My mini houses quilt is finished! I know you’ve heard that line before, but let me go back in time to a galaxy far far away, to this:
Mini House Fail. Yep. That center certainly is puckery, demonstrating clear signs of the Training Bra Effect. Evidently, something, somehow was just not right.
It feels like I’ve been sewing on this for ages. . .
But, armed with new templates, I persevered. I cut six different combos for the center before I was finally happy. If the center fabric was too busy. . . fail. If the center was too washed out. . . fail. The yellow and the pink below are really strong colors, but the visual texture is “flat.”
Everything seamed and pressed.
To quilt a small quilt, I use straight pins to baste, sinking the point into the batting. First stabilize the quilt by sewing the strong verticals and horizontals (think: nine-patch), then sew around the rest of the straight line pieces, using a walking foot and fine thread. (I use Bottom Line by Superior Threads for this work as the thread is nice and fine and disappears.)
I stitched in clapboard on the houses, horizontal on the flatter houses and vertical on the squares, but broke out into curvilinear on the dotty houses. I swirled in a bush, did a curvilinear on the front porches and the yellow points of the Lemoyne Star, then outlined and stitched in the sky in a random fluffy cloud effect. A strong binding finished it off. 
To help with hanging, I cut giant 6″ squares, folded them in half diagonally, then attached them in to the corners; I’ll insert a dowel cut to size, insert in the corners, and suspend the quilt from a push pin.
This is quilt # 147 on my 200 Quilts List and is 18″ square.
I still feel this way about my home!
NOTE: I’ve recently updated this pattern, adding another view, with a different contruction. I’ve also revised the original construction techniques, making it easier to put together:
You can find it for purchase on PayHip.
Download a copy of the pattern front for reference here:
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This is very much like a Swoon block! Glad you resolved your issues, I bet you’re glad you did now. I’ve got that book on my wish list already…
What a delightful mini! And I am very jealous of your partner! I hope she appreciates all the trouble you went to to get it ‘just right’!! You are very generous in offering your skill and techniques in this post too Elizabeth! SoftFuse is not available on Amazon to us Aussies but I bet I can get that book! Thanks for the recommendation!
Most impressive! And your swap partner will surely be tickled!! Good job.
A totally awesome mini!!!!! I so agree with “pennydog”, this really reminds me of a “Swoon” block but oh so much nicer!!!!! And you’re so sweet to share your fab pattern! I’m sure that many will embark on this project but, for now, it’s not in my future (although, I dare not say “never”!!!). Hugs……………….
So cute Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing and all the tips too!
Love your mini house quilt, Elizabeth! I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like it. Thanks so much for the wonderful posts. They are always interesting and helpful.
And thanks also for the book recommendations. I am an avid novel reader and am always on the lookout for a good one. I have already sent a sample of this one to my Kindle.
Blessings,
Celia
Sure do love your house block. The center star looks great too and adds a lot of interest to the quilt.
That’s really super and I like it very much. The colours are just so cheerful!
It’s soooo cute. Wish my neighborhood looks as good.
Not the Training Bra Effect! Oh no! I love how it turned out and your perfect choice of backing.
I love it! And thanks for the pattern, and all the instructions to go with it.
Cute and clever pattern – I’m glad you persisted. -Leslie
It’s really cute Elizabeth ; ) thanks for sharing the process
This is very cute and I’m glad I saw it. Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve designed houses in medallion borders before but haven’t ever made them, so this will give me new incentive.
So sweet. I want to make it! However, I have to resolve a printing issue as several pieces did not come out whole. E and H were cut off. Thanks for the pattern and I’m sure my printer is the problem. New printer, old ‘printee’.