I thought I'd share some tips on working with teeny tiny pieces with you. The block above is the October pumpkin block I made for the Calendar Quilt I have been working on. The pumpkin block is by Lori Holt from one of her Farm Girl Vintage books. And it has a gazillion itty bitty pieces.
I mean, seriously? If I had truly comprehended the number of tiny pieces required for this six-inch block I might have picked out something a bit more simple. You all know the size of an Alphabitty square, right? One inch square. Some of these fabric pieces measure 3/4 of an inch. Wow, that's teeny tiny.
When sewing pieces of fabric that are super tiny, my first recommendation is that you pre-starch the fabric. This makes it stiff and easier to work with, and also prevents any annoying fraying.
My second suggestion is to use glue instead of pins.
Any type of fabric glue will work. I think what I have here is Seam Align Fabric Glue. I just use a tiny drop in the corner of the piece. Do not go crazy squeezing big blobs of glue, you will regret it.
Position the pieces to be stitched very carefully, making sure everything is straight. Stitch on the stitching line and trim off the excess 1/4" or so from the stitching line. If you didn't use too much glue, the little dot of glue you dabbed on will probably all be cut off.
If you had tried to use a pin there instead of glue, it would have distorted things and you would not get as accurate and neat results.
Here is my finished vine unit compared to the size of a pencil.
I won't lie, this wasn't easy to get just right. It could definitely be improved upon, but I am not going to redo it! A man going by on a bus wouldn't notice, as Grandma Higgins used to say.
I think it looks ok in the finished block.
Do you avoid tiny pieces? I enjoy the challenge for the most part, but it isn't my favorite kind of piecing!
15 Responses
Oh my goodness! Those itty bitty pieces are amazing! And so are you for tackling such a project! 👏 At my age I can’t do such small things but love seeing the intricacy of them – it reminds me of the postage stamp quilts – WOW! Pressing on in your endeavors – it will be amazing when you’re done! Kudos to you 😁
You have the patience of a saint with those little bits. My quilty group ladies thought I was bonkers using my 1.5 inch squares, but those tiny bits . . . well truly amazing. Especially when you see the finish with the little tendril!
Thank you so much for sharing! I think your eyesight is doing well if you can do such intricate work. I would have to have found a paper pieces pattern to do that with such precision. Just awesome. She is one very lucky young lady.
Wow – that’s fantastic! Thanks for the info on using glue. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for future projects. I recently completed a queen-size quilt made up entirely of 1 1/2-inch squares and strips with lots of stitch and flip required. Never again! It’s beautiful, but so time consuming (Lella Boutique’s Bloomers quilt).
I don’t know whether I would have thought to use glue, so thanks for that tip! Pinning would have been impossible! Do you have your binding made & ready to attach as soon as the quilt returns?
yikes! very tiny! have you seen the sew-along @reproquilter is hosting on IG? little tiny economy blocks.
enjoy the sunshine! oh, wait. you’re in re-carpeting hell. ugh. I hate having work done in the house. so disruptive and stressful. may the force be with you!
Your block looks great! I love the comment from Grandma HIggins! She gives it the correct perspective!!!!
You have often mentioned how much the starching of your fabric helps you out in your accuracy. Those are some truly miniscule pieces! The end result is fantastic.
Recently my hubby and I have been putting together fun Lego sets with our daughter and her fiance, and I struggle with those tiny pieces that are just one Lego square big.
I’m working on “Dear Jane” through Duckadilly Fabrics. It’s a BOM that is English Paper Pieced. Phew-I wasn’t ready for the minuscule sized pieces. It is really giving my thumbs a run for their money:/ Your blocks look so great, and so fun!
Good Lord– that vine– thank you for the glue tip, I think I have a little bottle of that lying around from a Sew Sampler Box. I’m dying to make a Lori Holt Vintage Christmas quilt– but it will have to be the 12″ size for me! Can’t wait to see this finish– xox.
Thanks for the tips! Your block looks gorgeous and Eva is going to love this quilt!
Hope I remember these great tips next time I get to tiny pieces. I have avoided using starch because I didn’t want to deal with the over spray. Someday will you share your starch method? No hurry. Quilt looks great!
I like precision piecing but it takes me a bit to get back in the grove of the tips and tricks that help with tiny piecing. I’ve never tried this glue technique before, next tiny project I work on I will have to try it. Another really cute block! Thanks for sharing your tips!
I love tiny pieces! This does look a pickle though.
But so worth the extra effort!! Amazing and beautiful work, Nicole!! I assume that you are busy putting all of your boxes away after getting your new carpets?? Have a great weekend.