Lone Star Mini Quilt // Finished Modern Quilt

Several years ago, I thought it would be a great idea to make a Lone Star Mini Quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap. Let's just say that my imagination had progressed a little faster than my sewing skills, and it was a disaster. I ended up making this 1000 Pyramid (Equilateral Triangle) Mini Quilt, which I loved. When Jennifer from Ellison Lane Quilts asked me if I would participate in her Modern Mini Quilt Challenge *more information at the end of this post!) I knew it was time to revisit the Lone Star.Sometimes it is great to try something new, or difficult, or fussy, on a mini quilt. I think I can safely say that I will never make a throw sized Lone Star Quilt, but I really enjoyed (?) successfully piecing diamonds and trying my hand at Y-seams. I quilted the mini in dense, straight lines, which gives the quilt some texture and distracts from it's imperfections. (It does not, however, distract from the unfortunate yellow highlighter in the bottom corner. That is the work of my 3 year old. Anyone know how to get highlighter out?)To be honest, if I hadn't taken the Craftsy Precision Piecing Class, I'm not sure I would have attempted the diamonds and Y-seams. I learned some very useful tips, and it is nice to be able to rewind the video-based class to re-watch the trickier steps. Norah McMeeking (the teacher) often uses words like "precision" and "discipline" to describe her methods, which include marking each diamond on all 4 angles. This type of sewing is more slow going than I usually like, but for a mini--I can be precise-ish and disciplined-ish. (This mini is not a project from her class, but it uses techniques from the class.)Visit the other stops on the Modern Mini Blog Hop here:June 5: Ellison LaneJune 6: Happy QuiltingJune 7: Swim, Bike, Quilt June 8: Craft BudsJune 9: From the Blue Chair and Sewing Under the Rainbow June 10: The Sewing ChickJune 11: Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle and Fresh Lemons Quilts

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Have you made a mini quilt in the last 6 months, or want to make a new one in the next few days? Jennifer shares more information about the Modern Mini Quilt Challenge below:

Are you ready for the Modern Mini Challenge?

Here's the deal. The Modern Mini Challenge is a call to challenge yourself. Try something new: a new technique, a new pattern, a new thread, etc and make a mini quilt.

What's a mini quilt? It's a mug rug, a pillow, a wall hanging, a table topper... you get the idea!

Check out the AMAZING minis in last year's contest! There were over 200 awesome entries!

You don't have to be an experienced sewist to enter! Don't let your lack of experience keep you from joining in! I want this event to be fun, encouraging and inspiring- just go for it! Believe in your ability and go CREATE!!

Go be AWESOME!!

Speaking of awesome, there will be fabulous prizes available just for entering! So try your best, pick something fun to create that speaks to you and get sewing. 

The details:You can enter any mini quilt that you've made within the past 6 months. Remember, a mini quilt can be a mug rug, a mini quilt, a pillow, a table topper, etc. Only one entry per person. 

Size requirements: must be at least 6" x 6" and no bigger than 24" x 24". 

You can enter a mini quilt made from your own design or from a pattern. Please give credit to the pattern designer in your description. 

Need some inspiration? Never fear. I've got that covered! There's a snazzy group of quilters ready to share some of their creations to show just how fun a mini can be. The Modern Mini Blog Hop is going on now!

June 5: Ellison LaneJune 6: Happy QuiltingJune 7: Swim, Bike, Quilt June 8: Craft BudsJune 9: From the Blue Chair and Sewing Under the Rainbow June 10: The Sewing ChickJune 11: Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle and Fresh Lemons Quilts

Starting June 12, you'll be able to link up your entry at Ellison Lane. You'll have until 5:00 PM EST on June 16 to add your mini quilt. Link from your blog (a NEW post please), your Flickr account or your Threadbias account. Remember, you don't have to have a blog to enter!

PRIZES! Did she say prizes? For sure! Check out these amazing goodies up for grabs:

$125 Gift Certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop

$75 Gift Certificate to the Intrepid Thread

$50 Gift Pack of Pellon Products

$50 Box of Coats and Clark Threads

(2) $50 prize packs of Dritz sewing products

$25 Gift Certificate to Christa Quilts

A Bundle of Marblehead fabrics from Fabri-Quilt

The $125 Gift Certificate winner will be chosen by my husband- his is the Wild Card Choice! The other prizes will be awarded by random draw.

So what are you waiting for? Get excited, get creative and get sewing. Challenge yourself and go make something great!xo,Jennifer