I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long: Christmas Lights
After a wonderful few months of sewing together, our quilt along is drawing to a close. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have! If you need to catch up on any of the past blocks, you can find all of the links on my quilt along page. I'm also sharing a setting tutorial today, so be sure to check it out!
I'm really excited to share our final block with you. It's one of my favorites, and I have some great tips to make it even easier. The Christmas Lights block was designed by Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts. You can find the pattern here. Remember, all of the patterns are free through January 15, 2018.
Tips for Success
This block was made so much easier by using fusible bias tape for the wire. You can purchase fusible bias tape, but I decided to make it myself. Even though I don't have a bias tape measure, we don't need much, so I didn't mind making it by hand.
First, I made regular bias tape. I cut 1" wide strips of black at a 45 degree angle and sewed them together on an angle (just like sewing binding). I was working from scraps, so I just cut enough pieces to make sure my sewn strip was at least 30" long.
I pressed the strip in half lengthwise wrong sides together. Then I opened it and pressed both sides in to the middle crease. Since I didn't have a bias tape measure, I took my time with this and was careful to keep my fingers clear of the iron.
Once I had pressed the whole length, I went back and gave it another good press with a bunch of steam to make the edges nice and crisp.
Next, I cut 3/8" strips of fusible web and fused it to the back of the bias tape. Since the bias tape was 1/2" wide, that left me a little bit of room on each edge. I fused the wire in place first, and I was still able to slip the squares just under the edge of the fabric before fusing them down.
To use my fabric more efficiently, I traced two bulbs at a time onto my fusible web. After fusing it to the fabric, I cut between the bulbs. That made it much easier to cut around the individual bulbs without accidentally cutting the adjoining one.
It can be a challenge to peel the paper backing when you're fusing round shapes. I score the paper with a pin, and fold along the score line so it pops right up.
I loved this block so much that I just couldn't resist adding a few extra bulbs to it. I hope you enjoy making this one as much as I did!
More Pretty Blocks
As always, I am joined by 10 other ladies that have all made their own Christmas Lights blocks. Be sure to check them out to see the wonderful variety and other tips.
Abbie at Sparkle On
April at JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca at Pretty Piney
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting <---- That's me!
Diane at Cwilt
Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter
Karen at Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts
Sandy at SandyStar Designs
Sherry at Powered by Quilting
Vanda at Quilt in Piece
Prizes
This week's prizes are a 6 month subscription to Make Modern Magazine and a pdf pattern of your choice from Sandy Maxfield of Sandy Star Designs.
To be eligible to win, post your finished Christmas Lights block by 11:59 pm on December 18, 2017. Enter by sharing your block in our Facebook group, on Instagram with the hashtag #iwishyouamerryqal, or by joining the linkup on Laura's post.
We have a wonderful set of sponsors for our grand prize. Check out my final reveal for details on the grand prize package and entering to win.