As we introduce the new STURBRIDGE VILLAGE MINIATURES collection by Judie Rothermel and the Old Sturbridge Village, we asked Judie to share some of her
insights on this popular category, which has become her hallmark.
She recollects, 'When I began collecting antique quilts and blocks in the 1970's, I realized that those pieces I loved most were done with smaller block sizes. At the time, everyone was making 12", 14" and
16" blocks, and these were the readily available patterns at the time. However, in our shoppe, where I did all of the teaching, I kept thinking about the smaller blocks in my antique quilts, and began drafting down the
current patterns to 4" and 5" blocks. I absolutely loved piecing the smaller blocks, and they just seemed more appealing and magical to me."
Judie made her first miniature quilts in the early 1980's, deciding at that time that she would make full size quilts with only the miniature blocks! "Not just little wall hangings, but full size quilts!
From that point on, I never made a block larger than 8" square, and even those were rare," she remembers.
Judie's love for miniatures is continually reflected in her many books, and in articles that feature her work. She notes that the miniature category evolved as her forte, and she became known as the creator of the
"Miniature Movement", long before the Dear Jane phenomenon began. Her work in miniatures also includes appliqué as well as pieced quilts.
As a fabric designer for Marcus, Judie has always wanted to do a line of miniature prints, and she's thrilled to share the fun of miniatures with quilters through this wonderful collection. While they're designed for
smaller blocks, they work equally well in standard quilt blocks & designs as well. Judie's expertise in this category led her to vary the scale of the prints in the group, to include slightly larger prints that are
perfect for accents and fussy-cut details.
Quilt Like Judie: |
