Seahorse Beaded Mini Quilt

This is the batik fabric that I found on our last cult road trip. I was pleasantly surprised to find the perfect seahorse bead -- from my stash! I know I bought it to make something for Cait (my daughter who briefly ventured into the realm of breeding seahorses).


I think I am done; I need to just put down my needle and walk away because I keep adding more stitching and more beads. These quilts are so addictive. I will put close up pics on the quilt page as soon as I get the back done. (I am waiting until after I teach this class so they can see the mess.)

I used some yarn as cording around this one. (Anita's suggestion)  No dangling fringe--unless I can't resist and pick up my needle again.

Finishing the Beaded MiniQuilt

When you have finished embroidering and embellishing the front of the quilt, it is time to make the beaded fringe. I made 7 dangles that hang about 1 1/4" apart. Use fireline and be sure to knot each dangle individually before moving to the next. On this one I did a loop that connects each dangle.





Next, it's time to make the back look just as nice. You need to make a label for your quilt. I used wonder under with a light colored solid and ran it through my die cut machine. I stamped using a permanent ink (VersaFine).  I also used colored pencils to add some color. Since it's not going to be washed it doesn't matter if it's not permanent. Iron your label on a piece of felt.


I stitch the felt over the back to cover all the loose stitches. Any stitch is fine (I used a blanketstitch here, but a simple running stitch works too) but just stitch through the backing fabric and felt and not through to the front.



I like using the "Monthly Mini" wire quilt hangers from Ackfeld Wire . To make a casing for hanging the quilt, add a piece of 5/8" wide ribbon across the top of the quilt back. First neatly attach (blind stitch or whip stitch) the top edge. To add space for the wire hanger, use a knitting needle or pencil under the ribbon before stitching the bottom edge of the ribbon. Jump over to the quilting page to see pictures of this quilt finished.

Raiding your stash.

Sorry to be so long getting this next step up; I have been cleaning out closets, organizing, painting and decorating. 

Once you have made your quilt top it's time to play; visit your stash, or go shopping (from the store or your BFFs).


 Lay focal items on your top and take pictures. The camera gives you a better perspective and an easy way to see different options. Walk away. Look at the pictures that you took and make a decision (at least for now).


Now start stitching. I added the embellishments with a beading needle and 6 pound fireline. The embroidery was done with a #20 or 22 chenille needle and DMC perle cotton #8 and YLI Perle Crown Rayon.

Quilt Sandwich

These are the directions from Becky Reynolds on making the quilt base for embellishing with beads.
 1. Use opening of frame to mark placement on the right side of the fabric. My opening is 9x11.5 because I think it fits the wire hanger better. The finished size is about 1/4" smaller because it draws up a bit.


   2. Cut fabric 1/2" past the marked line. It will measure about 10 x 12.5


  3. Cut the batting the same size as the quilt top.


4. Cut the backing 9.5 x 12 and cut about a 3" slit in the center of the backing piece.



5. First lay down the batting; then layer the quilt top (right side up); finally center the backing with right sides together. It will be a bit smaller.

 6. Sew all the way around using a 1/4" seam allowance (measuring from the cut edge of the backing piece). Be sure to use a walking foot (even feed foot).

7. Trim edges to a scant quarter and trim off corners.

8. Turn through the slit and iron flat.  You can hand-sew the opening shut or not. Press quilt sandwich.