Mini doll quilts are a delightful way to practice quilting skills, use up fabric scraps, and create something adorable for dolls or display. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned quilter, making a mini quilt allows you to experiment with new designs on a smaller scale. This guide will walk you through fabric selection, essential tools, step-by-step construction, and quilting techniques.
But First! Enter To Win A Premium Mini Quilting Bundle From Pixie Faire! Scroll down to the bottom of this post to get all the details! One lucky winner will receive a 16 piece fat eighth set of Tilda Creating Memories Spring fabrics bundled with a piece of super snuggly Bamboo Batting. Just the right fabrics to make your very own miniature doll quilt!
Mini quilts serve many purposes:
With these benefits in mind, let’s dive into the key steps for creating a beautiful mini quilt.
Fabric selection is crucial to achieving a cohesive and visually appealing mini quilt. Here are some tips to guide your choices:
1. Use 100% Cotton Fabric
Cotton is the easiest fabric to work with because it’s durable, presses well, and comes in an endless variety of prints and colors. Avoid slippery or stretchy fabrics, as they can be challenging to piece accurately. Some of our favorite premium quilting cottons are made by Moda Fabrics, Ruby Star, Free Spirit, Tilda, Liberty Fabrics, Art Gallery, Riley Blake and sold at a variety of specialty quilt shops locally or online through retailers like: Pink Door, Missouri Star, Stitchin' Heaven, Cotton Cuts, Fat Quarter Shop, Hawthorne Supply Co, and more! Here at Pixie Faire, we sell limited amounts of Pixie Pack kits that frequently feature these fabrics in coordinating bundle sets too!
2. Pick Small-Scale Prints
Because mini quilts are small, large-scale prints may get lost or look disproportionate. Instead, choose small florals, polka dots, gingham, or tiny geometric prints. Solid fabrics can also add contrast and balance.
3. Plan a Color Scheme
Mini quilts look best when colors complement each other. Consider using:
If unsure, try laying out fabric swatches together before making a final decision.
To make a mini doll quilt, gather the following tools:
For beginners, simple block patterns like these are ideal:
Using your rotary cutter and quilting ruler, cut your fabric pieces based on your chosen pattern. If making a 4-patch quilt, for example, you’ll need four equal-sized squares for each block. If you were using Mini Charm Pack squares, each square is 2.5", if 4 are sewn together to create a block, the block would measure 4" square (after it's sewn to a second block.
Now comes the fun part—quilting! Here are some simple quilting ideas:
If using a sewing machine, a walking foot helps to feed the layers evenly.
If you’re new to binding, self-binding (folding the backing fabric over the edges) is an easier alternative.
Once comfortable with basic mini quilts, try these ideas:
Making a mini doll quilt is a fun, creative project that allows you to practice quilting techniques without the commitment of a large quilt. By choosing the right fabric, using essential tools, and following simple piecing and quilting methods, you can create a beautiful, heirloom-quality quilt.
Whether for a child’s doll collection, a decorative piece, or a quilting practice session, your mini quilt will be a charming addition to any setting. So gather your scraps, fire up your sewing machine, and start stitching!
Happy quilting! ✂️ 🧵
To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!
Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the Tilda Mini Quilt Fabric Bundle, valued at over $50. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire.
Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win the gift card!
(This post and giveaway are not endorsed or affiliated with American Girl®, no endorsement implied.)
We’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below and tell us:
What is your favorite style quilt? Feel free to tell us any fond memories you have associated with a treasured quilt too!
My favorite style of quilt is an applique quilt.
I have two favorites. Both over 40 years old. One is huge and has blue, white and painted circus scenes squares alternating. The other is a big crib size with blue, pink, and painted white squares with nursery rhythms on it. Made with love for my two sons.
My favourite mini quilt is a Bear Paw one, i made for the Teddy Bear Picnic Celebration here. I have made many small lap quilts for cancer patients, and some mini ones with a small hand made doll to accompany wee patients on Emergency helo-transport to hospitals. My most precious quilt is the one my husband’s Grandma made us as a Wedding present, called a single wedding ring pattern. It is now over 55 years old. Lots of treasures, and memories.
Log cabins are my favorite because of a quilt my sister made for me. Tulsa fabric would be perfect for a doll quilt!
My favorite quilt always seems to be the one I am currently working on! I love fabric and color! I am looking forward to making the doll size pinwheel quilt pattern from last week’s special.
My all time favorite is the Wedding ring. I don’t think I would like to make it in doll size though. My Aunt Viola seed to quilt. She sewed the pieces together by machine (a treadle) and sewed the final pattern by hand. She had one of her quilts displayed in the Smithsonian home section. I tried quilting when I was younger but I couldn’t make my needle work like hers did!
