It’s all happening in today’s post – flying geese, fussy cutting and a friend’s new book! What a great combination!
The lovely Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts has a new book called Mini Masterpieces out now. You can find it on Amazon here.*
I *heart* mini quilts
I love mini quilts. So when Alyce mentioned she’d be doing a Blog Hop to support the release of the book I asked if I could participate. Lucky for me, she said yes!
The book is great at leading you gently through a range of blocks which you can then use to create some gorgeous little mini quilts.
Mini quilts are fantastic as skill builders. You can try a new technique without having to commit to a huge quilt. All the mini quilts in this book could be used to make wall art, a cushion cover or a table topper – small, useful items.
Alyce asked me to sew up the flying geese sampler block from the book.
Choosing my fabrics
For me the fun always starts with fabric selection.
I knew I wanted to fussy cut with this beautiful Pat Bravo fabric* from her Artisan range.
Then I needed some accent fabrics. I plucked out some of the colours in the print – navy, pale yellow and white.
I knew the flower print had to form the mama goose (due to its size). Then I did some rough auditioning to see which fabrics I’d use for the baby goose and the background.
The following layout is the one that won the audition. (I realise now that I forgot to audition the white fabric for the baby goose. Oops.)
Sewing my flying geese blocks
With my colour scheme settled, I fussy cut my large geese blocks. I rummaged around in my ruler drawer and found a rectangle that was the perfect size. Of course, it was one of my Bloc_Loc flying geese rulers*. Even when I’m not using them for block trimming, they come in handy for fussy cutting.
A little bit of sewing and the blocks took shape.
Mama and baby goose, ready for action.
And here’s the completed flying geese sampler block:
And here’s four of ’em:
Flying geese block layout options
While I didn’t have enough time to get these whipped up into something, I did have the chance to play around with layout. I’ll make a few more blocks and turn them into a cushion over the Christmas holidays.
Here’s how they look laid out in several different orientations.
Do you have a favourite? Mine is the second one, where the mama geese are having a chat. I’m sure they’re holding tiny little margaritas.
Let me show you the stellar line up of bloggers who are participating in this Blog Hop.
Awesome blogs to visit…
Here are the fabulous sewists participating in the Blog Hop for Alyce’s Mini Masterpieces book. These blogs all contain a wealth of information and inspiration. Pop over and visit.
November 18 – Simple Squares
Sarah from Sarah Ashford Studio – @sarahashfordstudio
Janice from Better Off Thread – @betteroffthread
November 19 – Strip Piecing
Molli from Molli Sparkles – @mollisparkles
Sarah from SariDitty – @sariditty
November 20 – Snowball Blocks
Ali from Arabesque Scissors – @arabesquescissors
Kitty from Night Quilter – @nightquilter
November 21 – HSTs
Andrea from 3rd Story Workshop – @3rdstoryworkshop
Caitlin – @caitlinpolden
November 22 – Flying Geese
Kirsty from Bonjour Quilts – @bonjour_quilts (You are here!)
Karen from Karen Lewis Textiles – @karenlewistextiles
November 23 – HRTs
Jemima from Tied With A Ribbon – @tiedwitharibbon
Rebecca from Bryan House Quilts – @bryanhousequilts
November 24 – Simple Curves
Nicole from Modern Handcraft – @modernhandcraft
Ava & Neve – @ava_and_neve
November 25 – Complex Curves
Elisabeth from Elisabew Quilts – @elisabew
Samantha from Aqua Paisley – @aqua_paisley
Christopher from The Tattooed Quilter – @the_tattooed_quilter
November 26 – Improv Curves
Aurifil – @aurifilthread
Nicholas from Quilts From The Attic – @quiltsfromtheattic
November 27 – Applique
Lauren from Molly And Mama – @mollyandmama
Sedef from Down Grapevine Lane – @downgrapevinelane
November 28 – EPP
Sharon from Lilabelle Lane – @lilabellelane
Jodi from Tales of Cloth – @talesofcloth
November 29 – FPP
Kristy from Quiet Play – @quietplay
Happy sewing, all. And congratulations on your beautiful new book, Alyce!
*affiliate links. If you purchase through one, thank you so much for your support of Bonjour Quilts. These small commissions help me pay for my hosting fees.
I love your fussy cut flying geese!
Hi Kristy,
As usual you choice of colours is amazing. You just seem to have a knack for that. Great job, love the block.
