• About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Teaching
    • Member/Student Login
    • Online Programs
  • Shop
  • Member/Student Login
  • Blog
    • Free Quilt Patterns – Scrappy Whirligig Quilt

Bryan House Quilts

Ways to use a Mini Charm Pack {Sizzix Tutorial}

Tutorial

13 Jul

Aren’t these mini-charm packs the absolute cutest? I have a bunch, but I never know what to do with them. Happily, today I’m showing a bunch of ways you can start using these cuties up. My mini charm pack is Rhoda Ruth, Elizabeth Hartman‘s adorable new fabric. (It will ship in September.)

Last week, in preparation for a new tutorial, I started messing around with one of my new Sizzix dies, the 30 Degree Fan Blade Die. I wanted to pause to show you the different shapes I was able to cut from a mini charm pack using this die, none of which turned out to be what you are supposed to get from the die. 
The mini charms, or 2 1/2” squares, aren’t big enough to cover the whole shape on the die. So by manipulating where you place the square you can get a different looking fan blade. 
If you place the mini charm at the widest part of the die shape you will get a wider wedge. (I skipped the curved part of the wedge because it doesn’t go with my design.) This wider wedge will ultimately give you a bigger center circle, which I happen to adore. 

Whatever size wedge you choose, you can cut multiple wedges, by stacking the mini charms 3 high and layering them across the three shapes on the die. Don’t forget to make your Sizzix sandwich, with the plastic cutting pieces on the top and bottom. Then send the whole thing through your Sizzix machine – I’m using my Fabi. 

Here’s more of my wide wedges. 

Now, by putting the mini charm at the more narrow end of the wedge you will get a narrower wedge. And ultimately this will give you a smaller center circle. 

The difference may be subtle with these mini charms, but can you see the difference in shapes in the above picture? The teal wedge on the left is a wider set wedge and the pink wedge on the right is the narrow version. 

Ok, back to the wide wedge because I’m a wide wedge kinda girl, this is what the fabric will look like after being cut but not removed from the die. 

Now, with the wedges, you can make a mini tumbler design as I show above. 
You can arrange them into a circle…. 
Or you can turn the wedges into Dresden blades by folding them in half and stitching. Here’s mine chain pieced together. 

Snip a little bit from the seam allowance to get a pointy corner. 
Press seam open and then press like so. 

Then turn right side out with a blunt sewing tool or in my case a dull pencil. 

And there you go… Dresden blades. 

So, what did you think? Are there any favorite ways that you use up your mini charm packs?

Thanks!

Previous Post: « This and that
Next Post: Jacks Quilt Pattern {Finish} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heidi Staples says

    July 13, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this!! And I definitely need to break out my mini charm pack of that Rhoda Ruth…

  2. Allison CB says

    July 14, 2015 at 8:23 pm

    Very clever! Love them!

Primary Sidebar

Get Your Free Ticket to Quilters Paradise Holiday! 🎁

New 2026 Block of the Month!

Graphic of Alchemy Quilt

Join the 2026 Block of the Month Program

Get my Modern Triangles Quilt Book

Get my Modern Rainbow Quilts Book

Image shows cover of the book "Modern Rainbow Quilts"

Make the Solstice Quilt!

Solstice Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Get Your Invite!

Make Modern Triangles Logo

Make the Sparkler Quilt!

Image Shows Sparkler Quilt Top by Rebecca Bryan

Make the Echo (Echo!) Quilt

Echo BOM now open to join

Make the Wildflower Quilt!

Wildflower Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Make the Stargazer Quilt!

Anne's Stargazer BOM

Make the Rainbow Triangles Quilt!

Rainbow Triangle BOM, modern triangle quilt, Rebecca Bryan

About

Hey there! I’m Rebecca, an author and teacher and freezer paper piecing evangelist. I’m also the founder of the Make Modern Triangles Quilt Club.

Disclosure

Just so you know, my site includes affiliate links from which I (it’s me! Rebecca!) receive payment or compensation. Something to consider as you peruse my website. Thanks!

Latest on Instagram

I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing altogether, and then I was introduced to freezer paper piecing, and it changed my whole world forever.

Let’s talk about Freezer Paper Piecing versus traditional Paper Foundation Piecing. 👇

The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

WAY MORE TIME TO QUILT! 🙌

In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with me? 🧙‍♀️🧵

I’m teaching a FREE class, and we’re getting a little spooky with this one! 🤓

I’ll show you my favorite way to make Modern Triangles using my no-waste, no picking method, and then we’re turning our triangle into a WITCH HAT. ✨

And yes, beginners are absolutely welcome!

I’ll walk you through it step by step, show you how these simple little triangles can be arranged into much more complex-looking designs, and we’ll spend some time actually PLAYING with what we make.

