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: |
