5 ways to make the Minton Quilt
By pattern testers
Here’s a taste of what the Minton Quilt pattern can do, in the quilts and words of other quilters, like you.
5 ways to make Minton your own
If the Minton Quilt pattern design speaks to you, you’re about to see what it can become! The pattern testers who helped me get this design ready for you, used their own choice of colours and fabrics to create their unique and inspiring quilts. So can you!
If you’ve already bought and downloaded your digital pattern, or if you’re thinking of buying the Minton Quilt as a PDF download, this blog post is for you…
About Minton
Minton is a repeat block pattern, making it ideal for advanced beginners to build their skills, as well as for more experienced quilters.
The pattern includes four sizes: baby, throw, twin and double. To make it, you'll need five different fabrics, including a background fabric. The Minton Quilt block involves making half-square triangles using the eight-at-a-time method, flying geese using the four-at-a -time method and snowballed corners.
The digital PDF pattern includes full instructions and diagrams and there’s a free, bonus tutorial here on my blog, with step-by-step photographs, to help you make eight half-square-triangles (HSTs) at a time.
Bold Minton
The Minton Quilt was inspired by traditional design but looks just as striking in bold colours and prints. Here's how fellow modern quilt pattern designers Augusto* and Claire used their signature palettes to create show-stopping patchwork quilts.
*My everlasting thanks to Augusto for volunteering – he even asked for my permission – to test the double size version of the pattern. That’s 36 blocks and a 90” x 90” finished quilt. Augusto, you’re a legend!
Centrepiece Minton
The finished centre square of the Minton Quilt measures 5" x 5". That gives you plenty of space to have fun with a larger scale print or fussy-cut detail. Here’s how modern quilters Elysha and Sonja made the most of this centrepiece detail to showcase their stunning fabric choices, in beautiful blues.
Delicate Minton
The piecing of the patchwork shapes that create the Minton Quilt block gives the quilt its intricate feel. It’s an ideal patchwork quilt design to combine with low-volume prints and delicate colour combinations. Here’s how quilt pattern testers Annie, Charlotte and Lesley put together the prettiest palettes and prints to give their Minton quilts a delicate, vintage look.
Tropical Minton
While we were testing the Minton Quilt pattern, world-travel was starting to open up again after two winters of the Covid-19 pandemic. Lucky testers Sam and Sian both had tropical holidays booked and, can you believe it, they each took their quilts with them! That’s not something I ever expected a quilt tester to offer to do but I’m so glad they did. The photos of their Minton Quilts on vacation in the Caribbean are just stunning, don’t you think?
Traditional Minton
The Minton Quilt pattern design was inspired by Victorian tiles, especially those from the iconic Minton pottery in Staffordshire, England. You can read lots more about Minton the pottery and Minton the pattern here.
For one of my three test quilts, I wanted to make a version using fabrics that were in keeping with some of the common colours and tones used at Minton to create tiles. The 'Twenty' collection by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics fitted this idea perfectly.
Plan your Minton
If you're inspired to experiment with fabric combinations for your Minton Quilt, check out my digital colouring page over on the PreQuilt app. It’s free to use and helps you plan how your quilt could look before you order fabric.
PreQuilt is pre-programmed with solids from quilting cotton brands including Kona and Art Gallery Fabrics so you can visualise exactly how your quilt will look before you start sewing. The app also has a colour randomiser feature which is a fun way to find unexpected colour combinations. Here are a few of my favourites....
Isn't it amazing how a pattern transforms with different colours and fabric choices? I love that magic of quilting. Each one makes me want to make another Minton and I’ve already made three so far! Which would you make? Message me if you'd like to know the exact Kona solids I used.
Over to you!
Be sure to share your Minton Quilt on social media using the hashtags #MintonQuilt and #CQSPatterns and by tagging @cowdenquiltschool. I’ve love to see your Minton!
Kathleen x