TQC Journal | issue 117

It is an exciting day for the TQC Journal. There is a lot to talk about.

Today is the release of the 2025 Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection!

Twelve all new quilts presented in a postcard  format, makes this
 a simple way to start or continue your mini quilt making journey.

Each set includes twelve postcards with a full color photo
on the front and complete color instructions on the back.

You can order one or take advantage of the quantity discounts here.
They make a great gift for all your quilty friends.
This week is the last installment of the Patchwork Potholder Project.
This has been such a fun project. I hope you stuck it out and are
ready to put it this project all together. Thanks for joining me. 

 Patchwork Potholder Project - Block Twenty Four
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
from light print, cut:
1 square, 3" x 3"
4 strips, 1-1/4" x 4"
from navy print, cut:
2 strips, 1" x 3"
2 strips, 1" x 4"
2 squares, 1-3/4" x 1-2/4"
from brown print, cut:
2 squares, 1-3/4" x 1-3/4"
2 strips, 1" x 5-1/2"
2 strips, 1" x 6-1/2"

Making the block
1. Use 1-3/4" navy and brown squares to make four
half-square-triangles. Trim each unit to 1-1/4" square.

2. Layout block and piece together by adding each
border to the center 3" light square. 

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.
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
Catch up on all the Patchwork Potholder Project details here. 
 Patchwork Potholder Project - Block Twenty Five
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
from pink print, cut:
12 squares, 1-1/2" x1-1/2"
4 square, 2" x 2"
4 strips, 1-1/4" x 5"
from red print , cut:
1 square, 1" x 1"
from light print, cut:
4 squares, 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
4 strips, 1" x 2-1/2"
4 squares, 1" x 1"
12 squares, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"

Making the block
1. Using1-1/2" pink and light squares, make 24 half square
triangles. trim units to 1" square.

2. Layout four blocks using 2" pink squares, 1" light squares
and half-square-triangles. Piece four blocks measuring 
2-1/2" square, including seam allowances. 

3. Layout block as diagrammed. Sew units together.

4. 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.
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
Catch up on all the Patchwork Potholder Project details here. 

That was sew fun. I hope you enjoyed this project too!
Finish up your quilt by using a ladder stitch to connect
all your special little blocks. Enjoy!

I am really happy with the way this project came out. 
If you did not join us but would like to get started
you can find all the details here. 

Lets kick off the holiday season with another fun sew along.
 I am getting things in order and you will be able to purchase and
download the pattern in the next issue of the TQC Journal. In the
  meantime you have a little time to select a size and gather your fabric.
Check out the size options and fabric requirements below. 
I hope you will join me!

Visit the free pattern page on my website
to download the pattern for this project. Enjoy!

Woven | Bethlehem Star | Small
Finished Quilt 43" x 43"
= = = = = = = = = = = = 
2-1/2 yards light green print

1/2 yard dark green print

1/2  yard light  print

1  yard red print

2 yards | backing

Woven | Bethlehem Star | Medium
Finished Quilt 65 x 65""

= = = = = = = = = = = = 

4-1/2 yards light green print

3/4 yard dark green print

3/4 yard light  print

2  yards red print

4 yards | backing

Woven | Bethlehem Star | Large
Finished Quilt 64-1/2" x 86-1/2"
= = = = = = = = = = = = 

6 yards light green print

1 yard dark green print

1 yard light  print
2-1/2 yards red print

5 yards | backing

 

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.
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
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
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
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
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
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. 

TQC Journal | Summer 2021 - issue no. 9

Mini-a-Month 
+  +  +  +  +  +  +
Summer is drawing to a close. Spend a lazy day piecing this 
simple log cabin Mini Monday project.
+  +  +  +  +  +  +
Grab your Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection and get started.

 The Mini-a-Month Postcard Collection is sold out for this year 
but I have the 2022 (yikes!) version in the works now, stay tuned. 

Potholder Quilt

+  +  +  +  +  +  +

I have a few projects that I pull out and work on from time

to time. This project is one of them. It is going to be a little 

potholder quilt made from my little leftovers. What is a potholder 

quilt? You can read all about them here. I will be trying to finish
this little cutie up this week. I will keep you posted. 

"Sew Time"

+  +  +  +  +   +
Kenny wanted to do a little sewing this week. We started
out making a pillow for his bed. He picked the fabric from
a pile of precut squares. He sewed them together and when 
he was done, changed his mind. He wanted an apron for his 
lemonade stand. He learned a valuable lesson in un-sewing.
He split the piece in two and made one for himself and one
for his little bother Henry. We used a canvas apron from
Home Depot and attached the patchwork piece to the front.

Checkerboard

+  +  +  +  +  +  +

This scrappy project is fun and super simple. Grab a copy
 of this discounted PDF pattern now or for a future project. 

