How small is too small????? I'm still chuckling as I think about what I just read over on Bonnie's blog, Quiltville's Q & Q. Bonnie has posted some "crumb creations", and remarked that "smaller than 1.5"?..she tosses. Tonya responded to that, challenging Bonnie..oh my Tonya..are you prepared for what the snail mail could bring you???
But it got me thinking..how small is too small ? I used to think that anything smaller than an inch was pointless because if you took the 2 seam allowances from that you'd have hardly anything. I have made one log cabin from 1" strips. Trust me, by the time I had 16 blocks, I was ready to be DONE. So less than 1" and you'd have almost nothing showing..case settled.
BUT..then I began playing with vintage scraps and old feedsack trimmings..*VBG*. Yup, you guessed it..some of them were smaller than 1". And what I discovered is that if you love the fabric and want to preserve it, have it, see it in a quilt(of sorts) you just take less than the quarter inch seam. And it works. I'm not advocating seams that narrow on quilts that will see frequent use and daily wear and tear. But on small quilts, no reason not to use those "crumbs" and have as much showing as possible. So I taped a few crumbs onto a sheet of paper and measured them..see amounts above. And then there is the little muslin foundation "kitty"..his finished ears will be one fourth inch..so a crumb will work fine for that...hmmmmmm. And how can I throw away ANY tiny piece of vintage polka dots...? I can't..*G*
So Quilters Of The World...how small is too small.....?? Answer please.........................
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5 comments:
Wow, seeing is believing! I do have the transfer pencil, thankyou. Last night I even found 'thread heaven' at JoAnn fabrics. So I'm all set. Have to finish up my crinoline lady apron. 90 % of the stitching is done, need to make ties etc. Have to hurry away, be back to visit though when I've more time. Enjoyed your posts Finn...so interesting and educational *VBG* !
Thanks Maggie Ann, as always, you make my day brighter *VBS*
Smallest I go is 1 inch by 1 inch. Yes, I made a 9-patch with one inch squares. No, they're not straight, but I'm proud of it. :)
In fact, I'll post it up on my blog for ya to see. All the pieces in it are one inch strips. And nope, no paper piecing in that one for me. :)
1" is mighty small... little quilts company use alot of small pieces.... I have made a few but find it too time consuming.
You guys are making ME sound wasteful??? Oh man! Cruel! I have strips and strings in 3/4" which would leave only 1/4" showing when pieced in...and THAT is as narrow as I'll go in a string or a strip, but in cutting down squares to use as leader/enders, etc..usually by the time I trim out those 1.5" squares there isn't anything left to save! :c)
Bonnie
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