PLUS, if you show up live, you’ll get my exclusive Spooky Witch Hat Modern Triangle pattern FREE so you can keep sewing after class. 🎁

Come hang out, learn something new, make a witch hat, and have some fun with me!

Comment WITCHY, and I’ll send you the link to save your free spot! 🧙‍♀️

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re a quilter. 😂🧵

I’ll go first: I can find quilt inspiration in approximately ANYTHING. I own fabric that is apparently too special to actually use, and “one more seam” has never once meant one more seam.

Your turn. 🤓 Finish the sentence in the comments 👇 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next year’s “Starburst” Block of the Moth, and I had to laugh at myself because even though I started with a few pretty pinks and yellows as my inspiration...

I devolved back to rainbows for my final selection. I do love a rainbow gradient! So glorious, so delicious!

Honestly, sometimes it takes me several, several, several rounds to get the colors just how I want them. 😭  But the good news is, I do have the rainbow fabric on hand!

Now I can Netflix and sew... as I work on my Starburst sample! Hooray!

Who else just can’t resist a rainbow palette??? Follow along @bryanhousequilts to be the first to see my latest “Starburst” design! 💫

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
SWIPE to see the big finish, my completed Peppermi SWIPE to see the big finish, my completed Peppermint Twist Dutch Summer! 🤍

The joy really is in the journey with my Block of the Month programs, where every single month you make one block, sew your whole batch, and, month by month, start to see the design come together with each new block.

And that’s why ANYONE can make this quilt! Yes, even a first-timer! 

You don’t have to sit down and make an entire quilt all at once. You make one batch of blocks, then another, and another... You learn as you go, watch your skills develop, and slowly start seeing the whole quilt come together.

And then one day, all those individual triangles you’ve been making come together and you’ve made THIS. 🥹

I absolutely love how this Peppermint Twist version of Dutch Summer turned out, and seeing all of the blocks together makes me want to do the whole thing all over again in another color palette! 😂

If you want to make your own version of the Dutch Summer, comment ‘DUTCH’ and I’ll send you the details! 💌

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
We’re deep into the ‘ber months, which means cozy We’re deep into the ‘ber months, which means cozy sewing season is in FULL swing! 🙌

👉 We’re chugging along with the Alchemy block of the month, five months in! 
👉 We’re celebrating SO MANY big finishes of our Dutch Summer block of the month quilt tops
👉 I’ve been planning our next block of the month... 

There’s SO much good stuff going on over here, and I can’t wait to reveal my latest design to you so soon, along with all of the projects I’ve been sewing!!! 

Follow along to see my next block-of-the-month design reveal in November! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Follow on Instagram

Browse by Category

Archives

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • email
I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing altogether, and then I was introduced to freezer paper piecing, and it changed my whole world forever.

Let’s talk about Freezer Paper Piecing versus traditional Paper Foundation Piecing. 👇

The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

WAY MORE TIME TO QUILT! 🙌

In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with me? 🧙‍♀️🧵

I’m teaching a FREE class, and we’re getting a little spooky with this one! 🤓

I’ll show you my favorite way to make Modern Triangles using my no-waste, no picking method, and then we’re turning our triangle into a WITCH HAT. ✨

And yes, beginners are absolutely welcome!

I’ll walk you through it step by step, show you how these simple little triangles can be arranged into much more complex-looking designs, and we’ll spend some time actually PLAYING with what we make.

PLUS, if you show up live, you’ll get my exclusive Spooky Witch Hat Modern Triangle pattern FREE so you can keep sewing after class. 🎁

Come hang out, learn something new, make a witch hat, and have some fun with me!

Comment WITCHY, and I’ll send you the link to save your free spot! 🧙‍♀️

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re a quilter. 😂🧵

I’ll go first: I can find quilt inspiration in approximately ANYTHING. I own fabric that is apparently too special to actually use, and “one more seam” has never once meant one more seam.

Your turn. 🤓 Finish the sentence in the comments 👇 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next year’s “Starburst” Block of the Moth, and I had to laugh at myself because even though I started with a few pretty pinks and yellows as my inspiration...

I devolved back to rainbows for my final selection. I do love a rainbow gradient! So glorious, so delicious!

Honestly, sometimes it takes me several, several, several rounds to get the colors just how I want them. 😭  But the good news is, I do have the rainbow fabric on hand!

Now I can Netflix and sew... as I work on my Starburst sample! Hooray!

Who else just can’t resist a rainbow palette??? Follow along @bryanhousequilts to be the first to see my latest “Starburst” design! 💫

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Follow on Instagram
© 2026 Bryan House Quilts