Hello Quilt Mystery Clue One ⋆ Scrapdash

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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 is Clue # 1. 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.

Here is a quilt that will say HELLO to the New Year. Some cultures tiptoe into the New Year like it is a cat who might wake up cranky. Others march in with a broom, a suitcase, and a handful of grapes. Did you know that in Spain, eating twelve grapes at midnight is supposed to bring good luck for each month ahead? In Denmark, folks jump off chairs at midnight to leap into good fortune. If you have creaky knees, maybe just scoot off the edge and call it close enough. In Brazil, wearing white welcomes peace into the New Year.

If you quilt, there is an unspoken superstition about finishing at least one UFO before January arrives. Quilters swear it makes the fabric behave for the next twelve months. No scientific backing, but it sounds good enough to stitch by.

Here are the cutting directions for the Hello! quilt. I did not combine the 2-1/2″ Background strips to make it easier on people using a variety of fabrics.

Cutting

1 Set 2-1/2″ Strips (Jelly Roll or Scraps)

This pattern uses 2-1/2″ wide strips that are 15-1/2″ long. If you are working with a jelly roll, choose the 30 that you like the best and cut them to 15-1/2″ lengths. Save the rest for a pieced binding if you prefer. You will need a total of (60) 2-1/2″ × 15-1/2″ rectangles for this pattern.

3-1/2 yards Background

Cut (8) strips 2-1/2″ wide by the WOF. Cut each strip every 2-1/2″ to create a total of (140) 2-1/2″ squares which will be used in the blocks and the cornerstones.
Cut (6) strips 2-1/2″ wide by the WOF. Cut each strip every 6-1/2″ to create a total of (36) 2-1/2″ × 6-1/2″ rectangles.
Cut (16) strips 2-1/2″ wide by the WOF. Cut each strip every 18-1/2″ to create a total of (31) 2-1/2″ × 18-1/2″ rectangles for the sashing.
Cut (7) strips 6-1/2″ wide by the WOF. Cut each strip every 6-1/2″ to create a total of (36) 6-1/2″ squares.

1-1/3 Outer Border

Cut (9) strips 5″ wide by the WOF for the Outer Border.

3/4 yard Binding (optional)

Cut (9) strips 2-1/2″ wide by the WOF for the binding if you aren’t piecing it from the leftover jelly roll strips.

Here are the Clues

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.liamgobfsctd-92d103@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.

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