Tuesday, October 18

Christmas Quilt-a-long Block!

OH, JOY! It's my day for a block in Michele's Quilting Gallery

I love the Christmas season and it always brings JOY!  My block was fun and easy to make and as you read on, you will see how versatile it can be.  The main fabrics that I am using for the blocks in the Celebrate*Christmas*Quilt-a-long are from Jacquelynne Steve's collection Joy*Love*Peace*Noel.  I have step-by-step photos for you to follow and a pdf file for the letter patterns (posted in Step 9).  Let's get started........
Step 1.
I used four fabrics for the pieced sections of this block.The center square is a mottled ivory fabric by Moda but you could also use a small print or check.
Cut one 6" center square
Cut two 4-7/8" squares
Cut one WOF (width of fabric) strip 1-1/2" wide, then cut into two 8" and two 10" pieces
Cut two WOF (width of fabric) strips 2" wide, then cut into two 10" pieces and two 12-3/4" pieces
Step 2.
Cut the two 4-7/8" squares in half so that you have four triangles as shown below......


Step 3.
Evenly position two triangles to each side of the square, pin carefully and then stitch and press.
Step 4.
Position remaining triangles, pin, stitch and press.

Step 5.
Trim this section to 8" square!!


Step 6.
Lay-out the pieces for the 1-1/2" strips.


Sew the 8" side strips to the center square section..........

Then add the 10" strips to the top and bottom. Press.
Step 7.
Lay-out the pieces for the 2" strips.

Sew the 10" side strips in place............


Then sew the 12-3/4" strips and press.


Step 8.
When the pieced block is complete, trim the block to 12-1/2" square.


Step 9.
You are ready to add the words. I created a letter template so that you can create whatever message you wish on your block.  You will find a pdf of this page here.


In my original block, I chose the word JOY.  I plan to make four blocks for my quilt and each will have a different word. When I made my second block, I chose the word LOVE. I used scraps of red, green and blue fabric and ironed Heat 'n Bond Lite to the fabric, then traced my letters in reverse as shown below............

I cut out the letters, removed the paper, and positioned the letters. I then pressed the letters in place following directions on the Heat 'n Bond product.


Step 10.
All that is left to finish this block is to decide if you will stitch around the letters or leave as they are. I chose to a blanket stitch by hand on my JOblock and I plan to do the same on the other blocks that I make. I chose a color called "Mustard Seed" from The*Gentle*Art threads that is the perfect compliment to the fabrics I am using. You could also use fabric glitter around each letter that would really add a festive flair to the blocks. In addition to adding holiday words to your block, you could also add names of family members. If you don't want any words, then perhaps you could choose a scene from a Christmas or holiday fabric panel and fussy-cut it for the center square. You could use 5" charms and cut them into the 4-7/8" squares. You might find a holiday fabric that has words of greeting in it, that could be used for the 1-1/2" strips. The possibilities are endless when you change the fabric choice and color!
Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial for my JOY block. And now........I would like to offer a little JOY to someone who will win a sampler of the fabrics in Jacquelynne's Joy*Love*Peace*Noel fabric line. It will be similar to this one pictured below..........


Just leave your name and e-mail contact and I will draw a winning name on Thursday evening, October 20th at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy!
Sandi

And the winner is.........Denise! And imagine my surprise when I clicked on her link and discovered the name of her blog....... Count*it*all*Joy!

42 comments:

Cindy said...

Love that block and love that fabric! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

DebbieM said...

I just love your JOY block. The fabric colors are wonderful. I would love to win some of this fabric! Thank you for the giveaway.

Donna said...

Thanks for the tutorial. Your block is lovely.

I love Jacquelynne's fabric. Her designs are always so pretty and fun.

Annmarie said...

What a great idea - so many possibilities with those block letters - thanks! And thanks for the chance to win some Christmas fabric.

tisme said...

What a great blog! I was searching for Halloween minis and your blog came up in my search. Good timing on my part, you had a great mini with instructions, and a giveaway.
I will be a follower of yours from now on.

Denise :) said...

Oh, please count me in! I would LOVE to win this sampler pack!! : )

Phyllis said...

I would love to win the fabric. Enjoy your blog very much, so many beautiful quilts on the line.

Fleurette said...

Jacquelynne's fabric is beautiful.Thank you for the lovely tutorial and letter template.

Colleen M said...

