Monday, October 17, 2011

Free Christmas Block for Quilt Along with Quilting Gallery

I was thrilled when the lovely Michele from Quilting Gallery invited me to participate in her Christmas Quilt Along.

How does the quilt-along work? Over a 12-week period, 36 fabulously talented designers will be making 12″ blocks that you can make for free. You can pick and choose which blocks you want to make. Sash them, add borders, baste it, quilt it, and have it ready to give-away or keep for yourself this Christmas. Or you might want to use some of the blocks for a mini quilt, a table runner, bags, whatever you like.
Michele has also set up a Christmas Quilt Along Flickr page so that you can showcase your blocks, prizes to be won.

And this week it is my turn to release another free block and here it is.

After the release of my new Christmas in Italy quilt pattern, I couldn't resist the temptation to design a block to accompany it. The block incorporates needleturn applique and some simple hand embroidery which is then framed by a patchwork border.



To give participants a helping hand I have put together a tutorial for you with some helpful tips for completing this block. It includes a video to show you how to work a blind hemming stitch and how to achieve perfect corners.

Tips Number One - Trace each shape accurately onto freezer paper, use a Stanley knife to form a placement template for positioning the windows and door.



Tip Number Two - Use YLI silk thread in a matching colour and a fine applique needle for appliquing.


Tip Number Three - Use good quality embroidery floss and an embroidery hoop. Click here to watch video demonstrations of the hand embroidery stitches used in this pattern.


Tip Number Four - Use a water soluble marker pen with a fine tip, I use a blue and a white depending on the fabric colour. A fine tip will ensure that the templates do not grow in size!

Tip Number Five - Use an invisible hemming stitch for applique and double fold the corners
to achieve a point. Take a few minutes to watch my video demonstration.

Hope you have enjoyed my 5 tips for sewing this Christmas block. For more free patterns and other "how to" tutorials visit www.stitchingcow.com today. Have fun!
Warmly Lenna

34 comments:

Fiona said...

thanks Leena... for a lovely pattern adn the tips and video which I enjoyed...
Hugz

Carrie P. said...

YOur block is adorable. thanks for sharing it.

Needled Mom said...

Darling block and a nice tutorial on corner turning too.

Karen Stenback said...

I love this block! Beautiful!

leanne said...

thanks for the block and the tips for making it

Sherry said...

Thank you for sharing this block. Love it!

Raewyn said...

Thank you for the gorgeous block Leena - it's lovely.

Betty C said...

Your block design is wonderfully delightful. I love it! Thank you.

bellabear said...

tudo muito lindo,obrigada,beijos do Brasil

Frankie said...

Thanks for the pattern. I'm new with this so the tips and the video are very helpful.

Kaylee said...

Thankyou for your lovely pattern, I have never attempted needle turn, I would like to. Maybe I should do some practice on scraps first :-)

quilpeta said...

Thank you for the pattern it is great,

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the block - I will enjoy making it along with the others - appreciate your email letting me know. Linda in Central VA

Heidi said...

What a cute house! It will be a perfect little gift for someone this year. Thank you so very much for letting me know about it.
Heidi

Deborah said...

Thank you Lena. I love the little house and appreciate the video...I haven't tried that type of applique before.

Beertje Zonn said...

Thanks Leena, for the lovely pattern.
Kind regards,

Beertje Zonn

Mary said...

I got your link in an e-mail Thanks!

zauberblume67 said...

Thanks from this wonderful pattern.
Kind regards
Heike

vickie said...

Thanks Lena I love your emails and all your wonderful designs! Have a great Month! looking forward to the next one!

marygabriella said...

Grazie per il delizioso blocco e per il tutorial. Un grande abbraccio.
Marina

Julierose said...

Hi Lenna--For some reason I cannot download your free pattern Christmas in Italy block...Julierose

sandra@nowindow.com said...

Hi Leena,
Thank-you for sharing your block an tips. It is always so good to hear from you.
sandra@nowindow.com

Gladys said...

Hi, Lenna! For some reason I cannot download your free pattern Christmas in Italy block. It's so beautiful! Also, thanks for sharing!
A hug!

Vonie, Célestine said...

Merci beaucoup pour ce joli bloc !
Vos créations sont splendides , j'aime beaucoup !!!
Bien amicalement .

Anonymous said...

Hi Lenna,
Thank you so much for sharing your pattern block. I love it. Your tutorials are great!

Stella said...

Thank you Lenna, your block is beautiful, such imagination and presentation - Stella

Stella said...

Thank you Lenna for your beautiful Xmas Block outstanding as usual thank you for sharing

Jytte R said...

Thank you for the lovely pattern and the link to all the blocks. I am in Spain for holiday and have just saved the pattern to my computer. I will be busy back home in November.

Lenna Green of Stitching Cow said...

For those having trouble downloading the block here is some advice:

Sometime if lots of people are downloading at the same time the line can get congested,
and cause problems,please be patient and try again at another time.

If you still have trouble it may be worth reading my downloading help page
for some more suggestions.
http://www.stitchingcow.com/download-help

Marilyn P. said...

Hi Lenna,
This is the cutest quilt block I've seen in quite some time. I've got to try it soon! Can't wait to try some new techniques that you've shown. Thanks for your continued creativity that keeps out mojo going! Hugs, Marilyn in Northwestern PA

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Zirafka said...

Очень душевно и уютно!

Gwenaelle said...

thanks you a lot for this pattern :
http://gwenscrap.canalblog.com/archives/2012/02/09/23479728.html

Vicki said...

Hi:
I know this is an older post, but when I try and go to the link it says I can't. Is there anyway to still be able to get it? Thanks for being so willing to share.
Thanks,
Vicki
stardesertnight@yahoo.com

ShareThis

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails