Crossroads Quilt Along · Quilting tips and techniques

Stabilize it!

While we wait for the next pattern for Crossroads, Sondra Davison from Outofthebluequilts is giving measurements to make mini versions of the Crossroads Blocks.

I decided to give it a try, with a few changes to the original block.  Instead of the line down the side of the house matching the background fabric, I made it a darker color of the house, and I took out the main window and added a door.

Here are my fabrics. They are just from my stash, I don’t know the lines or designers.

fabric choices mini

I knew the pieces were going to be tiny so I decided to try a fabric stabilizer I had on hand and see if that would make sewing easier.

sew stable

I mixed it up with some water according to the directions, laid the fabrics on a towel, and sprayed away.

wet fabric

It was fun to play with the pieces in the morning.  They felt like thin pieces of paper.  See?  No flopping!

stiff fabric

I did find it much easier to cut and sew these tiny, tiny pieces with the stabilizer applied.  There was less movement when cutting and sewing and no fraying.

Here’s Momma house and Baby house. Baby house was so cute, I made it a little crocheted frame.

mini house w full

And so you can see how tiny the finished block is, here it is next to a tic tac box.  Finished size of the mini block is 3.75 inches by 3.75 inches.

mini house w tic tac

I can’t wait for the mini diamond block to come out!

lovingly, lissa