Tuesday, 18 July 2017

'Joy' it's Christmas in July

I now have a pillow for my Christmas decorating, I know shocking right. It took this blog hop to accomplish something I've been meaning to do for the past few years...ugh yes I said years. But it is done and best of  all you can add some 'Joy' to your holidays too as the pattern is free. Thanks to Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict for hosting the '12 Days of Christmas in July' blog hop and giving me the push to finally make a Christmas pillow or maybe it's a wall hanging.

'Joy' wall hanging

pillow cover nice and crinkly after a wash 

The hop runs from July 14th to the 25th. Make sure to visit all the blogs participating the schedule is at the end of this post. Make sure to leave a comment as Sarah is counting them for an extra special giveaway, you can read more about it on her blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

The pattern is for the pillow front or a wall hanging if you prefer. Either way have fun and add a little 'Joy' to your Christmas decorating. As you can see in the above photo I used three different greys for the background.

pillow front

Makes an 18'' x 18'' finished pillow front or wall hanging.

Fabric Requirements

Chevrons:
1/4 yard of each a light, light medium and medium grey.

Snowman:
A variety of larger scrap pieces work well.
The snowman can be made from a 10'' square, the letters from (2) 8'' squares.

Cutting for the chevrons/ flying geese:
Traditional Method:
A(light) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once
B( lt medium) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once
C(medium) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once

A(light)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once
B( lt. medium)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once
C(medium)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once

The Snowman Applique pieces are cut using the templates supplied. If you are doing turned edge applique remember to add a 1/4'' to the template pieces before cutting them out. The pieces are reversed and can be downloaded in the PDF on Craftsy. 

Background:

Use a 1/4'' seam allowance.

Traditional Method
Step 1:



Sew one small triangle (B) to one diagonal edge of the large triangle (A); press toward the small triangle. See diagram 1.

diagram 1
 Sew the second small triangle (B) to the other diagonal edge of the large triangle (A) to make a flying-goose unit; press toward the small triangle. See diagram 1.
This makes one 3 1/2'' x 6 1/2'' goose. Make (6) BA units.

Step 2:
Repeat using small triangle (C) and large triangle (B). Make (6) CB units.
Repeat using small triangle (A) and large triangle (C). Make (6) AC units.

Step 3:
Join 3 BA units, see diagram 2. Make 2.

diagram 2

 Repeat using 3 CB units. Make 2.
Repeat using 3 AC units. Make 2.

Step 4:
Join as per diagram 3.

diagram 3

This completes the background.

Applique Snowman:

Use your favourite method for applique. Instructions follow for fused machine stitched applique.

Fusible Applique Method:

Step 1:
I like Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 because it leaves less weight in the finished product and it's a double sided fusible. Trace your pattern on the side of the paper where the fusible adheres to the paper more strongly (usually one side of the paper releases more easily than the other - trace on the side that does not release easily).
On the larger pieces, less fusible is needed making the finished center more pliable.
To do this, take your original tracing, and cut from the inside, approx 1/4" inside the traced line. Rough cut beyond the traced line on the outside of the fusible. See diagram 4 as an example of the letter 'J'.

diagram 4

Step 2:
Adhere to fabric as per package directions.
Cut on the traced lines.

Step 3:
Align the pieces using the placement guide. A light box or window help for proper placement.
Press to fuse as per your package instructions.

Step 4:
Machine stitch using your preferred stitch and settings. I like the buttonhole stitch myself.

I quilted a 1/4'' on each side of the chevrons and around all the elements in the snowman. 



Here are the blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop!

Friday, July 14th


Saturday, July 15th


Sunday, July 16th


Monday, July 17th


Tuesday, July 18th


Wednesday, July 19th


Thursday, July 20th


Friday, July 21st


Saturday, July 22nd













Posted by at 173 comments :
Labels: , , , , ,

Saturday, 15 July 2017

Medallion Quilt Month 7

This month's block is the Double Star block. The Double Star block uses half square triangles, flying geese, and squares.

Double Star

This is a 12 1/2'' unfinished or 12'' finished block.

 All seams allowances are 1/4''.

Cutting:

Dark fabric:   A  4-  3 1/2 '' x 3 1/2''  
                      B   4- 2'' x 2''
Medium Fabric: C   1- 7 1/4'' x 7 1/4''
                           D   1- 4 1/4'' x 4 1/4''
                           E   1- 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2'' 
Background Fabric:  F  4- 4'' x 4''
                                 G  4- 2 1/2'' x 2 1/2''

Step 1:

1. On the back of all F pieces draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.
2.Place two squares on top of piece C matching opposite corners and right sides together. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See diagram 1a.
3. Cut diagonal through all squares see diagram 1b.

diagram 1

4. Place a piece F on one of the units from 3 above, see diagram 2a.
5. This will yield two flying geese. Sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the line and cut along the drawn line, see diagram 2b. 
6.  Repeat for other unit.
7. This makes four flying geese.

diagram 2

Step 2:

1. Repeat Step 1, using pieces G and D.

Step 3:

1. Join a piece B to both ends of the 3 1/2'' x 2'' flying geese unit. See diagram 3.

diagram 3
Step 4:

1. Join a piece A to both ends of the 6 1/2'' x 3 1/2'' flying geese unit. See diagram 3.

Step 5:

1. Join the rows. See diagram 4.
2. Press in the direction of the arrows.
3. This is the center star of the block.




Step 6:

1. Join as per diagram 5.

diagram 5

I hope everyone is having fun making their blocks. I would love to see any of the blocks you have made, you can post to Instagram using  #stitchinathomemedallion2017 




Posted by at 1 comment :
Labels: ,

Friday, 14 July 2017

12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop


Once again, Sarah at Confessions of Fabric Addict is hosting the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop. And it starts today, July 14th and ends July 25th.  It's never to early to start thinking about handmade gifts and holiday decor.  Sarah has a great tutorial on her blog today!



And as if great holiday ideas and a tutorial weren't enough, this year we've got something extra special!  The lovely folks over at Free Spirit Fabrics have donated not just one item for a giveaway, but THIRTEEN!  And it's pretty drool-worthy stuff, too - it's Tula Pink's new holiday line, Holiday Homies!!!



Sarah has six design rolls, six layer cakes, and one fat quarter bundle to give away - and here's how she's going to do it!
Visit each stop on the hop, including Sarah's, and leave a comment on each post for the day.  At the end of the hop, she'll do a giveaway for each day by putting everyone's name in the hat who commented that day (from all that day's hop-blogs), and draw a winner for that day.

The twelve winners (one per person) will receive the design rolls and layer cakes.  Then she'll put all the names from all the days in a hat and draw out a grand prize winner for the fat quarter bundle!
Only one prize per person, though - let's spread it around a bit!  So carve out a bit of time to visit all the blogs and comment.  Giveaway open to all, so international comments are welcome!

Here are the blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop!

Friday, July 14th


Saturday, July 15th


Sunday, July 16th


Monday, July 17th


Tuesday, July 18th


Wednesday, July 19th


Thursday, July 20th


Friday, July 21st


Saturday, July 22nd



Posted by at 1 comment :
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )