I'm thinking that I need to rework the words to my favorite Christmas song to be, "I want a bunch of minions for Christmas, only a bunch of minions will do..." because we've seen so many great ideas so far, and there just aren't enough hours in the day to do them all - but I'm going to try!
And today we've got two more creative bloggers to share their ideas with us. Anja of Anja Quilts has a beautiful Christmas decor idea to share with us, and Moira, who blogs over at The Quilted Snail, has a great, fun project that anyone can do! And guess what? There are more giveaways! So hop on over to see what's happening on Anja and Moira's blogs, then come back here for the next set of instructions for Rejoice!
*&*&*&*&*&*&*
Woohoo! Today we get to assemble the center section of the quilt! From here on out, it's pretty simple and all downhill, so don't worry too much if you need to do some catching up. Easy days ahead!
If you didn't do it already, lay out your A and B blocks in a 5 x 5 checkerboard layout, with Block B in the corners and alternating with Block A throughout the quilt. Join the blocks together in columns or rows (or however you prefer), matching seams throughout. Press the seams, spinning the intersections as you did in the blocks themselves. This is where that careful pressing will pay off - all your intersections should spin, which will give you a wonderfully flat top to quilt! Once your columns or rows are completely, join together to finish assembly of the quilt top center. Press the seams, spinning the intersections once again. And you're done!
Just to share, I put mine together by webbing two columns together at a time. I take the blocks of two adjacent columns off the design wall, stacking the top block in each column onto the blocks below it. Laying the two stacks on my sewing table side by side, I mark the top left block in the upper left hand corner with a pin. This is so I don't forget which is the top when I press my sewing. Then I chain piece each pair together, so that all the blocks for the two columns are sewn in one long strip. Then leaving the chain stitching intact, I press the seams, spinning the intersections again. Take the whole piece back to the sewing machine, and sew the rows between the block pairs, once again matching intersections. Cut the tiny chain piecing thread holding the pairs together on each seam, then press the seams, spinning the intersections again. And voila, you have two strips sewn together - in this case, more than a third of the center finished! It may not be faster, but it seems faster, as you have a completed section instead of two columns to sew together. Repeat for the next two columns, then sew the remaining five blocks together into a column. Sew those three large pieces together and your quilt top center is complete!
Wow! Your top is GORGEOUS!! I can say this without even seeing it because I just know all your versions are going to ROCK! But tomorrow we're going to take it up a notch when we start working on the borders. See you then!!
*&*&*&*&*&*&*
Well, we're in the home stretch now, both on the hop and the quilt-along. I'm kind of sad - this has been fun! But I'm looking forward to having time to make some of these fabulous projects - how about you? Remember to stop by today's blogs, enjoy their projects and enter into the giveaways as you find them, and I'll see you tomorrow!
Hugs!
Sarah
Saturday, July 14th
Joy @ Days Filled With Joy
Selina @ Selina Quilts
Sunday, July 15th
Joanne @ Everyone Deserves a Quilt
Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic
Monday, July 16th
Carole @ From My Carolina Home
Jamie @ L'Fair Quilts
Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels & Eats
Tuesday, July 17th
Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts
Mary @ Made by Marney
Wednesday, July 18th
Cindy @ Stitchin' At Home
Karrin @ Karrin's Crazy World
Thursday, July 19th
Christina @ Christina's Handicrafts
Sherry @ Books, Hooks, Sticks, etc.
Danice @ Homespun Hannah
Friday, July 20th
Kristi @ Confessions of A Fabric Addict
Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts
Saturday, July 21st
Marian @ Seams To Be Sew
Meloney @ Mel's Quilting Blog
Sunday, July 22nd
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Moira @ Quilted Snail
Monday, July 23rd
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
Amy @ Sea of Estrogen
Bonnie @ In Stitches With Bonnie
Tuesday, July 24th
Kathy @ Kathy's Kwilts and More
Summer @ Summer Lee Quilts
Wednesday, July 25th
Thank you! I've hardly had time to breathe the last couple of weeks (and you can see how early/late I'm finally getting over here), but I'm going to catch up here. I have been seeing the blog posts every 2-3 days, but just haven't gotten to you until now. I have to catch up, as that quilt is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMinions! That's what I'm missing. *heads to sewing room to start list to Santa*
ReplyDeleteWow very very pretty ty for sharing your idea. .. happyness04431@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteNo time for sew.I`m on holiday with family around and can´t find time to play with machine only make hwxies.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun week.
I think I could use some minions also. It would be so nice to have all my UFOs finished.
ReplyDelete