"CHRISTMAS IN JULY" SANTA BLESSINGS...TUTORIAL...(part 3)

Hey quilters....right about now you are breathing a sigh of relief or wondering what in the world was I thinking with all those "Orange Peel" squares. Here's a hint of how I design...if you have ever traditionally sewn a "Orange peel block" you will then realize why I personally applique them onto the square. I personally don't have the patience for the "tedious" stuff and "why not" make it easy...right? I love to quilt but "love a fun & fast break" every now and then too. ;-) Well, now you're on to the "sewing of blocks together & finishing up your quilt. I have to say the designs have two outside borders but you can totally omit those and do what's easier for you. You can view online tutorials of "Straight grain French Fold binding....double fold binding.....all sorts of ways you can bind your quilt....so at this point, honestly, do what's better for you. Just remember certain styles of binding require more yardage then others. This is another reason why I always buy more fabric 'cause sometimes when I finally get to the borders & binding....well....lets just say I may "tweak" a bit :-) Don't forget to check back next week for some more Holiday projects. Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours"
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
follow me on Pinterest & Facebook

Part 3..."Quilt Assembly"
Make sure all individual blocks are pressed & squared up.
Lay out blocks per design (design boards are great)
Join blocks into rows using a 1/4" seam
(Press seams in one direction as you are going along)
Join rows to complete quilt top.
Press & Square up at this time if needed.
Add borders at this time if desired per design.
Measure top & bottom....add strips
Measure left and right sides....add strips
Press & Square up as you go along.
The designs have 1 inch borders so cut your strips 1 1/2 inch wide for seam allowance.
Or omit borders & do a straight-grain French Fold binding...whichever is easier :-)

Tip....if you are going to have your quilt professionally quilted by a "long arm" quilter, "please" call them ahead of time so you can meet their requirements before you do the backing, batting, etc.

Backing...per size of quilt....join two backing panel fabrics together to make size of quilt. Google this method as well if needed....some prefer one larger piece in center with two smaller widths on each side. Again this is a personal thing....due to it's small size you can do whatever is easier for the backing....larger quilts I would recommend dividing your backing into 3rds.
Press your seams.
*Layer backing (seams side up/facing you)
then batting & quilt.
Baste & Quilt as desired.

Binding your quilt....as previously stated, bind the quilt as desired.

I hope you've enjoyed this Christmas Tutorial & come back next week for some fast & easy gifts to make.....I don't know about you, but for "once" I am finally getting a head start on my Christmas gifts!
Blessed Quilting,
Cat

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY"...SANTA BLESSINGS TUTORIAL (part 2)

Hey quilters.....hope everyone is having fun choosing your fabrics. I've come to realize the computer glitch is me....I am wearing a brace while typing and I've noticed "sometimes" I tend to lean on the keys creating the "drama"....still should be able to retrieve the post though....it says the post is saving along the way...hmmmm :-)...anyway, here's part 2 & don't let the orange peel squares make you nervous….they are "appliqued" and raw edge applique to make it easier....I for one use this technique 'cause it's so easy & fast. Take your time cutting the "orange peel" design & not to worry if you're a bit off while cutting....you can cover any uneven lines while appliqueing. The advanced design "Santa Blessings" has a few 1/2 sq. triangles....omit this step if you are doing the beginner design "Many Blessings". Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours"
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow me on Pinterest & Facebook

Part 2....
Per 44" wide fabric....cut 4 1/2 inch wide strips....then sub cut each strip into 4 1/2 " squares...this is including your 1/4" seam allowance.  Yes....I do lightly press my squares....it's an OCD thing! ;-)

Per "Santa Blessings" design you will need....
Grey....36 squares
Black...20 squares
White...50
HST's (half square triangles)...24 grey/white (see instructions below)
Orange Peel block....(see instructions below)
Red...104
White...22
Gold...4

Per "Many Blessings" design you will need...
Grey...130 squares
Orange Peel block....(see instructions below)
White...88
Gold...42

HST's (Half Square Triangles)
Rotary cut strips 4 7/8 inch wide of grey & white fabric...then sub cut into 4 7/8 inch squares.
With Right sides together....mark a diagonal line w/fabric marking pen on top of square.
Sew a scant 1/4" on each side of line.
Cut in between sewn lines (on original marked line)
Press seam towards darker fabric
Trim or square up if needed

Note....make sure seams are flat before you fuse the "orange peel" fabric designs onto HST's. You can also google a tutorial on the internet using this method if that's easier for you.


"4 inch orange peel design/block
Print out block below.....you can also make your own "plastic template" to make tracing easier :-)
I colored in the block dark for easier tracing.

Orange Peel design/block instructions....

