TQC Journal | issue 97

 
Happy New Year!
I cannot think of a better way to ring in the New Year than with
a little stitching. If you already have the 2024 Mini-a-Month
Postcard Collection, pull it out and grab a handful of winter blues
and a pop of red and get started with this simple half-square-triangle quilt.
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If you would like to stitch along this year you can order the
2024 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection here.
Source - Pat Nickols collection at the Mingei Museum

I have another fun free project planned for us to stitch along
together. I am a bit obsessed with potholder style quilts
at the moment. Potholder quilts are the perfect quilt as you
go project and a great way to practice your hand quilting. 
Here are all the details for this new 2024 stitch along
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Patchwork Potholder Project

Finished Quilt - 32-1/2" x 32-1/2"
Finished Blocks - 6-1/2" x 6-1/2"
11 month project
One block will be posted in each issue of the TQC Journal 
There will not be a printed pattern.

Fabric requirements
Scraps in the colors pictured above
2 yards red print or solid

Lets get started. To complete each block you will
need a few items. After your block is pieced you
will need to hand or machine quilt your block.
I took the time to prep all the necessary items
before I got started. Here is what you will need. 

From flannel or batting, cut: 25 squares, 7" x 7"
(you can find my favorite flannel here)
From backing fabric, cut: 25 squares, 7" x 7"
From red print or solid, cut: 25 strips, 1-1/2" x 42"

Using 1-1/2" strips prepare the single thickness bindings.
Take a look at this video for my tips on finishing a small quilt

Once your block is pieced, prepare it for quilting by 
layering and basting your three layers together.
Once your block is quilted trim to 
6-1/2" square. Bind using single thickness binding. 
Patchwork Potholder Project - Block One
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from light print, cut:
5 squares, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"
12 squares, 2" x 2"
2 rectangles, 1-1/2" x 2-1/2"
1 square, 1-7/8" x 1-7/8" cut diagonally once
from red print, cut:
4 squares, 2" x 2"
1 square, 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" cut diagonally once
from blue print, cut:
8 squares, 2" x 2"

Making the block
1. Using 2" light, blue and red squares make half-square-triangles.
Draw a diagonal line on wrong side of light squares.
Place a marked square on a blue and red square, right sides together.
Sew 1/4" from both sides of the drawn line, cut on line and press.
Trim the half-square-triangle unit to 1-1/2" square

2. Layout block using diagram and piece units together.  

3. Layer block, batting and back together. Machine or hand 
quilt. Important note - Once your block is quilted trim to 
6-1/2" square. Bind using single thickness binding.