Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza!!!

So I totally agree that Christmas is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!  It is a season of love and giving!!  So I figured Happy Quilting should reflect that by doing some giving as well!!  So check back each Friday leading up to Christmas for some Giveaway Goodness!!!  That's right, each Friday, one of my amazing sponsors will be hosting a giveaway and trust me, you won't want to miss out!!!
  Wishing you all a Happy Holiday!!!  

         
         

Pin It!

Jump, Jump, Jump . . . Jump Around!!!

So I mentioned last Thursday that I was trying something new in the way I quilt.  I have always been a one quilt at a time type of gal.  I would start it and pretty much finish it before starting any other new project. So I tried changing things up a bit and for the past 2 weeks, (in the little amount of sewing time I have had with the holidays and all) and have jumped around from project to project, doing little steps here and there.  And guess what, I am loving it!!!  (which is actually a really big surprise to me ;)

This week I finished my Sewing Summit Remake (see yesterday's post), worked on my STARS Quilt-A-Long (so happy to be picking this project back up again), Made the X's and O's for my Grandmother's quilt, and worked a bit more on my next Bake Shop Project, Flying in Squares.


Designing Stage
  • Baby Quilt for Special new Niece arriving in March 
  • Baby Quilt for Special new Niece arriving in April
  • Baby Quilt for Special Nephew arriving in April
  • Circle Meets Square Quilt
  • 4th of July Table Runner for Sister-In-Law 
  • Christmas Tutorial
Piecing Stage
  • Stars Quilt-A-Long - Worked on!!!
  • Hugs and Kisses Quilt for Grandma - Worked on!!!
  • Going Places Quilt
  • Flying in Squares Quilt - Worked on!!!
  • Cottage Crossroads Baby Quilt
Quilting Stage

  • Nursery Crib Quilt
Completed Stage
  • Sewing Summit Projects  - Bee Bolt Block and Bag Makeover


So what about you??  Are you a one at a time or are you a Jump, Jump, Jump,  . . . Jump Around type???


Pin It!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Memories Bag

My Sewing Summit Swag Bag remake is complete, and I am just giddy with the results.  I decided right away that I really wanted to redo it as a sort of "Memories Bag".  I wanted it to remind me of the classes I took, things I learned, and people I met.  So I pondered for a while on how to do this and then came up with the idea of doing it a la "High School Yearbook Style".

I printed off some pictures on fabric using the good old Freezer Paper Printing method.  Then I made some fun backgrounds for each of the pictures.  The background for the class photo's represent what was taught in the class.  So fun :)  I wish I could have had each person in the picture sign the bag but alas, oh well.

So here it is, my Sewing Summit 2011 Memories Bag :)  I am so looking forward to next year's Sewing Summit and the opportunity to make even more amazing memories!!







Pin It!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Holiday Weekend

This was a terrific Holiday Weekend!!  Our little family spent tons of time at Grandmas's.  The kids loved playing all day with their visiting cousins.  The adults loved having a little extra time to just sit and chat as the kids were already occupied,   (although, the occasional temper tantrum had to be dealt with :)  I baked 4 pies for Thanksgiving and they all turned out great so I was pretty excited about that.  I ate way to much food all weekend but turkey is one of my favorites, especially leftover turkey sandwiches,  so what ya gonna do :)   I also made up some homemade chocolates, a Christmas tradition of mine.  And last, but not least, I even managed to hit a few sales. (not the crazy late night ones mind you, I can't handle that kind of stress.)  I even splurged at Jo-Ann's and got myself a little something something that I have wanted for some time now.  But at 60% off retail and then another 25% off that is is really a splurge??  I don't think so :)


I hope you had a Terrific Holiday weekend as well and possibly scored some great deals :)  Be back tomorrow with some more quilting goodness :)
Pin It!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Winner of the Intrepid Thread Woodlands Giveaway!!!!

So I hope everyone in the States had a very Happy Thanksgiving and those of you from around the world had a Spectacular Thursday!!!  I know I ate my fair share of turkey and pie and enjoyed spending time with family.

So today is the day to announce the winner of The Intrepid Thread sponsored giveaway.  Remember those beautiful Woodlands fat quarters??? Of course, only one person can win the fat quarters but today everyone wins.  Why???  Because Julie is having an amazing Black Friday Deal!!!

 So go ahead and get yourself that item you fell in love with and wrap it up to go under your tree :)  



Okay, I got so excited about the sale I almost forgot to tell you the winner.  The winner of the fat quarter bundle of the woodlands is . . . . .



Congrats to Lisa Marie!!!  I have sent you an email :)  Now the rest of you jump on over to The Intrepid Thread and get your own little Black Friday Shopping Goodness :)

Pin It!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankful TNT Thursday!!

So I thought today, being Thanksgiving here in the States and all, that we would change things up just a bit :)  If you have something new you have tried and have blogged about it, please go right ahead and link it up.  But if you would like, you can also add a list of things you are thankful for to your post.   Or, if you just want to right a post about the things you are thankful for that would be great and then go right ahead and link that up as well :)

So, this week I tried something totally new to me.  I was in a bit of a rut and didn't really want to finish up my crib quilt, so I decided to move to another quilt.  I never quilt this way.  I always try to finish what I start before I move on.  (I get worried I won't ever come back to it :)   But I actually found I really enjoyed bouncing around.  I worked on 4 separate projects this week, and even though I didn't get a lot done on one particular project, I found I really liked the variety.  So I think I am going to give bouncing around my WIP a shot for a little while :)



As to my list of things I am grateful for. . . .

I am grateful to be loved by an amazing husband and five wonderful children.
I am grateful to be finished with school and to be living in the home that we want to grow old in.
I am grateful to be a stay at home mom.
I am grateful to be living in a country where freedoms are upheld by the government and by brave men and women.
I am grateful to have been brought up by wonderful parents who taught me the value of right and wrong.
I am grateful to live 2 doors away from the best in-laws anyone could ask for.
I am grateful to have such an amazing creative outlet in quilting that allows me a little time-off each day.
I am grateful to my wonderful readers who leave sweet comments and boost my day.
I am grateful to have made so many wonderful friends through this wonderful online quilting community.


Alright.  I am off to make some pies.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Pin It!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Beebolt Block

In our wonderful Swag bag from the Sewing Summit was a little package from Beebolt.  It contained 9 beautiful spring-ish 3" blocks were to be used to make a 8 1/2" block.  That block will be mailed to Beebolt and then all of them blocks from each Sewing Summit participant will be made into a charity quilt.  You were allowed to use any other fabrics to incorporate with these beautiful prints in making the block.  

I whipped mine up yesterday after having a bit of a lightbulb idea.  I figured, why not try my same concept that I did for the Fat Quarterly block, but reverse it.   So I started with a simple 9 patch.  


Then I slashed and whacked adding in some solid ivory.  So this time the color was in the background and the  neutral was in the intersecting lines.  Fun little change up :)

Then I spun it a bit to give it some wonky goodness and trimmed it down to size.

And here is how it turned out.  I love it!!  I am so looking forward to seeing the quilt that is made up of all this beautiful spring goodness at next year's Sewing Summit.  Which, by the way, has just been announced will be in Salt Lake City on October 11, 12, and 13.  Hope to see you there :)
Pin It!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Just Call Me a Teeny Bopper

Okay, so I haven't been sewing a lot lately.  Why??  Because I have been reading like crazy.   I am one of those crazy people who once they start a book just can't put it down. I have to finish and a lot fall by the wayside in the mean time.  

So I hadn't picked up a book in months.  Then the other day, my husband mentioned that Crossed was coming out in a few days.  So I logged onto my goodreads (which I hadn't been to in months)  page to see the release date.  To my surprise, 3 other books that I had been wanting to read had their release dates come and go while I was on a reading hiatus 

So, to the library I went!!  And now, I am all caught up in my book que and have been thoroughly enjoying the down time curling up with a few good books in front of the fire while watching the snow fall. So what have I been reading???

The second book in the YA Dystopian Matched Trilogy.   Loved it and can't wait for the last installment!!!
The last book in the YA Septimus Heap Series.  This is such a fun series!! Great for anyone who loved Harry Potter.    
The last book in the YA Shiver Series.  Think Twilight but just the werewolves :)  

The second book in the Heroes of Olympus Series.  This is the spin-off series from the Percy Jackson series.  I am half way through this book and I am so loving it!!!

So ya, basically I am hooked on YA Series.  I can't seem to get enough of them.  Just call me a teeny bopper :)

Pin It!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Giveaway Day Sponsored by The Intrepid Thread

The amazing Julie at the Intrepid Thread is sponsoring a wonderful giveaway here at Happy Quilting so let's get right to it!!


