Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Magic of Christmas Blocks 8 and 9

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I was having so much fun sewing these Magic of Christmas Sew Along blocks I forgot to do my blog post! Blocks 8 and 9 I really enjoyed making.  Block 9 in particular was very challenging.  

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It has 57 pieces.  I know.  For a block that finishes at 6 inches, that is an undertaking.

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And those little light squares that are at the center of the square in a square units?  The instructions say to cut them 1 9/16th inches. Is that even a thing?  My ruler has 1/8 inch markings, so I just very carefully eyeballed it in the middle between 1 1/2 and 1/5/8.  It turned out ok actually.

Lisa Bongean has a recent blog post where she talks about what makes piecing teeny tiny units more precise.  In short:  pre-starch your fabric and let it air dry, cut accurately, sew an accurate quarter inch seam, pin,  and use steam to press.

I forgot to pre-starch my fabrics, but I used lots of Mary Ellen's Press when sewing.  I have to say, even though these blocks were complex, they came together really well.  I now have a total of 20 blocks made, almost half done!  Can you find the four new ones in the mix?

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I am enjoying this sew along more than I dreamed I would. The blocks are challenging, but it is so rewarding when they turn out.  I am loving the variety in them.  This is a similar kind of sew along to the Farmer's Wife one that was so big a couple of years ago.  Everyone who finished their blocks and put them all together in a quilt had something stunning to show for their effort.              

 

 

18 responses to “Magic of Christmas Blocks 8 and 9”

  1. They are lovely wish I had tome to do them so many other things on the go at the moment. Love your post

  2. They are lovely wish I had tome to do them so many other things on the go at the moment. Love your post

  3. They are lovely wish I had tome to do them so many other things on the go at the moment. Love your post

  4. Love your all your blocks:-)
    I wouldn’t cut a 1 9/16″ square I would cut a 2″ square and 4 x 1.5″ squares then use the sew and flip method. That should work too.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

  5. Love your all your blocks:-)
    I wouldn’t cut a 1 9/16″ square I would cut a 2″ square and 4 x 1.5″ squares then use the sew and flip method. That should work too.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

  6. Love your all your blocks:-)
    I wouldn’t cut a 1 9/16″ square I would cut a 2″ square and 4 x 1.5″ squares then use the sew and flip method. That should work too.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

  7. Yep, 57 is a lot for such a small block! And your blocks are looking perfect!! Great job.

  8. Yep, 57 is a lot for such a small block! And your blocks are looking perfect!! Great job.

  9. Yep, 57 is a lot for such a small block! And your blocks are looking perfect!! Great job.