Do you ever get a favorite Christmas song stuck in your head? I sure have lately, working on so much Christmas stuff and looking at such wonderful projects. And I bet you don't have the same favorite song - mine is "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"! I've been working on a special version of the song - in ASL! You can see a video of it here. And now that I've put that song in your mind....
Here are the bloggers for Day 7 of the Hop!
Thursday, July 20th
Cheryl of Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting (our little overachiever) is back with more projects, and she's joined by Jennifer of The Inquiring Quilter and Selina of Selina Quilts, who both have some really cool things to share! Be sure to leave a comment here, then go and visit all their blogs and leave a comment - all those comments are your entries in today's giveaway! You can see the details about the giveaway here, but there's a lot of Tula Pink's Holiday Homies up for grabs!!
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And now it's time for the next step in the Santa's Trip Around the World quilt tutorial! It sounds like several of you are following along with the tutorial and making your own quilts - I can't wait to see them!! You can post progress pics on Instagram with the tags #santasTATW and #12DCIJ if you want, and there will be a link-up on the 25th.
So here goes! Grab one of those sets of strip/tubes and pull out one strip/tube. Decide which print you want around the centerstone (that 2.5" square you have tucked away) of your quilt, then open the seam BELOW that print. You will now have a strip 2.5" wide and 16 prints long. Put a Clover clip or pin in the print you chose for your quilt center ring.
Pull a second strip/tube, and find the print you chose for the first strip's beginning. Go to the fabric ABOVE that print and split the seam between that fabric and the first block.
Now take your strips to the ironing board and press the seams UP on one strip and DOWN on the other. This will help you "nest" your seams and get nicely matched seams.
NOTE: This quilt is busy enough that if your seams don't match absolutely perfectly, it's not likely to show. Don't stress too much about it!
Pin the second strip to the LEFT side of the first strip, matching seams and pinning. Stitch seam. Press the seam as you choose. I pressed mine open to cut down on bulk.
Repeat, opening a seam on a strip/tube, pressing the seams on the strip in the appropriate direction, sewing the strip to the growing panel, then pressing the seam. You will see the diagonal lines being created on your panel as you go. Check frequently to be sure your strips are in the correct order (it's really easy to sew the strip to the wrong side of the panel, particularly if you didn't mark your starting center block in the beginning. If you goof, it's easy to fix - just remove the out-of-order strip, suit back into a tube and open it at the correct spot. When finished, you will have a panel that is a 15 x 16 grid.
Hang the panel up where you can see it so you can check your work as you assemble the next three panels.
And that's all for today! You'll be doing the same thing for the next three days as we complete the four panels. I'll be posting more fun ideas to help get us through those days. You're getting so close to the end - it all comes together really quickly after the panels are finished. Hang in there!
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That's all I've got for today - be sure to go check out the hop blogs, and remember to leave a comment on each! Think about snow and maybe the summer heat won't feel so bad...
Hugs!
Sarah
Here are the blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop!
Friday, July 14th
Saturday, July 15th
Sunday, July 16th
Monday, July 17th
Tuesday, July 18th
Wednesday, July 19th
Thursday, July 20th
Friday, July 21st
Saturday, July 22nd
All Points of the Compass
Sunday, July 23rd
Mel's Quilting Blog
Resourceful Momma
Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting
Monday, July 24th
Anja Quilts
PickingandStitching
A Dream and a Stitch
Tuesday, July 25th
Christina's Handicrafts
Abyquilts
Kathy's Kwilts and More
Sunday, July 23rd
Mel's Quilting Blog
Resourceful Momma
Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting
Monday, July 24th
Anja Quilts
PickingandStitching
A Dream and a Stitch
Tuesday, July 25th
Christina's Handicrafts
Abyquilts
Kathy's Kwilts and More
Thanks for the next instalment!
ReplyDeleteI need to save the instructions for next year.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah, there are so many good Christmas ideas floating around from this hop. Thanks for hosting it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us on our toes! Great instructions.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, I'm so looking forward to seeing todays posts.
ReplyDeleteLovely strip way to do this, it shows your fabrics so well,And if you want some cool, fly down here, Rain,hail,sleet, and snow all forecast for parts of NZ tonight and tomorrow and Saturday!!! Good days to be inside sewing.
