I Wish You a Merry QAL! Block 3: Santa's Belt

Block 3 is here in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long, and it is Santa's Belt by Laura Piland! You can find the pattern at Slice of Pi Quilts. It is a fun block to make. As a host, I am presenting my version of the block and my tips for completing it. Remember that 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 finished Santa's Belt block. It measures 12  1/2" square.

Block 4: Santa's Belt

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​I wanted to select fabrics from my focus fabrics. However, I needed some black for the belt and gold for the buckle. I decided to use one of my red print focus fabrics. I knew that I wanted either a small print or a large print that was scattered so that the seams in the santa suit would not be obvious. I auditioned the red snowflake fabric and it seemed to work.Then I added some black fabric with red candy and gold fabric from my stash. The gold fabric has phrases from the poem, "The Night before Christmas." That seemed appropriate. The photos below show my selected fabrics, and the auditioning of the fabrics. In particular, I wanted to make sure that the red snowflakes fabric would hide the seams. I think that it works well. I am always amazed at how the eye can grasp the whole of a block or quilt without focusing on the minor imperfections. 

Selected Fabrics

Auditioning Santa Suit Fabrics

Auditioning Belt and Buckle Fabrics

After selecting fabrics and cutting out the pieces, I made the buckle and the three vertical fabric sections. For the buckle, I ironed away from the center square. Please see the photos below.

Belt Buckle

Sew the Strips as Shown.

​I wanted the matching seams at the buckle and at the belt sides to lock so that they would lie down flat. Since I had ironed away from the center square of the buckle, I ironed the Santa suit and belt seams toward the belt. (See first photo below). As I sewed the seams between the center strip and the outer strips. I felt for the matching seams and made sure that the seams locked. After sewing the seams, I removed the three stitches from the seam allowance, and swirled the seams as shown in the second photo below, mashed the small four-patch with my finger and then pressed the seam flat.. This results in a very flat seam and can be done whenever you are sewing four-patch seams. I learned this method from Eleanor Burns at Quilt in a Day.

Belt Buckle and Belt with Locking seams

Locking Seams So That They Lie Flat

Finished Pressed Block 12 1/2" Square

I really enjoyed making Laura's block! It is a fun design and easy to make.

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

Go to Laura Piland at Slice of Pi Quilts for the pattern and the designer tutorial.

What are the Giveaways for Block 3: Santa's Belt?

​In addition, Make Modern is offering 25% off all single issues and bundles for ALL QAL Participants! Note: This offer is a 25% discount off bundles or single issues purchases only, not for subscriptions. use Coupon Code: MerryQAL2017. The code expires March 1, 2018.

​​How Do I Enter to WIn the Giveaway for Block 3?

There are three ways to enter. Do one of the following by September 11, 2017 at 11:59 pm  EST:

1. Upload a photo of your finished block to Laura Piland's Linky Party at Slice of Pi Quilts.
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, or you can ask the designer at Slice of Pi Quilts.

When Will the Next Block be Released?

September 12, 2017

Where Will I Be Able to Find Block 5?

You can find the Block 5 pattern by Sherry Shish at Powered by Quilting. A link to her blog will be found here at JANDA Bend Quilts, on I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group, or on any other host's blog.

Other Blocks from the QAL That You Might Enjoy

Block 1: Snowflake

Block 2: Christmas Tree Farm

Thanks for joining me and Happy Quilting!

This post was originally published at JANDA Bend Quilts.