Monday, July 16, 2018

12 Days of Christmas in July - Blog Hop


Welcome to the 2018 "12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop"!  This is my first year participating in the Hop, however I have followed Sarah, Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Years.  Sarah has once again created an irresistible Quilt A Long as part of the Blog Hop!

Before I introduce you to my project, I do have a special give away .... but I'm saving the surprise until the very end.  If you wish (not necessary), you can follow my blog or find me occasionally posting on Facebook at Black Cat Creations (the company who carries my patterns).  

Barn Quilts are growing in popularity -- especially with social media, where we share so much.  I would love a Barn Quilt -- however, it won't happen here (hubby's barn is off limits).  The next best thing is a Quilted Barn Quilt -- one that can be made quickly for gifts; hung on the front door; on a wall near the Christmas Tree; bed decor; or used as a table topper.

As I studied the Barn Quilts, I noticed the designs stand out from a long distant, with bold colors.  The Block I chose to use was inspired by an earlier design from 2011, "Dance of the Tiger" (actually named for my brother),  that could be made larger, tweaked  and adapted as a Quilted Barn Quilt.

Finished size:  28" X 28" (with borders)



As decor on the wall:


This past weekend, I traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi with my sisters and nieces... we just had to try the quilt on the Hotel bed to give the room a little color.


For fun,  my sister Rayna held the quilt on the Pier with the Biloxi Coastline in the background.





The color combinations are endless .... I chose Christmas Colors for mine, however following the instructions, I have added a few alternatives.

Fabric Requirements:

Green
  • (4) 4 1/2" squares
  • (4) 4 7/8" squares
  • (1) 9 1/4" squares
  • (4) 2 1/2" X WOF strips for border 
  • (3) 2 1/2" X WOF strips for binding
Red
  • (8) 4 1/2" squares
  • (1) 8 1/2" square
Gold
  • (1) 9 1/4" square
White
  • (2) 9 1/4" square
  • (4) 4 1/2" squares
  • (4) 4 7/8" squares
Backing
  • 36" X 36"
Instructions:


Hour Glass Units:  Pull the 9 1/4" squares (2 White, 1 Gold, 1 Green).  VERY IMPORTANT - spray starch and press before cutting the fabric (helps prevent stretching).  


Stack the four fabrics (all right sides up), cut twice diagonally (I have separated the colors for the picture below.


Sort the triangle pieces as pictured below.  Sew the white/gold first, then green/white (Press to the darker fabric); then sew together (press toward white/gold). Repeat to make (4) hour glass units.  Carefully trim to 8 1/2".  


On the back of the (8) red 4 1/2" squares, draw a diagonal line.  Place one red square on the right side of the hour glass unit / gold triangle.  Trim 1/4" away from this sewn line, flip open and press.  Repeat on the left side. This step is done on each of the four hour glass units.


Four-patch Corner Units:  On the back of (4) white 4 7/8" squares, draw a diagonal line.  With right sides together, place the white 4 7/8" square on top of a 4 7/8" green square.  Sew 1/4" on both sides of the drawn line, cut apart on the drawn line (see picture below).  This will make TWO Half Square Triangles (HSTs) -- Trim the HSTs to 4 1/2" square


To make the corner four-patch units .... Top: sew a white 4 1/2" square to HST (press to white), Bottom: HST to Green 4 1/2" square (press to green), then sew the top to the bottom, then press.  Make a total of four corner units.

Assemble the Block:

Using the picture below as a guide for direction of the units, assemble the block like a 9-patch.  Top row:  Corner unit, Hour Glass Unit, Corner Unit.  Middle row:  Hour Glass Unit,  8 1/2" Red Square, Hour Glass Unit.   Bottom Row:  Corner unit, Hour Glass Unit, Corner Unit. 



Borders:  (Note:  Four 2 1/2" X WOF are used to avoid any seams in the borders - if you don't mind the seam, only cut three, sew together diagonally and cut the border sizes needed).

