each one follows a different side of the triangle. The top left was the first, and is a natural starting choice. The top right was next, and was ok. But the center bottom was the one that made me say Oh! I like that! - what a difference the direction makes. So when you have a directional choice to make in your quilting, try all angles and see what makes you say Oh!

Now on to Serendipity Mini closeups!
First, a corner, full of 1/4" 45 degree lines.


one fourth inch 45 degree lines in the quilt corner

Next, the stippling in the center.


stippling in the quilt center

A closeup of one of the stars, with their directional centers, and seed arcs on the purple triangles.

star centers

Put them all together...


Serendipity quilt center closeup

and that's one pretty wall hanging!


Serendipity Mini quilt


And not to be left out, the back, complete with hanging sleeve!


Serendipity Mini quilt backside

Not only did the scraps, colors, and quilting come together for this quilt, but the opportunity to finish it. Truly a happy chance, or serendipity!


Happy Quilting!




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66 comments:

  1. What a beautiful mini. I got many ideas of quilting here, and especially i love your tip to use a vinyl overlay. I'll certainly try that.

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    1. Thank you! The vinyl overlay is one of my favorite tools.

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  2. Oh so lovely!!! With wonderful tiny details and beautiful quilting. Love your project very much!

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  3. I just love the design of your quilt! I enjoy making small quilts, table runners, pot holders, etc. It gives me a chance to try out blocks, quilting, and fabric combinations.

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    1. Thank you, and those are great projects to try all things quilting!

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  4. OH how lovely! That is an interesting design, I love the colors.

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    1. Thanks Dorian! This is my own creation, and I'm thinking about how to make into a bigger quilt - we'll see!

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  5. I love your design. The smallest quilt I have made is a 12 inch panel

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    1. Thanks Jayne! That's about the smallest I've done too. I prefer sizes around 40 x 40, or lap size.

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  6. Gorgeous quilt. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I love your mini! The pop of colour of the narrow strips and the quilting! I use a vinyl overlay to audition quilting designs.

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  8. If runners are considered in the small group-definitely, LOL But yes I do like making others that are really in the small group. Good use of your UFO.

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  9. So pretty from far away and amazing close up!
    Happy Small Blog Hopping!

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  10. What an interesting and pretty quilt, love the quilting too!

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    1. Thanks Kris! I have dreams of making this block into a larger quilt - we'll see.

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  11. It's purple so of course I love it, but it is way more than that...it is gorgeous! All the little details and quilting turned this into an amazing small project. You really rocked this one! Thanks for being a part of the hop and showing off your project.

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  12. Hi Susan,
    I love that you give your thought process of the quilting you chose. I had to study the three stars to understand the differences, but it certainly looks best following the length of each star spoke. Oh my, the back of the wall hanging looks fabulous! Are you able to do all that quilting continuously? That seems to be a hangup for me, figuring out the path to keep on quilting. Great small finish! ~smile~ Roseanne

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    1. Thanks Roseanne! I was amazed at how the lines parallel from three edges made such a difference. Just shows that all ideas need exploring before deciding on the final.
      And no, it's not all continuous. Though I did use the machine embroidery technique of jump stitches. Judges probably won't like the knots on the back!

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  13. I love your mini. Yes, I have found that I love making mini quilts. I use them for decoration throughout my house.

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  14. That is beautiful, Susan. It does make the perfect mini and your quilting, as usual, is gorgeous.

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  15. Your mini is beautiful and yes I love to make mini quilts.

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  16. Yours is so tiny and precise. Great job!

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  17. Love your quilting on this piece. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Your mini is lovely, your quilting is wonderful. I like the vinyl idea for previewing.

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  19. I do like to make small quilts. You can see a quicker finish.

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  20. I prefer baby Quilts. But yours is lovely, great Quilting.

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  21. Congrats on another finish. It's satisfying to get a project from the UFO bin and getting it done. Love your colors. Thanks for providing a photo of the back, it shows off your quilting.

