Mini Quilt Swap

Last summer I signed up for my first Instagram quilt swap – the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap.  I’d never done any kind of quilt swap before, so I was really excited about it.  When I got my partner assignment, I spent about a week stalking her on social media and brainstorming on what to make for her.  I could tell instantly that she loved all things ocean and sea-related and even had an anchor tattoo.  So, of course I decided that Tula Pink’s Saltwater line would be the perfect fabric to use for her mini.  I opted to go with just the aqua colorway and ordered  some half yard cuts from a couple of different shops.

Then the next conundrum – what pattern to use?  I looked around and turned to Instagram for inspiration and finally decided on making a clamshell mini.  Perfect pairing of pattern and fabric!  Of course I’ve never made a clamshell quilt before, but I didn’t let that stop me.  I actually downloaded the pattern for Latifah Saafir’s Glam Clam quilt from Craftsy to use as a jumping off point.  I ended up resizing the clamshells to be a better size for the mini and then basically did some sort of weird made up plan for sewing the clamshells, which was kind of halfway applique and halfway just hand-piecing.  Because, you know, I can’t follow directions.

So, I cut out my templates from freezer paper, ironed them to my fabric. cut out my fabric with a 1/4″ seam allowance added and then started laying them out for placement.  I cut a rectangle of fabric for the top to attach the first row of clamshells to as well.  And, as you can see, I decided that it needed a pop of color from one clamshell in the coral colorway.

I basically just appliqued that first row down to the background fabric, then appliqued each subsequent row to the row above it.  I actually really enjoyed the applique and would love to make a larger sized clamshell quilt for myself one of these days.

Once I finished sewing all the clamshells down, I squared up the piece and then added borders in a beautiful charcoal grey solid that coordinated with the Saltwater fabrics because it needed to be a bit larger.  I decided to use the octopus fabric on the back, so that she could really see that print, since she also had an octopus tattoo I thought she would appreciate it.  I chose the Sea Stripe print for the binding, because how could I not?

Did the quilting on my machine and basically just quilted some wavy lines across the clamshell portion to look like waves, then did straight line quilting on the border to frame it.  I took it with me to an outdoor jazz concert and enjoyed the music and my handwork.

And here is the finished product!!!  I love love love how it turned out!

Wasn’t that pop of coral perfect?!  Plus…octopus!

Another closeup of the quilting…

Here’s the back…

And the label…

The best though, was her reaction when it arrived!

And in return, I received this amazing mini from Marie, @reespieces1 on Instagram.  The pattern is called Hexadaisy and she used Tula Pink Fox Field for the fabric.  Isn’t it gorgeous?!

Here’s a really bad photo of all the goodies she sent.  Both dumpling bags she made were full of yummy things from where she lives.

I absolutely love the back – stars are one of my favorite things, and the combo of the star fabric from Fox Field plus the quilting pattern makes my heart sing!

Here’s a better pic of the two dumpling bags she made and she also included some Fox Field fat quarters too.  So beautiful, and I use those little pouches all the time for notions and stuff.  And look at the bright, vibrant colors.  I can’t get enough!!

Too beautiful for words!!!

Anyway, it was so much fun to participate in the mini quilt swap and I may sign up to do another one in the future.  I loved being a part of this particular swap and it was so fun to stalk the IG hashtag to see what everyone was making and see the finished products when they arrived at their destination.  So fun!!

I am grateful for mini quilts that brighten up my walls!