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Tuesday, January 27

Delectable Mountains - Paper Pieced Miniature Quilt - Four Free Patterns and a Tutorial

A little bit of heaven on earth: My dog Pip, a pretty quilt, a good book, and a hot cup of tea.
The name for the Delectable Mountains quilt block comes from John Bunyan's Book "The Pilgrim's Progress".  This book was a bestseller for two centuries!  Traditional quilt blocks are wonderful and often have fascinating histories behind them.  Check out this article, written by Judy Anne Breneman, if you would like to learn a little more about The Delectable Mountains Pattern and Its History.  There are some terrific quilt layout ideas here and a free pattern too.  

I've always loved Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Mountain Majesties and I wanted to try to make one in miniature.  She created them using the Delectable Mountains quilt block.  Bonnie's clear and easy-to-understand instructions work perfectly for making full sized quilts.
  
Have you ever made a quilt in miniature?  Some people make astonishingly tiny quilts and do them so beautifully.  In my experience, (vast as it is... not!)  I have found that when working in miniature, the smallest errors in piecing are comparable to large ones in a full size quilt.  I needed a way to increase the precision of my miniature piecing.  So I figured out how to make Scrappy Mountain Majesties with paper piecing.  Since my mountains are so small, I named my quilt "Scrappy Foothill Majesties".

First, I designed shorter blocks with six peaks, to use as a miniature border around a lovely cross stitch piece that I had purchased, which, as France Nadeau taught me, is called an abecedary.  Then I designed a more traditional block with eight peaks, to make a miniature quilt.

 
Paper Pieced Delectable Mountains Blocks in a Border & Quilt


You can have a lot of fun with the Delectable Mountains.  It is a lovely and very versatile quilt block:
  • It works beautifully as the only block in a quilt and by rearranging it, you can create interesting patterns.
  • It makes a very nice way to frame or highlight other quilt blocks.
  • It is the perfect block to make into a mini border. The pieces fit together in a way that reminds me of an Adirondack style twig frame.
Below are just a few examples of how a mini quilt could be laid out.  Each of these represents a 12” Square mini quilt that can be made with eighteen of the 2" x 4" Delectable Mountains paper pieced blocks.  I used thirty-two of these blocks for my quilt Scrappy Foothill Majesties.


Here is an example of what I mean about using Delectable Mountains to frame another quilt block:



Just in case any of you would like to add a miniature Delectable Mountains quilt to your bucket list, I'm sharing the pattern here on BuzzinBumble, along with a tutorial for those who would like to see full instructions. Altogether, there are 4 main patterns, but I have also included versions of them with reversed placement of the light and dark fabrics.  Here are mock ups of each of the four blocks and their finished sizes.
The four types of paper pieced Delectable Mountain blocks.

If you would like to have a copy of these patterns or the tutorial,  
Click these links for a downloadable PDF file:


PDF copies of the miniature Delectable Mountains quilt block patterns 
(Please note that there are multiple copies of each pattern on each page):



Two Sided Pattern Printing Instructions:

To get accurately scaled patterns: Save the pattern and then click on the printer icon.  Set up the page in portrait setting and select the “actual size” option, then print it out on lightweight paper. (Yup, I finally got the PDF file issue figured out.  Every step of every process I tried changed the final pattern sizes and it about drove me insane.  Now just you hush up about that being a short drive, LOL.)  But I digress...

It isn't often with paper piecing patterns that you have the opportunity to make a two sided pattern.  Since all of these pattern pages are symmetrical, you can print out the pattern on both sides of the paper.  With our printer, I just lift the page out without flipping it over to the other side, turn it 180 degrees (or end for end) and send it through the printer a second time.  This yields paper piecing patterns with the print exactly the same on both sides.  If you have paper pieced before, you know that this helps tremendously when lining up the fabrics and sewing them in place, because you can see all the lines you need on both sides.  No need to hold these patterns up to the light or hand mark lines.  

Terms of Use:

You are welcome to use these files for your own personal use or to make an item you wish to sell or give as a gift.  If you know someone who would like this pattern, please send them here for a free copy!   

If you like this tutorial and patterns, I would love it if you share the link to them on your blog or on social media websites.  I would also get a huge kick out of seeing photos of your own creations!  If you let me know about it, I will put a link here on my blog to your post so others can see what you made too!  
Wherever you share or post about them, I ask you to kindly mention where you found the pattern: BuzzinBumble.com   


Scrappy Foothill Majesties - Miniature paper pieced Delectable Mountains quilt
I just had to add one last picture of my sweet Pip. In this photo you can also see how I chose to quilt this quilt - by stitching diagonally just under the sawtooths of the mountain peaks.  I'm not sure if that was a good choice or not, because it kind of makes the mountains look like they were made with HSTs, which is one way the Delectable Mountains type blocks are sometimes pieced.  

