Mini quilts may be small in size, but they're super fun to sew! They're a fast finish with less commitment and every month I add a new design to my pattern family to tempt you!
This month's mini quilt pattern symbolises my desire to live with purpose and direction during 2023. I feel that in my creative life I'd been drifting aimlessly due to other commitments, so it felt right that my first pattern of the year was Marina.
Isn't she stunning? I adore this mini quilt and she will be a constant reminder to navigate and follow my creative path this year!
Marina is a variation of one of the oldest quilt block patterns available - the Mariner's Compass. This block has many versions and dates back to 1726, making it timeless and one of the most recognisable quilt blocks used today.
Traditionally a Mariner's Compass block must have a circular centre and anywhere between 16-32 points radiating from the centre. Marina has been designed to be foundation paper pieced without curves, making it quick and easy for you to sew.
A Mariner's Compass assisted sailors to navigate marine regions and consisted of one or more parallel magnetic needles. It was marked with directions (N,S,E,W etc.) and circles of degrees, providing direction to mariners as they plotted their desired course.
I've told this story before, but I'm feeling chatty today so indulge me. My introduction to paper piecing began when I was sewing a sampler quilt many years ago. In my traditional procrastinating fashion, I'd left all the hard blocks until last and avoided paper piecing at all costs, until the very last block - the Mariner's Compass!
I had no other option but to learn FPP. I watched a You Tube video of a woman paper piecing a simple boat block to understand the principles of this new to me technique and I sewed the final block. It wasn't perfect but it was done, and I swore I'd never to paper piece again! Years later I tried again and now it's my favorite method of piecing :)
Marina finishes at around 14" square making her petite and versatile. There's nothing exceptionally tricky about this mini quilt pattern but take your time and enjoy the process.
If you need some help with foundation paper piecing or you're new to the technique, I have some tutorials that offer a little guidance.
Hopefully these tutorials will help your confidence grow on your paper piecing journey!
The Marina Mini Quilt PDF Pattern includes step by step instructions and coloured diagrams, plus full sized FPP templates so you can print and sew straight away without any fuss.
I've also included a few tips I thought might help you along the way, but if you need help, please don't hesitate to email me.
There are optional instructions for adding a hanging sleeve or corner hangers to display your mini quilt and a colouring sheet to assist with planning your mini quilt prior to sewing.
I can't wait to see what fabric combinations you come up with for Marina - she'll look great no matter what you choose.
If you're like me and need a little direction for 2023, then Marina is the perfect mini quilt for your first sewing project this year.
PDF patterns are now available in my Etsy shop and until the end of January 2023 they are available at the introductory price of $4.95 (AU + taxes where applicable).
To purchase your copy of my Marina Mini Quilt PDF Pattern, simply click the link below:
I love that my first mini quilt pattern of 2023 is a variation of the block that started my whole FPP journey.
It's important to remember that not everything comes easy at first but with a little focus and a lot of determination you can turn anything around and find a new path.
I hope you enjoy sewing your own version of Marina. She's fun and quick to piece, stunning to look at, and a gorgeous addition to my pattern family!
Enjoy!
Happy quilting :)
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