Mini charm pack ideas
Happy Monday everyone! Let’s start the week off with some mini charm pack ideas. I love these 2 1/2″ squares of beautiful fabric that go together so perfectly. These pre-cut squares are little, but mighty, and they fit in with my idea of making smaller projects so I have more time to make lots of different things!
First of all, who makes these little gems and where do I find them? One of the first manufacturers to come out with pre-cuts is Moda Fabrics. They have become so popular, that many manufacturers are following suit. There are many different types of precuts, but mini charms usually come in packs of 42 squares that measure 2 1/2″ and they have pinked edges. You’ll find duplicates of most prints and they usually represent an entire fabric collection.
Besides Moda, you’ll find Maywood Studios and Robert Kaufman also make mini charm packs for some of their collections. You can find a great selection of mini charm packs at Fat Quarter Shop and at Green Fairy Quilts. Don’t forget to check your local quilt shop, too!
Ideas for using mini charm packs
The inspiration for this whole blog post was the purchase of this newly released book, Mini-Charm Quilts
You’ll find many of your favorite Moda designers have contributed a project to this book.
One thing I love about this book is the “Works like a charm” section within every project. Each designer answers questions about quilting that I found very enlightening.
Another great resource for mini charm projects is the Moda Bakeshop. (I swear I’m not working for Moda – just a huge fan). You can find free “recipes” for just about any type of pre-cut, and there is a huge variety of projects!
Sherri at A Quilting Life put together 15 Mini Charm Pack Projects that feature (mostly) her own free tutorials. You’ll find plenty of great ideas to inspire you.
One of my own, favorite tutorials is my Patchwork Peter Rabbit wall hanging. It’s perfect for this time of year and a great way to use up 2 1/2″ squares.
Another of my tutorials that uses a mini charm pack is this Christmas Holly Table Runner. It’s so easy and lends itself to any holiday or season. I liked it so much that I made a patriotic version, too.
One of my new, favorite pattern designers is Taunja Kelvington at Carried Away Quilting. Taunja just released Summer Breeze, a mini charm pack quilt that is adorable! Seriously, I have to make this one! You’ll also find many other precut-friendly patterns by Taunja at her Etsy shop or at Fat Quarter Shop.
If you don’t have mini charm packs on hand, you can always make them yourself by cutting 2 1/2″ squares of fabric. You can also use a charm pack of 5″ squares and cut them into 2 1/2″ squares, and quadruple your supply!
How to store mini charm packs
Eventually, you will need a place to put all of your mini charm packs. They do tend to multiply, you know! I have found these Essentials Drawer Organizers perfect for 2 1/2″ squares of anything. They come in different lengths, and I use them in my kitchen as well as my sewing room.
You can also store them in any large container. I love this clear glass vase/bowl that I found at Goodwill. It’s functional and pretty!
Baskets would be another great option for gathering them or just stacked on a shelf. Which could make for leaning towers and constant re-arranging. Of course using them before they get out of control is always a good option!
I hope you found some new ideas and motivation to use mini charm packs. They’re so irresistible that there’s a reason they were originally dubbed Moda candy!
I’m new here but love this post. I have mini charms in little baskets. I’m inspired to make the adorable rabbit, Easter is in April so plenty of time to get it done. I’m from England, where I did a lot of hand piecing, known as EPP here. Minus 20F here this morning at the foot of the Adirondack Hills in Upstate New York. Ideal for staying in and sewing! Thank you so much for your posts, I look forward to them.
i love your posts so many great ideas!!! I want to make peter rabbit!!
Some really great ideas! Mini charm packs are fun to have around for those inbetween moments.
Hello Julie; I enjoyed all of the great projects you shared with us today! Part of my Scrap Lovers System of storage is to cut left over fabrics into usable squares and strips. I have a thousand or so of two and half squares that always come in handy. Thank you for sharing all of these great ideas again, I sure did enjoy your post today! I hope that you have a great day!
I have a few mini charm packs-only because they are cute i bought them—why do we SAVE things? When i get home from work later i will dig them out and see what i can do with one of them….Thanks for the ideas-and it reminded me that i have a few mini’s stored. 🙂
I share your love of mini charms. I think they are great to help teach quilting to children. My granddaughter{she is only 11 years old} loves to use them plus I don’t have to worry about her using the rotary cutter. Thanks for all the info.
I love these minis too but I actually am going to put mine together in a large quilt, maybe a scrappy triple Irish Chain.
Thanks again for another wonderful post. You are a great inspiration. Today it is snowing here, almost unheard of on our little island so a little quilt could be on the sewing machine!
Thank you for sharing so much wonderful information about and using mini charm packs. I am not a Quilter but I admit I bought a mini charm pack long ago…just because it was “cute”! I LOVE your Peter Rabbit quilt. Creative Sewing Bliss…<3
Thanks so much for including my new pattern in your post! And oh my goodness, that bunny tutorial of yours . . . sooo hoppin’ cute! Love it! Sure am glad we found each other in this online quilty world!
I have mine stacked up in a tower… or two! Thank you for the post and inspiration!
Wow, timely post! I went to the local dollar store and bought three matching long narrow baskets to store my mini charm packs…does that make my collection out of control? LOL This post will help me use some of them up, maybe!! I have a bunch of UFO’s that need work first, but I can dream. Thanks so much for the cool ideas.