Palatina Mini Quilt {Blogger Quilt Festival}

I am so excited the Blogger Quilt Festival is here again! It is my favorite!!

Last week I finished up this Palatina mini for my partner in the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Swap. You can find a tutorial for this project at There's a Thread. I changed things up just a bit. I did hand applique rather than machine, and trimmed the edges closer to the the pluses, leaving a 1/2" border around the edge.

This project was so much fun! I selected all black and white/cream prints for the background and a rainbow spectrum for the pluses.
I used the starch basting method for the pluses, and then hand appliqued them in place. Prepping the pieces took some time, but it is worth it. The pieces held their shape perfectly, and appliqueing them into place was so simple.

 

I decided to continue with hand work, and hand quilted the mini quilt. I wanted it to have A LOT of texture, and I think I succeeded. =) I did a running stitch following the design of most of the background fabrics. I think this is called seed stitching (google was only half helpful).

I left the pluses unquilted and love how they pop.

The mini quilt finished at 17" square. I used Hobbs 80/20 Batting. It's already at it's new home, and I am currently working on a second which will be turned into a pillow for another friend.