Measure down the center of the finished block (top to bottom) and cut two strips to this size.  Sew a strip to the left and then right side of your block; press out to the border.  Measure the center across the block (left to right) and cut two strips to this size.  Sew one strip to the top and then to the bottom; press out to the border.  (Note:  By using the measurements down the middle to cut the borders, it will help your quilt stay square).

Quilt and Bind your quilt, add a hanging sleeve if desired, AND be sure to label your quilt! 

When making a Quilted Barn Quilt keep in mind the following:
  •  The holidays that fall AFTER Christmas.  Here in South Louisiana, Mardi Gras is BIG!!!

  • A romantic Valentine!

  • How about Patriotic -- R/W/B!

  • Maybe Halloween -- BOO!

Don't be surprised if you see a scrappy smaller version of this block pop up later in a larger throw or bed quilt!!!

Now for the Give Away -- To help you start your Christmas season early, make a comment below (be sure to include your email address if you are "non-reply") and I will select a winner on July 26th, the day after the Blog Tour ends -- Oh!!!! and the Prize -- The Christmas Themed Quilted Barn Quilt that I made and a couple of my latest patterns, published by Black Cat Creations.  


Blog Tour Round-Up


For more "12 Days of Christmas in July" fun, be sure to visit the other Bloggers on this tour for amazing projects, tutorials (and a few more give aways)  hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Saturday, July 14th

Selina @ Selina Quilts

Sunday, July 15th


Monday, July 16th

Jamie @ L'Fair Quilts (That's me!)

Tuesday, July 17th

Sharon @ Vrooman's Quilts

Wednesday, July 18th

Thursday, July 19th

Danice @ Homespun Hannah

Friday, July 20th


Saturday, July 21st

Marian @ Seams To Be Sew

Sunday, July 22nd

Anja @ Anja Quilts
Moira @ Quilted Snail

Monday, July 23rd

Brenda @ Songbird Designs

Tuesday, July 24th


Wednesday, July 25th






103 comments:

Simply, Sarah said...

I LOVE your barn quilt design and would love this fabric version that is so versatile!

What a great tutorial. :)

goldnplum at gmail dot com

Heather said...

Oh WOW! I love this barn quilt idea. It would also make a great table topper during the holidays with a big plate of Christmas cookies in the center!

GranChris said...

What a wonderful give away. Hard to think Christmas when it's 100 but I will try. Jmikebalou (at) aol (dot) com

Unknown said...

Love your barn quilt. What a great idea for either a wall hanging or table topper. Thanks for sharing your pattern.

Suze said...

I love the quilt. I grew up on a farm. The barn was 1/4 mile away at our grandparents and of course, over fifty years ago, barn quilts were not in vogue. I now live in the city on a cul-de-sac and have been considering a barn quilt for my garage. I have no idea what design - this is definitely an option. You are definitely very, very generously with your giveaway. And, thanks for the tutorial for the quilt. susan.dietrich@cox.net

Sewgirl said...

Your quilt is just delightful. What a generous giveaway! Thanks for sharing.

eileen said...

Pretty star for a table topper !! Love reading your blog, keep up the great ideas !!

Betsy said...

Jamie, I love the many uses of your block. Thank you for hoping and the giveaway

Danice G said...

Your barn quilt is beautiful. I also love Biloxi, MS. Used to live in MS. My contact form is on my blog, just below the header, to the left. It is a round grey image with an envelope on it.

annemarie said...

Love the barn quilt block - would be so pretty for Christmas quilts.

Karen said...

This is a lovely block/quilt. It would make a great baby quilt with a few borders added.

Michele T said...

Wow! I love the colours in your barn quilt block!! I’d hang it in our entryway!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Great project, with fun block variations. Don't enter me in your drawing, I have too much stuff now, LOL!! Thanks for being part of the hop.

Darlene said...

Great block. I don't have a barn but this would be a great size for my front door. Thanks

Nancy L said...

I love your barn quilt idea. I, too, would love to have a barn quilt, but don't have a barn!! This would be ideal for the top of my staircase. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Ramona said...