How about some stunning Fat Quarters from Khristain A. Howell's new collection The Woodlands??  Aren't they just adorable!!!



So how do you get the chance to win your self some beautiful fabric goodness.  Simple.

Just click on over the The Intrepid Thread store and find your favorite item, then pop back here and leave me a comment of what that favorite item is.  You can just copy and paste the title of the item or copy and paste the link if that makes it easier for you.

I can't wait to see what everyone has fallen in love with.  One entry per person please :)  The Giveaway will be open until Nov 24 and I will announce a winner on the morning of the 25th.  Good Luck and Happy Quilting :)
Pin It!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

TNT Thursday gets Wet

So 2 things I tried new.  One "quilty" goodness related.  One absolutely not.

First.  Remember when I showed this pillow a few days ago.  Yup, it is the one that is part of the designer's challenge for Fat Quarterly.  Well this was the first time I had ever tried making an envelope pillowcase.  Crazy huh!!!  It was so super easy.  Now I want to start churning out pillows for every seat in the house.  (Although the WIP list is a little long so maybe I should hold off on that :)  


Second.  On Saturday I competed in a Triathlon.  Now before you go all "Wow, that is amazing" I should clarify.  It was a team triathlon and the sprint distance.  My husband has always wanted to do Triathlon's but swims like a rock.  I swam in high school (some 15 years ago, mind you :) So when he found this little "fun event" he asked if I would swim so he could be part of it.  What could I say.  

About 4 laps into it I was dead and wishing I would have said No Way!!!! (unfortunately 4 times in the pool to "practice" before the event was not anywhere near enough to getting me into shape, who would have guessed that?? :)   But about 4 hours after I was happy we were able to do it together.  My husband absolutely loved it.  And now he has hopes for us each competing our own.  He just has to learn to swim and I just have to learn to get my tush out of bed in the morning to try to get back into somewhat decent shape :)  Wish us luck :)



So what did you try new this week???  Let's see!!!!

Pin It!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

WIP Wednesday - The Nursery Edition

Thanks to my Mother staying with me last week I actually have some works that got progressed :)  And I have to say Thank You to my mother as it was mostly her work.   The new Baby Nursery went from bare to almost completely finished in just  few days.

Here is an awful picture of the adorable curtain my Mother whipped up.  It just needs a tie back for the long curtain.  Isn't it just so adorable :)


And this is the crib bedding.  My mother put together the bumper pads and crib skirt.  They are so cute and have the added bonus of being much taller than the old set so that my wonderful 2 year old can't climb up the side and poke her sleeping sister any more.


And this is what I have been working on.  This is  fun disappearing 9 patch pattern I came up with.  There will be 2 sets of block like this to make the crib quilt.  I am hoping to get some time soon to finish it up :)  And then the nursery will be pretty much done.  It just needs a chair rail :)

So that's what I have been doing.  Now for the rundown :)

Designing Stage
  • Baby Quilt for Special new Niece arriving in March 
  • Baby Quilt for Special new Niece arriving in April
  • Baby Quilt for Special Nephew arriving in April
  • Circle Meets Square Quilt
  • 4th of July Table Runner for Sister-In-Law 
  • Christmas Tutorial
  • Sewing Summit Projects  - Bee Bolt Block and Bag Makeover
Piecing Stage
  • Stars Quilt-A-Long
  • Hugs and Kisses Quilt for Grandma
  • Going Places Quilt
  • High Flying Quilt
  • Nursery Crib Quilt
  • Cottage Crossroads Baby Quilt
Quilting Stage



Completed Stage
  • Nursery Curtains, Bumper Pads, and Crib Skirt.




Pin It!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Stashing It Up :)

I went to JoAnn's the other day to pick up some Perler Beads for the kiddo's for Christmas.  I decided to just waltz on over to check out the clearance section to see if there might be some fabric I could use to make my front room curtains.  There normally isn't that great of a selection but every once and a while you get lucky.

And this day was a lucky day. (Not for the curtains mind you, but quilting lucky :)   It just so happened that they were taking an additional 50% off of the clearance price and had just stuffed the shelves with  ton of the cotton prints that they were clearing out. (including a bunch of Fall prints, yippee skippee!!)  At $1.50 to $2.00 a yard you just can't pass up these stash builders.


