>>>>

Monday, December 23, 2024

Suprprise! Old Town Mystery, Part 6!


Yes, yes, yes  - I know it's only Monday!

But did I not warn you in Part Four that there might be some sneaky mystery posts happening in the near future?

In all honesty, my plan was to post this Christmas Eve morning as a gift to everyone - 

But then I decided that Christmas Eve (And Hanukkah Eve, if there is such a thing!) was maybe a bit much for releasing anything...so I decided that today would do the trick.

And perhaps folks could find time between Monday and Friday to at least get a few of these units made.

The link for the Part Six PDF is down below this set of Poland photos.  Read the story, and you'll find the link below.


The Wieliczka Royal Salt Mine, near Kraków, Poland is a UNESCO World Heritage center.

This was one of the most amazing tours we experienced while in Poland.

The deposit of rock salt in Wieliczka and Bochnia has been mined since the 13th century.

Salt was extremely important to Poland, historically considered a "white gold" due to its economic and political significance, as the country's extensive salt mines, particularly in Wieliczka, provided a major source of revenue for the Polish monarchy, often contributing to a significant portion of the royal treasury, and even funding the establishment of the first Polish university in Krakow.

 Essentially, salt played a crucial role in shaping Poland's development and wealth for centuries.


My hand in the handprint of a long ago salt miner.


Our guides took us chamber by chamber explaining to us just how salt was mined here and how necessary it was for survival.

This chamber was excavated between 1649 and 1685.  Just think about that!


There were wonderful displays to take us back in time.


What it must have been like for workers back in the day.

There were mule powered teams way down below!


Artisans of long ago carved these artworks out of salt!


Narrow passageways and so many steps!


This was the coolest thing!

This entire chapel was carved out of salt.  Even the chandeliers were sculpted from rock salt.


Green water down below.


1717-1965


And those stairs! Did we have to climb back up?


Nope!

The crammed us into elevator cars and sent us back up to the top.  Luckily our elevator mates for random nationalities also on tour were up for a selfie in the half-darkness!

I found a wonderful video on YouTube to share more about the salt mines - Click to Play:


So now that we've learned about the Wieliczka Royal Salt Mine, let's get on to Part Six!

Click HERE for Part Six PDF.


Red/Neutral half-square triangles.

25 sets of 4 matching.

Units will measure 2 1/2'' unfinished and finish at 2'' in the quilt.

You've done this before.  It's the same as Part Four, only you are cutting in sets of 4 instead of sets of 8, Use one red and one neutral per set. Fabrics may change from set to set.

25 sets of 4 is 100 half-square triangles total, 

Traditional Rotary Cutting for ONE SET:

From red fabric cut:

2 squares 2 7/8''

From Neutral fabric cut:

2 squares 2 7/8''

Pair neutral squares with red squares with right sides together.  Slice on the diagonal from corner to corner to yield 2 half-square triangle units ready to sew from each pair of squares. 

The sewing is the same as the Essential Triangle Tool Method below.

You can use ANY method to make these, keeping in mind the unfinished and finished size.

Essential Triangle Tool Method:


Pair a 2 1/2'' red strip and a 2 1/2'' neutral strip with right sides together.  We are cutting in already matched pairs, ready to sew.

Square off end of strip set.

Using the 3rd red line for 2'' finished half-square triangles, place the line at the top of the strip set and cut as shown. 


Pivot the ruler and continue cutting, placing the 2'' finished red line on the bottom of the strip set on the fabric as show. Cut.


Continue to pivot the ruler, cutting 4 half-square triangle pairs ready to sew from each fabric pairing.

Cut 25 sets of 4.


Stitch half-square triangle pairs along diagonal edge.  Gently press toward the red fabric. 

Remove dog ears and trim to 2 1/2'' as needed.

If your units are too small, scant your seam allowance and try again.


One set of 4 matching.

Make 25 sets.

Hopefully this is easy enough for you to slide in until Part 7 is released on Friday.  

If you can't get to it, don't worry - it's not anything with a new technique, you already know this unit.  See if you can make just a couple of sets to hold your place while you wait for things to calm down a bit.

I would love to have you join me on my 2025-2026 lineup of exciting tours.

June 2025: crafts, culture and cuisine of Iceland.

September 2025: Germany, Switzerland and France winding up at the Fantastic quilt show in Alsace!

Nov/Dec 2025: Bavarian/Austrian Christmas Markets!

January 2026: exclusive arts and crafts experience in Morocco.

June 2026: culture, crafts and traditions of Romania.

