TQC Journal | issue 146

 
= = = = =  J a n u a r y  = = = = =
Quilt along with the 2026 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection.
Gather your favorite fabrics and create another wonderful little quilt. 
= = = = = = = = = =
Order the 2026 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection here.

TQC Journal | issue 145

 The last Fifth Monday Freebie of 2025!
I was working on tidying up my scraps and decided
this wonderful bowtie quilt would be the perfect project.

If you would like to make one too here are the details. 

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  

Finished Quilt 56" x 74"
Finished Block 6" x 6"

Fabric Requirements
Lots of light, medium and dark prints.
1 yard red print 
1 yard grey print
1/2 yard | binding
4 yards | backing

Cutting
From light prints, cut: 216 squares, 4" x 4"
From medium and dark print, cut: 216 squares, 4" x 4"
From red print, cut: 20 strips, 1-3/4" x 42" subcut a total of 432 squares, 1-3/4" x 1-3/4"
From grey print, cut: 20 strips, 1-3/4" x 42" subcut a total of 432 squares, 1-3/4" x 1-3/4"

Making the Block
1. Draw a diagonal line on wrong side of each light print 4" square. 

2. Select a light and dark 4" square. Make two half-square-triangles
by sewing 1/4" from drawn line. Cut on line, press and trim to 3-1/2" 
square, including seam allowances. Press all seams toward dark. 

3. Repeat with all 216 light and dark 4" squares. Be sure to keep 
half-square-triangles paired up. 

4. Draw diagonal lines on wrong side of grey and red 1-3/4" squares.

5. Sew the red squares to the light corners of each half-square-triangles. 
Sew the grey squares to the dark corners of each half-square-triangles.
Continue pressing seam allowances toward dark. 

6. Layout block using two different sets of half-square-triangles in rows. 
Join the units in each rows. Sew the rows alternating seams at intersection. 

7. Layout quilt top in  12 rows of nine blocks. Sew blocks together in rows.
Join rows alternating seams at intersections. Quilt as desired and bind. 

I will be working on this project as time allows. I will post my finished 
project as soon as it is done. 

TQC Journal | issue 144

If you stocking still needs a little something, may I suggest the 2026

Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection. We will start stitching along together
the first week of January. Be sure not to miss out. You can place you order here. 

Last chance to place your pre order for my newest collection 
Joyful Journal. I am expecting fabric to arrive in early January
so be sure to get your pre order placed for a little winter treat. 
Place you pre order here and I will include a free pattern for 
this sweet little crib quilt. Not to worry if you already placed
your pre order it will arrive with a free pattern too!

If you have a little time to do some stitching this is one of my favorite
from a Christmas past. Check out Secret Santa Stitch Along here 
Check out some other favorites here, here and  here.

TQC Journal | issue 143

Merry Christmas Season!

The last quilt of the 2025 Mini-a-Month Calendar is pretty easy
and you could definitely have it done in time for Christmas decorating. 

If you would like to stitch along with me next year you can purchase the
2026 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection here. Be sure to take advantage
 of quantity discounts and grab a couple extra for gifting to your quilty friends.

Please note the 2026 collection has a  typo and the November postcard is
labeled May. The November quilt is a brown and cream log cabin. 
So sorry for the inconvenience. 

If you are looking for a special Christmas present for yourself,
Joyful Journal will be here early next year. Place your pre order
for this sweet collection here. I have all your favorite bundle sizes
just in time for a new year project. Please remember this is a preorder,
your order will ship as soon as the fabric arrives in early January. 

Here is a little of the history behind this collection.

Joyful Journal, is a soft and sweet gathering of petite florals.
Pinks, creams, tans and grey prints will fill your scrap basket with a
 charming array of special fabrics. Joyful Journal was inspired by a
  Dyers Journal in the collection of the Smithsonian. A textile artist of
the past carefully jotted down the formulas used to create the
delightful prints in my newest collection.

The thrill of seeing a new fabric echo a print from the past never gets old. 

This is the sweet print that was the inspiration for Joyful Journal

Such a pretty collection, don't miss out, preorder today!
You can place your preorder here. 

 

TQC Journal | issue 142

That was sew fun! I hope you thought so too. 
Just a few more blocks to make and then it is time to put things together. 

  - - - - - - - - - - Flying Geese - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From first print, cut: 2 rectangles, 2-1/2" x 4-1/2"
from second print, cut: 4 squares, 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

Making the Block

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the 
wrong side of 2-1/2" squares. Place the marked square on
one corner of rectangle, trim 1/4" seam allowance and press. 
Repeat on opposite corner with remaining square.
Block should measure 2-1/2" x 4-1/2"
including seam allowances.

Join two flying geese blocks together.
Block should measure 4-1/2" square, including seam allowances.

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

 - - - - - - - - - -Sawtooth Star  - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From first print, cut: 1 square, 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"
From second print, cut: 4 squares, 1-7/8" x 1-7/8" cut once diagonally 
From background print, cut: 1 square, 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" cut twice diagonally 
             4 squares, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"

Making the Block

Sew the small triangle to the short side of the larger triangle; press.
Sew another small triangle to the other short side to make a
flying geese unit. The unit should measure 1-1/2" x 2-1/2",
including seam allowances. Make a total of four units.

Arrange the flying geese, 2-1/2" square and four 1-1/2" squares
in three rows. Sew the units and squares together into rows. 
Join the rows to make a Sawtooth Star block measuring
4-1/2" square, including seam allowances.

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

 - - - - - - - - - - Hourglass - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From 2 different prints, cut: 2 square, 3-1/2" x 3-1/2"
Cut each square diagonally to yield 4 triangles.

Making the Block

Layout block as pictured above.
Sew triangles together in each row.
Join rows together alternating seams at intersection.

Blocks should measure 2-1/2" square,
including seam allowances.

Layout two blocks in two rows. 
Join rows together, alternating seams at intersections.
Blocks should measure 4-1/2" square, 
including seam allowances. 

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

 - - - - - - - - - - Harvest Hot-pad Side Border - - - - - - - - - -

Today we are making a simple border.
Cut 46 squares, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"
Sew them together in a checkerboard. 

Do some simple hand quilting
Bind using a single thickness binding. 
You should have twelve blocks and one side border strip. If you have
 been quilting and binding as you go finishing up is pretty easy. I used this
  simple ladder stitch video to join everything together.

 If you did not use the potholder method my suggestion would be to
add a 3/4" cut border to each block in different prints to give the 
look of binding and then join your blocks together. Quilt as 
desired and bind using a single thickness binding.

Want to keep going? Check out my Holiday Hot-pad Stitch Along
from a few years ago. I think you will like that one too. 

TQC Journal | issue 141

Boy do I love a brown quilt! This months mini is perfect with a little
pop of red. If you have your 2025 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection
pull out the November card and whip up this cutie today.

If you would like to stitch along with me next year be sure to get 
you 2026 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection now.  Find all the
details, get a sneak peek of a few projects, and place your order here.
Don't forget about gifts for all your quilty friends, quantity discounts
make this the perfect idea. 

Are you stitching along with me? Lets make a few more 
fun little Harvest Hot-pad blocks this week. Just joining us?
You can catch up with us here. 

  - - - - - - - - - - Four Patch - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From first print, cut: 2 squares, 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"
From second print, cut: 2 squares, 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

Making the Block

Lay out the 2-1/2" squares in two rows of two.
Sew the squares in rows. Join the rows to make
a Four Patch block that measures 4-1/2" square,
including seam allowances. 

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

  - - - - - - - - - - Pinwheel - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From 2 different prints, cut: 2 squares, 3"x 3"

Making the Block

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the
wrong side of the lighter square from each pair.
Place the marked square on the darker square, right
sides together. Sew 1/4" from both sides of the drawn
line. Cut on the line to yield two half-square-triangle
units; trim them to 2-1/2" square. 

Lay out half-square-triangles in two rows,
join the units in each row together, nesting
seam allowances. Sew the two rows together. 
Block should measure 4-1/2" square,
including seam allowances.

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

  - - - - - - - - - -Snowball  - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From first print, cut: 1 square, 4-1/2" x 4-1/2"
From second print, cut: 4 squares, 1-3/4" x 1-3/4"

Making the Block

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the 
wrong side of 1-3/4" squares. Place the marked square on
one corner of 4-1/2" square, stitch on line, trim 1/4" seam
allowance and press. Repeat on opposite corners with
remaining square. Block should measure 4-1/2" x 4-1/2",
including seam allowances.

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

TQC Journal | issue 140

z
  - - - - - - - - - - Homeward Bound - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From 2 different prints, cut: 2 squares, 3"x 3"

Making the Block

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the
wrong side of the lighter square from each pair.
Place the marked square on the darker square, right
sides together. Sew 1/4" from both sides of the drawn
line. Cut on the line to yield two half-square-triangle
units; trim them to 2-1/2" square. 

Lay out half-square-triangles in two rows,
join the units in each row together, nesting
seam allowances. Sew the two rows together. 
Block should measure 4-1/2" square,
including seam allowances.

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

  - - - - - - - - - - Rail Fence - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From four prints, cut: 1 rectangle, 1-1/2" x 4-1/2"

Making the Block

Join four rectangles on long edge to make a Rail
Fence block measuring 4-1/2" square

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding. 

  - - - - - - - - - - New Album - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From first print, cut: 4 rectangles, 1-1/2" x 2-1/2"
       1 square, 2" x 2"
From second print, cut: 4 squares, 1-1/2" x 1 -1/2"
2 squares, 2" x 2", cut once diagonally

Making the Block

Fold the 2" square in half vertically and horizontally,
and lightly crease to mark the center of each side. Fold
the triangles in half, and lightly crease to mark the center 
of the long side. Stitch triangles to opposite sides of square,
matching the center creases. Stitch triangles to the remaining 
sides of the square to make the center unit. Trim the unit
to measure 2-1/2" square, including seam allowances.

Arrange the center unit, 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" rectangles and
1-1/2" squares in three rows. Sew the pieces together in 
rows. Join the rows to make a New Album blocks,
measuring 4-1/2" square, including seam allowances. 

Add 1-1/4" cut borders to each side of block,
press and add top and bottom borders. 
Finish by machine or hand quilting and bind using 
single thickness binding.