I love the doll quilts that are themed with shapes, such as the surfboard one, the penguins one, etc. I feel they are visibly interesting!
My favorites are log cabins. My mom made me a beautiful one for Christmas one year. I really love the red and green one in your sample.
My favorite quilts are actually applique quilts. I have been quilting for many years, though, so I love many other types as well!
My mom collected very old dolls and I have done the same thing. Love to make doll clothes. My favorite quilt is one out of old blue jeans that are cut up into long pieces. Our son loved the one I made out of his old jean. I even made one for his dog.
You make making a quilt sound like so much fun! I have decided to give it a try. Not sure what pattern I will try but I will try.
I like classic quilts, like crazy quilts or log cabins.
I love a thick, fluffy quilt with any design.
My mother and grandmother used to tie quilts (some with wool from my own sheep). They would set up the quilt frame in the middle of living room and I would play under this “tent” while they tied. My play space unfortunately shrunk as they rolled the quilt around the frame to work their way across the quilt.
I love miniature and doll quilts and have had the joy of making numerous ones for dollies that need a new bed covering.
Quilter at heart. Doll Lover too. Perfect combination of both worlds.
I grew up watching my grandmother quilt, then making a quilt for my doll. I taught my daughter sewing skills by her creating her own doll quilt. Now it’s time to teach my granddaughter to stitch a doll quilt of her own. What a perfect opportunity with this Mini Quilting Bundle!
I have not sewn a quilt for my dolls as of yet, but hope to soon! All of the patterns on here that I have seen are adorable. Here’s to hoping to win the fabric blocks you have posted. Thank you!
I have never tried quilting. Always thought I didn’t have the patience for something that complicated. But heck, Sewing with Cinnamon has never steered me wrong. Maybe I’ll give it a go.
Love Churn Dash Quilts in Reproduction style fabrics.
I have made over fifteen t-shirt quilts for my nieces and nephews for their high school graduation. I’m looking forward to making a doll quilt. Thank You for the opportunity to win the makings for one,
I’m new to quilting. Doll quilts are a wonderful yet exciting challenge for a beginner. My favorite quilt pattern has always been the traditional log cabin, as ancestors created. I also love the multiple variations of the original pattern.
I’ve made big quilts and a couple of doll quilts. I’m saving period era fabric scraps to make a quilt for Kirsten and one for Kit. Thanks for the tips!
I am a long time quilter and love making doll clothes with my left over fabric. Geometric quilts in coordinated fabrics is my favorite style but I also love scrappy quilts with teeny tiny 1/2” blocks.
I enjoy using appliqué, embroidery and beading to create one of a kind quilt tops.
Would love to win just one of these giveaways!,
I love quilts for dolls, my favorite is a star pattern and I love Tilda fabrics and quilt patterns.
I haven’t tried quilting yet but this inspires me to try it! Thanks
I’m making a scrapy stripe quilt with quilt as you go blocks in shades of blue grey and white. I’ve made a quilt for my American Girl’s bed out of pink satin with a lace edging tied with pink ribbons. I still need to make quilts for my granddaughters so I would love to win the fabric bundle. Thank you for all your great directions. It inspired me again
Many years ago there was a company named Dakota ‘something’ that made what I thought were the most beautiful, quilted bedspreads. I don’t recall if they were totally quilted or if the quilting consisted primarily of appliqued pieces. By the time I was old enough to have my own apartment and could afford their rather expensive spreads, I think they had gone out of business. Just the memory of those images brings a smile to my face!
My favorite quilt designs are very traditional. When I was a little girl my grandfather’s sisters made me a doll quilt in Round the World design with blocks 1/2" square and prairie points all around! I made a friend a doll’s quilt in Baby Blocks design.I’ve done doll size redwork and crazy quilts and applique. Working small is so much fun! Dolls appreciate them and Doll People like to see them wrapped around a doll going to a Doll Club meeting and children like them very much. My Quilt Guild makes doll and teddy bear quilts for children at Christmas or in crisis situations any time of year. I love to send Christmas dolls off in shoeboxes wrapped each in her own little quilt!
I’ve enjoyed making jelly roll race quilts. I thnk it would be fun to try one in miniature from my scraps.
I like bold, contemporary styles of quilts in strong colours.
I like almost any quilt pattern. My grandma made a lot of quilts from the sewing scraps of family members. I’m partial to 9 patch, trip around the world & double wedding ring.
I enjoy a pinwheel quilt or a Lone Star quilt. Haven’t quilted in a while, but little quilts may entice me back into it.
I’d love to make a doll-sized quilt for a kids’ charity. Excellent mini quilt guide….thank you!
