Think Christmas - Block Tutorial and Giveaway!

 

Merry Christmas in July! Welcome to the Think Christmas blog hop! I have chosen to show you a very simple little block that makes a quilt (or table runner, or whatever you decide to make with it) that looks like a gift. Because I love using ribbons in my quilts, this was something I thought up to incorporate them. (Yes, they wash beautifully! The quilt above has been washed and the ribbons came through with flying colors.)Be sure to scroll down after the tutorial to find my giveaway and the other participant links to the blog hop!

1. For each block you will need 4 squares cut 6 1/2" and 4 squares cut 4". You also need ribbon.

2. Mark a line diagonally from corner to corner on each of the 4" squares. This is done on the wrong side of the fabric.

3. Move the ruler down 1/2" and make another mark.

4. Place each 4" square right sides together on the corner of a 6 1/2" square.

5. Sew across both lines on each of three of the squares. Wait on the fourth. You will be inserting ribbon.

6. Loop the ribbon over to form about 3 loops. 

7. It is helpful to sew across the bottom and trim.

8. On the fourth square, sew across the lines, but leave a 1" opening in the top line. Insert the ribbon from the front and then finish sewing that seam.

9. Cut each square 1/4" between each sewn line. Press the seam to the darker fabric. Set the smaller half square triangle pieces aside. 

10. Arrange the four pieces in the way you wish. I chose to make my background whites different shades for interest.

11. Sew two pieces together, but pay close attention to matching the seams. Sew the other two pieces together in the same way.

12. Press your seams open.

13. Place these two pieces right sides together and sew, again taking care to match seams. Press these seams open also.

14. Pin a piece of ribbon across the middle of the square.

 15. Machine applique the ribbon in place. I wanted my packages closer together than the block allowed, so I planned it out so that my blocks interlocked and had the edge of another package at each corner. It's easy to do if you lay it all out before you sew.

16. You may have noticed that you made half square triangles at the same time as making the blocks! Mine came out perfectly! I'm sure it had something to do with math, but I didn't figure it out. (I avoid math when possible!) Sew these together and use them in a border if you wish. I chose to put batting behind each "present" and quilt around them individually. I also made the outer border "puffy" by adding extra batting behind it.

My little elf is enjoying himself by relaxing on the Christmas quilt! I think I tricked him into believing it was already Christmas!He hasn't gone outside in the 100 degree heat yet!

Thank you for stopping by! And for reading this far, you have a chance to win this really gorgeous fabric panel to use as a wall hanging, the center of a quilt, a table runner, or whatever you wish! And to sweeten the deal, I am throwing in my "Peace on Earth" Christmas banner pattern. Just be a follower for a chance to win and leave a comment telling me that you are and telling us all what your dream Christmas gift would be! (One comment per person please. I will be using the Random Number Generator to choose a winner. Open to everyone! I'll choose a winner  Monday, August 6. You have through Monday at midnight to comment.)

This is a large panel (about 36" x 45").

Be sure you visit the other blogs on the hop! Here are today's:

July 31 

 Jane's Fabrics and Quilts

Fiesta Girl

Scrapbox Quilts

From This to That 

You are here! -Buzzing and Bumbling 

 No Loose Threads

Deborah B 

Judith Handmade Treasures

Gran-Knot-Y Embroidery Lady

Mrs. Pickles

Susie's World