I'd love to hear what you think.  Thanks for visiting!
Lara

PS - Did you notice what Pip was "reading"?  



45 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness! Soooo much work into the tutorial and patterns to share with us. Thank you very much. I'm completely enchanted, and YES - it's on my bucket list. :)

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  2. Add my name to the "bucket list" list! These are so pretty in every size, but I love miniatures of most anything. We'll have to sit beside each other in heaven-on-earth, because those are my favorite things, too! Those layouts are so creative and inspiring! This block is more versatile than I'd ever imagined. {Hello, Pip! My dog Ginger is wagging her tail to you!}

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  3. I love that pattern! it is one that I intend to make this year or next. I printed off the instructions from Bonnie's site. I love yours in miniature! it looks really great on your table.

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  4. What a beautiful miniature quilt Lara but.....the first thing I actually noticed when I looked at your post was Pip wearing glasses! That is just too cute! Thanks for sharing the pattern and I have never thought about printing the same pattern in reverse like you said, I'm going to have to try that as it would be neat for paper piecing!!

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  5. Very cute, Lara! I like itty bitty paper piecing! Thanks for the patterns.

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  6. Very very cute! I haven't been a huge fan of the Delectable Mountains block before, but your little minis have converted me! I love what you've done with them. I'm short on time just now but I'll be back for those patterns, and I'll be sure to share about where to find them!

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  7. Yor mini quilt is beautiful, very rich in detail and color! Thanks for the free patterns and tutorial, too. Delectable Mountains is a block I have never made. Looking forward to trying it!

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  8. Wat 'n lieflike kwilt! So klein! Te pragtig! Baie dankie vir die patrone...ek sien daarna uit om dit te probeer!! EK hou van die 'quilting' - dit laat mens wonder hoe die kwilt gebou is! Baie interessant! :)

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    1. Hallo bietjie Huismuis! Dankie vir jou baie soet kommentaar op my blog. Ek gebruik 'n vertaler om dit te lees en skryf na jou toe terug , so ek hoop dit het goed gewerk.
      Ek hoop jy het 'n gelukkige en kreatiewe week!
      Lara

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  9. It's lovely, Lara! You did an excellent job with the tutorial, I am impress...:-) I like the versatility of this pattern. I really like the layout on the top right, I see reflections of mountains in the water. Thanks for the reverse printing tips.

    I bet Pips is reading the Delectable Mountains...:-)

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  10. Pip looks brilliant in the photos - love the glasses! Great first photo with the quilt, cuppa and a good book too!

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  11. How wonderful! Another pretty finish. You staged the photos so cleverly. And then wrote a thoroughly clear tutorial. I've used the block as a frame but hadn't thought of making it in miniature.
    I read Pilgrim's Progress as a child because Jo played it with her sisters in Little Women. So glad Pip likes it, too!

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  12. Just beautiful! It's been a while since I've done paper-piecing, but this inspires me to do it again. Thanks for all the work you've put into sharing this!

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    1. Hi Kiera and Thank you! I'm replying here instead of by email.... did you know that you are a "no-reply" commenter? Thank you for joining my site too. I checked out your very pretty blog and enjoyed your posts. Is it a blog without comments? That is very rare, LOL.

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  13. Hi Pip! :) That's some intense reading he's got there.

    Lovely finish. I too find those pesky little pieces a bear to work with and have a small piece item coming up soon myself, but without paper piecing. AAAHHH!!! I hope mine turns out as nicely as yours.

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  14. Your first picture is quite beautiful, Lara! And your quilt that is featured in it, gorgeous! You used beautiful fall colors and I like the effect created by placing the mountains in diagonal.
    Thank you so much for your patterns. I know how much hard work you have put into the design and sewing. I already printed the patterns. I've been coming to your blog every second day in expectation of seeing those mountains. lol I will make a border for my pp houses and post about it. I hope to be sewing them soon.
    I also wish to thank you for adding a link to my web site. :-)

    First picture pinned and shared on Google +

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  15. Another lovely finish Lara, and what a lot of information you have shared. I love your mini quilt (you have certainly got that precision thing mastered) but also really like how you showed different settings for the block. Is Pip reading Pilgrim's Progress?

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  16. Your mini quilt is gorgeous! I have made a buzz saw before, but not a delectable mountain block. I usually like big pieces myself, but I love to see the tiny ones used. :)

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  17. Oh my! I have always thought this was one of the most graphically pleasing blocks, from whenever I first started quilting. You have re ally made it so sweet in miniature! I have only paper pieced once, but this sure puts thoughts in my head!!! Thank you so much for the nudge :) Pip is adorable!

