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Christmas Tree Farm Table Runner Pattern Available!

Block 1 Released for I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long

7/31/2017

13 Comments

 
At last, the I Wish you a Merry Quilt-A-Long is starting! Welcome to Block 1: Snowflake by Vanda Chittenden. Her pattern and her tutorial can be found at Quilt in Piece. As a host, I am presenting my version of the block and my tips for completing it. All 12 of the blocks in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long are available for free on the designer's  web site until January 15, 2018 at midnight. I will offering links to the released block patterns on my Quilt Alongs page until then. Collect them all!

Here is my version. The snowflake pieces were fussy cut using Vanda's templates. The block is raw edge appliqued. The raw edges were sewn down with a straight stitch.
Picture Snowflake Block
Block 1: Snowflake. Pattern by Vanda Chittenden @ Quilt in Piece

​
Before I show you how I fussy cut the pieces, I want to show you the focus fabrics that I am working with for the quilt along (QAL). I plan on supplementing these fabrics from my stash as well. The focus fabrics are from Purely Christmas by Henry Glass and Co.
Picture of Focus Fabrics for QAL
Focus Fabrics for the QAL, Purely Christmas by Henry Glass and Co.

Sometimes in life you just get lucky and that is what happened to me! As I was planning my version of Snowflake, I noticed that the templates were just the right size for the large Christmas Trees in one of my fabrics and a small Christmas Trees in another of my fabrics. I decided to try fussy cutting them. So I traced the templates onto thin plastic craft sheets and cut them out with scissors (not my fabric scissors!). I figured out how much fabric would be needed to cut 8 trees of each size. Then I ironed HeatnBond Lite to the wrong side of the fabrics, following the manufacturer's recommendations. 

I then used the templates and a pencil to trace around the trees. The photos shows the large trees.
Picture of Large Tree Fabric
Large Tree Fabric
Picture of Tracing around the Template
Tracing around the Template

Then I cut out the trees using a rotary cutter and rotary cutter ruler. I found this to be effective.

​Safety Note: Only use a ruler designed specifically for a rotary cutter. Do not use the rotary cutter with the thin plastic sheets. You are much more likely to slip and cut your hand.

The photo below shows the large tree applique pieces.
Picture of Large Tree Applique Pieces
Large Tree Applique Pieces

I cut out the small trees using the smaller template. I used the same process except that I cut out the small trees using sharp scissors instead of the rotary cutter and rotary ruler. I did this because the pieces were so small.
Picture of Tracing around the Smaller Template
Tracing around the Smaller Template

​The photo below shows the small tree applique pieces.
Picture of Small Applique Pieces
Small Tree Applique Pieces

I was also lucky because the smaller circle was the same size as one of my Accuquilt circle dies. The larger circle was about a half inch smaller than another Accuquilt circle die. So I cut squares of fabric the correct size for each circle, fused the HeatnBond Lite on the wrong side the fabrics, and cut the circles with my Accuquilt cutter. I had to trim a quarter inch around the edge of the larger circle to get it to the correct size, but it was not too hard. I used sharp scissors.

Then I was ready to fuse the pieces on my background square. I used Vanda's clear directions to fuse the aligned pieces as shown below.  First, I peeled off the paper backing of each piece. After removing the smaller circle and the tree pieces, I touched the large circle lightly with the iron to hold it in place, but I immediately pulled up the edges of the larger circle so that I could insert the tips of the small tree pieces under the edge of the circle. 

Then I realigned the small tree pieces and pressed them down, inserting their tips under the edge of the larger circle. Next, I realigned the large tree pieces and ironed them down. I finished by ironing the smaller circle on top of the large circle. The photo below shows the result.
Picture of All Pieces Fused on Background
All Pieces Fused on the Background

The last step was to stitch the edges of the applique pieces. Since the tree pieces had very sharp edges, I decided to use a straight stitch. The photo below shows the stitching.
Picture of Stitching
Close-up of Stitching

I enjoyed making this block. I love Vanda's Design!

Where Can I FInd the Pattern and the Designer's Tutorial?