So that leads me to a discussion.  What's your take on Designer Lines (Moda, Riley Blake, Westminster, ect.)  verses Fabric Stores (JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, Hancock) ??  And this is just purely my curiosity.

My take - I love working with the Designer line fabrics.  Especially pre-cuts.  They are so much fun and you get such a great variety of prints.  And I do think the quality of the designer lines are better as well.   They are easier to work with, feel better, and hold up better after washing.  And often, I can find great sales at on-line stores that make them very reasonably priced.  So basically, I reach for the designer fabrics first.

However, with that said,  I am not above scoring some "good quality" fabrics at a killer deal. I use these fabrics for all kinds of projects and even though they are not quite as nice to work with and might not hold up as long, I still like the end results.

So that's my take (and it's just my personal opinion, I don't want to open a can of worms here :)

 . . .  What's yours???
Pin It!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Fat Quarterly Issue 7 and I'm in It, Squeal!!!!

 A little while back I received an invite to participate in the Fat Quarterly designer's challenge.  I was so totally excited to be asked and even more so to participate in the challenge.  It was so much fun!!!!  Thanks again to Fat Quarterly for the invitation!!

The theme for Issue 7 of Fat Quarterly is Colour.  As part of the designer's challenge we were sent the following 2 pieces of fabric and asked to make any type of block using a color palate derived from either fabric.  


My 6 year old daughter was with me when I opened the little squishy envelope that contained these beautiful prints.  She instantly grabbed the second piece of fabric and said “Oh, I love the butterfly block, it is my favorite.”  Now this daughter loves to play with fabric and mix and match colors.  She often helps me when trying to make color decisions.  So I decided, in honor of all her color help in the past, to go with her favorite print to make the color palate.  These are the fabrics we (yes, my daughter helped with this as well)  pulled and we had so much fun doing it!!!


And this is the block I made from those prints!!!  I love how it turned out!!!  I was inspired by some beautiful metal art-work hanging in an office..  Don't you just love those moments.  I had been milling around for days trying to decide what I wanted to do for my block and then wham!!  There is the perfect concept just sitting right in from of me.  Love it!!! 


I turned my block into a fun little pillow.  The pattern on how to make this block and some illustrations on how it would look done in a quilt format can be found in the 7th issue of Fat Quarterly which will be available for download tomorrow.  Yippee Skippee!!!  And I have to say, after perusing the issue already, that it is amazing!!!  So many great projects. So many amazing uses of color!!   I have already added to my continually growing list of projects I want to make.


Ya, I am still just super giddy that I got to be in Fat Quarterly.  I will be perma-grin all day!!

Pin It!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

TNT Thursday

It's Thursday so that means another round of Trying New Things Thursday!!!  Yippee Skippee!!  I am so excited for this week's TNT because I tried something that I have wanted to do for a long time.  What is it you ask???  I tried out my first Swap Experience!!!  And it was so much fun!!!!!  I can't believe I haven't done one of these already.


My first swap was the Post Sewing Summit Swap.  We could make mini's or little bags.  I opted for a mini.  My partner, SzyHomemaker, who pretty much let me know she would be happy with anything. (which I have to admit took off some of the pressure for this first timer :)  I  really wanted to use some of the fabric I got at the Sewing Summit for my mini. So I went with the Fat Eights we got at Material Girls during the Shop Hop. I really wanted a piece of  my Sewing Summit Experience to belong to my partner. So with the fabric chosen I was on to picking a design    I have wanted to make a Swoon block for some time and I  figured it would work perfect for a mini. Here's how it turned out.  
 I also tried somenew quilting with just some random straight lines.  It was hard for me to keep it random but I had fun with it once I was able to let go of my need for everything to be symmetircal.   (And I am just realizing that this is actually  3 TNT's in 1, New Swap, New Pattern, and New Quilting, Woo Hoo!! :)  I added some Flurry with the package since everyone is starting to get ready for the Holiday season and some chocolate to keep Suzy sewing late into the late night hours :)
And the coolest part of the swap is getting your own package in the mail.  This arrived from Mary Catharine the other day and boy was I excited!!!  The mini is gorgeous.  I absolutly fell in love with the purples and I love Dresden's!!!   And the extra's were a wonderful suprise.  Beautiful fat quarters and those Aero Chocolate Bars happen to be my favorite chocolate bar and you can't buy them in the States.  Whenever we visit my Mom's family in Canada I always stop at the C-Store to pick some up.  Now I don't have to wait for my next visit!!!
Look, she even bound it with a super adorable flange!!!  How cute is that!!!!
And here it is matching perfectly on my purple sewing room wall and with my purple sewing machine.  It is so fun to see it every time I sit at my machine.  Thank you a million times over Mary Catharine!!  I love it!!!  
So that's what I was Trying New this week.  Let's see what you have been up to!!!  Go ahead and link up your post of what you Tried New this week.  Remember it doesn't have to be anything big and it doesn't have to be quilting.  Let's see it all!!!