ReplyDeleteHave commented on 2 of the blogs but cannot seem to find today's installment on Selina Quilts. Will check again a bit later. By the way, you are doing an absolutely fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteThis years blog hop is really exciting. So many ideas
ReplyDeleteLove this method of creating the panels--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWith no hope for snow in south Mississippi at Christmas or any other time, (maybe some flurries once in a blue moon-ha!), I'll think ice cubes! Loving this hop-all the pretty projects. Thank you, Susan
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing - so fun to see the strips come together.
ReplyDeletethanx for organizing all this! I just commented on the wrong day so I can't imagine how you are keeping everything straight! thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really helpful tutorial. I don't think I would have attempted this quilt without your tips.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to say that I'm not keeping up with you!
ReplyDeleteeahorgan@gmail.com
This is the step where magic happens...as long as you pay attention! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou've done such a nice job breaking this quilt down into manageable steps!
ReplyDeleteThat song! LOL! Are you learning the sign language, too?
ReplyDeleteGreat directions for this quilt. I can't wait to start on my version when I get home from traveling and house guests. I may be late, but I will finish. D. Weeks (aka Momma Llama)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your video of signing the hippo song! I took ASL in college but haven't used it and now I've forgotten most of it. Every morning I look forward to reading your Christmas in July Blog and seeing what others are creating. You all have done an awesome job and I've learned some wonderful ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an enjoyable, and learning, project...I'm thinking of making another one. That's something I've never done...lol!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you for putting this all together. I too look forward each morning to see what creative ideas await!
Debbie
ollieami@aol.com
Falling a little behind but hopes to catch up in the next 4 days.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun project. I am hoping that I can get one made before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI was looking for a Santa for the centre but your bear fabric has encouraged me to look for a bear as my grandchildren have bear for a last name.
ReplyDeleteJanice.snell@gmail.com
DeleteStill loving this tutorial. I have started to collect fabrics!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite "fun" Christmas song is Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer...what does that say about me? LOL
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing what Cheryl, Jennifer and Selina have to share.
Loving it. Need to head to instagram to see the progress pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun watching this quilt evolve. I am definitely going to make another Christmas quilt with this pattern!! (Need to finish quilting last years!) I have been looking forward to this blog hop, and am enjoying so many great ideas! Thanks for all your work!
ReplyDeleteLoving the quilt, never thought I would make one. A little behind but working on catching up.
ReplyDeletepatystitch@gvtc.com
I am saving this one for sure. The quilt is so lovely!
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait for the finish, I know I'm going to shoot myself in the foot for not participating. And your right, very talented group of ladies. I don't think I have ever got so many great ideas, tutorials and patterns from one hop.
ReplyDeleteYep...going to do this quilt and call it Holiday trip!
ReplyDeleteThe tutorial is interesting to follow on your TAW quilt.
ReplyDeleteSelina is apparently having difficulties getting her post up today. I see that she has been having computer problems.
Sarah, Selina's link is not up, That is not like her. Do you think she knows?
ReplyDeleteThis has been a great hop so far! Thank you for putting it together for us.
ReplyDeleteThis pattern, TAW, is perfect for a busy quilt along hop. Thanks for the tutorials. I'm calling mine Trip Through the Flower Garden. That's a hint on what I'm using. I haven't had time to take any pics. Been too busy with other projects and posts. But it'll get there, eventually. kthurn@bektel.com
ReplyDeleteWow all the pressing. Do you quilt on your domestic machine?
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great pattern and for this wonderful blog hop.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is really coming together! Nice tutorial with very clear photos. Great job!
ReplyDeletewhat could be better on a hot summer day in texas and all i have to do today is sew,wew,sew.
ReplyDeleteAhh, Sarah, thanks for the reminder not to stress too much. My sweetheart is leaving on a short trip later today, so it's going to be quilting and Hallmark Channel Christmas movies at our house for a couple of days, as well as turning down the A/C: three cheers!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to have to try this. I had some projects that couldn't be ignored, so I couldn't join in, but I'm going to keep this on my list!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all you do!! I'm going to start this quilt!!!
ReplyDeletekcummings71@gmail.com
Love the nesting seams; when I made my first Trip Around the World back in 2000 (why does that feel like about 5 maybe 10 years ago max?!!) I was AMAZED at this slick technique. Sarah I clicked both links for Selina and each one takes me to July 12 post; maybe I'll check back later today...
