May 8, 2012

Zakka Style Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets

Are you still sewing along with Zakka Style?
I am...can't believe I'm keeping up
with this pace, but it's so much fun!

{Come along with us...details are at LRStitched!}


This week I made something that I'm keeping
for myself!

{All of my other Zakka Style projects have been listed for sale in my shop on Etsy, eamylove.}


They really ARE Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets! 
They finish at only 1 1/2" square!

This chapter's contributor is Nova Flitter,
who blogs at acuppaandacatchup.com.
Go and say hello to her lovely posts!

Adrienne of Little Bluebell  - another beautiful blog - 
has her own version posted this week for the Sew Along.
She has some great tips for this project!

{I'm going to give you my tips, too!}


One of the coolest things about this project is 
that you barely need any linen at all.  
Here is the scrap I used.  
I actually had enough to make all 6 magnets from this little bit!

{I actually considered...briefly...throwing this irregular bit away!  OMGosh!!!}


I cut all my linen pieces out first.
I used my favorite...100% European linen in Oatmeal.

{CONFESSION:  I cut my pieces for the triangles a tiny bit larger than the directions, 
rounding up to the nearest 1/4".  
That allowed me to cut the HST's to the perfect size when I squared them up.}


Next I cut all of my prints...
I kept them organized, in little stacks,
one for each block.

{I used coordinates from my Winter Dresden Quilts project...still a WIP, but coming along.
The gingham is from Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree Quilts.  The floral is from Martinique by 3 Sisters, and on the back I used one of my Winter scraps from Minick and Simpson for Moda.}


The BEST tip from both Nova and Adrienne was to shorten the stitch length.
It made it so much easier to stitch without the wee blocks shooting through my sewing machine.  

I squared up my pieces everytime I could...
BEFORE finishing each block, and AFTER.

{I LOVE this tiny block!}


Here they are, all done.
They were actually pretty perfect!
I was having fun now!!!

{They are not quite flat in this photo.}


You know me...I use Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece by the bolt.
I diverged a bit from the instructions and used that, instead of regular batting.
I thought the blocks looked very sweet the way they were, 
so I did not do the quilting, as the book suggested.

{I can't believe I'm admitting this...I thought about leaving this block out, 
because I didn't feel like  printing out a paper-piecing template.  
Turns out you don't need one!
And this one is now my very favorite one of all.
And it was THE MOST FUN to stitch!}



When it was time to turn the teeny blocks
right side out, I was sooooo glad I'd used the fusible fleece!
It helped to hold my little stitches in place
during this stressful process.

I used Darice Super Strong Ceramic Magnets
inside my blocks.  I found them at a local crafts store.

{I listened to the good advice to make sure the magnets were positioned correctly, 
so they would stick to the refrigerator!}


I love them so much...

{They are as sweet as a dessert!}


Go ahead...try them!

{But these ones are mine!}


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10 comments:

  1. They really came out great Amy! I was tempted to skip this one but I think I may give a go.

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  2. Oh my! Those are darling! Why have I not gotten this book yet??!!

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    Replies
    1. As you can see, I'm really happy I have this book...I actually bought an ebook version first, then went ahead and ordered the hard copy! I'm using both versions...it's great!

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  3. Amy, yours are just so darn cute and PERFECT!!!

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  4. I too am having trouble giving my magnets away. I have given 2 away but can't bear to part with the remaining four. I love your choice of fabrics and the patching is perfect. I'm not surprised you're gonna keep them. Nice work.

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  5. Yours are some of the cutest ones yet! Really sweet & I love the fabrics you chose.

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  6. These are so adorable! I love how neat your work is.

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