And since Amy from Amy Lou Who has posted this mini quilt challenge, I figured I would add my little mini to the bunch!!!  Thanks for having such a fun party Amy!!!
Pin It!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

WIP Wednesday

My Mother is visiting this week (Yippee Skippee) and she brought with her a fabulous roll of  fabric that she found in Salt Lake that perfectly matches the color on the nursery walls.  So I bet you can guess what that roll is going to turn into . . .  Bumper pads, Crib Skirt, and Curtains.  And of course, from my stash I pulled some wonderful prints to make a matching Crib Quilt!!  I am so excited!!!  So add a Baby Room Makeover to the Works in Progress!!!  (But hopefully it won't stay for long :)



I also managed to move a few of the projects to the Completed Stage!!!  Yippee Skippee!!!


Designing Stage
  • Baby Quilt for Special new Niece arriving in March 
  • Baby Quilt for Special new Niece arriving in April
  • Circle Meets Square Quilt
  • 4th of July Table Runner for Sister-In-Law 
  • Christmas Tutorial
  • Sewing Summit Projects  - Bee Bolt Block and Bag Makeover
Piecing Stage
  • Stars Quilt-A-Long
  • Hugs and Kisses Quilt for Grandma
  • Going Places Quilt
  • High Flying Quilt
  • Baby Room Makeover - Crib Bedding and Curtain
Quilting Stage



Completed Stage
  • Secret Project B
  • Secret Project C  
  • Secret Project A 
  • Sewing Summit Project Mini - (more on this tomorrow)

And a special Congrats to Lee at Freshly Pieced!!  This is her 1 year anniversary of WIP Wednesday linky!!!  Check it out by clicking on the link below!!

Pin It!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Special Day

Sorry it has been a little while since I have posted.  Things were crazy busy this weekend. (But super fun as well!!)   I had some of my family in town for the blessing of our sweet little Jocelyn.  Here is the family picture we got for the special occasion.  I tell you, with each additional child it gets harder and harder to get a picture where everyone is A - looking at the camera and B - smiling.  But it will work :)  It was a wonderful day and it was so wonderful to have so much family there with us.


And of course with family, comes germs!!   Do you ever notice that every time you get together in big groups everyone ends up coming down with something.  (Or is that just us??)  We ended up with a 24 hour flu bug going through quite a few of the members of the family, including me last night and this morning.   Thankfully, my Mom is staying with us this week!!!  It is so much easier being sick when you have your Mommy there!!

I am starting to feel human once again so tings should be back on course tomorrow!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!  (I know, I am hoping to :)
Pin It!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Christmas Star on TNT Thursday!!

So once again I already had a little something lined up for this Thursday so you are in luck with another Tutorial!!!  I call it The Christmas Star Block!!!

I was thrilled to be asked to participate in designing a Christmas Block for the Celebrate Christmas Quilt A-Long at the Quilting Gallery.  I am one of 36 designers for this little Quilt-A-Long.  How fun is that!!!  And the blocks are all amazing.  You can check them out in the Flickr Group here :)  And those that complete their blocks are entered into a giveaway, (which we all know we love).  So without, further ado . . .  Let's get to the Christmas Star Tutorial!!



The Christmas Star block is a variation on a spider web block.  I used the same method but changed it up some.  I hope you have some fun putting this together!!

What you will need :
   A 13" x 13" square of white 
   Larger scale scraps of Green
   Larger scale scraps of Red
   Gold Thread (optional)


Start by cutting your 13" x 13" square of white twice diagonally as shown below.  

Now you will have 4 triangles. On the wrong side of the fabric measure a 1/4" up from the bottom center and mark a dot.  Then measure 3" down from the top center on either side and mark a dot on either side.  Now draw a line on both sides of your triangle connecting the 3" mark to the 1/4" mark.  (See below)

And now you are ready to start adding your fabric.  Start with your red scraps.  With the wrong side of your scrap fabric to the right side of your white square, cut a scrap that is about 1/2" around then the left side of your now divided triangle.  It doesn't have to be perfect just so long as it is bigger than the white.

