Think Christmas Blog Hop - A Simple "Merry Christmas" Quilt & Tutorial - Part I

Welcome to Day 5 of the Think Christmas Blog Hop.  Madame Samm and Lesley of the Cuddle Quilter have put together an awesome array of Christmas inspiration.  I share the day with these amazing quilters/bloggers:

August 3
Crazy 'Bout Quilts
Dexter Days
Cherry's Prairie Primitives
Somewhat Fanciful
Craftluver Marianna
Quiltscapes
Moments
Ruthanne at That Other Blog

I know that they all have something special prepared for you.  I can't wait to go visit and get some great ideas for my own Christmas creations.

Oh, and before I forget, I want to let you know there may be a reward for those of you who stick with me to the end of this post (HINT!  HINT!)

But for now, grab a cup of Christmas cheer, sit back and relax while I share with you my 

 Simple Merry Christmas Quilt

and Tutorial (Part 1)

The quilt is designed in two sizes:  

49 blocks, which measures 59-1/2 inches square finished

or

63 blocks, which measures 59-1/2 inches by 76-1/2 inches finished

As it happens, I designed the quilt (thanks Amanda for the inspiration!) for 49 blocks,  but I'm not a fan of square quilts.  I like a quilt that keeps my toes toasty, so I added two more rows.  The basic concept and design is the same.  Choose the one that you like best!
 

Fabric Requirements

For the square quilt (49 blocks):

      25 colored blocks

      24 white blocks

      1 FQ dark solid

      Approximately 3 yards backing fabric

      

For the rectangular quilt (63 blocks)

      32 colored blocks 

      31 white blocks

      1 FQ dark solid

      Approximately 3-1/2 yards backing fabric

The colored blocks in this quilt are from a Fat Eighth bundle of Ruby by Bonnie and Camille.  I love it's old-fashioned Christmas feel at the same time it has a modern flair.  So fresh!  I really love it!

The white is Kona White.  The dark solid is Kona Charcoal.

The backing fabrics include 2-1/2 yards of the red swirl and 1/2 yard of each of the other two Ruby prints.  (More about the backing in tomorrow's post.)

You may also wish to use a piece of fusible web (I used Wonder Under because it was what I had on hand) about the size of a Fat Quarter (18" x 22")

Other Tools and Supplies

Normal sewing accessories like sewing machine, thread, bobbins, etc.

Scissors (paper and fabric - can't stand it when someone uses my fabric scissors on paper)

All seams are 1/4"

RST = Right Sides Together

The Blocks

Choose 25 (or 32) prints from your Fat Eighth Bundle.  You need 9"x9" blocks, and you will notice that a Fat Eighth is 9" wide, so just cut 9" off the length and you're good to go.

Cut 24 (or 31) white squares 9"x9".  You can get 6 squares from a standard width of Kona, so you will need to cut 6 9" widths, then subcut into 9" squares.  

The Letter Blocks

Choose a font for your letters.  I chose HOWSER from among the many fab free fonts at eighteen 25.  If you haven't visited eighteen 25 drop by and give this blog a look-see.  There's lots of neat stuff there!

Once I downloaded my font (she gives instructions on the blog), I imported it into Microsoft Word and set my font size to 300.  Then I typed in MERYCHISTMA (because R and S are duplicated) and printed out my letters.  Sadly, each letter printed on a full sheet of paper, but oh well.  I traced the stem of the "I" a second time to serve as the hyphen in "CHRIST-MAS".

I carefully cut out my letters with the paper scissors and traced them print side down onto the fusible web.  Remember, they need to be in reverse on the fusible web to turn out right on the fabric.  (Yes, I have made this mistake a time or two!)  

NOTE:  You can skip the fusible web and trace directly onto the dark solid fabric and adhere using another method of your choice, if you wish. 

Then I pressed the fusible web onto my Kona Charcoal.  