Thanks for the cute block pattern and the chance to enter your give away! I found your blog through Jacquelynne's blog...funny thing, I live in Minnesota and know exactly where Henderson is! We drive by the "exit" on 169 on our way to visit my grandparents in New Ulm. Love your blog for the local places I can get to! Thanks again.

Ineke Platvoet said...

Your tutorial was a JOY to read.
Wonderful fabrics you used, so I won't say no the the chance to win.
Ineke Platvoet
iplatvoet at hotmail dot nl

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Colleen and Ineke ... I have no way to contact you if you win. You need to include your e-mail address in your comment as your names do not link back to an e-mail link. If you do not know how to add your e-mail to your profile, please e-mail me at stitchinglegacy (at) gmail (dot) com and I will give you the info.

Lady Jane said...

Love this block and hopefully I will get into this marvelous hobby. I am trying. I love all the quilting posts but only just starting something. I am going to try a turkey wall hanging for my first attempt. Wish me luck... Cheers! LJ

Unknown said...

What a great tutorial and I love the block. Thanks for the giveaway.

Needled Mom said...

It looks fabulous, Sandi. Great job!

Judy1522 said...

Your block is beautiful with Jacquelynne's fabric. Your tutorial will be very helpful. Thanks also for the letters in the pdf file.

Ronnie said...

Beautiful block!

grammygwendolyn said...

Really nice tutorial and PDF file for the letters. Love your giveaways. Thank you.

Teatime Creations said...

What a versatile block. I can see many uses with a different center. Thank you for the giveaway.

Guilitta said...

Hello Sandy,

Thank you for your block.
Greeting Guilitta

Diane S said...

Thanks so much for your block, and the chance for the giveaway.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Yeah!!! Sandi!!! Love your block.

Dawn said...

Thanks for the block, it looks like it will be fun to make. And I love the sampler fabrics you're offering! So pretty!

VickiT said...

What a great idea and tutorial. Thank you so much. I love the letters you've used and given to us as well. Did you draw those yourself?

Those fabrics are wonderful. I love the fabric line with that adorable mouse and other cute animals.

Anonymous said...

Sandi,
I have looking forward to seeing your block since I heard that you were on the designer list. I love it, and I love the fabrics in the giveaway. I know that you have my email address.

the Owl Lady

Dee M said...

Sandi, you always have terrific designs! Thanks for sharing your block.

Bquiltin said...

Terrific tuning in to the Christmas JOYOUS season....

Diane Wild said...

Love the Christmas block. I did one of your woolly felt projects last Christmas. Hope I win this wonderful fabric.

Sandi1100 said...

Enjoyed your Blog and thanks for the nice Christmas block. Would love to win the fabric. Thank you for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

Very nice Christmas Block, love the fabric.

Liesbeth Wessels said...

Love you block and you blog. Thank you for the letters and the change to win some beautiful fabric. greetings from liesbeth

Mez said...

Great tutorial, and the page of letters is wonderful. I'll have fun making this block!
If you post overseas, then please count me in for the fabric giveaway.

Quiltsy said...

Your blog was a "Joy" to read. Thanks for the lettering for this block. Also enjoyed seeing and reading about your miniature background in your introduction in the quilting gallery.

Snoodles said...

Oh! Oh! Oh! (Jumping up and down, waving) Would love to win some of Jacquelynne's Christmas fabrics! :) I've been to her site and drooled over them!
Thanks for a wonderful block for us to make - simple but so pretty. And thank you for the letters and holly to use, too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandi Thanks for the wonderful Block

Anonymous said...

chevaliermaryellen@yahoo.ca
Mary Ellen

Love Of Quilts said...

I would like to win.Trish

Anonymous said...

Just happened across your blog from another site. Hope all is well with you and family.

MG said...

love the Joy block...I would love to make a believe block too...this is my favorite so far...

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Sandi, your JOY block is just lovely! Great tutorial too! And of course you know I love Jacquelynne's fabrics! It's nice to see what other people do with them.

MGM

Sherry said...

I love your block. Thanks for the letters and your tutorial. I hope to give this a try soon.

Angie said...

I love this pattern! Thanks bunches for sharing it with us. And the fabrics are gorgeous. I would love to give a good home to some of those fabrics too. :) Angie @ badgershipley@gmail.com

Four dogs and one quilter said...

Thanks for sharing the letters, will definitely use them for gifts this year.

"Peace can be found in the piecing of a quilt."
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