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. 

TQC Journal | issue 139

This edition of the TQC Journal is full of some fun stuff. First up
the 2026 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection is finally here!
You can read all the details and place an order here. 
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
Count up your quilty friends and take advantage of the
quantity discounts for all your holiday gifting needs.
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
Please note: When you receive your postcard collection you will
notice that the November postcard ( Log Cabin) is mistakenly labeled
May. All patterns are correct and you will still have loads of fun
stitching these little cuties. So sorry, thanks for understanding. 

The 2025 Mini-a-Month Projects are coming to end.
This months quilt is full of fall charm and will go together with ease. 
Be ready to stitch along with me next year and grab your set
of the 2026 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection here. 
Harvest Hot-pad Stitch Along

Welcome to my newest Stitch Along. I am so glad you are joining me. 

Obviously I have stitched ahead but I will be sewing along with you in spirit.

Here are a few details for you to keep in mind. 

1. I will be posting three blocks every other week. This project will be 

completed by November 17th. 

2. The Potholder style allows you to quilt as you go. Once you
have completed a block finish it off with a little hand quilting
and a single thickness binding. Check out my tutorial 
on finishing a small quilt for details instructions. 
Find the video here. 

3. If you would prefer to finish your quilt in a more traditional 
style, join the blocks using 1-1/4" x 6 sashing strips
and 1-1/4" square cornerstones.  

  - - - - - - - - - -Framed Four Patch  - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting the block
From 2 different prints, cut: 4 squares, 1-3/4" x 1-3/4"
From 2 different prints, cut: 2 strips, 1-1/4" x 3"
2 strips, 1-1/4" x 4-1/2"

Making the Block

Make Four Patch blocks using 1-3/4" squares.
Add 1- 1/4" x 3" strips to opposite sides
of four patch, then add 1-1/4" x 4-1/2" to 
remaining sides. 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. 

  - - - - - - - - - - Broken Dish - - - - - - - - - -

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. 

- - - - - - - - - - Bowtie - - - - - - - - - -

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

Making the Block

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the 
wrong side of 1-1/2" squares. Place the marked square
on the opposite square in one corner, right sides together.
Sew on line and trim 1/4" from stitch line. Press. 
Layout units in two rows, sew units together.
Join rows alternating seams at intersection.
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. 

TQC Journal | special edition

I finally finished this sweet little hand piecing project.  I have a little
secret to share. I got a little impatient and did finish up a few of the
blocks with the machine :) You can find all the details here and here. 

It is not very big, but I think the result is so cute. I just love it.!

TQC Journal | issue 138

Harvest Hot-pad Stitch Along
My newest stitch along will be starting soon. We will be getting started on
 October 6th.  I hope you will be joining me. This project is made in the
 potholder style but traditional setting information will be given. 
Gather your harvest colored scraps or grab a kit so you can
 use my current collection, Ultimate Umbers.

You can place an order here.