Astrodelic Quilt Hack: Resize to a Mini

AG Mini Complete Title

If you have been following my posts, I shared the re-cap of my Instagram based Alison Glass Mini-Quilt Swap experience last week. This week, I’ll share how I hacked and re-sized the Astrodelic Quilt pattern from a 42″ x 42 ” throw to a 21″ x 21″ mini using the amazing 2015 Sunprints line.  Based on the colors selected, I decided to call my mini, “Fireball.”

How did I decide on this size?  Honestly, it seemed like the easiest way to resize to a fourth of original by halving many of the fabric cuts.   The measurements fit within the parameters of the swap and I could follow all of the instructions without having to deviate too far…Simple enough, right???

I re-drew the design on good old graph paper and I scaled each block to 1.5″.  This made it easier for me to visualize the changes to the pattern and where I need to adjust for seam allowances.   Plus, counting the blocks is a nice double-check before having to actually cut the fabric 😉  As you can see, my sketch is nothing fancy and not worthy of the refrigerator, but it does give a good picture of my color selection and placement.

FireballSketch

To get started on construction, you will need to download the FREE Astrodelic Quilt Pattern designed by Frances Newcombe for Art Gallery Fabrics. This will provide all of the instructions and I will reference her fabrics as A, B, C, etc.

Cutting Directions:

  • Fabrics A & E:  3.5″ x 2″ [cut 4]
  • Fabrics B & F:  6.5″ x 2″ [cut 4]
  • Fabrics C & G:  9.5″ x 2″ [cut 4]
  • Fabric D:  2″ x 2″ [cut 6]
  • Fabric H:  2″ x 2″ [cut 6]
  • Fabric I:
    • 6.5″ x 6.5″ [cut 4]
    • 5″ x 2″ [cut 8] matches with Fabrics A & E
    • 3.5″ x 2″ [cut 8] matches with Fabrics B & F
    • 2″ x 2″ [cut 8] matches with Fabrics C & G
  • Backing fabric – 24″ x 24″
  • Batting – 22″ x 22 “
  • Binding – 2 1/3 yd

Follow the instructions exactly as directed, making sure you use a 1/4″ seam allowance.  If you don’t quilt much, double-check your seam allowances on scraps.  A mini is not as forgiving on measurement inaccuracies as a larger quilt since your eye is focused on ALL of it at once.  If it’s not perfect, quilting will always help and some good washing for the awesome crinkle will help diffuse the attention as you can see in the title photo.

FireballPieced

 

I hope you enjoy this hack and use it in your next mini quilt swap!

#AlisonGlassMiniQuiltSwap, #AGTeamSpectrum, #AlisonGlass, #AstrodelicQuilt #LoveYouSew

 

Happy stitching,

Cristy

IG Alison Glass Mini Quilt Swap Re-Cap

AG Fabric Bundles_Title

Thinking about joining a quilt or craft-related swap?  Do it!!!  I just finished up the Alison Glass Mini Quilt Swap on Instagram (IG) hosted by @ReapWhatIveSewn.  #alisonglassminiquiltswap #agteamspectrum

It was a great experience, not only because I got to play with beautiful fabric by Alison Glass…or the amazing quilt I received…but for making new “friends” with a bunch of quilters I might not have followed if it weren’t for being in this swap.
The main requirement for this swap was to use primarily fabric designed by Alison Glass (AG) (per the swap’s namesake) and to make a miniature quilt that was 13-24″ squared.  I was dying to get all of the 2015 Sunprint fabrics, and this swap made it easier to pull the retail trigger 😉 The intense colors in AG’s fabrics are just pure eye candy.  I love using them in rainbows and they pop against Andover black chambray (one of my stash staples) so beautifully!

 

My Quilt

The partner I was paired with unfortunately, was not very active on IG…and by not active, I mean practically non-existent.  She posted one picture of when she received her fabric for the swap and that was that.  I know life happens and not everyone checks or posts to their accounts daily or weekly. Completely understood!  But when you sign up for a swap that’s strictly on the IG platform, you wish your partner did participate a little more.  It’s makes the experience a little easier and it’s more fun with the participation 🙂  The only information that I had was the completed registration questionaire. This gave me (1) my partner likes red, yellow, green, orange and (2) she likes modern quilts.  That’s it….what was I going to do???

Luckily, I had the Astrodelic Quilt design fresh in my head from checking out free patterns on Art Gallery’s website.  The palette my partner named was a challenge.  I wanted to make sure I balanced out the red and green so nothing looked “Christmas-y” and that the yellows and oranges would all complement each other.  It was nice to have all of Sunprint 2015 on hand to play around with color!