Go to Vanda Chittenden at Quilt in Piece for the pattern, templates, and designer tutorial.

What Are the Giveaways for Block 1: Snowflake?

Picture

How Do I Enter to WIn the Giveaway?

There are three ways to enter. Do one of the following by August 14, 2017 at midnight EST:
  1. Upload a photo of your finished block to Vanda's Linky Party. Her Linky Party is on her blog.
  2. Upload a photo of your finished block to the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group.
  3. Upload a photo of your finished block to Instagram using #iwishyouamerryqal

​I Want to See More Versions of the Block. Who Are the Other Hosts?

Abbie at Sparkle On
April at JANDA Bend Quilts (That's Me!)
Becca at Pretty Piney
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
Diane at Cwilt Fabrics & Haberdashery
Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter
Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts 
Sandy at Sandy Star Designs
Sherry at Powered by Quilting
Vanda at Quilt in Piece

I Have Questions. Who Can I Ask?

You can ask me in a comment to this post or in an email.  You can also ask the designer Vanda at Quilt in Piece.

When Will the Next Block be Released?

August 15, 2017 (It's my block!)

Where Will I Be Able to Find Block 2?

You can find here at JANDA Bend Quilts, on I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group, or on any other host's blog.

Thanks for joining me and Happy Quilting!

This post was originally published at JANDA Bend Quilts.

13 Comments
Paige @ Quilted Blooms link
8/1/2017 07:16:45 am

Love your fussy cut trees!

Reply
April link
8/1/2017 02:12:03 pm

Thanks, Paige! This a fun block.

Reply
Kathleen McCormick
8/1/2017 07:23:58 am

Your version is terrific. Love the serendipity of having just the right fabric. So much fun to see this start!

Reply
April link
8/1/2017 02:18:16 pm

I'm so lucky to have had that fabric. We have been working hard on the QAL. It is great to finally have it start. My block is up next.

Reply
Jan Altomare link
8/1/2017 08:00:08 am

OMG April. This is the cutest block. I can't believe the trees are the perfect size. I would think that in my head, but never have the nerve to try to fussy cut them.

I love the fabric you've chosen for this QAL. Can't wait to see what is next.

Reply
April link
8/1/2017 02:22:19 pm

Thanks, Jan! I like the bright color of this fabric.

Reply
Rose Mikulski @ something rosemade
8/1/2017 09:22:29 am

This is such a clever interpretation of the snowflake block, I love the fussy cutting and that you just used straight line quilting on the edges. Thanks for the inspiration1

Reply
April link
8/2/2017 02:09:19 am

Thanks, Rose!

Reply
Brenda Ackerman
8/6/2017 09:34:40 pm

Hello April, I discovered the Quilt Along on The Crafty Quilters Blog by Julie on her Post today. I have followed Yvonne for quite awhile now, but somehow missed this post, so was really glad to have read about it on Julies blog. I think that you did a marvelous job at fussy cutting the applique pieces for the Snowflake Block 1. The material that you chose just worked so splendidly and made the block/Snowflake so vibrant and brilliant! Thank you for sharing your tutorial with us! I have a few more details to finish before I can sew mine down and post it, but I am very pleased with my block also. Again, Thank You for sharing and have a great day!

Reply
April link
8/8/2017 07:56:41 am

Thanks, Brenda! I am very glad that you found us, and I look forward to seeing your block!

Reply
Bonnie in Va link
8/7/2017 09:06:45 am

Very nice choice of fabric. I really like the fussy cut little trees.

Reply
April link
8/8/2017 07:58:37 am

Thanks, Bonnie! I hope you are joining us!

Reply
Jane Miller
8/18/2017 07:13:59 pm

I have just started and I love the quilt along. I am on my 45th Anniversary get away at this moment but we are headed back home Monday where I am so excited to start and quilt along with all of you. I love the little trees you fussy cut. so glad to be here,.

Reply



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    April adams

    I am a quilter who is starting a new adventure. After retiring in May 2016, I became a certified Quilt in a Day Instructor. I am certified to teach workshops using Quilt in a Day patterns and techniques. In addition, I am designing my own quilt patterns.

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