Now flip your red scrap backwards, just like you were opening a hinge.  Now the red scrap should be right sides together with the white triangle and you should have about 1/4" to a 1/2" overhang from your drawn line.  (This can be a bit tricky so see the picture below to clarify any confusion :)  Once your pieces are aligned go ahead and pin and then sew a line directly on top of the drawn line.

Now once again, flip your piece back over, hinging at the seam line.  Press your seam.  Your red scrap piece should still be larger than the white triangle on the 2 sides that are not sewn.  Repeat the last 4 steps for the other 3 white triangles.

Now grab your green scraps.  Cut and add the green fabric to the right side of your four triangles using the same method you used for the left side of the triangles.

Once your fabrics are pressed you can trim them.  Align your ruler up along each side of the white triangle and trim off the excess overhang of scrap fabric.

To help avoid bulk, I remove the excess white fabric that was used as a foundation :)  Simply trim the left and right side of just the white fabric away about a 1/4" from the drawn and sewn line :)

Now you should have 4 triangles with red on one side and green on the other.  Arrange them as follows and then set them aside for a few minutes :)

So now we are going to make some small Half Square Triangles for the center of your block. From your green and red scraps, cut out 4 2 1/2" squares, 2 of each color.

Place the green and the red squares with right sides together making 2 sets that each have a green and a red square.  Draw a  line diagonally on the wrong side of each set of 2.  Pin on either side of the line.  Then sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the line.


Now cut along the line on both sets and then press your new HST's open.

And now you just have to trim them.  We want to have 2" HST's so align the 45 degree line on your ruler up with the diagonal seam on your HST.  Make sure the sides that you are not trimming are outside of the 2" mark on your ruler.  Trim along the 2 sides of your HST.

Now just spin your HST 180 degrees so that you can trim your 2 remaining untrimmed sides.  Once again, align your 45 degree line on your ruler up with the seam of your HST and this time align your already trimmed sides with the 2" mark on your ruler.  Once it is all line up go ahead and trim the remaining 2 sides of your HST.

Now you are going to applique the HST into the corner of your block.  To do this take your 4 perfect little HST's and place them on the top of your 4 triangle blocks aligning the edges and making sure that the red is on the left and the green is on the right, so it opposite of your triangle sides :)  Go ahead and pin the HST's  in place.

Now use some choice of anchor stitch and stitch along the 2 inner seams to secure the HST's in place.  I used a decorative star stitch and used gold thread to really give it some punch.  You can use normal thread if you don't have gold and if you don't have decorative stitches you can simply use a zig-zag stitch or a blanket stitch :)  (I don't have stars on my machine, I had to go down to my wonderful Mother-in-laws to do this part :)

Now, once again, to avoid bulk, trim out the excess white fabric about 1/4" from the anchor stitching.

Now you are ready to sew the 4 triangles in your block together.   Lay them out to make your block (the same as you did earlier).  Now simply lay the bottom triangle over onto the right hand side block with right sides together.  Pin the seam line taking special care to match up your seams.  It is most important that your seams line up so that your star doesn't have weird points.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge and then press.  Repeat this same process with the top and left hand triangles.

So now you have 2 halves that should look like this.  You know what to do :)

Place the triangles with  right sides together.  Pin the edge, once again taking care to make sure you align the seams!!  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Press.

And now your block looks like this.  You can be done here if you would like :)

But if you want to get it that extra finishing touch, you can once again, stitch a decorative stitch along the outside of the star as follows.  It is just a fun finish :)

And there you have it!!  One beautiful 12" finished Christmas Star Block!!  Happy Quilting!!!


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and enjoy making your own The Christmas Star Block!!  And remember, when you are done to add it to the Celebrate Christmas Quilt-A-Long Flickr group  and while you are at it, I would love it if you added it to my Happy Quilting Tutorial Flickr page.  I love seeing different renditions of my tutorials :)  

So . . . to some TNT goodness!!   This is the new thing I tried.  And I tell you, it is a lot of fun to take a method you have done before and then just change it up a bit.  And it makes a completely different result as well.  Awesome!!!

So now let's see what you did!!  Add your TNT Thrusday post below and remember to link back here in your post somehow.  Then show your fellow TNT participants some comment love :)





Pin It!