Mini-quilt mania is upon is! In our last post we shared six tips from Moda All-Stars: Mini Marvels for making mini-quilts. But one question we often get asked is: once you have a stack of mini-quilts, how do you display them?
Answer: make a mini-quilt gallery!
We love the mini-quilt gallery idea so much, we started one in our office sewing studio:
Do you like it so far? We’re already working on adding more!
We were inspired to create our gallery by a special section in Moda All-Stars: Mini Marvels that offers wall-layout ideas for small quilts. If you’re not sure how to display quilts on a wall—particularly mini quilts—perhaps this layout from the book will inspire you!
Arrangements tend to work best when you group elements in odd numbers—as a rule, odd numbers of objects are more visually pleasing. Even with different-sized quilts, you can create continuity by keeping the vertical and horizontal spaces between quilts equal.
We mocked up a mini-quilt gallery using the template above and the quilts in Moda All-Stars: Mini Marvels:
Simply adapt the groupings in the template above for the mix of minis you make. Family and friends will marvel at your collection!
There are three more fun layouts in the book, including how to hang a trio of mini quilts, how to mix other elements (like photos or art) with your quilts, and even how to lay out a mini-quilt gallery on a wall next to a staircase. So many options!
Now all you need are a few mini-quilts to make, and you’ll find lots in Moda All-Stars: Mini Marvels—take your pick!
Ready for more mini-quilt tips? Check out this post and this video about Moda All-Stars Mini Marvels. Add a *little* more fun to your quilting life!
How many mini-quilts have you made?
- None yet . . . but you’ve got me thinking.
- Definitely enough for a mini-quilt gallery!
- So many, I could wallpaper my house with mini-quilts.
Tell us in the comments!
After nearly 35 years of sewing garments and home dec items, I discovered quilts in the early ’90’s. I started small with lessons at my LQS: a set of four pineapple block placemats quilt as you go, followed by a pretty hand appliqued and hand quilted wall hanging and matching pillow. I VOWED "nothing bigger!" My next quilt was a double bed quilt for my parents, also hand quilted, in glorious Jinny Beyer prints (a few pieces still my stash). That quilt is now on my bed. I was HOOKED!!
At the same time I became hooked on large, I was also bitten by the mini bug. I loved the challenge of precisely piecing teeny pieces. I also could take the time of making a large quilt, but create a mini just as intricate but get it finished in a few days (also hand quilted) instead of weeks or months.
At that time, there was a wonderful magazine available, "Miniature Quilts," to which I subscribed. I couldn’t wait for it to arrive and usually made almost every quilt in each issue (except applique). It was a great learning experience and I became both adept at and very particular about accurate piecing. Today, I will, occasionally, make a mini-quilt; usually, as a large "block" incorporated into a larger piece. As quilters, we evolve and move on, taking each learning experience with us and wrapping it into a signature style.
Love your story of evolving as a quilter, Marlene – and we remember that wonderful magazine! Thank you for sharing this! –Jenny
—Marlene Clausen on April 7, 2017I’ve made a few for a mini quilt rack. Now seeing collections hung together I am inspired to make more and a larger variety. Thank you Jan
—Jan on April 7, 2017I have loved making small quilts for years. I favor them over large quilts. I have sold a number of them at my favorite quilt store. Others I arrange on my sewing room walls. Many are stored under the bed. I have one small spot in the dining room where I hang a small seasonal quilt, changing them to the appropriate time of year. To me, they are my little works of art.
—Sue Smith on April 7, 2017How are they hung? with pins, tape? I have a few that I made and from exchanges.
—pansy girl, on April 7, 2017Hi Pansy Girl, here’s a post you can check out about quilt-hanging methods. Hope this helps! –Jenny
I have made a few. One was a Christmas tree decorated with little charms, made for my mom. I have it back now as she is gone. The mini quilt wall post has given me an idea for my quilting room wall! Exciting!
—Terry on April 7, 2017I have been sewing some miniature quilts for about three years now as a way to dig into my charm packs. I could do a display wall but that it where my family photos are. I use them on shelves and tables and rotate them as the seasons change.
—Mary Smith on April 7, 2017I have never made a mini-quilt although friends have and I love them all. The size of the pieces kinda worries me.
