A Mini Link

The ScrapTherapy Mini Scrap Grid was developed to make "99 Bottles," the cover quilt from ScrapTherapy, Scraps Plus One! With all those tiny 9-patches in the quilt (492, to be exact), it seems appropriate to have an easier, more stable way to assemble them. Perhaps you're already familiar with the ScrapTherapy Small Scrap Grid or regular watercolor grid. It's printed, fusible interfacing!

Fuse small pieces of fabric to the interfacing, following the printed grid for fabric placement, then fold on the lines and sew the seam allowances. The interfacing stabilizes the small scraps so the sewing is easier and more efficient.

The Mini Scrap Grid is too wonderful to be reserved only for 99 Bottles! A new pattern, the ScrapTherapy Mini Mug Mat (pictured below) is now in stock and ready for you to make! And more patterns featuring the Mini Scrap Grid are in the works. Since the 9-patch is so versatile, the possibilities are endless and the interfacing isn't just restricted to ScrapTherapy projects! So much fun! And so much fun to use!

Although it looks a lot like regular watercolor grid interfacing, the Mini Scrap Grid is a specific tool with a specific job--to make 9-patch blocks that finish to 1-1/2” square. 9-patches, that’s it. Nothing else!

The interfacing, which is printed by Quiltsmart, comes by the panel. Each panel has enough interfacing to make 54 miniature 9-patches. The bigger the project, the more panels you need, of course! Instructions are printed right on the interfacing panel, but I took things a step further and created a tutorial that lives on the website--under the tab "Freebies and Fun Stuff"--this is definitely "Fun Stuff!"

Jump over to the website to read more, or here are some highlights:

Arrange the scraps. As you place the scrap squares, don't look at the interfacing section as one big 9 by 9 postage stamp block. Look at each little mini 9-patch section as a block by itself. You might have similar fabrics next to each other from 9-patch to 9-patch, but that's okay since they'll be cut apart before they're sewn into the project. Fuse with a medium-hot dry iron with a lift-and-press motion.

Fold on the first dotted line and secure the fold with pins. Then sew on the solid line.

Keep folding, pinning, and sewing until all horizontal seams are sewn.

Clip the seams at the cross hairs.

Rotate the piece 90˚ and fold again on the first dotted line, perpendicular to the existing seams. Oppose the seams. Secure with pins, and sew.

Once all the seams are sewn, cut on the dot-dash lines with a rotary cutter or with scissors. . .

. . . Press each individual 9-patch and trim.

Now, sew the 9-patch into your project(s)!

Happy Stitching!
joan