Creative articles about quilting

Between the Lines QAL: Flower Power Mini Quilt

As part of the Between the Lines QAL, there are three bonus projects. Today, we’ll make a Flower Power mini quilt based on the final row of the quilt along.

Perhaps you’ve made a test block during this QAL to try out a technique. Or maybe you have a leftover block from another project. Such a block can be transformed into a charming mini quilt.

In this blog post, I’ll show you how to attach loops to a block and create a binding that’s invisible from the front.

Materials for the Flower Power Mini Quilt

You can make this project with any block you have on hand. I’ll explain the technique using a block from the Flower Power row of the Between the Lines QAL. This block measures 8 inches (8 1/2 inches including seam allowance).

All measurements in this pattern include a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

  • Batting: 10 x 10 inches
  • Backing fabric: 10 x 10 inches (I used dark orange fabric with little robots)
  • Binding fabric: 8 x 10 1/2 inches. Cut into:
    • 2 strips measuring 2 x 10 1/2 inches
    • 2 strips measuring 2 x 7 1/2 inches
  • Loop fabric: 2 x 9 inches
  • Glue stick (e.g., Odif’s 505 gluestick)

Quilting the Block

Create a sandwich

 Start by layering your block, batting, and backing fabric. I used Odif’s glue stick to temporarily hold the layers together. For a small quilt like this, a few pins will also suffice.

Quilt the layers

I followed the lines of the quilt block, stitching just beside the seams to create a subtle 3D effect, where the orange sections appear slightly raised.

Trim the edges

Cut away the excess batting and backing fabric so you’re left with a clean square block.

Making the Loops

Take the 2 x 9-inch fabric strip for the loops. I used the same fabric as the background of my block.

Fold the strip lengthwise in half and press.

 

Then fold the outer edges to the center line.

Fold the strip in half again, enclosing the raw edges. You’ll now have a strip measuring 1/2 x 9 inches.

Sew along both long edges, close to the edge.

Divide the strip into three equal pieces of 1/2 x 3 inches. These will be your loops.

Making the Side Binding

Time to attach the first two strips of binding. I used the same fabric as the backing for the mini quilt.

If your block has a clear top and bottom, start with the sides.

Take the 2 x 7 1/2-inch strips and fold one end 1/4 inch inward. Give it a good press.

Sew the strips to the front of the block, 1/4 inch from the edge. Refer to the photo below; you sew on the side of the strip that is not folded inward.

Fold the strip outward, press it flat, and sew close to the seam. You sew on the orange fabric, as shown in the photo below.

Turn your work over. Fold the binding completely to the back. Make sure the orange fabric is no longer visible on the front.

Use a glue stick to hold the fabric in place after folding.

Press it firmly with an iron.

Top and Botton binding with loops

Now we’ve done the sides. In the photo below, you can see how it looks from the front after folding the side binding neatly to the back. The orange fabric is not visible on the front.

Fold the loops in half and place them along the top edge of your mini quilt, with the open side facing up. Secure them with a seam 1/8 inch from the edge.

Now take a 2 x 10 1/2-inch strip and place it over the loops. Fold the excess fabric at the ends to the back. Secure it with a seam 1/4 inch from the edge.

This is how it looks on the back. Repeat the same process for the bottom strip.

Continue as we did with the first two strips.

Fold the strip outward, sew close to the seam on the orange fabric, then fold the binding completely to the back.

You’ll see that the loops stick out neatly from the top of the mini quilt.

Press everything firmly in place with an iron and glue stick.

Finishing

The final step is to secure the binding to the back.

Do this by hand. Use thread that matches the color of the backing and binding—orange in this case. Use small stitches to secure the open edges of the binding to the back of your mini quilt.

And there you have your Flower Power Mini Quilt, complete with loops and a binding that’s invisible on the front! I used this same method for the binding on the Sea Glass Quilt.

Enjoy the final steps of the Between the Lines QAL. In two weeks, I’ll be back with instructions for assembling the quilt and all the details for the giveaway.

See you then!

Hug,
Irene

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