One A Penny Mini Quilt

Today in Australia, Hot Cross Buns are a common item in most bakeries almost as soon as Christmas is over; but growing up I remember them being a sweet treat exclusively reserved for eating on Good Friday. I remember being taught the significance of the bun, and my mother purchasing a dozen or so during the week leading up to the Easter weekend. The sweet bread made with spices and dried fruit was one of my mother’s favourite things, but while 10-year-old me loved the tradition associated with them, the actual eating of them was not so appealing!

The term ‘One A Penny’ is from the old English “Hot Cross Buns’ nursery rhyme, and growing up in an English household meant it was one I have always been familiar with.

The most common ending to the rhyme is, ‘if you have no daughters, give them to your sons’; but in our household the more apt line became ‘if your daughter doesn’t like them; give them to your son’ – something I am sure made my little brother very happy! Of course, now that there are chocolate hot cross bun varieties, there really is a bun for everyone, and no one in my present household makes the complaints I once used to!

This quilt is much like the popular buns we find ourselves enjoying today, it has all the charm of a traditional block with just the slightest modern twist to keep it interesting! With a little bit of patience and organisation it is quick and easy to piece – I hope you enjoy cooking this one up ;).

You will need 12 scraps approximately 5.5″ square, and 1/3 yd of background fabric.

Cutting List

From (12) FEATURE fabrics: Cut,

• (1) 2 x 5” unit (A)
• (2) 2” squares (B)
• (4) 1-1/4” squares (C)

From BACKGROUND fabric:  Cut,

• (1) 2” x 42″ strip. Subcut,
  • (6) 2” squares (D)
  • (14) 2 x 1-1/4” squares (E)
• Cut (2), 1-1/4” x 42″ strips. Subcut,
  • (48) 1-1/4” squares (F)
• Cut (3), 5-3/4” squares.
• Cut (2), 5” squares.

From BINDING fabric: Cut,

• (2) 2-1/4” x 42″ strips

Some notes before you get started assembling your quilt top:

• Due to the nature of this design, the quilt is pieced in diagonal rows.
• Layout your individual fabric pieces as shown in the quilt assembly diagram and image to determine colour and pattern placement.
• Take a photo of your layout to use as reference during the piecing process in case pieces accidentally get turned around during assembly.
• All seams in this quilt top should be pressed toward the pattern fabric if you want to create seam intersections that nest together, or open if you prefer.

Step 1. To create the set-in side triangles, take the (3) 5-3/4” BACKGROUND squares and cut into quarters diagonally to make 12 side triangles.

Note: Only 10 triangles are required for the quilt.

To create the corner triangles, take the (2) 5” BACKGROUND squares and cut these in half diagonally to make 4 corner triangles.

Note: The corner triangles are larger than required which will allow you to square up the edges of your quilt top once pieced together.

Step 2. Using the quilt assembly diagram as a reference, first sew the (17) internal four patch blocks together (FCFC units), and the (14) external three patch blocks together (FCE units) to create 2“ units.

Step 3. Sew the blocks in the diagonal rows together. You should now have 13 individual rows.

Step 4. Sew the following diagonal rows horizontally – R1 & R2, R3 & R4, R5 & R6, R8 & R9, R10 & R11, and R12 & R13.

Step 5. Following the quilt assembly diagram, begin and end each of the rows stitched together in step 4 with a side triangle as shown. Do not attach the corner triangles until all your rows are stitched together. Press toward the blocks (NOT the triangles like I have done in the image below – I realised my mistake after I had taken the photo and had to change the pressing direction to allow me to nest my seams ;).

To be sure the diagonal rows are aligned correctly, pin at the appropriate intersections.

Step 6. Sew all the diagonal rows together. Press.

Step 7. Sew a corner triangle to each corner of the quilt top. Press.

Step 8. Trim excess fabric from the side and corner triangles as required to square up your quilt top to measure approximately 15-1/2 x 19-1/2”

Note: Make sure your corners are at a 90 degree angle before you cut. Use a large square acrylic ruler to align the side edges and lightly draw a line along the corner edges of the ruler prior to cutting. Use a tape measure to check that everything is parallel and perpendicular, and when you are confident that your quilt top is ‘square’, place the ruler over your marked lines and cut. Generally this technique requires you to be certain that you have left a 1/4” seam allowance beyond the block corners, but in this instance our blocks are floating and so it is not an issue.

Layer and baste the quilt top, batting and backing together. Quilt as desired.

Bind your mini quilt using your favourite method.

Congratulations – Your One A Penny Mini Quilt is complete 🙂

This tutorial is free for you to use, but if you would like to purchase a PDF pattern to print and keep in your own collection, you can download the pattern here for only $5 AUD – I appreciate your support!

Stay safe this holiday weekend friends – I will be back next week with another new pattern that I am excited to share with you all 🙂

Samantha