Quilt Along 2017 - Have A Jolly Little Christmas QAL

Welcome to the introductory post for the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along!  I am really excited about this new quilt along. I know Christmas 2016 is over.... But if we start now, everyone should have finished Christmas quilt in time for Christmas 2017. Hahaha!

All the details for the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along are this page.

Truthfully, this free quilt along will continue to be available, so if you get off track, just find your way back. There are some who are just now finishing their final blocks for the Christmas quilt along I provided last year - The Ugly Christmas Sweaters quilt along. And I love to see and celebrate your finishes no matter when they happen!


Beginning January 14th, this quilt along will get underway. You can make as many or as few blocks as you like. Make a quilt or make a mini. Make a cushion. A table runner. A bed runner! Make whatever your imagination leads you to make! Christmas is a LONG way away, but if you get started now, you could have a lot of handmade gifts ready for the big day!



All of the blocks in this quilt along finish at 12"

Using 1" sashing and 2" borders, these are some possible sizes of quilts.

1 block Single Block Mini finishes at 16" x 16"
3 block Table Runner finishes at 16" x 42"
4 block Table Runner finishes at 16" x 55"
4 block Mini finishes at 29" x 29"
9 block Baby finishes at 42" x 42"
12 block Small finishes at 42" x 55"
16 block Medium finishes at 55" x 55"
20 block Large finishes at 55" x 68"
25 block X-Large finishes at 68" x 68"
30 block Jumbo finishes at 68" x 81"

You could make a quilt, cushion or table runner using a single block. You could make a sampler quilt using all of the blocks. Or you could make a row quilt using the same block repeated across the row. Or a combination. Check out the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along page for some ideas of how they would look.

I will be sharing tutorials for each of the blocks - two each month. There are 15 designs. As each post is published the live links will be added to the schedule, which can also be found on the quilt along page.




Fabric Requirements....

Estimated Fabric Requirements for the WHITE Background:

Single block mini quilt - 1/2 yard
3 block runner - 3/4 to 1 yard
4 block runner - 1 yard
9 block quilt - 1 3/4 to 2 yards
12 block quilt - 2 1/2 yards
16 block quilt - 3 yards
20 block quilt - 3 1/2 yards
25 block quilt - 4 yards
30 block quilt - 4 1/2 yards



Each of the blocks uses 1/8 to 1/4 yard of the prints for each block design. If you have fat quarters, these are perfect! I dug into my stash to find scraps and fat quarters to make my blocks. I suggest using "non-directional" fabrics. Suggested colours to include in a fabric pull are: Reds, Greens, Blues, Oranges, Yellows, Purples, Pinks.... Well anything that you might find in the rainbow - or in your stash! A dark, medium, and light brown are suggested for the use in the Partridge, Moose and Reindeer blocks.




The piecing method....


As with all of my designs, these block patterns use traditional piecing methods and step by step, detailed instructions are provided. This is NOT paper pieced. These modern patchwork patterns do not give instructions for making a quilt. These FULL size blocks finish at 12” square.

Use traditional piecing methods to make these blocks. No paper piecing. No annoying templates. Just simple straight lines and diagonal seams.

STOP: Stitch, Trim, Open & Press. To perform the STOP method, align a square (A) or rectangle (C) on the corner of the unit (B) with right sides facing together. Draw a diagonal line and sew along this diagonal line. Trim a ¼” seam. Finger press the seam open and then press with a hot iron. Pressing the seams open to reduce bulk is recommended.




Super Tips.....

An accurately pieced block begins with accurately cut units.

		Single Block
White	B	2 @ 1.5” x 2”
	H	1 @ 2” x 3.5”
	J	1 @ 2.5” x 3.5”
	K	1 @ 2.5” x 6.5”
	N	4 @ 3.5” squares
Green	*	2 @ 1” squares
	A	2 @ 1.5” squares
	B	1 @ 1.5” x 2”
	D	1 @ 1.5” x 6.5”
	F	4 @ 2” squares
	E	2 @ 2.5” squares
	L	1 @ 3.5” x 6.5”
	M	2 @ 3.5” x 12.5”
Dark Bow	*	2 @ 1” squares
	A	3 @ 1.5” square
	B	2 @ 1.5” x 2”
	C	2 @ 1.5” x 3”
	F	2 @ 2” squares
	H	2 @ 2” x 3.5”
Light Bow	G	2 @ 2” x 3”

Each of the block designs has a chart giving you the information for the size and number of units needed to make the block. This chart shows what fabrics you will need in the first column. Each size of unit is given a letter of the alphabet (or an * for tiny pieces) in the second column. The third column shows you how many of each unit you will need and what size the unit is.

Check out this tutorial on Cutting Accuracy. 

The accuracy of your 1/4" seam is the next step in accomplishing proper sized blocks. For tips to ensure an accurately pieced block, check out this 1/4" Seam tutorial. 

Because I recommend pressing the seams open, the third tip is to pin your points where seams meet.











To participate in the Quilt Along, tune in to Sew Fresh Quilts beginning January 14th, when the first tutorial will be shared. You can follow by email here....

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Twice a month, instructions for all of the individual blocks will be shared. A continuous never ending linky party will be available to share your Flickr and Instagram photos or your "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" blog posts on the quilt along page.

Share photos of your progress using the hashtag

#jollychristmasquilt OR #haveajollylittlechristmas

The "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along will begin on January 14th. The details and a weekly schedule can be found on the "Have a Jolly Little Christmas" quilt along page. You can find it by clicking on the Quilt Alongs page tab found just below the blog header. As each post is published the live links will be added to the schedule.



CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COLOURING PAGES!!!




A quilt along is always more fun than quilting alone.

Want to get in on the fun?

Grab a button and share it on your blog!

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If you are interested in quilting along, please add the button to your blog (if you have a blog) and help to spread the word. Also....  Please feel free to share via social media!  And add the hashtag #jollychristmasquilt OR #haveajollylittlechristmas

Do you have a Flickr account?
We would love to have you join the Quilt Along with Sew Fresh Quilts Flickr group! 

It is NOT necessary to purchase the pattern in order to participate. But if you would prefer the convenience of using a printable pdf pattern, the Have a Jolly Little Christmas Collection includes all 15 designs and is available for purchase in my pattern store here. The individual designs are also available for purchase.

This is going to be a Jolly quilt along!!!!

Hope you will join me!

Keep On Quilting On!

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