Mays Block Santa's Journey BOM 2023

I'm pretty excited that it's May, and I think I can safely say that winter is over here in Minnesota. It was amazing how quickly the snow melted! The daffodils are blooming, and I've got a couple of greenhouse trips planned to pick up flowers to fill my gardens and flowerpots. Josephine and I have enjoyed a few walks to the park. Josephine is walking better than last year. She would flat basset about halfway through our walks last year and it was a struggle to get her home, even with treats! Those of you who have a basset hound you know all about the stubborn nature of this sweet dog breed. She is growing up to be a sweet girl and is finally starting to enjoy our walks. Now let's talk about this month's block, or section. You will be cutting a pretty large swath of fabric for a 15 1/2" x 52 1/2" strip.

 From blue fabric cut: 3- 15 ½” x WOF strips. 

Then sew the strips together end to end.

Cut 2- 15 ½” x 52 ½” strips. 

Set one aside for later.

You will be cutting two and saving one for later. On this month's section, you will be appliqueing "Merry Christmas to all..." in red letters. We will be using fusible web like heat n bond or Flexifuse to attach the letters. 

Go on over to the website and download and print up this month's pattern. Remember it's only FREE the month of May, after that there will be a small fee. Then gather your blue background fabric and red fabric for the letters.

Trace the letters on the paper side of your fusible web, heat n bond or flexifuse, whatever your favorite iron on adhesive is. The letters are reversed on the pattern so they will be the right direction when you iron them on. 

Cut out the letters.

Peel the paper backing and place the shapes fusible side down on the right side of the blue background strip, centering the design in the upper left-hand corner about 1 1/2" from the upp and left side edge. Press the letters following the fusible manufacturer's directions.

Don't worry, I have something fun planned for the large space that is left over on the large rectangle blue background piece. Stitch around the raw edges of the applique using either a straight stitch or buttonhole stitch using a matching red thread color. If you are unsure about your stitch size, practice on some scrap material until you find the setting that you want to use for the machine applique.

 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! 

 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 have also been posting time lapse videos on my Instagram feed on how to stitch the blocks together. @quiltdoodledesigns. I hope that you all have a wonderful day and find some time to do some stitching! 

Happy quilting,

Cindy and Josephine