Thank you for the great tutorial for you Barn Quilt. I love the fabric colors you chose.

Pamela Arbour said...

I love that idea about making barn quilts out of fabric! Your instructions are great. You have inspired me to make several of these. I have the perfect place to put them. Thank you for sharing.

Vicki in MN said...

I absolutely love your barn quilt quilt;) I love stars so it got my attention right away! Thank you for the instructions too, I will pin for now but see it in my future!!

Sarah Craig said...

You've knocked it out of the park once again, Jamie! Such a great block design, beautiful colors in your sample (nice beach shot, too!) and what a giveaway! Thanks for all your hard work!!

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

Small quilts are fabulous! And much like you, I adore those barn quilts. I followed a couple on a trail in NC (not publicized that I know of) but there is a publicized one in the county I live. I just haven't had a chance to meander when I'm at home running errands! Maybe my honey will let me put one on our barn????

Meloney said...

I love the Christmas one and thought this would be a difficult pattern, but it appears to be fairly simply with your instructions.
Thank you.

Quilting Babcia said...

I'd love to have a barn quilt on the side of our barn, and I love your block design! The size you made would also make a fabulous table topper. Thanks for your post and the sweet giveaway!

tink's mom said...

Great piece. Love your color choice for the holidays. Thanks for the tutorial and the chance at your very generous giveaway.

Sharon Tucker said...

This barn block is a great idea and a fast way to decorate!! stucker1261 at gmail.com

Debbie said...

Your barn block is beautiful, thank you for sharing!

Loris said...

What a fun post! The barn block is beautiful in all the colorways. Thanks for participating in this year's hop. I better get started on Christmas quilts!

theresa said...

I like the barn block idea I am going to try doing one. thanks for the instructions.

Katie said...

Wait, you're giving away the quilt?! The patterns alone are awesome, but od be honored to win a quilt, too! Thanks for the great pattern (might become a squirrel...) and a chance to win!

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

Great idea to make your own fabric barn quilt. Such a versatile design and suited to so many different color combinations. It would make a great table topper in any holiday colorway.

Barb Neiwert said...

So nice of you to take the time to construct a tutorial for everyone to create their own barn block. Lots of great possibilities. Fun, fun!

Kathryn said...

I love your trick of turning the hourglass block into something more intricate! Thanks for the giveaway.

Jayne said...

This is a great tutorial. Thank you

Stitchin At Home said...

Love the barn quilt! Great tutorial.

Barb said...

Love your block--Pretty in all the different colors!!
barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

Jeanna said...

This is a very nice quilted barn quilt, Jamie. Thanks for showing the various colorations and the tutorial as well. I love star blocks.

Annette Mandel said...

I like the barn quilt on my hotel bed idea. Helps make a strange place feel like home. A78mandel at yahoo dot com

Stoney said...

I love that this block can work so well in differing color themes, so I can personalize it for my quilting room or as a gift. Thanks! spirit dot in dot stoney at gmail dot com

Sherry said...

What a great tutorial.

I love how you included the ideas for different colors.

You may have just tempted me to start yet another new project!! LOL

Pam said...

I would love to put a quilt block on my house. I love this idea for inside the house. What a beautiful block, thanks for the tutorial.

pjsghecko@aol.com

craftyccain said...

What a lovely block! Being a newbie, not sure I am ready to tackle it yet. :)
craftyccain@gmail.com

JANET said...

Love your barn quilt design. It really stands out with the halloween colors you used.

PatriciaLud said...

I love your idea and your beautiful little quilt. I was thrilled that you provided a way to print a pdf version. So many times I find a great tutorial but I need the directions by my side to work on it, and there is no way to print. I'm so excited to have found a new blog to follow!

Susan said...

Great block! And thanks for the tutorial!

Sharon Aurora said...

I love that quilt! Thanks for the tutorial. You make it look so easy. I am saving this post to return to later.
my email: shades000(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Schiffer said...

What a generous give away! Thank you. :)

I like this barn quilt - will have to make it up.