I love that flower fabric! Thank you for the chance to win this book.
I love to make mini quilts. Sometimes a quick project is so satisfying.
I love to make cushions, it is always fun to change them over on the sofa. x
Little quilts! They let me play with different color combinations or try new techniques.
Your geese look great! In addition to mini quilts, I make a lot of mug rugs. They are great to have on hand as gifts and we find all kinds of ways to use them around the house.
Love your fabric choices
My favorite small things to sew are mug rugs.
I like your color combination and agree that the second layout is my favorite.
Love your color choices!
I make loads of placemats for my local Meals on Wheels to give to clients at Christmas.
I haven’t made any mini quilts yet but I have a whole pile of patterns to use that I have collected over the years. I expect that this lovely blog will propel me into action! Thanks always for all your inspiration ❤️
Love your geese blocks, great colours! Have just started making minis this year, and enjoying it!
I like to make mini quilts too, and fabric bowls (not rope bowls) that I can put candies or baking in to give as gifts. Thanks!
These are wonderful. I love pincushions and potholders.
Very cool flying geese blocks….they sort of remind me of UFO’s, especially with that beautiful fabric!
Smaller projects are my favorite ones, especially table runners that I can use in my home or give to friends and family. I also love to make baby bibs!
duchick at gmail dot com
Thanks for sharing your process for.selecting fabrics. I hadn’t thought of fussy cutting for flying geese before.
I like the 2nd layout the best too. I like to make mugrugs because they are great for sweet go-to gifts, paired with some tea or coffee gift card. Thanks for sharing!
Another terrific blog and I love your fabric selections, something I am trying to learn to do
I love the color and print choices in your blocks! My favorite small thing to sew is zipper pouches. Thanks for the fun!
I haven’t made a mini quilt, but I have made some mug rugs, which are like mini quilts.
Thanks in anticipation of winning.
Those geese are absolutely gorgeous. Love your fabric selections, so pretty! I love sewing minis = instant gratification.
I love your flying geese blocks. Would love to see your final product – pillow, cushion, mini-quilt? Thanks for the thread giveaway! I can always use thread!
I am liking all your layouts. Haven’t combined two different sized geeses before, I’m keen to have a play with this concept. Yellow is my favourite colour and it pops up in numerous quilts. The book is on my Christmas wish list. I just hope I have been good this year!!!!????
I love the fabrics and the pattern you chose. Personally I like the third option. So far the only mini quilts I have made are little versions of baby quilts that can be used as doll quilts when the little one grows up.
I’ve made a few mini quilts and they really require accurate sewing, so that is something that helps me. I do like your choice of colors in your block.
Your mini quilt fabric selections match so well! I would have never thought to buy such a pattern and then fussy cut for quilt blocks. Thank you for that little tidbit of inspiration!
I really like the yellow fabric used in your flying geese!
Hi Kirsty, thoroughly enjoyed your flying geese project, good idea on using the mini quilt book to try different quilt patterns and loved your juice of fabrics, will have a look on all the recommended quilting sites.
I’ve never made a mini quilt, but this book has me wanting to make lots of them and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
Thanks for always providing sewing inspiration, Kirsty.
I love making mini quilts. Your block looks great!
Haven’t done any mini’s for awhile. I have been concentrating on some UFO’s bedquilts for family members. Love the colors
Hi Kirsty
Love the fabric choices you made here. Looking forward to seeing what you creat with these little blocks.
I prefer pouches for “small” works, however mini quilts allow for more complex design choices.
Jen
Love your little geese and of course pats fabric, I do sew mini quilts , I have quite a few made but I still have to quilt them, which is my goal after christmas, and I love making pin cushions also, its a great way to use up all my scraps!
I love your blocks, especially the fussy cut parts! I also am a huge fan of mini quilts.
I love your blocks and fabric choices.
I am Joette from Montana U.S.A.! I also LOVE Mini quilts. Have you heard of Mini Mosaics ? Great technique. I am so glad that you contacted me thru my email again. I am going to check the other blog sites also. Thank you for your vacation pictures. I like to travel via the internet. I am looking forward to getting future emails! Thank u again.
Love your blocks and the margarita comment is so funny! I am into making baby quilts and pincushions right now for faster finishes.
I have made several small quilts for IG swaps, primarily paper pieced. I also am into making pincushions for myself!
I like what you’ve done with the configurations – it was hard to choose just one though – I like maybe the 4th one? or the third? or maybe the second? I don’t like #1.
