I'm afraid that this comment may sound snotty, and if it does, please blame it on the day from hell I'm having here at work. I don't mean it to sound snotty.

But you say you can do these mini-quilts and not have a lot of quilts hanging around....but aren't full size (or crib-sized, at least) quilts a lot more useful? What are you going to do with a bunch of picture sized quilts? They could be doll-bed quilts I suppose for your little girl, but I'd rather have useable, larger quilts. Of course, they take longer.

I love the fabrics for the quilt for your great-aunt. Can't say I've been feeling the love for the tape-measure fabric.

Okay, now that I've unintentionally offended, I'm off to curse at this %^#$*&) table in Word that my co-worker is having me "rearrange a little."

Ouch, I read your post and love your use of color, but Sarah's comment was kind of harsh. I have no idea what you plan to do with your mini quilts but can easily see a number of uses - place mats, wall hangings, and table runner to name a few. On top of that, you can take many of your mini quilts and do some decorative attaching to make a larger piece, but then again, to each her own.

I am still surprised to see knitters now trying out the quilting which is by far my favorite crafting sport.

I love that from far away the ruler quilt looks like it is just stripey, but then up close it is so fun with the rulers.

mini-quilts = knitting swatches, except they are a little bigger and can be used as arrangeable art. My friend sewed fabric loops on hers and called them wall quilts. Any number of uses for smaller quilts, including learning the technique to use for larger quilts when you find the quilt technique you love the best! :)

I don't quilt - just know people that do!

The quilts are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with us.

I was a quilter long before I became a knitter (funny, it still seems a little strange to call myself a knitter). Mini-quilts can hang on walls like painting, sit on top of dressers, end tables, coffee tables, table runners, doll quilts, and little quilts for kids to use or play with. If you don't put a back on them you can make them into decorative pillow cases for a bed or for pillows on a couch.

I think you're wise to make many smaller quilts. Too many big quilts is just overwhelming in terms of sewing and finishing them. And they're great when you want to make a really difficult pattern because you can do it and get the urge to make it resolved on something small rather than making yourself crazy or having an UFO.

Reading your blog these days is like listening to my mom and grandmother talk. ::fond:: They both quilt, and my family all sleep under handmade quilts. No store-bought comforters for us! In fact, I heard a rumor I was getting a new quilt for Christmas, eeeeee!

Trust me, if you make big quilts, you will never be over-run. There will always be people (*cough*kids*cough*)willing to take a handmade bed quilt off your hands! My mom has been quilting for about 15 years now, and we siblings *still* squabble over our places in the Quilt Line.

Not to say that wall quilts don't have their place - they make the house seem homey. But allow me to suggest lap quilts as a nice middle ground: you can snuggle underneath them but they're not quite the investment of an entire queen-sized bed quilt.

Your work is adorable! It looks like you're having such fun. :)

gorgeous work...
luv Abby

gorgeous work...
luv Abby

wow. rude comment.
your work is beautiful-- keep making what calls to you! mini- quilts are great practice and make lovely gifts. i don't think i could ever part with a full-sized one.
i also like how the ruler fabric looks stripey from a far. one reason i really love blogs is to see how others use fabrics, see combos, and different scales (so hard to gauge when purchasing online).

Please slow down. I have to have a nap just trying to keep up with you! Could you bottle that energy and craftyness?
Keep up the beautiful work.

I personally love the rulers but Alison's not making it for me (dagnabit) !

I had a feeling when you started quilting, Alison, that you'd be hooked. I thought you said you couldn't sew.

Your children have a rich environment will all that fabric, yarn and colours.

What's next? What haven't you tried yet?

Your mini quit is goregous I love the colors you used in it you are very talented great job

Looks like you're having a lot of fun--and what perfect weather for it!

Wow, provoked to comment by the idea that someone else should tell us what we should make.

I can't sew, but every now and then I toy with the idea of quilting, and I know I would start with small quilts to get the hang of it. Heck, if I d.o ever pick up needle and thread, the wisest thing for me would be to play with four patches--b/c that's about all I'm willing to wash and iron ;). But that's just me.

I love your eye for color, Alison, and I am jealous because sewing is not for me (at least ironing isn't, which seems to be a substantial part of the sewing process) and there are things you can do with color and fabric that you can't do with color and knitting. So I will just drool instead.

Thanks to everyone for all your thoughts about quilts and how to use them in the home. It's such a help and a joy to hear from others who also love the craft!

I know that rulers fabric isn't for everyone, but man I just get a kick out of it. Sarah, I bet you'd like the backing. I'll have to post a picture of it when it's all done.

Emily, I used to say that I would never really get into sewing because I hated ironing. Let me tell you, something about the process of quilting, where you see how well-pressed seams make everything fit together so perfectly has TOTALLY, T O T A L L Y, changed my mind on that! I know, I can hardly believe it myself, but I can't wait to get out the iron and press everything and see how beautifully it came out.

I don't have much time to read all the comments, so maybe someone's said this already...

I *love* picture-sized quilts. The right one can really compliment the display of something else - say, a fiddle or a mandolin (or probably any number of other similar things). My favorite music store displays some of their instruments that way.

I think those quilts are pretty sweet! Good work!

I love love LOVE that little quilt! Sometimes it's nice not to take on gargantuan projects, isn't it?

Dear Alison, I've been reading your blog for months now and have enjoyed reading everything and seeing everything you do and I say life's too short to be making anything that does not please us in whatever medium we choose. Since when have there been quilting police??? You go girl with the miniquilts!! Keep 'em comin'!!! I've got your back!!!

Love that quilt kit. My mom just sent me a bunch of retro 50s tropical prints from a sample book at the design store she works at. I am almost afraid to look too closely at them, because I'll want to start yet another project right away!

A crib-size quilt makes a great lap quilt and vice versa. 2x2 ft quilts - sew two together and make a bag!