With this simple project, you will learn how to cut and sew improv curves, to create a fun block that looks like a mini landscape. You can make as many as you want in different color combinations, to create a quilt in any size that you want. The sample that I create today for this tutorial measures 25” x 14”, a great size for a mini quilt.
Fabric and Notions Required
- Sewing machine, I’m using my JANOME Memory craft 6700P
- 1/4” inch foot for sewing
- Quilting ruler
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Iron & ironing board
- Fabrics (for this tutorial specific)
- 14 pieces of fabrics that measure 6” x 10”. For this project a good idea is to select a gradient of different values for one color (I choose green) and 3 piece of fabric in a color that is the complementary color (in my case dark pink)
- Fabric for backing and binding, batting
- Threads for piecing and quilting
Instructions
Pick the two pieces of fabrics (you can start with the light values) and overlap them. With your rotary cutter cut a freehand gentle curve (it is key to use a new blade) remember to cut a gentle curve with the shape that you see below
Mix and match, put right side together and on your sewing machine, start sewing with your 1/4” foot, always aligning the two fabrics to the edge of the foot. With your left hand handle the fabric on top and with your right hand the fabric on bottom, don’t stretch the fabrics.
Press seams open.
Put both blocks right side up, align in the curve that you cut, and cut with a ruler a straight line in the center of the block as you see in the pictures below.
Mix and match, and sew again, press seams open.
Now you have your first two blocks ready!
Repeat this steps again with all the pieces of fabrics that you have, always working with a pair of two different colors. Once you have all your 14 block ready, pick 12 and organize them in your design wall, paying attention on how you layout your colors. Sew the blocks in rows with a straight line.
Then sew each row cutting a soft curve, to make that overlap two rows both right side up. Overlap the approximately 1 inch and cut a soft curve within that inch. Remove the fabric that left and sew each row right side togethers.
Once you sew your complete top, you can square it up, baste and quilt it. For quilting your mini quilta beautiful design can be sewing gentle curves (look for my tutorial where I teach you this design) Once you finish, bound your mini and put it on your favorite place to add colors and happiness, ENJOY!