TQC Journal | issue 106

Liberty Legacy preorders are here!
Liberty Legacy's rich reds, beautiful blues, and creams, with a

dash of gold and cheddar are perfect for a quilt that celebrates

Liberty, but also creates a quilt with lasting legacy.

Download my free project, Liberty Squares, and take a
 closer look at this collection on the Marcus Fabrics website.

Liberty Legacy
Finished Quilt 38" x 45"

I really appreciate your preorder of Liberty Legacy.
Pick your favorite bundle size an place a preorder here. 

 As a little treat for you! Download the free pattern for
Liberty Legacy below. I cut a few Brown Booster Bundles
that will be a great addition to your Liberty Legacy bundle.  

Visit the free pattern page on my website
to download the pattern for this project. Enjoy!  
Little Legacy
Finished Quilt 20-1/4" x 20-1/4"

As a thank you for your preorder of Liberty Legacy I will include
 free kit for Little Legacy if your preorder is placed by May 31. 
The kit includes the pattern, fabric for quilt top and binding. 

Liberty Legacy arrives in June and your preorder will
ship as soon as fabric arrives. Place your preorder here. 
 Patchwork Potholder Project - Block Twelve
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
from light print, cut:
1 square, 6-1/2" x 6-1/2"

Making the block
1. Download the free pattern below. Pattern
includes details necessary to complete block.

This pattern will be used for several blocks
that require English Paper Piecing and Applique. 

Visit the free pattern page on my website
to download the pattern for this project. Enjoy!

2. 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.
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
Catch up on all the Patchwork Potholder Project details here. 
Planning a picnic? I think this quilt would make
 the perfect picnic quilt. Grab this pattern as
at a scrappy savings. Enjoy!

Patchwork Picnic

Finished Quilt 55" x 63"

TQC Journal | issue 65

 
It is time to finish up the Summer Scrap Basket Sew Along.

Fabric used for this project - Material Madders from Marcus Fabrics
I am still taking pre-orders and my shipment should be arriving
any day. If you would like to place an order you can do that here. 

Lets get this project wrapped up!
Summer Scrap Basket Sew Along
= = = Top and Bottom Borders = = =

Cutting instructions are for one border = Make 2 borders
From a variety of prints, cut: 20 strips, 1-1/4" x 3"

Join 20 strips together along 3" sides to create a border
that measures 3" x 15-1/2", including seam allowances.
repeat to make a second border. Quilt and bind. 
Summer Scrap Basket Sew Along
= = = Log Cabin Side Border = = =

Cutting instructions are for six blocks 

From red print, cut: 6 squares, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"

From a variety of print scraps, cut: 1" strips

Attach a light strip to the left side of the 6 red squares. 
Press and square up. Continue adding strips as diagramed until
your block measures, 4-1/2" square including seam allowances.

Join blocks together as pictured below, quilt and bind. 

Summer Scrap Basket Sew Along
Finished Size 19-1/2" x 24"

If you used the Potholder Method to construct your quilt 
you are ready to join everything together. I use a Ladder Stitch to
 join my rows. This is a really good tutorial if you need a refresher.

If you decided not to use the potholder method your finished 

quilt will come out looking a little different. Here is what you 
will need to put your quilt together. Use 1" cut strips to join

your rows and top and bottom borders together. Add another
1" strip along the right side of the quilt top and then add the 
Log Cabin side border. Quilt as desired and bind. 

I have some fun and simple Christmas gift giving ideas
planned for you. I will be back with the next issue of
the TQC Journal on October 3rd. 

TQC Journal | issue 59

Lets have a little end of summer fun and make a quilt together.
This project will be full of simple blocks and will be great to use
up some of the favorites that are filling your scrap basket. 
Here are a few of the important details. 

Summer Scrap Basket Sew Along
Finished Quilt  |   Approximately 21" x 23"
Finished Blocks  |  2-1/2" square 

Fabric Requirements
A variety of light, medium and dark prints
1/4 yard tan print
1/4 yard brown stripe

I will be making my quilt in the postholder style.
Check out my other potholder projects here and here. 
This way I can finish up as I go and I think it adds 
such a fun little detail to a small quilt. 

If you would prefer to do a more traditional setting
I will be providing that information in the finishing
post at the end of the sew along.  

I will be teasing you with all the fun and colorful prints

that make up my next collection Material Madders.
I will start taking pre-orders towards the end of the month.

Material Madders is due to arrive September/October,
take a closer look here. Lets get started!

Summer Scrap Basket Sew Along
= = = Four Patch = = =

Cutting instructions are for one block = Make 6 blocks
From two different prints, cut: 2 squares 1-3/4" x 1 3/4"

Layout squares out in two rows of two. Sew the squares into rows.
Join the rows to make a Four Patch block. Make six blocks
 measuring 3" square, including seam allowances. 

