flags & a tutorial for Hot Pad blocks - knife-edged method

Flags of the American Revolution Sew-Along... 

This Sew-Along (with Lori of Humble Quilts)

is a pattern by Jan Patek,

and if you don't know, a Jan pattern is kind of primitive...

the seams don't have to match,

points can be cut off, and

fabrics can be mismatched, using whatever you have on hand. 

So if there's some applique that's not turned under smoothly

or a point is not pointy, it just adds to the primitive charm.

No worries. 

With that primitive charm look/style in mind,
I've started quilting my blocks individually,
deciding to use the 'primitive' Hot Pad method to finish this quilt.

In this instance, 
I'm using the knife-edged block, without individual block bindings:

Quilted block on the left, stack of blocks on the right still to do.

For those who asked me previously 
about the knife-edged Hot Pad method of finishing blocks,
here are pictures of my block progression:

#1 - Cut your batting the same size as your finished block.

#2 - Cut your backing fabric at least an inch larger than your finished block size.

 #3 - Layer backing right side up, 
centering the quilt block right side down, 
with batting squarely on top.

#4 - Pin well so the layers won't shift as you sew around your block, above... Note the double pins at the bottom, designating the no-sew area for turning the block through to right side out.

#5 - Stitch with your usual 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a generous opening to turn the completed block right side out.  (Don't allow your batting to stretch while stitching!!)

#6 - Above, trim corners of all layers after stitching.

#7 - Before turning the block right side out, 
check the raw edges around your block to make sure you've caught all layers.
 (You want to see your backing and the quilt block
  that are right sides together, with your batting on the top of that.)

#8 - Block is turned right side out, using the Hera Marker to push the block out to seams and corners out squarely.

#9 - This picture shows a block BACK.
Press the block well, then turn in seam allowances 
at the opening left from turning block right-side-out;
#10 Hand whip-stitch closed with matching thread (not shown).

#11 - Block has 'scored' indentations from 
Hera Marker for possible quilting lines, 
and then is pin-basted in preparation for quilting.

#12 - Block on the left is quilted.
The stack of blocks on the right are marked and ready to pin-baste for quilting.

At this point, all the completely finished blocks are ready to layout in their quilt position and to be whip-stitched together!
(The original quilt has borders and binding, and I think I will add those also, but will wait to see as it all comes together.)

Let me know if you have questions after reading this little tutorial.  It makes sense to me, but I/we already know that everyone processes info differently, so my way works for me but may not be easy for you to understand. :)

Back to some stitching for me.
Happy Stitching to you also!