Simple Patchwork – Irish Twins Mini Quilt

Create a simple patchwork mini quilt featuring Irish twins for St. Patrick’s Day décor and to celebrate National Quilting Month. The center block is super easy due to a fun patchwork hack. And the appliqué gnomes echo the fabric print motif. Use Sulky Felty™ for the gnome beards, noses and hat tufts, adding texture and dimension.

Finished mini quilt measures 20″ square.

PATCHWORK MINI QUILT SUPPLIES

Gnome Appliqués (appliqué templates are on page 4 of the Gnome Mug Rug free pattern.)
Perfect Appliqué™ Fusible Web
Sulky Felty™ (white & tan)
(2) 10″ squares of print cotton fabric
(2) 4″ x WOF strips
Sulky 50 wt. Cotton Thread (in colors to match appliqués)
Organ® size 70/10 Universal Needles
Sulky 30 wt. Cotton Blendables® Thread
Organ® size 90/14 Quilting Needles
Sulky Solvy™ Stabilizer
KK 2000™ Temporary Spray Adhesive
24″ square of low-loft quilt binding
24″-square of backing fabric

SIMPLE PATCHWORK

Place one print cotton square wrong side up on a flat work surface. Draw diagonal lines from corner to corner to divide the square into four triangles.

Use a rotary cutter to slice through just the center cross marks where they intersect.

Stitch the two print cotton squares with right sides facing, using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Insert a sharp scissor point through the upper fabric only, at the center slice marks. Cut along the marked lines.

Fold each triangle away from the center square so right sides are facing up. Press along each seamline.

Place one 4″ fabric strip along one square edge; pin. Stitch the border strip using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Then, trim the excess strip even with the block edge.

Continue to add a border strip to the block opposite edge, and then both side edges.

Press the seams to one side.

IRISH TWINS APPLIQUÉ

Print the Gnome Appliqués, and then transfer each gnome piece to the paper side of Sulky Perfect Appliqué Fusible Web.

Fuse the Perfect Appliqué to the wrong side of Sulky Felty (for the beards, hat tufts and noses) and coordinating fabrics (for the hats and shoes). Then, cut out each piece.

Decide whether to position the center square on point, as shown, if desired. Next, place each appliqué shape onto the center block.

Once satisfied with the placement, remove the paper backing of each piece. Then, fuse each gnome in place.

Install a size 70/10 Universal Needle and thread the needle with the first appliqué color. Straight stitch just inside of each appliqué shape, swapping colors for each fabric color.

QUILTING THE IRISH TWINS MINI QUILT

Place the quilt batting on a flat work surface. Center the mini quilt top over the batting, using KK 2000 to secure.

Place Sulky Solvy over the quilt top, using more KK 2000 to secure.

Plot the desired quilting lines and/or motifs onto the Solvy using a removable fabric marker.

Then, install a size 90/14 Quilting Needle. Thread the needle with 30 wt. Cotton Blendables Thread. Keep 50 wt. Cotton Thread in the bobbin. Lengthen the stitch length to 3.5mm

Stitch along the plotted lines, using a standard or free-motion quilting foot.

When quilting is complete, tear away as much of the Solvy along the quilting lines as possible. Remove any excess using a saturated cotton swab dipped in water.

SIMPLE PATCHWORK QUILT FINISHING

After the Solvy is removed, trim the quilt so all edges are even.

Place the backing fabric wrong side up on a flat work surface. Center the quilt top over the backing, using KK 2000 to secure. Add more quilting by stitching in the ditch of the center block and border seams.

THen, double-fold each backing fabric edge 1″ toward the quilt top, mitering the corners. Pin or clip the self binding in place.