:) Linda

Lori Smanski said...

your quilt is lovely. what a fun give a way. thanks for sharing
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

barbara woods said...

very cute block

Susan said...

I love that block! Your tutorial makes it so easy, too. Thanks so much for all the pictures. The giveaway is great! Thank you so much for the giveaway, I'd love to win that.

Aby Dolinger said...

I like your clever patchwork that transforms an Hourglass into a unique unit! The barn quilt you made is perfect for holiday decorating! Thanks for the chance to win!

Karrin Hurd said...

Love the barn quilt idea. Thanks so much for the instructions!

Jocelyn said...

Great pattern. Love the fabrics you chose.

Lee said...

Thank you for the tutorial! I love this hop! Gets me in the mood for holiday gift sewing! thank you!

chrisknits said...

What a cute idea! Love the bold colors you used.

Kathy E. said...

Barn quilts are so popular around here in Iowa. It's so much fun trying to spy them from the road when we are traveling. Each is different and so charming! Yours is so pretty in your vibrant colors! I'd love to make one! duchick at gmail dot com

Mary said...

I don't have a Barn bit this Block is sew cool! Thanks for the chance to Win.

jrquilts said...

SUCH GREAT IDEAS. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN .
hjrogers@sympatico.ca

Havplenty said...

I'm not much of a barn girl but I do love mini quilts. Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year to celebrate. I do love to decorate.

tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Paulette Voit said...

So glad I found your blog. Thank you for the barn quilt pattern, It's lovely. Am going to sign up for your blog and check out your Black Cat Patterns.

MaryBeth said...

Your barn quilt is so cute. There is a barn quilt trail in my county in MD and I've seen so many actual barn quilt.

ro said...

Love the barn quilt! I will make one to hang in my kitchen!

Monica said...

I was just mentioning that if they can make barn quilts I can make a jeep quilt. I was trying to figure out a theme for my jeep.

SHALEEN said...

I remember as a child driving around looking for barns with quilt blocks on them in Ohio. Brings back memories. Thank you for sharing.

OhioLori said...

Love your Barn Block!! Thank you for sharing!! & for chance to win your Super give-a-way too!! :)

Jennifer Rauch said...

Living in Indiana, Barn Quilts are popular! No barn here, but I've been exploring the possibility of a small barn quilt INDOORS! Shame, I've never thought to do your quilt adaptation! Please enter me! Enjoyed your post for the first time!

Carol Swift said...

I love your barn quilt...so pretty! Making it in other holiday colors is a great idea. Thanks for sharing how to make it!

BarefootThunder said...

what a wonderful little barn quilt. thanks for sharing and thanks for the chance at a great giveaway.

Susan Shaffer said...

Jamie, this small block quilt is perfect! I recently had a vision of filling the big BLANK wooden wall in our stairwell and upstairs hall with small quilts and have been looking a patterns for "enlarged" blocks. This may be small quilt #1 for Ardoyne!Thanks, Susan

Donna said...

Barn quilts are wonderful. I need to do one for the back of my house, lots of space there
djcutting2(@)gmail(dot)com

The Joyful Quilter said...

Thanks for participation in the 12 Days off Christmas in July Blog Hop!! Would LOVE to win the generous prize you are offering.

marebear said...

Jamie,
Love your barn quilt pattern. Very clever. I have friends who have painted barn quilts, but never quilted one.

judys said...

Barn quilts always sound so wonderful, and I actually saw one a few weeks ago!! What a great surprise! and now I want to make one to put up somewhere....no barns here, but what about a shed

DawnyK said...

What a fabulous idea! The white bed shot with the quilt really makes it pop.

mumbird3 said...

Great block!!! Thanks for the tutorial!!! mumbird3atgmaildotcom

...by CJ said...

Oh I LOVE barn quilts - I've made several. Great idea to make them as quilts. Thanks for the pattern and inspiration!

Craft Mad said...

