Alice, or “Sola” at Alice Samuels Quilt Co. created the 8th block for the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-Along and while the block was a challenge, I was so excited and rewarded when it was finished. Her tutorial can be found at With Love at Christmas / Christmas Presents.
I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this one color wise, and focused on slightly contrasting fabrics for the front and sides of the presents. I didn’t however get fixated on the seams that were described as “tricky” which turned out to be the first Y seams I have ever sewn. With patience, and basting first, I was able to get them pretty darned close after a few tries. I also ended up using markers for the seams (check out Jennifer Fulton’s tutorial on this block which also helped. You can find it here. For that matter, I read all the hostesses blogs on this particular block given the tricky seams as it never hurts to have read too many tutorials. They were all fantastic!
I am simply in love with this block. Along the way, I couldn’t see how the small cuts of fabrics were going to translate into a large block but I find myself planning a mini quilt with this tutorial. The block is too cute not to make again, and not to practice the Y seam. Look for that in a future blog. I also used Jennifer’s method of offsetting the blocks rather than having them sit side by side. I like the additional dimension it gives the block.
Here’s how it looks with my remake of the Poinsettia block. I am loving the combo.
It also pairs well with my Elf block (I changed the Angel into an Elf), which I posted about here.
And my Sam had to pose for a picture of the blocks completed to date, including the extra (original) Poinsettia. He must be waiting for it to be all finished so he can sleep on it. The little scrap blocks on Santa’s Belt are from a couple of the earlier blocks from making corners. I’m not sure what I’ll do with those yet but my pile of corner misfits is growing and growing!
One more close up…left is the full set of 8 blocks with what I think I will go with. Right is with the original poinsettia block I felt wasn’t at home. Looks pretty good to me right now though.
New block is released tomorrow. I am really looking forward to getting started on the next one.
I just had to head over and check out your version of the Merry QAL. Your blocks look great! I love how we all do the same quilt just a little bit different:). 👏❤️
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Tracy, thank you for visiting! It is so true how we all have different quilts. It is really inspirational to see the variations and styles, not to mention colors! Have a happy Tuesday.
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So well done! Your fabric choices are awesome 😀🎁
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Thank you Abbie. This was a super fun block to make. I see a whole quilt of it in my future!
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What an awesome job you did on that block! You’re right, it would make a cute little mini quilt. Love how well your blocks play together. Your instincts were right about the poinsettia block. Making that color adjustment was the right thing to do.
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Thanks Jennifer. One block at a time is my mantra on the learning curve for colors and having the blocks work together. 🙂
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