I recently participated in the Disney Quilt Swap 2015, an online swap exchange of handmade mini quilts organized on Instagram by Kaitie Logsdon.  I was to make one mini quilt measuring no larger than 24 inches square, based on my secret partner’s preferences.  This is what I made for my partner, Nancy, whose favorite Disney characters are Belle and Buzz.

The front is Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  While searching online for inspiration, I found this Costume Changes in Disney Films infographic.  I was inspired by the minimalist Belle image – it translates so well to the paper-piecing technique of sewing.  I used Electric Quilt 7 software to design the paper piecing pattern, something brand new to me.

I used fabrics from my stash to make this. Feels so good to use what I have.  At this point, I was thinking “This pattern might actually work!”

So, so satisfying to make something come to life.  I really, really love paper piecing, and would like to begin designing paper piecing patterns sometime soon.

Simple, straight quilting lines look best on minimalist Belle, I think.  I started with the line in the middle of her lips, then stitched outwards from there.

There’s a little Buzz Lightyear vibe on the quilt back 🙂

The gift I received from my secret partner is a Cinderella mini quilt.  Nika Westberg made it, and she nailed it.  Blues, a silhouette, and Cinderella.  I love it.

And hello, how utterly cool is this embroidery she made, too!?  I love Elizabeth Swann from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and this is what she said to Captain Barbossa when he told the story of the Aztec gold medallion.

To see what the other folks in the swap made, peruse through the hashtag on Instagram #DisneyQuiltSwap2015.