Mini Mania QAL :: Hula Hoop

This is a Mini Mania Quilt Along post, see the main page here!

I was extra excited about this {last?!} month’s Mini Mania quilt because I have been planning for a while to make it into a pillow! Then I fell in love with Coral Queen of the Sea fabric, and knew the two belonged together. While cutting the templates went just fine, I was not feeling comfortable with the construction method from the book, where we were to sew the blades together, then sew right sides together to a piece of muslin and turn. If I had had some light interfacing on hand, I would have continued, as I have had success with that method and light interfacing before. But, since I did not, instead I stay stitched around the entire Dresden:

Then I used my glue pen to glue all the edges down. Chrissy used a special circle template for hers, and their much neater, you’ll have to visit her post to check it out.

Then I layered my Dresden on batting and some white backing, and quilted it in circles. I just raw edge appliqued my circle, because I like that look.

I made my backing with a zipper, much like this tutorial. I generally install an invisible zipper like this, but my machine with the invisible zipper foot is out of commission for a while, and with how easy this other method is, I may just stick with it. Whichever zipper you prefer, it adds a professional touch.

And here’s my pillow all stuffed and cute:All of my pillow forms were kind of flat, so I was able to put a 20″ pillow inside this cover. I am so happy with the way it turned out. I think it will be a great touch to my girls big bed when we get settled into our new home.

If you’d like to make a mini just like this, you can find kits at Sew Lux. And take a minute to check out Chrissy’s mini too, the fussy cutting is amazing! And, as always, you can just sew along with us using your stash too, it’s never too late to join and make one of the old quilts (kits are still available) or see what’s coming next. If you do, we’d love for you to share on social media with the tag #minimaniaqal