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A Gift Quilt Project - Christmas Wreath

Summary

This is a step by step guide to set a Christmas wreath using nine log cabin blocks with a red center. Great for as a gift project or for yourself.

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A Gift Quilt Project - Christmas Wreath

Deck the Halls with Wreaths of Fabric,

A Gift Quilt Project - Christmas Wreath

 

Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Christmas Wreath 1

 

Our project today is made of Log Cabin blocks, nine of them, all with a red center. Four blocks are green and white, three are all green one is all white and the top one is red and green.

The strips we will be using are 2 1/2" wide, cut across the width of the fabric. Or jelly rolls, of course! We will need 5 strips of green, 3 strips of background and 2 strips of red. You may use different greens and reds if you want. I'm using the same ‘cause that's what I have! My background is off-white with white stars.

Let me tell you straight off: This is not the way many quilters would do the Log Cabin blocks. But it is a rapid way to get it done and for this small a project, I don't believe it skews things too badly.

So, here's my method.

Cut your strips and cut one red and one green one to 20 inches. Sew these two together; press to the green. From this, cut paired strips to 2 1/2" lengths. This is all eight of the paired red and green squares needed for our project. Set aside one set.

 

Now, take another strip of green and put it right side up on your sewing machine bed. Place one of the remaining seven red and green units lengthwise on top, with right side down and the red at the top. Stitch. Place another unit the same way and stitch. Don't leave any space between units; we will just cut them apart. Here's what they look like before cutting; little flags!

Christmas Wreath 2

 

And here's what they look like after cutting.

Christmas Wreath 3

 

The whole premise of the Log Cabin block is to add "logs" around the center in a clockwise or counter-clockwise pattern. Doesn't matter which, as long as you go the same direction. We're going clockwise. The exception to this is the top middle block, which is a Courthouse Steps setting.

 

Let's tackle it first. It's the one that makes our ribbon bow. The one red and green unit you didn't stitch to the green strip begins the center of this block. To the top of the red square sew a 2 1/2" green square. Then you need to cut two 6 1/2" strips from EACH of the green and red strips and two 10 1/2" strips from the red. So here's what we have. (Lighting turned the red to pink on one side … aarrghh!)

Christmas Wreath 4

 

Sew the strips as shown; first the two shorter red ones to the sides, then the shorter green ones to the top and bottom, and lastly the longer red strips. Press away from the center. Ta-da! The bow is done!

The four corner blocks are the same. We'll do those now.

 

We will only use four of the seven original red and green units remaining. Place a strip of background fabric right side up on the machine bed. Place one of the units with the red at the top right side down on the background strip. Stitch. And in the same method we used before, continue adding the green and red units to the background until you have four finished. Cut these apart and press away from the center.

Christmas Wreath 5

 

Continue in this manner, placing these units, which now have one background side, right side down to another background strip, being sure the red square is in the center. Stitch.

 

Next two logs will be green placed and sewn, then background again to finish this block. We're going around the cabin clockwise with our logs. These four and the bow block are now done!

Christmas Wreath 6

 

We have three blocks left to make. They are the easy ones because they are all green!

Begin with the three red and green units. Place a green strip down, put the unit on top and stitch. Cut apart, press away from center, and do it all again! Just keep going in a clockwise direction until you have two green logs on each side of the red center.

You can do a totally background fabric Log Cabin block for the middle, but don't put a "hearth" (red center) in it! My idea for the center is to use a background square (10 1/2") and leave it plain for Christmas signatures. Then 100 years from now, someone will get it out and say, "Wow! Look who was together at Christmas way back when!"

 

Sew the blocks together as shown. Voila!

Christmas Wreath 7

 

It's up to you to make the sandwich, choosing the backing and batting you want to use. Then all that's left is quilting and binding!

Merry Christmas to all!

TIP: Look on Quiltinghub.com for the easy way to make a sleeve for hanging your wreath or any fabric wall art!

 

See other Holiday ideas below, or wait for More Christmas ideas by visiting QuiltingHub on Facebook.

 

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Glossary

Background Fabric
The fabric used as the background when placing Applique pieces.
Backing
The fabric on the back of a Quilt Sandwich (Top, Batting and Backing).

Same As: Lining
Batting
The layer in the middle of a quilt sandwich between the Top and Backing layers consisting of wool, polyester, blends, silk, or cotton.

Same As: Stuffing, Filling, Wadding, Filler
Binding
Binding is used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun it is the fabric that's used to cover the raw edges of the quilt sandwich after it's quilted. This edging fabric is referred to as the Binding (noun). As a verb it is the process of putting on this fabric, and it referred to as Binding a Quilt.
Block
The basic unit of a quilt top, usually square but can be rectangular or other shapes. Blocks can be pieced, appliqued or plain.
Jelly Rolls
Strips of precut fabrics assembled into a roll (usually 2 1/2" x 44").
Log Cabin
A quilt pattern in which narrow fabric strips, or logs, surround a center square to form a block. These may be pieced from strips or sewn onto a foundation of paper or fabric.
Press
Method of using an iron to press seams and blocks. This means simply pressing downwards on the seam with the iron from above and not moving the iron back and forth which can distort the block or seam.
Sandwich
Traditional description of a quilt: a sandwich consisting of a Quilt Top, Batting (filling), and a Backing.
Strip
A construction technique in which long, narrow pieces of cloth are joined lengthwise, sometimes with long rows of quilt blocks, to form a quilt top. The term "strip" can be used to describe the long pieces of fabric between blocks (see Sashing) or to describe the small, narrow remnants used in string patchwork.

See Also: Sashing
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