Newel Mini Quilt Pattern
All About the Newel Mini Quilt Pattern
Newel, the newest addition to the Quilt Rune mini quilt pattern collection is out now and I’m so excited to share it with you. This mini quilt represents honesty and the pattern includes a short mindfulness prompt to help you think about honesty in your life.
My own desire to know myself better, combined with the practice of making, inspired me to create the Quilt Rune series. Each mini quilt represents a different aspect of life to meditate on during the creative process.
Newel, the ninth pattern in the series, is named after the the central supporting pillar of a spiral or winding staircase. When complete, the Quilt Rune series will feature roughly twenty mini quilt patterns, each with its own unique design and prompt.
Why Mini Quilts?
Mini quilts are a fun and versatile project to work on for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are usually smaller in size, which means that they require less fabric and are quicker to make than larger quilts. You can easily finish a mini quilt project in a weekend.
They also offer a great opportunity to hone your quilting skills and try out new techniques in a manageable way. Mini quilts can be used as a canvas to experiment with different patterns, colors, and fabrics without worrying too much about making mistakes.
Perhaps most importantly to me is that the mini quilts of the Quilt Rune series can be mixed and matched together to make unique, personalized throw (and larger!) sized quilts. If this is interesting to you, check out the Center Spell Throw Quilt blog post and the Quilt Rune collection pattern extensions in the shop.
Dream it
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Make it
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Dream it 〰️ Make it 〰️
Dream it
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Make it
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Dream it 〰️ Make it 〰️
The Design
As with all the patterns from the Quilt Rune collection, this mini quilt was inspired by a Nordic Rune.
Newel’s design was inspired by the rune Fehu, which represents resources and abundance. When thinking about this rune through a lens of healing it represents honesty.
The shape of Fehu was used as a jumping-off point to create something more visually dynamic. You’ll notice that structurally, the shape of the Fehu rune and the shapes in the mini quilt design are very different, but the general gesture of the rune is hidden underneath.
One of my favorite parts of this design is the half circle. Though it may seem daunting to some sewists, believe me, once you give it a try, you’ll find it’s easier to construct than you thought.
I like to use a clear, washable glue stick to baste the pieces together before sewing, making it a breeze to ease through the machine. This video tutorial by Donna of XOXSEW will boost your confidence if you’re still unsure.
Materials for the Mini Quilt
If you’re looking for a project that's quick, easy, and helps to use up those fabric scraps, this mini quilt is perfect. With just half a yard of background fabric and an eighth of a yard (or less) for the remaining pieces, you can create a beautiful quilt in no time.
The finished product measures approximately 15 by 24 inches, and is perfect for using up leftover batting as well.
For my version of this mini quilt, I used a design from my Dreaming fabric collection for the background. It's called Lunar Lights in Leaf, and is available in quilting cotton, organic quilting cotton, Kona cotton, and over ten other substrates. You can find it, and the rest of the Dreaming fabric collection at Hawthorne Supply Co.
The remaining fabrics I used were Kona solids: Doeskin, Roasted Pecan, Lapis, and Peach. I also used Lapis for the backing, binding, and corner pockets (for hanging).
If you're interested in hand-quilting, I used DMC's Pearl Cotton in size 8, color 319. It's my go-to thread size and always yields beautiful results.
If you're new to hand quilting, check out my free course, The Art of Hand Quilting, which covers the basics like marking and tying knots to help you get started.
Don't forget to check out my tutorial on How to Finish a Wall Hanging, which will show you how to easily add corner pockets and hang your mini quilt for display.
Make Your Own Newel Mini Quilt
Newel is not just a mini quilt pattern, but a tool for self-reflection and mindfulness. Through its design, inspired by the Nordic rune Fehu, it encourages us to think about honesty in our lives.
All Quilt Rune mini quilts, like Newel, offer a unique opportunity for creative expression, skill-building, and the possibility to mix and match for larger projects. If you’d like to make a larger quilt with your Quilt Runes, check out the pattern extensions Simple Spell and Center Spell or the How To Make A Center Spell Throw Quilt blog post.
Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting out, I hope you'll give Newel a try and that you enjoy making it. If you enjoyed this post, or know some one who might, please consider sharing it with a friend.
Wishing you abundance in creativity and flow!