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  18. This is outstanding! I love pp and this pattern so I'm linking to you on my free" page
    For the future when I can make one of these beauties!
    LeeAnna at not afraid of color

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  19. Wow, Lara, what precision! What patience! What perseverance! Pilgrim's Progress is the book! (what clever alliteration, no?!) Seriously you did a pretty much perfect job (gosh I cannot stop with the p words...) on both of these quilts. All that paper-piecing! (oops, didn't see that until I got halfway through). I love the colours you chose too, very calming. Pip (okay, now, really? more p's) is adorable; give him a pat (bahaha) from me. How did you get him to keep the glasses on long enough for the pic? I like the diagonal lines; even were those blocks 1/2 square triangles, they still require intense precision.

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  20. Pip is adorable!! I think some of those miniatures at quilt shows have come out of an incredible shrinking machine. :-). They are truly amazing. Love your delectable mountains!

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  21. Bravo, Lara! Your little mountains are simply gorgeous. And you chose such great fabrics to show off that precision piecing. Great photos, too. What a good dog and so handsome. Thanks so much for sharing the patterns for us to use!

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  22. Wow! Thank you for sharing your hard work with us. The patterns is wonderful. I definitely will give it a try. I love the mini you made and your little Pip is soooo cute and a great model.

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  23. Pip is a good little quilt model and researcher... reading Pilgrim's Progress !! This is a gem of a pattern...and you have created a mini book for us! I love seeing all of the different ways this mini DM block could be used.
    Thank you for giving us the different sizes, and the corners, too!!!
    Your mini quilt is simply gorgeous! <3 You have created a stunning mini keepsake !!
    Susie

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  24. Wow! Impressive tutorials! Really some hard work done and I learned from the samples a lot. Oh, and love Moda paisley park fabrics as well!

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  25. SO much beautiful quilting here...but I have to say the first picture...Pip stole the show!!! LOVE IT!

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  26. We share the same idea of heaven dear Lara! Your mini quilt is a little marvel, congratulations!

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  27. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! Your mini quilt is so pretty!

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  28. Very lovely little mini! And you pattern seems a perfect opportunity to sew up some scraps. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  29. Beautiful and fun use of this block. Thank you for your generosity in providing the paper patterns!

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  30. I have this on my list too. Thanks for sharing with us Lara! Your mini is gorgeous and the dog is so cute too :)

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  31. Thank you so much for sharing your talent!
    I am going to teach this method to my quilt group!

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    1. Hi Shadow, that is the most wonderful compliment, for someone to want to teach my method. Thank you! I'm replying here because you are a no-reply commenter and I could not track you down.

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  32. Canuck Quilter sent me. I can't download the PP files or tutorial. Drop Box gives me error messages or times out. Do you have any suggestions or is there another way I can get these files?

    Thanks,

    senstrings(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. I've come along from Joanne/Canuck Quilter's blog as well. I love your wee majesties and look forward to downloading them and having a play! Thank you for your generosity in sharing this!

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  34. oh how adorable is Pip !! thanks so much for a wonderful tutorial and the patterns

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  35. Hi there Lara,
    Just found you because of a funny mistake!
    Pinned this pattern to my A Quilting Story Pinterest board.
    Thanks!
    Quilty Huggs,
    Jacqueline

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  36. such a beautiful quilt, it will look perfect in a Scandinavian design magazine!!!
    i wish i could quilt, or sew… especially after seeing THIS! happy holidays my friend! xo

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    1. Thank you! As someone who loves Scandinavian design, I take that as a high compliment!
      Oh do give sewing and quilting a try! It's sew much fun and good therapy too! I replied to your comment here, because I could not track down another way to contact you. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to you too!

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  37. Fab, fab, fab! Thank you so much for sharing your talents. Amazing tutorial and I am in love with your method. After this month's 13 graduation quilts, I am doing this darling Delectable Mountain mini. Probably blue & white! Thank you, thank you.

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  38. Thank you so very much for your beautiful work and patterns. I am making the first for me then I make wall hangings for our oncology ward and department. So a very sincere thank you x

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    1. That's a wonderful thing to do Lorraine! I hope you love how they turn out. I'm replying here because your comment came to me as "no reply" and therefor, no email. But I have followed you back on Bloglovin'. :)

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  39. I just found your site and I LOVE paper piecing, so I'm falling in love with everything on your site!! Thanks so much for the freebie patterns. Blessings to you and yours!!

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