Tiny Nine Patch Challenge Newsletter - Weeks 1 & 2
Hi Reader,
Welcome to Weeks 1 & 2 of the Tiny Nine Patch Challenge!
Thank you for signing up for the RQL Tiny Nine Patch Challenge! Also, thanks for your patience as I work out logistics, technology, time management, etc. We are still a work in progress.
The Challenge officially started last Monday but time flies and we are at the start of week 2. So, I thought I'd combine things this time and, hopefully, will be an expert by next Monday.
What is this Challenge?
We are challenging ourselves to make small blocks, tiny blocks, or teeny tiny blocks. Some of us are also endeavoring to reproduce an antique inspiration quilt that has (480) 1-1/2" nine patch blocks and is 59" wide and 69" long. Others are making blocks bigger than 1-1/2" and varying their projects. As I like to say, your quilt, your rules.
Most of the design details I share will be about the inspiration quilt. That's because it's the only “finished” quilt we have right now. So, I will provide all the details about the blocks and borders that you need to replicate the original quilt. Look for that information in one of the upcoming newsletters.
If you are making blocks at the 2-1/4" size, I'll do the quilt math and figure out which size quilt you'll have if you make all the same elements as the original quilt but with slightly larger blocks. Common sense tells us you'll have a larger quilt.
If you are making 3" blocks you'll likely have to change up the design, make fewer blocks or make a very big quilt. King size beds need quilts, too. We can talk about that in an upcoming newsletter.
To summarize, this challenge is about making little blocks that will become an amazing quilt! The focus is on the blocks.
So, what else?
I've made tiny nine patch blocks before. And, I got bored and frustrated and quit a few blocks into the project.
For this project, I figured 10 blocks a week would keep us from getting bored but provide enough work to improve our tiny piecing skills. Doing it with other quilters provides an opportunity to share the fun and be inspired. Just look at all the blocks on Instagram already!
Each Monday, I will share the pictures of 10 blocks from the inspiration quilt. You can find the picture on @reproquiltlover on Instagram, The Repro Quilt Lover Facebook group and in this newsletter.
This will take a total of 48 weeks. You can either wait until they are all finished before putting them together or assemble as you go. Details about sizes for setting and corner squares are coming in the next newsletter.
Happy Stitching!
Taryn
Tip of the Week:
I prepared a printable with the cutting and stitching information you need for each of the three different sizes of blocks we are working with: 1-1/2", 2-1/4" and 3" finished.