Join the six Four Patch blocks into a horizontal row,
measuring 3" x 15-1/2" long, including seam allowances.

If you are choosing to make your quilt in the potholder style
use this video on finishing a small quilt to hand or machine 
quilt the row and finish up with a single thickness binding. 
I cut my single thickness binding 1-1 /2" and you will need
a whole width of fabric for each row. 

TQC Journal | issue 108

E v e r y d a y   E s s e n t i a l s   P r e o r d e r 
Shirting’s were a fashion necessity in the late 1800s, used to make
men's shirts and Gibson Girl blouses through the turn of the century.
Traditionally, these were lightweight cotton prints with small,
simple black motifs on a white ground. Today, their low volume
 appearance makes them the perfect pairing for your
favorite dark and medium calicos. I think Everyday Essentials
 will make a great addition to your scrap basket!

Take a closer look at Everyday Essentials here.

Everyday Essentials is due to arrive sometime in July. 
Check out the free kit with all preorders placed
 by Saturday June 22 below. Place a pre order here. 

Everyday Dresden  |  Free Kit with Preorder
Finished Quilt 18” x 21-1/2"

Preorder must be placed by Saturday, June 22 to qualify.
Kit includes pattern, fabric for quilt top and binding.

Visit the free pattern page on my website
to download the pattern for this project. Enjoy!

Patchwork Potholder Project - Block Fourteen
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
from light print, cut:
1 square, 6-1/2" x 6-1/2"

Making the block
1. Download the free pattern below. Pattern
includes details necessary to complete block.

This pattern will be used for several blocks
that require English Paper Piecing and Applique. 

Visit the free pattern page on my website
to download the pattern for this project. Enjoy!

2. 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.
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
Catch up on all the Patchwork Potholder Project details here. 
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =

Catch up on all the Patchwork Potholder details here.
This is the perfect quilt for a little summer sewing.
Take advantage of these Scrappy Savings and
add this beauty to your to do list. 

God Bless America

Finished Quilt 54" x 69"
Email me for availability 
I would love to help

TQC Journal | Summer 2021 - issue no. 10

 
Mini Monday Sewing Bee 
Get caught up on all the details here. 
+  +  +  +  +  +  +
Sawtooth Star
Cutting is for one block, repeat to make four blocks

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 diagonally once
from background print, cut: 1 square, 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" cut diagonally twice
             4 squares, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"

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. 

Potholder Quilt
+  +  +  +  +  +  +
This was such a fun project. I can't believe it took me so long to 
finally get it done. The idea is simple. Take extra blocks or
make them just for this purpose, quilt each blocks individually
and bind. I used a ladder stitch to join them together on the back. 
You can read more about Potholder Quilts here. 

Summer Stars
+  +  +  +  +  +  +
My Summer Stars quilt is complete and I love the way it 
turned out. If you were sewing along maybe yours is done too!
If you missed our sew along it is never to late to join the fun.
Download the pattern today and get started.

TQC Journal | Holiday Hot-pad

This was such a fun quilt to make and I will definitely 
find the time to make another potholder quilt. Once you 
have all the pieces made use a ladder stitch on the backside to
 join all the pieces together. I used this great ladder stitch video 

I hope your halls are decked and you are ready for Christmas.
I hung my quilt on this fun Artist Sketch and Tote Board 

Enjoy! Merry Christmas

TQC Journal | issue 104

  Patchwork Potholder Project - Block Nine
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
from red print, cut:
4 squares, 2" x 2"
1 square, 3" x 3"
2 strips, 1" x 4-1/2"
2 strips, 1" x 5-1/2"
from light print, cut:
4 squares, 2" x 2"
1 square, 3" x 3"
1 square, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2"
2 strips, 1-1/2" x 2-1/2"
2 strips, 1" x 5-1/2"
2 strips, 1" x 6-1/2"

Making the block
1. Using 2" light and red squares make seven half-square-triangles.
Draw a diagonal line on wrong side of light squares.
Place a marked square on a light 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. Repeat steps above with 3" light and red squares.
Trim one half-square-triangle unit to 2-1/2" square.

3. Layout and piece basket block as diagrammed above. 

4. Add 1" x 4-1/2" red strips to each side of block. 
Add 1" x 5-1/2" red strips to top and bottom of block.
Repeat with 1" light strips. 

5. 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.
=  =  =  =  =  =  =  =  =
Catch up on all the Patchwork Potholder Project details here. 

I was walking through my home trying to decide which

quilt to offer for this months Scrappy Savings and this quilt
seemed like the obvious choice. Spring Scraps is a great mix
of all my favorite scraps with an extra special border. 
Take a closer look here and grab your copy. Enjoy! 

Spring Scraps
Finished Quilt 54" x 66"