September 2026: quilting Inspirations of India.

Click the All My Tours tab at the top of the blog for more info.

And yes, Craftours is offering a discount on all tours booked before January 1, 2025!


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Because we can all use a little holiday humor right now.

This cracked me up! LOL!

And I think I need one more cookie.....

Have a marvelous Monday, everyone!

 

This mystery pattern is given for personal use only. 

No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical including printing or photocopying for sharing, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the author.

Please no uploading and saving of this file with intent to share, email or distribute, either digitally or in hard copy.

It is a reader appreciation mystery, something I give back to my readers for their support over the years.

Please help me continue to design and show your support by sending your friends to my blog to print their own copy. 

Please check out my other designs found in the Quiltville Store where my books (paperback) notions, tools, and other goodies along with my digital patterns are found right at your fingertips. 

©2024 Bonnie K Hunter. All Rights Reserved

18 comments:

  1. We toured the salt mines in Hutchinson Kansas and it was a fascinating tour. We had two of our school aged kids with us at the time and they enjoyed it as well. i believe it is used for storage now. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, you sneaky thing!! But, yes, you did say there might be some other pieces snuck in here or there! I heard you! HAHA!! The salt mines look like an interesting place to visit. Today I am finishing a quilt up for my niece (her big girl quilt!) and maybe getting some dough prepped for gingerbread cookies tomorrow. Thank you for all you do & I hope you get a chance to rest up this week with all of the craziness! Happy quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Bonnie!
    This year I have.been trying to get my MOJO back. I have learned so much already! To actually read everything before I cut. That a billion tiny pieces is not to be a stress but something to enjoy.That when you think you could be close to catching up......a surprise can happen. I wish you the nicest of holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LOVE a surprise- never thought I would be one of those people alone for the holidays that you do this for, how this made me smile this morning as I opened my computer with a cup of coffee! Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yep, we know how to do this unit! Thanks for the surprise Monday Ece of Christmas Eve part 6. I can chain stitch those extras into sets of 4. Cutting is easiest with the Essential Triangle Tool! My Granddaughters get to use them the 2nd year of Grandma Camp.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous10:51 AM EST

    Your quote for today cracked me up TOO! Thanks for the early clue 6 and have a Very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I LOVE your quilt quote today. My first laugh of a busy day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Merry Christmas to us!! My favorite salt is "Celtic Grey Salt". I hope for all to have a Healthy, Safe and Happy New Year. xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, Bonnie! What fun! And the salt mine video was fascinating. I loved those Aussie travel guides!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an extraordinary experience the mines must have been. Loved the pictures. Thank you for the additional video link to see more.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the surprise clue!

    ReplyDelete
  12. WooHoo! Another piece of the Old Town Mystery...not that I'm caught up and ready but still nice to see what's coming next. :-) Thank you, Bonnie *hugs* Jenny

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous2:32 PM EST

    Hey Boonie, It's Christmas Eve here in Australia, thank you so much.
    No sewing done today from a Queensland. Shame you won't be visiting the BEST part of Australia
    Merry Christmas to all
    Roslyn

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous4:32 PM EST

    Thank you so much Bonnie! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous5:03 PM EST

    So there *is* such a thing as Hannuka eve, but it might not be what you think.

    In Jewish tradition, the day begins the night before. So if the first candle of Hannuka is on Wednesday night as it is this year, then the first DAY of Hannuka is actually Thursday!
    So Hannuka eve (called Erev Hannuka) is Wednesday this year which coincides with Christmas.

    Things you never needed to know!!

    Happy Everything to Everyone, and as always, thank you, Bonnie <3.
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous5:34 PM EST

    Even though I'm on my own, it seems this time of year is still too busy for me, so I'm saving all the instructions to start in January, without looking at each set very closely. I truly enjoyed the Craftours Quiltville trip to Poland last year. Half my heritage was from Poland. The Pierogi making and the salt mine were particularly enjoyable. Thanks for the trip and the mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for the pictures of Poland. My son was deployed there a few years ago and I would love to visit there someday myself. And thank you for the mystery quilt every year, I've been loving it since Orca Bay! Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I very much appreciate this gift to us.-More this year than ever. It has been a rough year. Long story short -I tore SL and TFCC ligaments in my Right (dominant) hand. Had PT , Surgery, a LOT hand therapy 8+ months later ,Today I was released to go back to work without restrictions!!!! Will enjoy this mystery. Enjoyed your trip to Poland. Sounds so very interesting! Thank you again

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)