Holly Jolly Quilt!!!

 It's day 2 for my Christmas in July sharing!! I was thrilled when my good friends at Moda Fabrics asked if I would whip up a  Holly Jolly Santa  by Urban Chiks quilt!!! I mean, how can you not love that giant Santa panel!!!!  

Working with panels is always so fun!!  Especially big ones like this, because it means your borders are going to be incredibly fun to piece :)   And they were indeed!!!  How cute is that pieced Christmas Plaid featuring prints from the Holly Jolly fabric line.   Just so festive and the perfect way to frame up Santa :)     

And because you only have to piece the borders, this quilt goes together super fast!!  Which is always a bonus when sample sewing, because super fast is super good :)  And you have a Holly and Jolly Santa quilt done in no time at all.   It finishes at 59 x 69 so it is a great size to snuggle up in and have displayed each Christmas.  

And I actually spent more time quilting it, than I did piecing it!!!   I was asked to custom quilt this, and I can tell you, that intimidated me right off the bat.   I have never quilted "a person" before, and was a little unsure where to start.  But I put on my big girl pants and went to work.   I just worked on one detail at a time, each time choosing a basic filler that I could free motion quilt . . . and can I just say . . . .I love, love, love the way this Santa turned out in all his quilty goodness!!!  

And I kept up the fun in the border as well.  I combined wishbones, wavy arches, figure 8's, echoed petals and straight lines in 3 different colors of thread to really highlight that Christmas plaid.   And it took a little bit of time, but it was totally worth the finish.  So fun!!!

And now Santa is off visting quilt shops, and I will have to wait for him to make his way back to my home, it will be just like he is bringing me a present ;)   But you don't have to wait!!!  Holly Jolly fabrics are shipping now and Fat Quarter Shop has a Holly Jolly Santa Kit already available.  The Kit has a panel option for a Santa White or Santa Black, so awesome!!!    So get your Christmas in July sewing on and whip up your own Holly Jolly Santa!!!  

 

It really is such a fun quilt to make ;)   I hope you enjoy making a  Holly Jolly Santa quilt as much as I did!!   And totally listen to Christmas Music while sewing away, it adds to the festive Christmas Sewing and will bring a smile to your face!!!! 

And that is it for today !!

Be sure to pop in tomorrow for the Third Christmas In July quilt share!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!

Christmas Stroll Quilt!!!

 It is time for Christmas in July, and I am super excited to have 3 Christmas quilts to share with you this week that I made late last year as a little secret sewing for my good friends at Moda Fabrics ;)     And now I am super excited to get to share all of this Festive Sewing for Christmas in July!!!    So let's start with the first, Christmas Stroll by Thimble Blossoms!!! 

Isn't this quilt just so great!!  The happy Christmas prints and colors are just so festive!!  I always love Bonnie and Camille fabrics, and this Merry Little Christmas fabric line is their last Christmas collection together before Bonnie retired which just makes so special :)    And can I just say that border print, Love, Love, Love!!!    

The piecing in this quilt is oh so much fun :)   I love a good sampler quilt, ut there are still enough of each of the blocks to allow you to do some good ol chain stitching.   I think my favorite block though was the patchwork stocking, just so cute!!!   It finishes at 74 x 84 so it is a great size to snuggle up in and have displayed each Christmas.  

And when it came time to quilt it, I just decided on an all over curly q.   I love the gentle finish it gives the quilt.  And a fun feather in the border just finishes it off perfectly.  Good ol' 402 Pearl blended perfectly in all of these light and dark colors, my go to for the win every time!! 

So the snuggling for me will have to wait until it makes it's way home.  (maybe it will make it for back for Christmas)   But you don't have to wait!!!  Merry Little Christmas fabrics are shipping now and Fat Quarter Shop has a Christmas Stroll Quilt Kit already available.  And don't you just love the boxes the kits come in, so cute!!!   Now you can do a little Christmas in July sewing and have it ready to snuggle up with this year ;)  

I am so happy that I got to make this beautiful Christmas Stroll quilt, it really was such a joy to make!!   And I love that I listened to Christmas Music while sewing away, who cares what time of year it was, I just love the happy feeling I get whenever I am Christmas Sewing!!!! 

And that is it for today !!

Be sure to pop in tomorrow for the Second Christmas In July quilt share!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!

BOHO Heart Block of the Month - Month 2

 It's Month 2 with my good friends at Stitchin' Heaven  doing their BOHO Heart Monthly Block of the Month program and that means another month of fun tutorials!!

Month 1                Month 2               Month 3             Month 4            Month 5               Month 6

Month 7                Month 8               Month 9            Month 10           Month 11              Month 12

And since each month has Lots and Lots of Tutorials in them . . . Here is a list to jump right to the tutorial you need for this month 2:  

Square in a Square Block                                              Mini Circle Block                                

Four Patch Block                                                          Mini Framed Square Block      

Sashed Half Square Triangle Block                                 Half Square Triangles Block

Pinwheel in a Courthouse Steps Block                            Sewing Section 3

Sewing Section 4 Part 1                                                Sewing Section 5

So you have your Month 2 BOHO Heart Packet . . .  Lets get started!!!  