A note about fusible web - I really have a love/hate relationship with this stuff.  It makes some things so much easier!  But, I haven't found a brand that I love, so I tend to buy whatever is on sale or whatever is available.  I have found, though, that there are a few tricks to working with this product that keep me from tearing my hair out.  

First, this is one product that you need to PRESS, not iron.  Pick up the iron and place it down, leave it for a few seconds and do it again.  Don't move the iron over the fabric or you may have a mess.

Second, use a HOT iron with NO STEAM.  My experience is that the steam prevents the fusible web from bonding with the fabric.

Next, go over each area using the pressing technique described above TWICE to make sure you get a good bond.

Let the fabric COOL completely before cutting or trying to tear away the paper.

Sometimes a pin inserted between the fabric and the paper will allow you to separate the paper from the web without messing up the mesh bond.

Carefully cut out your letters using very sharp sewing scissors.  I find that my embroidery scissors work very well for this purpose.

The Layout

Take your pretty piles of colored and white squares and lay them out on your design wall.  It so happens that my design wall is the living room floor, and although I thought I took lots of pictures of this process, I can't find any without the letters already on them.  (I just remembered that those are the paper letters I cut out.  I think I placed them there to remind myself to use subtle prints that wouldn't overpower the letters.  And if it looks like they are standing on their heads, I'm sorry.  It's a small room and the best shot I got was from the wrong end and made them upside down.)  But anyway, the process is simple.  

ROWS 1, 3, 5, 7 (and 9, if you are doing the rectangular quilt):

Lay a colored block, then a white block, then colored, and white 7 across so that both corners are colored.

ROW 2, 4 6 (and 8, if you are doing the rectangular quilt):

Start with a white block this time and alternate white and colored until you have 7 across.

The letters will go on rows 2, 3, and 4.  You may want to choose some of the more sedate prints for these rows so the letters are more pronounced.

Fusing the Letters

Once you have the layout you desire, lay the letters on the squares where they will go.  The "M" in "Merry" goes in Row 2, Block 2, for example. 

Pin the letters on the fabric squares.  (I know, I know, this is a pain, but trust me!  If they get separated, you will wish you had used pins.)

Fold the fabric square in half both directions and finger press to find the center. 

Remove the paper from the fusible web and place the letter on the fabric in your desired location.  Use the same technique for fusible web above to adhere the letter to the fabric square.

Repeat for each of the letters in your quilt.

Return to the living room floor "design wall" and place the letters in their respective locations.  HINT:  Before you stitch, check your spelling, 

Stitching the Rows

Gather up your rows from your "Design Wall" and stitch together.  Note that I pinned each row individually  in the upper right hand corner to help me keep track of my placement.

Stitch the blocks together RST using a 1/4" seam.

Press the seams to one side, alternating directions with each row to reduce bulk.  Pin the rows together with the seams going opposite directions and stitch.

Voila!  Your quilt top is done!  If you come back tomorrow, I'll help you finish your quilt.

I hope you like my simple Merry Christmas quilt.

And now, if you've stuck with me this long, I think you deserve a reward, don't you?  

The giveaway is now CLOSED!

I have a luscious little bundle of Denyse Schmidt DS Quilts Fat Quarters to give away to one lucky reader.  Here's how you enter:

1.  Leave a comment below telling me of  your family's favorite Christmas tradition.

2.  If you are a follower of my blog, you get a second entry.  Yup, even if you become a follower today!  Just leave a comment to let me know. 

3.  For a 3rd chance to win, visit my facebook page and leave a comment.  You can even "LIKE" it if you wish - I'd really like that!  (All commenters on the FB page will be numbered after all the comments on the blog.)

You have until Wednesday, August 8th to enter.  The winner will be drawn sometime on Thursday, August 9th.  Please be sure I have your email address so I can contact you.  No email address = no valid entry. 

Also, you might want to drop back by occasionally...  I'm amazingly close to 200 followers and 300 posts, and that seems like it might be another good reason to celebrate.  Just sayin'...

Thanks for visiting!  And even though it's still August, Merry Christmas!