Last year I released two new mini patterns that were very popular: Juniper and Jolly. Many of you contacted me to say that you had made either Juniper or Jolly as a Christmas gift. My heart is full to know that you’ve sewn up a Carried Away Quilting pattern and then gifted it to someone you love! Today I’m happy to share another new mini pattern that would be great for gifting: Joy. The pattern includes instructions for both a Christmas version and an Autumn version.
As with Juniper and Jolly, my new Joy pattern finishes at 18 ½” square, the perfect size to serve as a wall hanging or a pillow. (The pattern includes instructions for making a simple envelope back pillow enclosure.) I’ve sewn both of my samples as mini quilts this time. I think they would be great to hang on the wall and swap out for the seasons.
I love sewing mini quilts, as it allows me to break into my stash of favorite scraps! For the Christmas version, these are the fabrics I used:
- The red ornament is from Christmas Traditions (Dani Mogstad)
- The gray ornament hanger is from Red Barn Christmas (Sweetwater)
- The green letters are from Christmas Morning (Lella Boutique)
- The scallops include a green, silver and red from Christmas Morning (Lella Boutique); and a red from Return to Winter’s Lane (Kate & Birdie)
- Both my background and binding fabrics are from Christmas Morning (Lella Boutique)
For the Autumn version, these are the fabrics I used:
- The pumpkin is from Pumpkins & Blossoms (Fig Tree)
- The letters and binding are from an older Fig Tree collection.
- The pumpkin stump is from Prim (Lori Holt).
- The green leaf is Wintertide (Janet Clare).
- The scallops are from Squirrelly Girl (Bunny Hill).
- The background fabric is Indigo Chambray from Moda.
I sent these sweet tops to Katy at Woods Edge Quilting. We chose a panto called Knitterly 1. Doesn’t it add an awesome texture to the background areas? I just love it!
I also want to give a shout out to my Instagram friend, Gerri, who agreed to test my pattern. I’ll be back in the coming weeks to show you her cute Joy creations! Thanks so much, Gerri!
Joy is available as a digital PDF on my Etsy Shop. I’ve listed the fabric requirements below. You just might have everything you need in your stash to begin sewing your own Joy mini quilt today!
~Taunja
MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS (for each version)
Letters: 1/8 yard or scraps to yield
Assorted prints (ornament/pumpkin, scallop, etc.): Scraps to yield 1/4 yard
Neutral: 1/2 yard
Binding:1/3 yard
Backing: 3/4 yard
If you choose to make either project into a pillow, use inexpensive muslin backing to quilt the pillow top, and then reserve your backing fabric for the envelope pillow back (instructions included). You will also need an 18” pillow form.
I love this pattern! Both versions. Question: Were you able to find the Squirrelly Girl fabric recently, or is it something you had in your stash? I’ve been looking for some for a while but can only find bits and pieces of it on Etsy.
Thank you!! Oh gosh, I’m sorry to say that yes, I had been hanging on to a charm pack of Squirrelly Girl for more than a year, just waiting for the right project! I hope you find some!
Another beautiful pattern, Taunja! Love the word you chose – perfect for both Christmas and Thanksgiving! Love your fabric choices and the lovely quilting on them.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! Feeling the joy in all seasons . . . so important!! Have a great weekend!
Taunja, I lost interest in quilting but decided I must start again. By sheer chance
I found your Harmony quilt and my immediate thought was “YES” this is the one for
a special little girl. Hoping I can start in the next week. The mini quilts are lovely.
I’m self-taught and where I live is a dead zone for crafts.
Hi Jan! I’m so glad you found my blog and that pattern. I hope you will truly enjoy making it. I’m so sorry you are in a craft dead zone. (I’ve been there once or twice in my life, and it can get lonesome.) Hang in there. If you are not yet on Instagram, I would encourage you to consider it. I have found a wonderful quilting community on Instagram, where so many people share their creations and truly care about what other people are making. It’s quite fun. (And it rarely becomes the negative space that Facebook can often become.)