Square Dance Mini Tutorial

Hello!  Recently, I shared my first tutorial over at the Moda Bake Shop for a quilt called Square Dance.  I also recently remade that quilt in Christmas fabric, as shown below. 

That quilt uses either a layer cake or 4 charm packs.  I thought it would be fun to make a mini version that uses either one charm pack or 4 mini charm packs!

The mini version can be made with the same 4x4 block layout as the original, which would make a great baby quilt or wall hanging with a finished size of about 34"x 34".  I wanted to use mine as a table topper so I made mine a little smaller with a 3x3 layout and a finished size of about 26"x 26".

To make either version, you will need one charm pack or four mini charm packs.  If your charm pack has a lot of prints that do not contrast well with your background, you may want to add in an additional mini charm pack or use scraps.  My charm pack did have a lot of cream prints, but since I made mine smaller, I still had enough red and green from just one charm pack.

In addition to your precuts, you will need:

- 1/2 yard of background for the smaller version or 3/4 yard for the larger version
- 1/4 yard or 1 fat quarter for binding for the smaller version or 1/3 yard for the larger version
- 1 yard for backing for the smaller version or 1-1/4 yards for the larger version

Once you have your supplies, let's get started!

Smaller version:

- if using a charm pack, choose at least 19 charms and cut each into four 2-1/2" squares
- from the background fabric, cut:

• 1 strip, 2-1/2" wide; subcut into 2-12" squares until you have 16 squares
• 2 strips, 2-1/2" wide; subcut into 2-1/2"x 6-1/2" rectangles until you have 8 rectangles.  Also cut one additional 2-1/2" square.
• 1 strip, 9-3/4" wide; subcut into two 9-3/4" squares. Cut each square twice on the diagonal.  Cut the leftover fabric into two 5-1/8" squares and cut each square once on the diagonal.

- from the binding fabric, cut 3 strips 2-1/2" wide if using yardage.  If using a fat quarter, cut 6 strips 2-1/2" wide by the length of the fat quarter (should be at least 20-21 inches)

Larger version:

- if using a charm pack, choose at least 35 charms and cut each into four 2-1/2" squares
- from the background fabric, cut:

• 3 strips, 2-1/2" wide; subcut into 2-1/2" squares until you have 34 squares
• 3 strips, 2-1/2" wide; subcut into 2-1/2"x 6-1/2" rectangles until you have 18 rectangles
• 1 strip, 1 strip, 9-3/4" wide; subcut into three 9-3/4" squares. Cut each square twice on the diagonal.  Cut the leftover fabric into two 5-1/8" squares and cut each square once on the diagonal.

- from the binding fabric, cut 4 strips 2-1/2" wide

The assembly instructions are the same for both versions.  The only difference is the number of blocks to make.


Making block A:

Choose eight 2-1/2" print squares in a variety of prints and colors.  Arrange these squares and one 2-1/2" background square as shown below with the background square in the center.  Sew the squares in three rows of three, pressing in the direction shown.  Sew the three rows together, pressing towards the middle row.  Make 9 blocks for the smaller version and 16 blocks for the larger version.

Making block B:

Choose one 2-1/2" print square.  Sew a 2-1/2" background square on two opposite sides.  Press towards the print. 

Sew a 2-1/2”x 6-1/2” background rectangle to the remaining two sides of the block.  Press towards the background strips.  Make 4 blocks for the smaller version and 9 blocks for the larger version.

Assembling the quilt top:

This quilt is set on point.  Lay out your blocks as shown below, alternating between Block A and Block B. Assemble the quilt top in diagonal rows, using the diagram as a guide.  If you pressed according to the directions above, all intersecting seams should nest.

Your finished mini should measure either 26" or 34" square.

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you make a Square Dance Mini, I would love to see it!  Tag me on Instagram or use the hashtag "squaredanceminiquilt