I think my favorite arrangement is #4. The offset feel of it is appealing to me. Beautiful fabric, Kirsty. The complete unveiling of Alyce’s blog hop cannot come soon enough.
I love your color choices. The blue is perfect for contrast. I’m more of the throw size quilt maker, though I also make a lot of large t-shirt quilts. Love your patterns and blogs.
Those little quilts are so adorable! Practicing on little squares has really improved my sewing skills.
What a fun lil’ mini!! I choose layout #2 as well…your idea is so cute!! I have only made a couple mini’s..but they are definitely fun!! Thanks for sharing yours :)
I haven’t done anything mini for a long time, but I enjoyed looking at yours!
What a fun book! Love the blocks and that they are quickly doable projects! Love your fabric color selection and your tips and tutorials on your site are awesome. Thank you!
I’ve not tried fussy cutting. You did a great job. I love the second also.
Thanks for ideas.
I’ve not made a mini quilt and just love your colorful blocks. I like the third layout too!
Mini quilts are my favorites!
I love your block! Never made a mini quilt but am very interested in giving it a try!
I always love your blogs. The flying geese are fab and your choice of colours spot on. You have used my favourite colour, yellow, and as it’s my Birthday today I am believing you chose it specially for me ????. I will definitely try this one.
I always love your blogs. The flying geese are great and the colour choice fab. You have used my favourite colour and as it’s my Birthday today I am believing you chose it specially for me ????. Definitely going to try this one.
I really enjoy your email updates.
Bonjour Kristy, j’apprendras le français. J’adore tu petits blocs de couettes. Back to anglaise, I mean English…that said, I hope I got it right (the French, that is). I think my favorite is the coming and going one (last one), although the mom’s talking while the kids all look away is a classic scene anywhere Mom’s and kids are gathered.
I enjoy your work, thanks for sharing it.
Hi First off I love the fabric choices along with the pictures on how you chose. I’m torn between the second and fourth sample, what a difference the direction of the block makes. I look forward to your emails as your quilts always inspire me.
Happy Holidays !
Love this block! Beautiful color combination!
I love making pincushions and sachets. I have a large lavender harvest every year so I always add it to the pin cushions too!
I’m a big fan of mini quilt! The smaller the better! In also a big fan of bloc-loc rulers!
love minis. they’re nice and quick to do when time is scarce. like your 4th block
I have not made any minis, but want to make some placemats soon. Thank you for the inspiration
I also love minis! Pincushions, needle books, mug rugs, small wool appliqué projects; it’s fun to make a quick-finish in between larger quilt projects.
Love this! Not much for making flying geese… I can’t explain it, but they’re not my favorite! I love how you fussy cut those triangles tho!!!
Love the block. I’m new to quilting so I like getting new ideas and seeing what others are creating. I love the last picture (two going up and two going down).
Great block and perfect fabric choice too.
All the sewing ..wow…and I just saved your blog lists of great helps I need! Thanks for your inspiration!
I me mini quilts and mini blocks this book Looks great!! Love your block too, I’m looking forward to trying one!
Hello Kirsten, I am giggling like a school girl over that second block too! Those mama geese are really engaged in a serious conversation! Perhaps they had a fall out in n the third with theirs backs turned as they are:)
Thank you for a fabulous tutorial. Never have I thought of using my Flying Geese rulers as you did, great tip. Oh yes I love making mini’s that tell a story or just to make me smile. Thank you !
My favorite color is orange, corals and that mustard color is catching my eye too .
Kirsty…sorry, auto correct did that!! I can spell believe it or not ????
I enjoy making mini quilts because it challenges me to machine quilt. Anything bigger than a 40×40 I will pay to have quilted because I don’t like trying to wrangle it around the machine but minis always force me to try different quilting techniques. What a fun block! My fave design is the 4th pic. Really makes your eyes travel across the block. I can imagine a whole quilt made that way.
Hi Kirsty
I haven’t sewn any mini quilts but after flicking through Alyce’s fabulous book this week I am so inspired to start! I’m loving the blog hop so far too and getting some great ideas of what to turn my blocks into!! I love the yellow and blue combo you’ve used ????
What a lovely book! I love miniquilts though I hardly ever make one (bedsizes me). You used beautiful fabrics for your margarita sipping geese hahaha ???? ????
Now I’ have to ga a look at the otherblogsvto see what they made! Till next time ????