March's Block ~ Santas Journey BOM

Happy March 1st! We still have a ton of snow here in Minnesota, lots of ice too. I've fallen once this winter and I don't want to slip again. I have been tearing the house apart trying to find my cleats for walking on ice. I have no idea where they are, I have torn thru several closets! I sure hope they didn't end up in a Good Will box! So, I've been walking around like a little penguin when I'm outside. It's great weather for staying inside to sew and quilt. I am also going to take advantage of the crappy weather to take time to organize my studio and go thru my fabric to make room for NEW.  So, I'll be putting together USPS priority mail flat rate boxes with lots of fabric goodness and post them on my Etsy site. Keep an eye out for that. There'll be some great deals!

This month's block is also an easy one, a little green house. There's an upstairs light on, are the kids already up! As a kid, I remember getting up well before 5am to check to see if Santa had come. I'm surprised I didn't pass him in the hallway for how early it was! Sometimes I would get up and peek and then go back to bed, other times I would quietly snoop thru my Christmas stocking, waiting for my sisters to get up too. Let me show you how I put this month's block together. It's just like last month's, just switching up the house color for this block.

Make sure to download a copy of the pattern for February and gather your fabric.

·         Pair together blue A square with brown B rectangle, right sides together. Sew corner to corner diagonally. Trim to a ¼” seam on one side to form a triangle on the left side of the ‘roof’. Press to the dark side. Pair together the blue C square on the other side of the brown B rectangle, right sides together. Sew corner to corner diagonally to form the right side of the roof. Press to the dark side.

Following the block layout, lay out all of the pieces to the house block. Following the layout and picture on the pattern. 

Following the layout and picture, stitch the block together using a scant ¼” seam.

I stitch the 'rows' first, and then pieced the lower window sections together. Remember to use a scant quarter inch seam. Sew the rows and window door sections together to form the block. Iron. Block should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2". You will make only one this month.

 Trace the wreath shape onto the paper side of a piece of fusible web. Following the manufacturer's instructions. Iron the fusible web to the wrong side of a square of green fabric. Cut the applique design out. Peel off the paper and iron onto the house block centering it above the door between the two upper windows. Using a blanket stitch and green thread, stitch around the design

I took a picture of the stitch that I'm using to applique around the wreath shape. This is helpful so in case I forget what I used I have a record of it on my phone.

~ Green House ~

 I will be embellishing the wreath and door with buttons for the doorknob and holly berries but will hold off until the quilts are quilted. There's nothing like trying to work around buttons while quilting.

 Help spread the word and tell all your quilting friends about this fun wintery block of the month! Each month we will work on a new section of this mystery quilt. There's basic piecing, some applique and other fun embellishments. As always, the monthly directions will be free during that month and then available for a small fee after that.

Finished measurements of the 2023 BOM quilt is 60" x 70"

Grab the button and link it to the Quilt Doodle Blog and help spread the word! 

I will be doing two versions of this quilt as we sew along. The blue version and then a white one. It will be the same pattern just a different background. Make sure to download the PDF directions on the website. Grab your fabric and start sewing!

 Each month's pattern is a free PDF instant download. If you miss a month, the patterns are available for $2.50 on my website and also in my Etsy shop.  

If you don't have a printer, you can purchase a PRINTED copy of the monthly patterns.

HERE

 There's also a Facebook Group, please join and post your progress! It's also fun to see everyone else progress too! Make sure to post your blocks so far! 

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! I'm planning on going thru my studio. Stayed tuned, I'll be posting some fabric bundles on my Etsy site at clearance prices to make room for some new fabric which will be on the way very soon!

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine