• Shiny Ornaments

Shiny Ornaments

Shiny Ornaments can be made with any fabrics. This is a great scrappy project. If the Christmas theme doesn't appeal to you, try pastel florals or solids for spring and Easter. The simple Snowball block is a great way to showcase a collection, or you can use your treasured bits and pieces of fabric. You'll have fun making these!

Design by Cate Tallman-Evans

Project Specifications

Skill Level: Beginner
Quilt Size: 66" x 79"
Block Size: 12" x 12"
Number of Blocks: 20

Supplies

• Batting 72" x 85"
• All-purpose thread to match fabrics
• Quilting thread
• Basic sewing tools and supplies

Completing the Blocks

Step 1. Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each B square.

Step 2. Place a B square right sides together on each corner of an A square and stitch on the marked line as shown in Figure 1. Trim seam to 1/4"; press seam toward B to complete one A-B unit. Repeat with all A and B squares to complete 180 A-B units.

Step 3. Join two each C and E strips with three D strips with right sides together along length to make a C-D-E strip set referring to Figure 2; press seams toward D. Repeat to make two C-D-E strip sets.

Step 4. Subcut the C-D-E strip sets into (40) 2" C-D-E units, again referring to Figure 2.

Step 5. Join two each E and F strips and three D strips with right sides together along length to make a D-E-F strip set referring to Figure 3; press seams toward D. Repeat to make two D-E-F strip sets.

Step 6. Subcut the D-E-F strip sets into (40) 2" D-E-F units, again referring to Figure 3.

Step 7. To complete one Ornaments block, select nine A-B units. Join three A-B units to make a row as shown in Figure 4; press seams in one direction. Note: In the sample shown, the A-B units are in the same position in each block. Repeat to make three rows.

Step 8. Join the rows to complete the block center referring to Figure 5; press seams in one direction.

Step 9. Sew a C-D-E unit to opposite sides and a D-E-F unit to the remaining sides to complete one Ornaments block; press seams away from the block center.

Step 10. Repeat Steps 7-9 to complete 20 Ornaments blocks.

Completing the Quilt

Step 1. Join four Ornaments blocks with three G strips to make a block row as shown in Figure 6; press seams toward G strips. Repeat to make five block rows.

Step 2. Join four G strips with three H squares to make a sashing row, again referring to Figure 6; press seams toward G strips. Repeat to make four sashing rows.

Step 3. Join the block rows with the sashing rows to complete the pieced center; press seams toward sashing rows.

Step 4. Join four J strips with one I strip to make a side row referring to Figure 7; press seams in one direction. Repeat to make two side rows.

Step 5. Sew a side row to opposite long sides of the pieced center; press seams toward the side rows.

Step 6. Join two L strips with one each J and K strips to make the top row, again referring to Figure 7; press seams in one direction. Repeat to make the bottom row.

Step 7. Sew the top and bottom rows to the pieced center; press seams toward the top and bottom rows.

Step 8. Join the M/N strips with right sides together on short ends to make one long strip; press seams open. Subcut strip into two 67 1/2" M strips and two 66 1/2" N strips.

Step 9. Sew the M strips to opposite long sides and N strips to the top and bottom of the pieced center; press seams toward M and N strips to complete the pieced top.

Step 10. Finish the quilt referring to the Finishing Instructions below.

Finishing Instructions

Step 1. Press quilt top on both sides; check for proper seam pressing and trim all loose threads.

Step 2. Sandwich batting between the stitched top and the prepared backing piece; pin or baste layers together to hold. Quilt on marked lines and as desired by hand or machine.

Step 3. When quilting is complete, remove pins or basting. Trim batting and backing fabric edges even with raw edges of quilt top.

Step 4. Join binding strips on short ends with diagonal seams to make one long strip; trim seams to 1/4" and press seams open.

Step 5. Fold the binding strip in half with wrong sides together along length; press.

Step 6. Sew binding to quilt edges, matching raw edges, mitering corners and overlapping ends.

Step 7. Fold binding to the back side and stitch in place to finish.

Copyright © 2008 Lots of Scraps: It's Time to Quilt, House of White Birches. All rights reserved.