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,
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.
Next, the stippling in the center.
A closeup of one of the stars, with their directional centers, and seed arcs on the purple triangles.
Put them all together...
and that's one pretty wall hanging!
And not to be left out, the back, complete with hanging sleeve!
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!
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.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The vinyl overlay is one of my favorite tools.
DeleteOh so lovely!!! With wonderful tiny details and beautiful quilting. Love your project very much!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the quilt love Martina!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and those are great projects to try all things quilting!
DeleteOH how lovely! That is an interesting design, I love the colors.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dorian! This is my own creation, and I'm thinking about how to make into a bigger quilt - we'll see!
DeleteI love your design. The smallest quilt I have made is a 12 inch panel
ReplyDeleteThanks Jayne! That's about the smallest I've done too. I prefer sizes around 40 x 40, or lap size.
DeleteGorgeous quilt. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love your mini! The pop of colour of the narrow strips and the quilting! I use a vinyl overlay to audition quilting designs.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Gotta love the vinyl idea!
DeleteBeautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteIf 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.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty from far away and amazing close up!
ReplyDeleteHappy Small Blog Hopping!
What an interesting and pretty quilt, love the quilting too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! I have dreams of making this block into a larger quilt - we'll see.
DeleteIt'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.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI 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
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.
DeleteAnd 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!
I love your mini. Yes, I have found that I love making mini quilts. I use them for decoration throughout my house.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful, Susan. It does make the perfect mini and your quilting, as usual, is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYour mini is beautiful and yes I love to make mini quilts.
ReplyDeleteYours is so tiny and precise. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is amazing!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilting on this piece. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteand I do like to make small quilts.
DeleteBeautiful quilting!
ReplyDeleteYour mini is lovely, your quilting is wonderful. I like the vinyl idea for previewing.
ReplyDeleteI do like to make small quilts. You can see a quicker finish.
ReplyDeleteI prefer baby Quilts. But yours is lovely, great Quilting.
ReplyDeleteCongrats 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.
ReplyDeleteYes I have, the smallest one was 8x12 inches.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
DeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteI really do enjoy making mini quilts, both from other peoples' patterns, my own patterns, and improv.
ReplyDeletelovely wee mini and great quilting
ReplyDeleteThank you for the vinyl tip. Great way to audition quilting designs!
ReplyDeleteWhat'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.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I love how the gold lines are offset. I like small projects - need to start making more. Maybe I'll finish more stuff. LOL
ReplyDeleteI make mugrugs and lots of potholders for our quilt guild to sell! Your mini is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSusan, so glad you finished it. It's lovely. The quilting is so detailed. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty mini. Beautiful quilting and loved reading about your process. Very nice post, Susan.
ReplyDeleteI love your quilting on this project. It is always good when you get a project finished.
ReplyDeleteI love making small projects - congrats on a great design!
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteLove small quilts...they are perfect for quick gifts and trying new techniques. Love how you quilted this!
ReplyDeleteExquisite! Your workmanship is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteStunning. The pattern is so cool, and the quilting makes the whole thing pop.
ReplyDeleteHi, 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?
ReplyDeleteThanks 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.
DeleteWhat a great mini - and your quilting is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteReally 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!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt. It can be so hard to be so perfect. I can find that a challenge.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I love the colors and you did a great job with quilting.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a beautiful mini quilt. Love you choice of colors and the design.
ReplyDeletePretty quilt, and wonderful quilting!
ReplyDeleteWoW! What a striking design! So Beautiful! I do love making minis and using up small scraps on EPP projects. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteI like lap size quilts. loving the colors and quilting
ReplyDeleteI love your small quilt, especially the way you applied the quilting to the various sections of it.
ReplyDeleteVinyl overlay to do quilting designing... i think my mind is blown. so cool!
ReplyDelete