I Wish You a Merry QAL - Block 12 Tutorial

Monday, December 4, 2017

Today's the day! It's time for the FINAL block for the "I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along!"


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial



I designed block 12 - Christmas Lights. The block is made with bias tape and raw edge applique. My hope is that it goes together quickly so you can work on sewing the quilt top together before January 16th so you can be entered into the grand prize drawing! (All the QAL hosts are sharing their quilt tops today too! Hop over to see mine here and get links to see all the others too!)


I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along

The tutorial for the Christmas Lights block is below; the downloadable pdf file of the pattern is HERE.

If you're just joining the quilt along, you can catch up by reading the intro post (links to all the past blocks are there too).

Remember, you can jump into the QAL at any time! You can always go back and make the previous blocks or just make the blocks that you like! Make a whole quilt using just a single block or make Christmas pillows for the whole family! There will be an amazing grand prize giveaway for those that complete a quilt top using all twelve blocks by January 16th! (Be sure to download the patterns before January 16th! Many of the designers plan to change the patterns to paid downloads after that.)


Grand prize sponsors of I Wish You a Merry QAL

Be sure to share a photo of your finished Christmas Lights block by 11:59pm EST on December 18th to be entered to win prizes! You can post a picture in the Facebook group, on Instagram using #iwishyouamerryqal, or link up to the linky party at the end of this post to be entered to win some great prizes!


Block 12 prizes for I Wish You a Merry QAL

The prizes for Block 12 are a six month subscription to Make Modern AND a pdf pattern from Sandy Star Designs! All prizes during the QAL will be open to participants worldwide!

As a BONUS, Make Modern is offering all QAL participants 25% off single issues and back issue bundles - just use code MerryQAL2017 at checkout! The code will work until January 16th! (Note that the code won't work on subscriptions.) I personally LOVE Make Modern! It's a digital only magazine, so it's delivered to your inbox just as soon as it's released!


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Block 12 - Christmas Lights - Tutorial

The downloadable pdf file of the pattern is HERE.

Directions for a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" quilt block.


Cutting



Background fabric (I used Moda Bella 98 White):

          (1) 13" square

Black fabric for light cord (I used Kona Black):
          (1) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" square
          30" of 1/2" single fold bias tape

Multi-colored fabric for lightbulbs (I used Kona Cactus, Kona Breakers, and Kona Lipstick):
          (8) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles

Making the bias tape

There are several options for the bias tape for this block. First, you can use pre-made 1/2" single fold bias tape (you can purchase this at most craft stores and even on Amazon). Some shops even have pre-made bias tape with a fusible adhesive already applied to it! If using pre-made bias tape, skip down to "Making the Block."

Another option is to make your own bias tape. For this method, a 1/2" bias tape maker is very helpful. You can make the bias tape from a fat quarter or from yardage.

To cut the bias tape strips from a fat quarter or yard (or more), begin by laying the fabric on your cutting mat (if using a yard of fabric, open the fabric so it is not folded and only one layer).


Making bias tape

If your acrylic ruler can not reach from edge to edge at a 45 degree angle, then follow these steps.

Fold the top right corner down to the bottom so that the right edge of the fabric is now aligned with the bottom edge of the fabric.


Making bias tape

Fold the bottom right corner up to the top left of the fold just created.


Making bias tape

Align your acrylic ruler along the top right angled folds of fabric.


Making bias tape

Cut the folds off this edge of the fabric (only cut about 1/4" of fabric off).


Making bias tape

Align the 1" line on your acrylic ruler with the angled cut edge. Cut along the ruler's edge to make a 1" wide strip. If your strip is about 30" long, you will not need to sew two strips together.


Making bias tape

If using a fat quarter, you will likely need to sew two strips together to have a long enough piece for this block.


Making bias tape

Line two strips up end to end, right side up.


Making bias tape

Flip the right strip up, right side down, so that the two angled ends are aligned. Offset the strips 1/4".


Making bias tape

Use 1/4" seam to sew along the cut edges.


Making bias tape

Press the seam open.


Making bias tape

Trim the "dog ears" off the edges.


Making bias tape

Place the strip on your ironing board right side down. Press the raw edges to the center of the strip - this is when to use a 1/2" bias tape maker!


Making bias tape

You will need about 30" of bias tape for this block.


Making bias tape


Making the block

Lay the background 13" square on your ironing board.

Place the end of the bias tape on the edge of the fabric.


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Hold the bias tape in one hand and your iron in the other. Move the iron over the bias tape as you curve it into the shape you want. The iron will help the bias tape to have a "memory" of the curve you want!


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial
Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Pin or glue in place.


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Iron the black 2 1/2" square and (8) lightbulb pieces to fusible web such as Heat-N-Bond Lite.


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Use the lightbulb template on the pattern page to trace a lightbulb onto each lightbulb piece. (Get the pattern page HERE.)


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Cut the lightbulbs out and cut (8) 1/2" squares from the black square.


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Remove the paper backing from each black square and lightbulb.

Place a black 1/2" square just under the edge of the bias tape in each spot you want a lightbulb.

Place a lightbulb just under the opposite edge of each black 1/2" square. (Keep each bulb at least 1/2" away from the background fabric edge to account for trimming the block and the seam allowance.)


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Iron in each lightbulb and square in place.


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Machine stich around each piece and along both sides of the bias tape. I used a straight stitch to stitch just inside the edges, leaving the raw edges exposed on the lights. (I used Aurifil 50wt in Black #2692, Shining Green #5017, Red #2250, and Light Jade #1148.)


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial
Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial
Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial
Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

A peek behind the seams!


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Press the block well. Trim block to 12 1/2" square. (I have a 12 1/2" square Omnigrid acrylic ruler that I use to trim my blocks.)


Christmas Lights Quilt Block Tutorial

Be sure to look at all the different versions of Block 12 made by the QAL hosts too! (Remember, they each have a separate blog post for their finished quilt tops too!)

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

Join the fun! Link up to share your Christmas Lights block!



Let's all quilt along!


All 12 blocks of the I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along


Linking up with Tips and Tutorials Tuesday at Quilting JetGirl.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on a link will NOT change the purchase price.



10 comments:

  1. Laura, thank you for a cool block to round out the QAL! Your tutorial is awesome and so are you 😊

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  2. I love your pins! Great block! I've been hoping for Christmas lights. I have really enjoyed this QAL; thanks for all you have done!

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  3. Hi Laura,
    What a fun, cute block! I just got my tree put up and finished decorating it this past weekend so great timing for lights. And THANK YOU for making it an easy block. Happy Holidays to you and your family. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  4. As always, this is a great block! So easy to make and to personalize with the fabrics in my quilt. I love how your blocks look together. Wasn't this a great quilt along?

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  5. This is such a cute block. Thank you so much for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You mention downloading patterns before January 16. I tried to download your Christmas Lights block pattern here today but the links did not work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just checked, and the pdf pattern downloads fine. You might try using a different internet browser as some people have mentioned some work better than others. All of the needed measurements and directions are on this page too, so if you can't download the pattern, you can save this webpage. I plan to leave my pattern available for free after the 16th too.

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  7. One question for the final prize. If we changed any of the blocks but still have twelve and a finished top, ar we enetered for the final draw on tues?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm recording every person that has a completed quilt top! It's so exciting to see how creative everyone was!

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