Jackie R

Just curious about miniature quilts after seeing some on this site. The pieces are so small I was wondering if these pieces are hand sewed and quilted or can a sewing machine really sew those small pieces together without eating them through the feeddogs? Thanks.

Also, do you have a favorite book or web site that has some good info about these?

amma

You can hand or machine sew these miniatures, try using leaders when you start machine piecing :D:D:D

maine ladybug

When I make my mini's on the machine I use a 1/8inch seam instead of a 1/4 inch. This makes it easier because the pieces are sometimes only 1/4inch pieces. You have to be very careful to sew a straight line.

sewwhat85

i want to make some

pookie ookie

I print out paper piece patterns at smaller sizes. Any of the EQ programs are good for this. I use Blockbase for traditional blocks and EQ7 for blocks I draft.

Jackie R

Doesn't your sewing machine eat those tine pieces? Is there a trick to sewing them by machine and they not getting lost under the needle?

RkayD

I am so fascinated by the mini's on here. I will certainly be watching this thread! =) I took a few of my big quilts and used the scraps as I was going along to make smaller versions of the big but far from mini's.

maine ladybug

You can actually get a 1/8 inch foot for many machines, that is just like the 1/4 inch foot. Some people ( and me sometimes ) use the regular 1/4 inch and then cut it down. You can always try that.
Oh, and no, the pieces don't get eaten by the machine.

oksewglad

Below is a comment I made in the 1.5" swap thread. I use 1/4" seams and starch, even when using 3/4" cuts for 1/4" finished pieces.

"I think the first order on the small stuff is to have accurate cuts, then sew an accurate, consistent seam.
One thing one has to watch is how you start and end the seam. I call it the l-r swing. We as sewers tend to start to far to the left, curve into the 1/4" seam allowance and then end up too far from the right making a slight "S" shape in the seam. Try sewing 2 1.5" squares together with highly contrasting thread and see if that's a problem for you. If it is true for you, simply try to start and end straight. I catch myself doing the l-r swing everyonce in while and usually go back and resew the seam correctly.
I don't press open, I get a better match by pressing to the side and butting the two seams together or "locking them in place" as Eleanor Burns would tell you."

Mariposa

For minis, accuracy is a must! Starching fabrics helps too.
I sew a 1/4" seam, and trim it down. Works for me!