My husband repainted almost the entire inside of our house recently. We’ve always had pretty bold colors, but we decided to go all white. I was a little worried I’d find it boring, but I actually love it. When you put something against a colorful wall it kind of blends in, but on a white wall it really stands out. Not to mention the rooms are SO much brighter!
As I was putting things back in place, I realized I didn’t have a Valentine quilt to hang on my little stand. Since mini quilts, to include mug mats, are my favorite thing to make, I took advantage of the opportunity to do something about it.
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To make this Love Note Mini Quilt you’ll need:
cotton fabric in 2 - 3 colors and/or prints, one of those white for the envelope
thin cotton or wool batting
button (any size - it’s purely decorative)
Cut the following:
4 1/2 x 4 1/2” - 2
3 1/2 x 4 1/2” - 2
pink
4 1/2 x 4 1/2” - 4
white (envelope)
4 1/2 x 6 1/2” - 1 (inside)
6 1/2 x 8” - 1 (pocket)
5 x 5” - 1 (flap)
backing (your choice of fabric, I used the print)
12 1/2 x 12 1/2” - 1
batting
12 1/2 x 12 1/2” - 1
binding (again, your choice, I used the white)
2 1/2 x 60” - 1
Stitch one pink 4 1/2” square, one print, and a second pink together to create the top horizontal row.
Repeat the same for the bottom row.
Fold the white 6 1/2 x 8” in half with wrong sides together and 6 1/2” edges touching. Press the fold. Place it on the right side of the white 4 1/2 x 6 1/2” piece with the edges even at the bottom. The fold should be 1/2” from the top.
Pin one print 3 1/2 x 4 1/2” to the right hand edge with right sides together. Stitch through all layers 1/4” from the edge.
Fold the print piece out and press the seam. Repeat with the remaining 3 1/2 x 4 1/2” print on the left.
Sew the top and middle rows together.
Add the bottom row. That should close up the edges of the center pocket (except the top, of course).
Fold the 5 x 5” white square diagonally with right sides together. Stitch 1/4” from the raw edges, leaving about 1 1/2” open on one straight side for turning.
Clip the corners. Turn right side out through the opening. Press, turning in the opening. Hand stitch the opening closed or topstitch close to the two shorter edges. I added topstitching near the sides and bottom of the pocket to match.
Lay the flap over the pocket so it’s centered and the upper edge is against the seam. Stitch very close to the top edge of the flap. Make sure you have it high enough so you don’t stitch the pocket closed.
Layer the backing with right side down, the batting, and the top with the right side up. Pin and quilt as desired. I just went with a simple X pattern. Again, remember not to quilt your pocket closed.
Fold the binding in half with wrong sides together and press. Bind the quilt using your favorite method. Krista Moser shows how I sew my ends together (I use the alternate steps near the bottom, and how I miter the corners.
Sew the button onto the envelope flap and you’re done!
This is perfect for my stand (I sewed a couple of ties to the back), and it looks great against my white wall, but I think it would be equally cute as a pillow.
Don’t forget to tell everyone else in the house that they’re welcome to leave you a love note inside!