For big quilts I like embroidered and applique quilts. For doll or miniature quilts I like pieced or patchwork.
I love making small door or wall quilts. I think it would be fun making a doll quilt to learn how to use the machine quilting function on my new sewing machine. I love all sorts of designs and would love to learn doing one miniature style.
I hope I win!!
I love all quilting techniques, but my favorite is scrappy pieced. I have been quilting steadily for 35 years, now.
I’m a big fan of smaller quilts but I haven’t got past basic blocks.
Maybe I need to try some new styles.
I love the look of scrappy quilts and make them all the time using leftovers! My grandma made several and I watched her as a child. She’s the one who inspired my love of quilting!
I love any quilt, but now I do mostly scrappy quilts.Have to use those scraps up someway!
My favorite quilt was one my Great Grandmother made for me before I was born. She knew I was expected and finished a twin sized quilt for the ‘baby’ not knowing what gender I was. Beautiful tiny flowers with a solid pink backing. Lucky I was a girl. I am now 71 and still have that quilt. It has worn very well.
My favorite quilt was one my Great Grandmother made for me before I was born. She knew I was expected and finished a twin sized quilt for the ‘baby’ not knowing what gender I was. Beautiful tiny flowers with a solid pink backing. Lucky I was a girl. I am now 71 and still have that quilt. It has worn very well.
My sisters-in-law and I made a nine patch quilt to celebrate my husband’s parents’ 50th anniversary. I’d love to duplicate that for my niece’s dolls.
Quilting small is such fun!
I love making dolll quilts for my girls. It is a great way to use up smaller pieces and try out new patterns or techniques at the same time. I also get to practice my hand quilting 😁.
I think doll sized quilts are super fun to make and so adorable!
Easy is best for me- four squares. but I’d love to try the triangles quilt. I’ve never made a small quilt, only 3 bed size ones.
Easy is best for me- four squares. but I’d love to try the triangles quilt. I’ve never made a small quilt, only 3 bed size ones.
Looking forward to trying a mini quilt.
I started quilting 13 years ago. I should use some my my scraps to make doll quilts.
My favorite type of quilt is anything scrappy. I am a quilter and am currently making a scrappy doll quilt – 9 patch from 1.5 inch squares. I have way too many scraps and just seem to keep making more. I also love the beautiful applique quilts from the 1930s, I also love to hand applique and am making a full sized Iris applique quilt that has been on my to do list for several years now. Oh, and I LOVE Tilda fabrics!
I’ve made many quilts in the past 12 years that I’ve been retired, but I’ve never made a mini quilt.
The log cabin is my favorite quilt block.
I’ve made 3 doll quilts. One was a “replica” of Kirsten’s quilt. One was a log cabin in 1/12 scale.
It is hard to pick a favorite kind of quilt. I like making quilts using small floral prints in soft colors. I make all sizes from 6" by 6" to king size. I also prefer simple designs rather than complicated ones. Love looking at the album type quilts where all the blocks are different but would never make one myself
Oh it is too hard to pick a favorite pattern. I have only made 2 quilts, many years ago. The first was A Dresden Plate and hand quilted. Yes my first quilt. LOL and the second was an Around the World and hand tied. Both quilts used fabric scraps left over from clothes my mom had sewn. I love going to quilt shows.
Love the fabric colors. And the quilts shown
My doll and I like all the quilts.
I love lap quilts! I’ve braved some larger ones, but I get so tired when binding them :P
I love making doll quilts!! I can plan, pick fabrics, cut, sew, and quilt one in an afternoon and feel like I have created and COMPLETED something.
northern star. ever since i heard what it was about.
All my dolls could use a soft comfy quilt!!!
Any there are many pattern choices on Pixie Faire!!!! 💕🥰💕
I love to make themed quilts such as with a xmas or easter print.
I love making quilt blocks with strip sets. What a time saver. Thank you!
love making all types of quilts because I make them with love
I’m new at quilting. Small scale would be great for me to learn the basics.
I LIKE SIMPLE PATCH WORK QUILTS ESPECIALLY IF SOME OF THE PATCHES HAVE LITTLE MOTIFS ON THEM.
I love making simple patchwork doll quilts. They’re so quick & simple and I love using up fabric scraps. Have made quilts for Baby Dolls, 18" Dolls, Barbie Dolls & even a Christmas one for Elf on the Shelf!
I’ve made a number of mini quilts from simple squares, quillow, sashed blocks and applique. My favorites are applique Tree of Life quilts based on a quilt that was on the cover of Quilters Newsletter Magazine many years ago. Most of the quilts are tied, but the applique quilts get hand quilted with silk thread and 20 stitches per inch. I use 100% cotton batiste for the backing and a split batt.