ReplyDeleteThe heat is bad, but the thought of snow--I can't do it! :) We had our last snow (although it didn't stick) about a month ago. Love the quilt still.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed our blog hop stops today...lots of ideas! Just waiting for Selina to post her post today and I'll be up-to-date again.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to make one of these quilts. I've made all of the sections for Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Trips Quilt and that was a lot of fun. It went together very quickly. It might be a good idea for all the Christmas fabric I have collected over the years.
ReplyDeleteHA! I'm not clicking that link! My hubby works at putting earworms out there all the time. If he hears it, it will never stop! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you again for this cute pattern. I hope to have one done by next Christmas. I have very little time to sew.
ReplyDeleteI am still collecting my fabrics. I like sewing in steps like this.
ReplyDeleteSo many great ideas again. Can't wait to get some fabric together to make one of your tube quilts.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying all the great projects--Thanks!
ReplyDeletebarbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
So much fun to see the instructions day by day. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVERY CLEAR AND EASY TO FOLLOW STEPS THANKS FOR THAT! READINGTIRZAH AT YAHOO.COM
ReplyDeleteI'm dreaming of cold weather while looking at all these projects.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your fabrics up-close for you quilt and how the play so well together! Tomorrow's my day! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is so fun to see being made. Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteI'd never even heard of that song till about 10 years ago. Funny song.
ReplyDeleteThanks for feeding us the instructions for this quilt one small bite at a time!!
ReplyDeleteFun quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun hop! Thanks for the daily steps in making this quilt too.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying all the posts. Thank for your work.
ReplyDeleteSwoot@att.net
So many great ideas are being shared that it's hard to choose which one to start first! Today, I really like the vinyl bags on Selina's blog. Her tip to sew them with ease is just what I needed to know!
ReplyDeleteLoving this hop! First one I've followed and so many good ideas I'm making a list.
ReplyDeleteLots of great Christmas ideas so far. Thanks for the blog hop!
ReplyDeletenikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com
Such fun collecting all of these ideas. I'm going to try my trip around the world quilt in a different size...just for fun. Let's see what happens.
ReplyDeleteObviously I was a little to early before but have now commented on all 3 for day 7. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThe process of making a Trip Around the World quilt is fascinating! Thank you for the excellent tutorial.
ReplyDeletePlease click on the delaineelliott above my email link.
BTW Sarah, I love the name you have given your quilt!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tutorial. I have always liked the trip around the world quilts but didn't want to piece all those little squares. Now it seems possible to make one!
ReplyDeleteI,love TRTW quilts.
ReplyDeleteJust what I needed, another song stuck in my head...LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying this year's blog hop, thanks for your hard work on the Christmas inspiration....also makes me think of cooler weather during this heat wave :)
I love this method of making quilts! People look at it and say, "That must have taken FOREVER!" But only we know the secret that we did it in strips :)
ReplyDeletesuch easy to follow directions, thanks
ReplyDeleteMy fav song is O Holy Night. Simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here in front of the fan, thinking that a little snow would feel good right now and we're not nearly as hot as most of the rest of the country. But come January, I won't be wishing for snow.
ReplyDeletePat
So much for progress for this Old lady lol, spent the either sorting family things or hours at the doctors. Hoping for a good sew day tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteJeri Oldtisme@aol.com
Gotta love a pattern that doesn't show your mistakes! Thanks, Sarah. dezertsuz at gmail
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for organizing this blog hop. There are so many great ideas being shared.
ReplyDeleteI think I am beginning to understand how this is going to go together. I have a question--should I sew each successive strip in the opposite direction? I have heard that one should do this.
ReplyDeleteSarah, this quilt is coming together so *beautifully!*... and is so much fun! I'm already planning the Trip Around the World quilt I will do next, after this one!
ReplyDelete*Thank you, Sarah!*
Pat T.
I just got back from a 3-week trip to Germany! I am anxious to catch up on all of these fun projects!
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of Christmas prints and I'm having a hard time deciding how to use them. There have been so many great ideas on this blog hop. Thanks for hosting it. cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
ReplyDeleteJust getting started - was delayed yesterday by wildfire very near to our home. It's better today!
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is just beautiful and a great use of a variety of Christmas fabrics.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great way to use scraps-- love it!
ReplyDeleteI like quilts where I can repeat steps. Thank you for sharing this tutorial!
ReplyDelete