Lovely iconic barn quilt pattern.
It certainly gives me some ideas, and would be great instead of a wreath, on the front door at Christmas!

Ilana said...

Thank you for this great tutorial. I can picture this large block repeated several times for a larger quilt. That just might happen here.

hijoffe@gmail.com

babiesdoc said...

great tutorial-- i think I am going to make 3 and a large table runner
sharongalli@gmail.com

Tu-Na Quilts said...

Great idea!!! I painted a barn quilt a couple of years ago and never thought to use the same idea and make a quilted version. Thanks for the chance to win this beauty!!
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

Susan Shaffer said...

Jamie, this small block quilt is perfect! I recently had a vision of filling the big BLANK wooden wall in our stairwell and upstairs hall with small quilts and have been looking a patterns for "enlarged" blocks. This may be small quilt #1 for Ardoyne! Also would love to win one of your quilts plus the Samantha Claire and Wedding Patterns are my favorite. :)
Thanks, Susan
susanpshaffer@gmail.com

Nancy in IN said...

Fun barn quilt block design. Lots of variety.
Thank you

Karen said...

Very pretty pattern. Thank you for sharing.

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

I love your barn quilt!! Great idea! Thanks for sharing, and the opportunity to win!

KatieQ said...

While I love this block in Christmas colors, I think the patriotic version would be great to use in a QOV. Thanks for the tutorial.

Kim said...

Love the barn quilt on both the white wall and the white bedspread. It is eye catching! Thank you for providing the instructions on how to make one.
Kim Kingston-Durgin
tnjmom1 @ gmail dot com

nicolesender said...

Your barn quilt is outstanding! Thanks for the great tutorial!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Dawn F said...

That's such a beautiful quilt! I love how it looks hanging off the pier like that.

Karen McMahon said...

I love your barn quilt! Thank you for sharing the pattern.

Beth said...

We have a barn and I've been brain-storming which block to adorn it. You've convinced me I'm on the right track.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Thank you for the lovely tutorial for such a pretty star block. I have a large metal 'barn quilt' block outside and a smaller version inside.

Anna brown said...

Very very nice love the colors you picked ... happyness04431@yahoo.com

Debbie Darlington said...

Thank you for the give-a-way opportunity. Enjoyed your big block tutorial, particularly the color placement.
Debbie
ollieami at aol dot com

celia ambrose said...

Such a lovely giveaway! Anyone would be happy with it! My email is celiaambrose@hotmail.com Thanks for a chance.

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

Oooh, just lovely! I can see I might "need" to make a few of these!! They are really pretty and I love how you showed us different colorways... thanks so much for sharing! xx

Debbie said...

A beautiful fabric Barn Quilt and a great pattern. My quilt guild does participate in painting quilt blocks for the SC Quilt Trail. This would be stunning painted in a four foot square quilt to hang on a barn or building.

Nancy J said...

I missed you on your day, probably because I visited when the date came up in New Zealand time.Love that star, and will save the pattern details for later on. What a wonderful blog hop again.

Betsy said...

These blocks would make a lovely tablerunner too. Very versatile

djquilting said...

What a great giveaway. Thanks so much.

Chase Klop said...

It’s neat that you are giving away patterns AND a quilt!

Charlene S said...

Your barn quilt is beautiful. Thank you for offering it as part of your give away.

MissPat said...

I was away last week so I'm late to the party, but glad I made it in time for your giveaway. Your barn block is very doable. Thanks for showing the alternate colors and for participating in the blog hop.
Pat

Quiltsmiles said...

You always have a fantastic "L'Flair" design with your patterns and your tute on this star is great too, thanks and Merry Christmas in July.

OhioLori said...

Love your Barn Quilt! Thank you for sharing how to make one! :) Thank you too..for chance to win one made by YOU!! :D & patterns too... What an exciting give-a-way!!

Christina said...

What a wonderful idea! A barn quilt not on a barn is a great idea, and I love the pattern. A quilt full of these blocks would be beautiful with colors that pop. Thank you for sharing a tutorial and participating in the blog hop.