We'll start with our first block of Month 2, the . . .

Square In A Square Block

From your Month #2, Square in a Square bag, cut the fabrics according to the supplemental cutting list. 

  

Using the cut squares and the Square in a Square Block Directions from Month 1 make your first block, The Square in a Square Block  measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished. 

And now we can move onto another familiar block, the . . .

Mini Circle Block

From your Month #2, Mini Circle bag, cut the fabrics according to the supplemental cutting list.    Remember, when cutting the Mini Circle applique, to fussy cut your circle.  And my fabrics were mixed up, as in, the green was the larger square and the light was the smaller square, but it is still big enough to cut the pieces you need.  

Using the cut pieces and the Mini Circle Block Directions from Month 1 make your second block, The Mini Circle Block  measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished. 

And now we can move onto Block 3, the . . . 

Four Patch Block

From your Month #2, Four Patch bag, cut the fabrics according to the supplemental cutting list. 

 Layout the 4 squares as shown below, taking note of the fabric placement.  

Place the top squares in each column onto the bottom squares with right sides together and align the raw edges.    Stitch a 1/4" seam along both edges.  

Press the Seams towards the Dark Green print.  

Place the Right Hand Column onto the Left Hand Column with right sides together and align and pin/nest the raw edges.      Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Press the seam open.  

And just like that, block 3 is done!!  The Four Patch Block should measure 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.  

And now we can move onto the last mini block this month, the. . . 

Mini Framed Square Block

From your Month #2, Mini Framed Square bag, cut the fabrics according to the supplemental cutting list. 

Layout the center square and 4 rectangles as shown below.   

Place the small rectangles onto the sides of the center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.   

 Press the seams outwards towards the black rectangles.   

Place the longer rectangles onto the top and bottom of the center square with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.    Press the seams outwards towards the black rectangles.   

And Block 4 is done!!  The Mini Framed Square should measure 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" unfinished.  

And now we can move onto slightly larger blocks, starting with the. . . 

Sashed Half Square Triangle Block

From your Month #2, Sashed Half Square bag, cut the fabrics according to the supplemental cutting list.   I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will plan to trim the HST's.  

Using the 3" Pink and White Squares and the Half Square Triangle Directions from Month 1 make 4 Half Square Triangles and trim them to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".  

Layout the 4 Half Square Triangle Units, 4 Side Blue rectangles, and 1 Purple Center square as shown.  

Place the center column pieces onto the left hand pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units. 

Then, place the left hand column pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units. 

Press the top and bottom row Inward towards the Blue rectangles.   Press the center row outwards towards the Blue rectangles. 

Place the Center Row onto the Top row with right sides together.   Align and pin/nest the seams.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge. 

And now, place the bottom row onto the center row with right sides together.   Align and pin/nest the seams.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.   Press the last two seams open.  

And your Block 5 is done and the Sashed Half Square Triangle Block that should measure 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" unfinished.  

So now it is time to move on to the. . . 

Half Square Triangles Block

From your Month #2, Half Square Triangles bag, cut the fabrics according to the supplemental cutting list.   I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will plan to trim the HST's.    Also, in this bag is the Gold Large Floral Fabric that can be used to do the "grey holes" in your section piecing.  Last Month we did Strip piecing of the background for the "holes" and you cut out the pieces you would need this month to do the same.  So you an choose if you want to do the Strip Piecing or just use the Gold Floral.  It is completely up to you, and I will continue to give both options going forward in the tutorials ;) 

Using the Squares and the Half Square Triangle Directions from Month 1 make 10 Half Square Triangles and trim them to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".   You will only use 9 of the 10 HST's so one of them can be put in your scrap bin.  

Layout the 9 Half Square Triangle Units as shown.  

Place the center column pieces onto the left hand pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units. 

Then, place the left hand column pieces onto the center pieces with right sides together.   Align and pin if desired.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of all the units. 

Press the seams open.  

Place the Top Row onto the Center row with right sides together.   Align and pin the seams.     You can use this little pin trick to align the points of your HST's perfectly.    Stitch a 1/4" seam along  the pinned edge, and be sure when stitching that you stitch directly along the bottom of the Fabric V made in the seam allowance to ensure a perfect points. 

And now, place the Bottom row onto the Center row with right sides together.   Align and pin/ with the seams with the pin trick.   Stitch a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge, again stitching directly along the point of the Fabric V.   Press the last two seams open.  

And your Block 6 is done and perfectly pointed!!  The  Half Square Triangles Block that should measure 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished.  

And now we only have one block left for this month, the. . . 

Pinwheel in a Courthouse Steps Block

From your Month #2, Pinwheel in a Courthouse bag, cut the fabrics according to the supplemental cutting list.   Again, I cut my squares 3" instead of the 2.875" and will plan to trim the HST's. 

 

Using the Squares and the Pinwheel Block Directions from Month 1 make a Pinwheel Center Unit and your HST's are still trimmed to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".

Layout the Pinwheel Center Unit and 4 rectangles Cream rectangles as shown below.   

Place the small rectangles onto the top and bottom of the Pinwheel Center unit with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges. 

 Press the seams outwards towards the rectangles.     Place the longer rectangles onto the sides of the Pinwheel Center unit with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.   

Press the seams outwards towards the rectangles.    And now we repeat for the Dark Blue Rectangles.    Place the small rectangles onto the top and bottom of the Sashed Pinwheel Center unit with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges. 

Press the seams outwards towards the rectangles.     Place the longer rectangles onto the sides of the Sashed Pinwheel Center unit with right sides together.   Align and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edges.   Press the seams outwards towards the rectangles. 

And your Block 7 is done and the Pinwheel in a Courthouse Step Block should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished.  

And that means it is time to start putting all the blocks together.  So grab all of your   Low Volume Background strips that we cut last month, as well as your blocks and let's get going on  . . .

Sewing Section 3

We will start by sewing some "optional" Strip Sets together.   For all of these strip sets, press the seam allowance to the Larger Number fabric.  These Strip Sets are optional as you can choose to use the Large Gold Floral Pieces or make the "Grey Hole" strip sets.  I will be using the Strips Sets in the tutorial, but you use what you like.  

From Fabric 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, sew a 2 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 17 & 18, sew a 6 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

Now we will sew Blocks to the Strip Sets.   Press the Seams towards the Strip Sets.  

Sew the 3/4 Strip Set and the HST Block together as shown.

Sew the 11/12/13/14/15/16 Strip Set and the Square in a Square Block together as shown.

Sew the 17/18 Strip Set and the Half Square Triangles Block together as shown.

 Now we start sewing it together into the Section 3.   

Sew the Square in a Square Unit and the Half Square Triangles Unit together as shown.

Press the Seams Open. 

Sew the Square in a Square/HST Unit and the Pinwheel in a Courthouse Steps Block together as shown, taking note that the longer sashing rectangles on the block are on the sides.  

Press the Seams towards the Pinwheel Block. 

And your Group 1 - Section 3 is complete.  It should measure 16 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" high.

And now we can move on to . . . 

Sewing Section 4 Part 1

Once again, We will start by sewing the Strip Sets together.   Press the seam allowances to the Larger Number fabric.   

From Fabric 4, 5,  & 6, sew a 41 1/2" Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 7 & 8, sew a 24 1/2" Long Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 7 & 8, sew a 13 1/2" Short Strip Set together as shown.

Now we will sew Blocks to the Strip Sets.   Press the Seams Open.  

Sew the 7/8 Long Strip Set and the Four Patch Block together as shown.

Sew the 7/8 Short Strip Set and the Mini Framed Square Block together as shown.

 Now we start sewing it together into the Section 4 Part 1.   

Sew the Mini Framed Square Unit and the Four Patch Unit together as shown.

Press the Seams Open. 

Sew the 4/5/6 Strip Set and Framed/4 Patch Unit together as shown.

Press the Seam towards the Strip Set. 

Sew the Sashed Framed/4 Patch Unit and Sashed Half Square Triangle Block together as shown.  

Press the Seam Open. 

And your Group 1 - Section 4 Part 1 is complete.  It should measure 5 1/2" wide by 46 1/2" high.

And all that is left for this month is . . . 

Sewing Section 5

Once again, We will start by sewing the Strip Sets together.   Press the seam allowances to the Larger Number fabric.   

From Fabric 1 & 2, sew a 44 1/2" Long Strip Set together as shown.

From Fabric 1 & 2, sew a 8 1/2" Short Strip Set together as shown.

Now we will sew Blocks to the Strip Sets.   Press the Seam Open.  

Sew the 1/2 Short Strip Set and the Mini Circle Block together as shown.

 Now we start sewing it together into the Section 5.   

Sew the Mini Circle Unit and the 1/2 Long Strip Set together as shown.

Press the Seam Open. 

And your Group 1 - Section 5 is complete.  It should measure 2 1/2" wide by 54 1/2" high.

And you are done for this Month!!! 

We will sew these Sections all together next month, 

so for now, just leave them in the 3 separate sections.  

And that is it for BOHO Heart Block of the Month, Month 2 :) 

If you have any questions on this tutorial, please don't hesitate to email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or leave a comment.  

Hope you have so much fun making all of this months blocks and then sewing them all together:)  You can actually see the heart starting to form by the end of this month, so fun!!!  

 Looking forward to Next Month!!