What is a mini charm pack?
A mini charm pack is a stack of 2.5" x 2.5" precut fabric squares, usually with pinked edges to keep fraying down. Each square is a quarter of a regular 5" charm square, so four 42-square mini charm packs hold the same amount of fabric as one 5" charm pack. They're also exactly the width of a jelly roll strip, which makes the two easy to mix in one quilt.
How many squares are in a mini charm pack?
Print packs contain 42 squares, usually one or two of each print in a designer's collection (some prints are duplicated). Our Kona Cotton solids packs contain 84 squares of a single color, handy as a background or to pair with a print pack. Check the product page for the exact count before you plan a layout.
What can I make with mini charms?
Mini charms are made for small, quick projects: mini quilts and wall hangings, mug rugs, pincushions, ornaments, stockings and quilted bows. They also feed straight into our 2.5" tools, including the Mini Tumbler, Mini Orange Peel and Mini Periwinkle templates (or all three in the Mini Templates Bundle) and the Quilt As You Go 2 1/2" Square Template. For project ideas, browse our free charm pack quilt patterns and scale them down.
Mini charm pack FAQ
How many mini charm packs do I need for a quilt?
Each 2.5" square finishes at 2" once it's sewn, so one 42-square pack makes a patchwork top about 12" x 14". Rough counts for simple square patchwork, without sashing or borders:
- Mini quilt or mug rug (12" x 14"): 1 pack
- Table runner (12" x 48"): 4 packs
- Baby quilt (30" x 36"): 7 packs
- Lap quilt (48" x 60"): 18 packs
For anything lap-sized or bigger, most quilters mix mini charms with yardage, jelly rolls or a solid background to stretch them.
Are "Minis" or "Miniatures" charm packs the same thing?
Not always. Some collections called "Minis" or "Miniatures" are small-scale prints cut into regular 5" squares. Check the square size on the product page: a mini charm is 2.5".
Should I prewash mini charms?
No. Precuts are cut from unwashed fabric, and small squares can fray and shrink unevenly in the wash. Sew them as they come and wash the finished project.