Using "Heat n Bond" Lite....following manufacture's directions.....cut & fuse heat n bond lite to the wrong side of fabric per square. (You can do a strip all at once of fabric & heat n bond lite if that's easier)
Note....I use a "Non-stick Reusable Pressing Sheet" & I have a designated iron that I use strictly for fusing onto fabric....this can be a bit messy sometimes.
Trace Orange Peel design to the Paper side of heat n bond lite
Carefully cut out design & fuse to the "right side' of each square (per quilt design)

You can applique each "Orange peel" block at this time. Little easier then trying to applique when blocks are all sew together. ;-)

Per your design that you are doing....this step will take a while...no worries...this is why we are starting this project in July! :-) Take your time & have fun!

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY" SANTA BLESSINGS TUTORIAL (part 1)

Hey quilters....hope all is going well. I've been trying to post this tutorial and for some "odd" reason it keeps deleting. They say 3rd time is the charm but seriously this is the 4th time....seriously laughing because I could actually be crying right now. My previous post are not saved anywhere....gotta love modern technology sometimes. I've decided to post into parts to eliminate future "mishaps" 'cause I'm sure it's not me doing it! ;-) Anyway....I hope you're ready for a fun & fast Christmas design that can be easily enlarged & would make a great "stash buster" using your Christmas fabrics. The design "Many Blessings" is the beginner pattern and both are 44 x 56 using the classic "Orange Peel" design (appliqued for easy piecing) & the advanced design "Santa Blessings" has a "few half square triangles. This sweet design would also make a great gift for anyone going through a difficult time. I fully recommend Aurifil thread for your applique & quilting techniques. If you're thinking this might be too big of a project to jump into, well no worries there's more Holiday designs coming soon using this same method. I hope this one will help kick off your Holiday season with some fun. As always, email me any q's. Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours"
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest

Fabric yardage for "Santa Blessings"

White....2 1/2 yrds.

Red....1 3/4 yrds.

Gold....1/2 yrd.

Grey....2 yrds

Black....3/4 yrd.

Backing....roughly 3 1/2 yrds ( allow more if you're long arm quilting)

Batting....twin size (save extra)

*Note....I always but extra fabric just in case I have a "oopsy" while rotary cutting.

Fabric yardage for "Many Blessings"
Grey....4 1/2 yrds.
Gold....1 1/4 yrds.

White...2 1/2 yrds.
Backing...roughly 3 1/2 yrds (allow more if you're long arm quilting)
Batting...twin size (save extra)….more small projects coming soon to use the scraps!
*Note....I always buy extra fabric just in case I have a "oopsy" while rotary cutting. It happens...trust me!
Remember....this is also a great "Scrap Buster"....so have fun designing & choosing your fabrics!

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY" tutorial..."SANTA BLESSINGS...1 DESIGN SEW MANY WAYS"

Hey quilters....it's that wonderful time of the year...."Christmas in July". Kicking off the holiday season I am sharing this fast & easy tutorial that can be incorporated into any time of the year. The design is incorporating one of my favorite quilt squares "Orange Peel" & everyone's favorite square "HST's" (half square triangles). The quilt was named Santa Blessings due to my sweet Grandson Davin. It's our favorite time of the year and have to admit we watch Christmas movies all year round together! I can only pray he carries that tradition on :-). Anyway, you will learn techniques from beginner to advanced.....design would make a great baby quilt...scrap quilt & can be easily enlarged for a bed quilt. The lap quilt is 44 x 56 & designed in EQ7 & fully recommend using Aurifil thread for your applique and quilting. So get your creative brain thinking & check back soon for all your fabric needs & instructions to complete this fast & easy quilt!

"Blessings from my Home to Yours"
Cat
Residential & Commercial Designer
AQS Member
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow me on Facebook & Pinterest

"SANTA BLESSINGS"

"MANY BLESSINGS"

"IT'S CHOCOLATE DAY'!!!

Hey quilters.....hope everyone is doing well. Have to say when I noticed it was "Chocolate Day" today my heart dropped...seriously, had no idea there was such a "thing". If you're like me, chocolate & quilting/crafting go "hand & hand" so to speak. So today, I'm assuming it's also "calorie free" due to it being a "holiday" ;-)….a girl can only hope! Anyway....wanted to share a few other important dates as well! Also keep popping in 'cause soon I will be posting my "Christmas in July" quilt that you can create for anytime of the year! View a "low sugar chocolate pie on my blog below". Fast & easy to take to any quilt function or get together. Enjoy your chocolate!

Dates to be listed on all Quilter's Calendars :-)...
International Choc day...Sept. 13th
National Choc days...Oct 28 & Dec 28

Blessed Quilting from "My Home to Yours",
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com