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

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 (That's me!)

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels and 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

Susan @ Quilt Fabrication

Brandy @ Pampered Pettit
Jean @ All Points of the Compass