Those fabrics would make a gorgeous quilt/s and it would be interetsing to try a bamboo batt for the first time.
I am making a quilt for my grandkids as they graduate high school. I like scrap quilts with a meaning. The first one was a bookcase quilt and the second now is a quilt called Many Trips around the world as he has traveled to 11 different countries with me. Europe and to Peru!
I made a doll quilt when I was a kid, although it was only the sewed together squares and plain muslin backing. I’d love to make more for my granddaughters’ American Girl dolls. Doll quilts are adorable. I’d start with a simple patchwork quilt. I have lots of leftover fabric from my sewing days. I also have my great-great-grandmother’s sample squares, so I’ll look through them for a pattern.
There are so many pretty quilt patterns, but I don’t know all the names! I also like simple patchwork quilts, which is what I’ve made for my dolls.
Can’t wait to try making one.
I really like the look of log cabin quilts. I have made a few for my kids’ dolls.
I like traditionally pieced quilts that look intricate but are made of simple blocks.
I have made so many quilt patterns but the last few years my favorite has become “grandmother’s fan”. It started with a mother wanting to turn her mother’s clothing into lap quilts for the grandchildren. She had been so afraid to give into anyone and allow the cutting up of her memories and had kept things boxed for 15 years! I knew immediately what to do and asked that she just trust me. She had no ideas for a pattern so the fan was perfect and would allow enough pieces for all 5 grands. The clothing was all 70s styles and colors and ugly but they all came together in the end.
By word of mouth, I continue to take requests and never know what clothing I will receive. The smiles and tears make this a worthwhile hobby.
I liove this!
I’m in a quilt for years. I picked it up when I was in my late 20s. I’ve made bed quilts. I’ve made large throws. I’ve made baby quilts and I’ve made miniature quilts. I did a so long with you a few years ago making a dog quilt. I would have to say miniature quilts are probably my favorite because they are done so quickly.
I like to keep my doll quilts quite simple. Tiny squares or triangles have been my go to designs. I recently did an eye spy with 100 unique 1 inch finished squares!
I have been quilting for over 40 years and love every step of the process. My most favorite genre is traditional but I am enjoying seeing the ‘new’ contemporary styles. Making a doll quilt is a great way to learn or try a new technique.
Thank you for all the lovely patterns and etc! I love making my own pattern quilts up!!
My wonderful step-grandmother loved making quits for everyone she could think of … including one for one of my dolls. I don’t think she ever heard of machine quilting. All her quits were quilted by hand. All the tops of her quits were made from flour sacks.
This is a fun project to do with my daughter, who is learning about sewing now!
I like all quilts – as long as they are brightly coloured!
I love a double wedding ring quilt!
Great give away package. Currently making a baby quilt. Also teaching my granddaughter to make a doll quilt.
I have often thought that I’d like to try making a doll quilt. Maybe this will get me started!
I like pieced to use up all my scraps. I make charity quilts a lot for needy people.
I love the look of antique style quilts. Simple blocks.
What fun things you all come up with. These would be so fun to do and make for special dolls and also young girls to enjoy with their dolly friends. My treasured quilt is one from my grandmother and kept and cared for safely. I just found hand pieced diamond shaped pieces hand done and hope to find out how to place them on a top layer. They were in the back drawer of my great Grandmother treadle made in 1903. Treasures for sure
I just discovered crumb quilting and salvage quilting. What a great way to use every bit of all those miniscule scraps and salvages. Did you know some of them have other words than the manufacturer ’s name. And the little colored spots and shapes add fun to your quilts.
My favorite quilts are scrap quilts with lots of different colors.
I love to make scrappy mini quilts and I love the challenge of using as many pieces as I can. Hope to continue developing my skills
Mini quilts have always been my favorite kind of quilt to do. I’ve exchanged mini quilts sevral times with others around the USA and even exchanged one with a lady in Kyiv, Ukraine. I made her a mexican star quilt and she hand appliqued a beautiful, Ukrainian flower quilt for me. They were both around 18″×18″, perfect for doll quilts. Tilda fabrics are definitely a favorite of mine! If you go to Tildfa’s website, you can often times get free patterns (or you used to be able to).
I am anxious to get started! What delightful addition to doll clothes!
I am making my youngest granddaughter a quilt right now. I will use leftover material to make a quilt for her 18" doll as well.
Star quilts or beaded quilts are my favorite
My favorite quilts are doll quilts made with reproduction civil war fabrics.
LaVonne
March 16, 2025
My favorite type of quilt to make is a jelly roll quilt. I have made Christmas quilts for my two daughters and son.