Tu-Na Quilts: I Wish You A Merry Quilt-A-Long Block 8 Released Today

In the spirit of giving, we give you another free pattern today. But don’t delay in downloading your patterns, as they are free only as long as the quilt-a-long is going on.

This block may look challenging to some of you. But it goes together easily just follow the directions. I used the pictures a lot to tell me if I was on the right course or not.

Sola, at Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co., created this super cute pattern. You can find the pattern on her blog here. Don’t be overly worried about it. I’ve got a couple of construction tips for you to help you along your way and so do my fellow hosts listed below.

First, the pattern makes two identical present blocks within the block. At first, I thought I’d only make one present for my square. I should have done that and once finished I would have realized how easy they were and then gone on and made the second. Instead, I cut out for both presents and tried sewing them up together. I highly suggest cutting out and sewing up only one at a time. Why you ask?

I accidently cut two of those white with red pieces that were to be set aside. This meant that the remaining piece would now be short and I would have to start over.

Next, when sewing the angled edges together, baste them in place along the seam line and then check. If the ribbons don’t match, you can easily remove the basting and try again. Why you ask?

I machine basted just thru the ribbon seams to see how they lined up. It took me about six tries on each present before I got it right. Ripping out only this much saved me a lot of time. I use this technique a lot when matching angles.

I will add the ric rack bows and gift tags after the top is finished and quilted.

I’ll use fray check on the ends of the ric rac. I had to find a way to sneak some ric rack into this block.

I think the bows and tags really dress up this gift and also help create the 3-D effect.

I hope I’ve inspired you to grab your fabric and sew up a couple of presents today.

Then post the picture on either Sola’s party link on her blog or on the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook page or tag # #iwishyouamerryqal on Instagram to win some prizes. Remember you have until October 23rd at 11.59 PM to link or post your pic to be entered to win.

Thank you to Warm Crochet for offering this prize. In addition, they are also offering a discount code to all QAL participants. Use the code “ChristmasQAL” to get 10%OFF your purchase. Thank you also to Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl for offering a pattern for this giveaway. You can find her shop here.

At the end of the QAL there will be a link to download a picture of your finished quilt. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must make a quilt top using all twelve of the QAL blocks by January 16th, 2018. Thank you to all these sponsors for prizes.

Here’s all my blocks so far.

Find info on where to get the pattern and see my Block 3-Santa’s Belt here, Block 4-Christmas Memories (ornaments) here, Block 5-Snowman here, and Block 6-Angel here, Block 7-Poinsettia here. As you can see, I am still working on blocks one and two, so you see, there’s still time for you to join along. You can find the pattern for block one-snowflake here and block 2-tree farm here.

I’ve got a start on the tree farm. I’m starting to see a secondary theme emerging. Do you?

Meet the rest of the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Hosts as they reveal their version of this block

Pretty Piney
Sparkle On
JANDA Bend Quilts
Snowy Days Quilting
Cwilt
The Inquiring Quilter
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats You are here. Thanks for stopping by.
Slice of Pi Quilts
SandyStar Designs
Powered by Quilting
Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co. Here’s the creative designer behind this eighth block in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long. You’ll find the pattern here on her site as well as a full tutorial.
Quilt in Piece

Look for Block 9 to be released on October 24th.

Coming soon:

My Art with Fabric Blog Hop post on Wednesday (I hope you’ll be back to check it out as I’m really excited about it)

A visit to the Quilted Ceiling Quilt Shop in Valley City, ND.

A look at all the Quilt MN Shop Hop loot

What I Learned Today:

Take more pics. I do take a lot but I could use more.
When the camera stops working: take out the battery, wait 10 seconds, reinsert the battery, start taking pics again.
Deer don’t like zucchini. They ate the watermelon but left the zucchini in the garden.

Question: What was a unique gift you gave or received? I made a jar of reindeer noses (malted milk balls and sour cherries) and gifted them to our neighbors at our AZ house a couple of years ago. They all enjoyed them. I should do that again.

Thanks for stopping by and do come again.

Karen, Tu-Na Quilts

Linking to:

I Wish You a Merry QAL Linky Party at Alice Samuels Quilt Co.

Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River

Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

WIPs at Silly Mama Quilts