—Nancy Eriksen on April 7, 2017Oh enough to have a display in my sewing nook…what a great book idea….
—Lori M. on April 7, 2017I have made 5 in my 6 year quilting experience. 4 were in a shop for 2 years and didn’t sell.. don’t know what I did wrong. Another was in an exhibit which also held a Silent Auction and had many bids.. Go figure!
—Marta on April 7, 2017I plan to go mini after I finish the 4 lap quilts I have in progress for family. The Mini Marvels book looks interesting.
Definitely enough for a mini quilt gallery. I love them. My home is small and they suit my home better than big quilts everywhere.
—Linda Bullard on April 7, 2017Ninguna todavia… pero tienes que me hizo pensar. Es preciosa la galería de mini-edredones y los mini-edredones son muy bonitos. Debe ser un libro precioso. Saludos.
Translation: None yet … but you have made me think. It’s lovely the mini-quilts gallery and the mini-quilts are very nice. Must be a beautiful book. Greetings.
—Margarita on April 7, 2017I love, love, love making mini quilts. Like Marlene Clausen, I started making them in the early 90’s and was a huge fan of the "Miniature Quilts" magazine. I now design a good portion of the mini quilts I make. I hang them every where in my house, even mixing them with paintings my sister painted for me. I just think they are so much more fun to make than big quilts.
—Jill of Apple Avenue Quilts on April 7, 2017I love miniature quilts. I have no idea how many I have made, I have given some and have some hanging, others are stored. I plan to make lots more so this book should be handy.
—Glenna D on April 7, 2017I haven’t made any mini quilts….yet. They are definitely in my future. They look so much fun and cute!
—Kathie on April 7, 2017Not exactly sure but around a dozen, with more in the making!
—Renee Welton on April 7, 2017I could easily do a wall in my mini quilts! Lots of colors and styles.
—Tamara Williams on April 7, 2017I have made a few mini quilts but have really wanted to start making more. I love this book.
—Renea Yarolim on April 7, 2017None yet but you have made me think…Just today I visited a store closing. Of course I hoped to buy it all. I actually found fabrics which I think will make a few small quilts. Thanks for the reminder, I would love to have the new book also.
—Althea Klosterman on April 7, 2017What is the best way to hang a mini quilt? I’ve never made one to hang but I wold like to.
—Kathy R. on April 8, 2017Hi Kathy, here’s a post you can check out about quilt-hanging methods. Hope this helps! –Jenny
Only a couple, but many wallhanging size. Those I display on my front door and change them with the seasons, or as the spirit moves me.
—Linda Towers on April 8, 2017I have made about 6 mini quilts so far. Several have been mini-paper pieced quilts about 12″ finished. I love the perfection of the tiny quilt blocks that can made by paper piecing.
—Lillian K on April 8, 2017I am always looking for ways to display – your idea of the gallery is terrific.
None yet..but you have me thinking of all the places in my house I could display them.
—Pearl on April 8, 2017I make a 12″ square quilt each week and hang one on my refrigerator for a week. I have magnets on the fridge and put a metal rod in a rod pocket on the back of each so they are easy to hang.I try to use new techniques, unusual items (one has layered glue-soaked toilet paper that was pressed into a mold.) I made 52 last year, just finished number 16 for this year. I really enjoy doing them. They are stored in lovely boxes from Joann’s. I photograph each one and make a booklet of them for each year with the title and information about them. I hope to have them hung as a set in a gallery – will mount them on a black sheet to make it easy to hang. Would be nice to have an article featuring them in a magazine.
—Bev M on April 12, 2017I have only made 3 so far. I went and bought the "Moda All Stars Mini Marvels" I am going to try to do a mini after every large bed sized quilt I make.
—Roseanne on April 13, 2017So much to choose from. I love it all
—Karen on April 13, 2017I definitely have enough for a mini-gallery. Most of my mini quilts are for the Christmas holidays. I have several that I have hanging all year long.
—Maclary on April 14, 2017Some small quilts but want to make more.
—Sandra Eddy on April 17, 2017No mini’s but a few full size, I like the warmth around me!
—Lorie McAnelly on April 28, 2017Nice work
—Warner Brown on January 4, 2021