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  22. Yes I have, the smallest one was 8x12 inches.

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  23. I like to make small or mini items, less chance of a major disaster LOL. I really like your mini quilt. I was wondering if you have a post or tutorial about using a vinyl overlay.

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    1. Thank you Susan! Using the vinyl is pretty easy - put tape along the edges so there's no accidents, and use either a dry or wet erase marker. I prefer the wet, as it's easier to remove - just spray with water.

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  24. This is wonderful Susan, the colors, the pattern, I just love it all, I really love the design and how the orange just seems to bring the whole design together.

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  25. I really do enjoy making mini quilts, both from other peoples' patterns, my own patterns, and improv.

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  26. Thank you for the vinyl tip. Great way to audition quilting designs!

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  27. What's really neat about small quilts is that you can finish them more quickly - I find that so gratifying. Thanks for showing how you determine quilting motifs. I struggle with that and really appreciate your tips.

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  28. Amazing. I love how the gold lines are offset. I like small projects - need to start making more. Maybe I'll finish more stuff. LOL

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  29. I make mugrugs and lots of potholders for our quilt guild to sell! Your mini is beautiful!

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  30. Susan, so glad you finished it. It's lovely. The quilting is so detailed. Beautiful.

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  31. Very pretty mini. Beautiful quilting and loved reading about your process. Very nice post, Susan.

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  32. I love your quilting on this project. It is always good when you get a project finished.

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  33. I love making small projects - congrats on a great design!

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  34. I love when an unfinished project just find its way to be featured in a perfect event! I think your mini is very modern and dynamic! Thanks for sharing

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  35. Love small quilts...they are perfect for quick gifts and trying new techniques. Love how you quilted this!

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  36. Exquisite! Your workmanship is inspiring.

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  37. Stunning. The pattern is so cool, and the quilting makes the whole thing pop.

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  38. Hi, Susan! Your purple mini is gorgeous! The quilting is exquisite. I too have wanted to do the rainbow scrappiness. I usually make functional quilts (for lying under) but have made several small ones and have to say they are the ones getting done! I'm finding that I lose interest more with the larger ones and they tend to become UFOs as I move onto more interesting things. Where do you get the vinyl overlay from?

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    1. Thanks Karen! The biggest functional quilt I make is lap size, but usually make baby quilts - they're easy to give away! I found the vinyl at WalMart, though I think it might also be at JoAnn, and maybe a home and garden store. Look for it on a roll, not a bolt. It's also inexpensive, so easy to replace if it gets to marked up. Sometimes the dry erase marker is hard to remove - definitely need to use a spray white board cleaner on it. I personally like the wet erase as that just takes water.

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  39. What a great mini - and your quilting is just gorgeous!

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  40. Really pretty quilt - I'm glad it found it's way to the finish line! And thanks for showing us how you auditioned the quilting designs on the vinyl. A lovely little quilt!

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  41. Beautiful quilt. It can be so hard to be so perfect. I can find that a challenge.

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  42. I love to make small quilts, usually wall hangings, that I can finish more quickly than bed quilts. Your mini is absolutely stunning, and the quilting is fabulous!

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  43. Very pretty. I love the colors and you did a great job with quilting.

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  44. I don't have any large walls, so I do like making small quilts for me. But I love making big quilts for my family to cuddle under too.

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  45. That is such a beautiful mini quilt. Love you choice of colors and the design.

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  46. Pretty quilt, and wonderful quilting!

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  47. WoW! What a striking design! So Beautiful! I do love making minis and using up small scraps on EPP projects. Thanks for sharing!

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  48. The only small quilts I have made are simple doll quilts for gifts. I think I might try a small wall hanging to see how I like working with smaller pieces.

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  49. I like lap size quilts. loving the colors and quilting

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  50. I love your small quilt, especially the way you applied the quilting to the various sections of it.

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  51. Vinyl overlay to do quilting designing... i think my mind is blown. so cool!

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Thank you so much for commenting...you just made my day!