I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long: Christmas Lantern
It's hard to believe we're already on block 10 of I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long! The final block and setting suggestions will be revealed in just four weeks. If you're new to the quilt along, or if you need to play a bit of catch up, you can find links to all of the information and past blocks on my quilt along page.
This week is a lovely Christmas Lantern by Diane Lomax of Cwilt. Head on over to her blog post to download the block pattern. Remember, all of the blocks will be free until January 16, 2018, so you don't want to wait to download it.
Tips for Success
This was a fun block to make. I was new to piecing with templates, but I found that everything went together quite well. As long as you have an accurate quarter inch seam allowance, you'll do just fine.
I cut all of my pieces with my rotary cutter. I like to put my old rotary blades into a cutter that use whenever I need to cut through paper. That way the paper doesn't dull my nice sharp blade in my regular cutter.
I recommend looping a piece of tape to stick the template to the fabric as you cut. This way the template and the fabric will stay together. Otherwise, the paper likes to static cling to the rotary ruler, and you have to realign it with the fabric each time you move the ruler.
For the top and bottom of the lantern, I used my standard stitch and flip technique. I placed the background fabric on top of the lantern fabric and drew a line from corner to corner. Then I sewed just to the outside of the drawn line so there would be enough fabric to flip over and make the unit. I definitely recommend using pins for this since the rectangles like to shift.
For easy removal of the paper from your fusible web, score it with a pin. Fold along the score line, and the paper will pop right off.
I decided to applique the holly berries. To get them all the same, I found a button that was just the right size and traced around it. If you decide to use actual buttons instead of applique, it's a good idea to wait to add them until after quilting. That way you don't risk damaging your machine or your quilt by running into a button as you quilt.
My Partners in Crime
10 other wonderful quilters are hosting this quilt along with me. They have each made their own versions of the Christmas Lantern block and are sharing their tips and tricks. Check out their blog posts to see their ideas.
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
We have another great set of prizes this week. Our winner will receive two packages of Steam-A-Seam 2 sheets from The Warm Company and a free pdf pattern of their choice from Vanda Chittenden of Quilt in Piece.
To be eligible to win, simply post your finished Christmas Lantern block by 11:59 pm Eastern on November 20, 2017. You can share your block in our Facebook group, on Instagram with the hashtag #iwishyouamerryqal, or by joining the linkup on Diane's post. I can't wait to see what you make!
We also have a fabulous grand prize package. Here's a look at the wonderful sponsors we have lined up for that. To be eligible to win the grand prize, post a completed quilt top that includes all 12 blocks by 11:59pm Eastern Time on January 15, 2018. The final block will be released on December 5, so you'll have plenty of time. It doesn't even have to be quilted!