Hello! A Quilt to Welcome the New Year
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This is a Mystery quilt. Clues will be given every hour, starting at 10:00 AM Eastern on January 1, 2026. This quilt finishes at 71″ x 92″ and is suitable for beginners. Look for a list of clue times at the bottom of this page.
To print this clue, use the green Print Friendly button below those clues. If that doesn’t work, try pressing down the CNTRL button and the P button at the same time. Or the COMMAND button and the P button if you are on a Mac.
Every year, I do a mystery quilt on New Years Day and Super Sunday. Generally, the NYD one will be a little more challenging, so I start it early. Not this year, though. My original idea was to create a “choose your own adventure” type mystery. I was working on a quilt that used some of the Quilt Block Mania blocks from previous months when this quilt jumped out and said, “Hello!” to me. I admit to being a bit startled but decided to go along with it. So here is a quilt that will help you usher the New Year in with a hale and hearty HELLO!
Just a reminder: Anyone who sends me a picture of their quilt in progress (including just the fabrics) or finished gets a free copy of the professional pattern after the mystery is over. Offer expires 1/7/26. Send your pictures to moc.liamg@sngisednoomebeohp. Put your mailing address in your email, too, please, as I do plan on giving out door prizes. It will help me if I pick your name. I can just address the envelope and let it fly.
Fabric Requirements
- (1) Jelly Roll or (40) 2-1/2″ strip. Some of these will eventually be cut into 2-1/2″ x 15-1/2″ rectangles so as long as you have that much, you can use scraps. Don’t cut yet! Wait until I tell you to, unless you want to raid your closet for more fabric.
- 3-1/2 yards Background. I’m using a white one, but use whatever color goes best with your strips. Several different units use Background fabric. If you are working from scraps, a variety of whites (or whatever color you are using) will work.
- 1-1/3 yards Outer Border.
- 3/4 yard Binding. If you prefer to piece a scrappy binding, you will have enough leftover in the jelly roll to do that.
- 6-3/4 yard Backing
Really Nice to Have but not required
- A Stripology or Shape Cut ruler Yes, this is an expensive ruler but you find yourself reaching for it again and again, especially when you need to cut a lot of strips. If you have an Accuquilt cutter, there is a very helpful 2-1/2″ strip die.
- A 6-1/2″, and an 18-1/2″ square ruler
- A Walking Foot
Introduction
Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.
Read over each clue before you start to sew. Make sure you understand all the directions before you begin cutting. Take your time, use pins, and press as you go. WOF means Width of Fabric. Pressing means just holding the iron over a spot for a moment or two. Don’t drag the iron back and forth as it might distort the seams.
Here are the Clues (Times are Eastern)
- Clue One: will be live at 10AM on 1/1/26
- Clue Two: will be live at 11AM on 1/1/26
- Clue Three: will be live at 12PM on 1/1/26
- Clue Four: will be live at 1PM on 1/1/26
- Clue Five: will be live at 2PM on 1/1/26
- Clue Six will be live at 3PM on 1/1/26
- Picture Page – live now
- Just a reminder: Anyone who sends me a picture of their quilt in progress or finished gets a free copy of the professional pattern after the mystery is over. Offer expires 1/7/26. Send your pictures to moc.liamg@sngisednoomebeohp. Put your mailing address in your email, too, please, as I do plan on giving out door prizes. It will help me if I pick your name. I can just address the envelope and let it fly.