AG Mini Closeup

Kona white is always a safe choice as the background.  With the bright colors selected, I didn’t want anything else to compete with this “Fireball.”  Carolyn Friedlander’s Architextures Crosshatch in Shadow finished as the binding…Again, chosen to not draw away from the design.  As for the quilting, I try to leave mine pretty fuss-free…straight-line is my go-to and I followed the 45* angles created from the piecing.  This mini finished at 20″x 20″…a bit on the larger side, but easier on the quilt math 😉

AG Mini Complete

 

Extras

Although not required, it’s always nice to send some extra “love” with your mini.  Since I was getting no indication of likes/dislikes or any personal info off IG, I kept my gifts pretty generic.  The rainbow mug and scissor pouch are from Michael’s.  I included a wooden spool of thread from my vintage collection and a fun little tape measurer.  I ordered Ex Libris directly from AG’s shop, so I got a few stickers (!!!) with my order and included one here.  The pin cushion was a special little gift I made using scraps of Sunprint with Jeli Quilt’s Goosed Up pattern.  Sewing notions are always a good inclusion so I added a few zippers to match the mini as well.  Many swappers include food/candy, but it was scorching hot around the US, so I didn’t want anything to spoil or melt…hence no yummy goodness from me.

AG Swap Extras

 

Mini Received

So off my package went (yes, it was on time!) and the waiting game began.  It’s fun to watch the other swappers on IG receive their packages and you can slowly mark off who was not your partner.  Luckily, I did not have to wait very long.  My parcel arrived just a few days after I sent mine off.

And….it was this gorgeousness!!!  Go ahead…take it all in…..yesssssss………mmmhmmm…..

AG Mini Received

Kitty of the Night Quilter made me this amazing hexagon shaped quilt from Robert Kaufman’s Prismatic Medallion FREE pattern.  I know only because I have downloaded it for my personal Quilting Queue.  But maybe I don’t have to try to make it anymore?!?  The fabric selection was just on-point!  I LOVE IT!!!

And there’s more!  Remember the Hour Basket from my Sewing Room Organization post?  Here it is with the mini stuck inside.  There was also some small and large washi tape.  I can’t wait to use the measuring tape one on packaging later on down the line!  Kitty also included tea and candy that I love…and how did she know?  She posted questions out to our swap group asking about what we would like in our packages and I just responded…so glad I did!  It’s nice to get a surprise, but also nice to get something you know you will eat or use.  Lesson learned – answer questions from your fellow swap-mates!

AG Swap Received

 

From sign-up to shipping, the swap was about 5 months.  So if you are thinking of joining a swap, this is an ample amount of time for a mini.  I got my design and quilt top pieced early on…probably within the first two months.  I liked getting it done early just in case something pops up on the personal front (which you know always happens.)  I owed it to my partner to be on time, since I wanted the same for myself.  Good sewing karma pays off…in gorgeous mini’s!!!

Have you participated in any craft or sewing swaps?  I’d love to hear your (positive) experiences.

 

Hugs and Stitches,

Cristy

 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through the links, I receive a small commission. This helps cover the costs of keeping this blog running.

Cotton + Steel is a Star: Paper-Pieced Quilt

…A Starburst, that is!

Lonestar - Fully pieced

Lone Starburst – Fully pieced

When I first started toying around with Foundation Paper-Piecing (FPP,) you know I went to Pinterest.  Through all of the images, I found this perfect pattern…It (seems) simple enough for a newbie like me, has great visual appeal, I could play with a number of different fabrics, and…it was FREE!  The pattern is by Six White Horses and called Lone Starburst.

My bundle of Cotton + Steel‘s first collections gave me a variety of fun prints and color to use. I tried to mix in the awesome prints, as well as the basics for variety and color.  I selected a simple background of Kona White to make the star stand out and pop.  “Tangrams” from Cotton + Steel made for a nice neutral binding and I love “All the States” as a fun backing.

Quilted and Bound

Close-up of Starburst Backing

Close-up of Starburst Backing

Full view of Starburst Backing

Full view of Starburst Backing

 

Quilting is not my strong suit, so I straight-lined with my walking foot and followed the angles of the star. I just used my presser foot as a guide in order to keep the spacing between lines as equal as I could.  The repeating of the lines, made for such a great texture….just make sure to go slow and steady to get nice even stitches.

This Mini hangs proudly in my sewing dungeon…where I can be reminded of my first full FPP project 🙂

 

 

 

 

Hugs and Stitches

Cristy

Love You Sew