Last month Craftaholics Anonymous put up a post asking for people who were interested in participating in a handmade gift exchange with other people on the web. I jumped at the chance and I ended up with a wonderful partner, Staci from Just Sew Sassy. Let me tell you she’s got TALENT! After viewing her blog and her Pinterest Boards I knew I had to come up with something really special for our gift exchange. Staci mentioned several things she was interested in and the one that stood out to me the most was 4th of July decor.
Here’s what I came up with:
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| Front View |
I thought that you all might like a tutorial on how to make this patriotic wall hanging.
Supplies:
From top to bottom:
1/2 yard star background fabric
1/2 yard white fabric – I used Kona White – for stripes and star
1/2 yard red – I used Kona – fabric for stripes
1/2 yard blue fireworks for border
1/2 yard red/white/blue stripe for binding
Craft size batting
1 yard fireworks on black background for backing
1 spool metallic red thread for quilting
Cutting:
From star background fabric cut 2 – 2 inch strips
From white fabric cut 3 – 1 2/3 inch strips
From red fabric cut 4 – 1 2/3 inch strips
From border fabric cut 4 – 2.5 inch strips
For binding – following your favorite binding method cut after you have finished top and having final measurements.
Star Block: I got the pattern for my star block here – I would love to give you good instructions on paper piecing, but it was my first attempt and I have made several more attempts at it and have decided that I have a severe dislike for paper piecing. Maybe in my next life I will come to enjoy it.
Here is my finished paper pieced block – it measured approximately 8 inches with 1/4 seam allowance.
I squared my block up and then added borders from the star fabric – once done your star block should measure 10.5 inches – if it is bigger then trim it down to size
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| If it doesn’t measure 10.5″ – trim it down to size |
Stripes:
Sew together 6 strips in this order – red, white, red, white, red, white – cut down to 24.5″ set aside
Add last cut red strip to bottom the last white strip on the remaining panel – cut down to 14.5″
Sew this to the side of the star block:
Next, attach 24.5″ panel to the bottom of the stars and stripes – square everything up.
Borders:
Add your borders from the blue background fireworks strips (2″ each)
I used basting spray to baste the backing to the batting to the quilt top. I used both my free motion foot and my walking foot to quilt it. I went around the star and along each stripe with metallic thread using my walking foot. I did free motion quilting in the fireworks border.
Here is a close-up of the quilting on the star from the back:
What do you think? Would this quilt brighten up your Fourth of July?
Good luck making it and let me know if you have any questions. This is the third quilt that I have “designed” on my own and the first one that I have written instructions for. How did I do? I know they are not the best but I am hoping with time I will get better! Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th Melissa! Very cute wall quilt. I'll have to remember this one and thanks for the tutorial.
Super cute!! :o)
Thanks for showing us how.
So darling, I just love the fourth of July, and this is so festive! Thanks for showing off!
Carlee
http://www.ladybirdln.com
What a great quilt! Perfect for the 4th of July!
That is a really lovely and quite accessible pattern to work with. So special for the 4th of July.
cute idea, I love that backing fabric! How fun! Happy 4th!
I would love to be able to make this! But alas, I fear I may be quilting "challenged" and if you struggle with paper piecinng, there is no way I would be able to. Maybe I will give it a go some day.;) It is beautiful and your partner is one lucky lady! 🙂
I love it and the tutorial is great!
Thank you thank you thank you!!! I LOVE my 4th of July wall hanging! YOU my dear Melissa have TALENT!! Thanks for sharing the tut:)
This is adorable! I think the tutorial is easy to follow and I'll definitely give it a try. As for paper piecing, you don't have to love it or even like it but if you practice a little at it, it does get easier. 🙂
What a beautiful quilt! I love the fireworks fabric you used for the backing!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
This turned out great! I am having a Red, White and Blue Linky Party and I would love for you to join in on the fun by adding your link.
https://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2011/07/01/feature-friday-would-you-like-a-sexy-glove/
This is a beautiful quilt!!! We featured it from the Fancy This Fridays link up last week!!! Hope you'll stop by to check it out and grab a featured button!
very cute! i'm just learning to sew, will have to add this to my future projects! Just stopping by from the gift exchange linky to check out everyone's goodies! 🙂
Thank you so much for linking up to my Red, White and Blue Linky Party!
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com
Wow! What a gorgeous wall hanging! I love the fireworks on the back! I’m so glad you signed up for the Handmade Gift Exchange! Thanks for linking up your gifts! I love seeing what everyone made. The next Handmade Gift Exchange will start the first week of November, so mark your calendar! 🙂
happy crafting,
Linda
Can’t wait to make this. I love it.