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

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.

Block 1: Snowflake. Pattern by Vanda Chittenden @ Quilt in Piece

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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.

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.

Large Tree Fabric

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.

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.

Tracing around the Smaller Template

​The photo below shows the small tree 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.

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.

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?

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.