Christmas Ribbons

by Jane Davidson


‘Tis the season to be Jolly, Fa la la la la la la la la. Hi, I am Quiltjane from Want it, Need it, Quilt and I am very excited to be back with a festive recipe – Christmas Ribbons. It is winter in Australia and the perfect time to make Christmas projects and snuggle up near a toasty fire.

Today, I bring you a quilt made with French General’s Fa La La La La collection. I have combined piecing and applique to create a ribbon effect that twines its way throughout the blocks.

1 x Fa la la la Layer Cake

  • 1/2 yd 13586-16
  • 1/2 yd 13587-14
  • 1/2 yd 13582-11 (Binding)
  • 1 1/4 yds 13583-14
  • 1/2 yd 13529-70
  • 3 1/2 yards backing fabric
  • Heat n Bond Light
  • Template plastic

Cutting
From the light coloured yardage and layer cake squares cut:

  • 36 x 7″ squares, cut on the diagonal to yield 72 triangles
  • 18 x 4 1/4″” dark squares and 18 x 4 1/4″ light squares
  • 72 x 3 1/4″ squares
  • 144 x 2 1/2″ x 6 1/4″ rectangles
Sashing blocks 144 – 2.5″ x 6.25″
Ribbon pinwheels 72 – 3 1/4″ squares
Pinwheel Blocks 18 dark and 18 light  – 4 1/4″ blocks
Makes 12 pinwheels and 12 half pinwheels

These are the four blocks we will be making.

From top left: Sashing block, Pinwheel
Ribbon Pinwheel, and Ribbon block

Pinwheels – Make 12 Full, 12 Half

To make the pinwheels:

  • Place a light coloured 4 1/4″ square right sides together with a dark coloured 4 1/4″ square.
  • Sew 1/4″ inch all the way around the border of the squares.
  • Cut once across the diagonal and then without separating the block, cut on the opposite diagonal. Press open the seams.

This technique yields 4 half square triangle ( HST’s )

  • Trim back evenly to make an unfinished 2 1/2″ square (or sew together first and then trim back to 4 1/2″ unfinished block)
  • Sew four HST’s together to make one pinwheel. Make 12 in total.
  • Sew two HST’s together to make half pinwheels. Make 12 in total.

Sashing Blocks – Make 30

  • Make 30 sashing blocks by sewing 2 – 6 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ strips together. Keep the remaining 24 single strips for outer sashing.

Ribbon Blocks – Make 36

  • Cut the 7″ light coloured blocks once on the diagonal to yield 72 triangles.
  • Trace the large ribbon template onto the fusible web ( Heat n Bond light ). Template can be found in ‘Printer Friendly’ version at the bottom of this post.
  • Cut around trace line leaving 1/8″ around curve line. ( Stops the fabric fraying when bonded and cut ).
  • Don’t forget to leave 1/4″ seam allowance as indicated on the template.
  • Press to back of fabric and cut on trace line.
  • Peel off the backing paper and press ribbon appliqué onto a large triangle piece. Make sure to centre the ribbon.
  • With right sides together, sew the two pieces together along the longest side of the triangle. Press seam to one side.

Trim finished block to 6 1/4″ square. Remember to leave 1/4″ at each tip of the ribbon appliqué when cutting.

  • Using matching thread machine appliqué your ribbon along the curve.

Ribbon Pinwheel Blocks – Make 13 Full, 8 half, 4 single
These are made the same way as the larger ribbon blocks.

  • Cut the 3 1/4″ squares on the diagonal to yield 72 triangles.
  • Trace the small ribbon template onto the fusible web (Heat n Bond Light). Don’t cut on the trace line. Leave 1/8″ allowance.
  • Fuse to dark fabric per manufactures instructions. Cut on trace line for arc but leave a 1/4″ seam allowance beyond the template. Make 72.
Leave a 1/4″ seam allowance.
  • Peel the backing off the fusible web and iron on one triangle, making sure to centre the ribbon appliqué.
  • Place another triangle right sides together and sew along the long side. Trim back to 2 1/2″ squares.
  • Remember to trim the blocks evenly, leaving 1/4″ at each tip of the ribbon.
  • Make 13 blocks as illustrated below
  • Make 8 half blocks and keep 4 single blocks.
  • Using matching thread, machine appliqué the curves of each ribbon

Putting the quilt top together

The quilt is sewn in 13 rows as illustrated below.

  • Layout your rows on the floor or design wall to ensure everything is facing the correct way, then sew the blocks together to make a row and then sew the rows together.
This pattern has a slight variation. The ribbons in the pinwheels are facing upward.

Finishing the Quilt

  • Layer backing, wadding and quilt top together and quilt as desired. I used an all over feathery pattern with fine matching thread.
Back of Quilt
  • Cut 6 2 1/4″ strips across the width of the binding fabric and piece the strips together at a 45 degree angle. Attach binding and stand back and admire your festive masterpiece.

Yield
One festive quilt 58.5″ x 58.5″

Garnishes
Spice it up with tiny yo-yos (suffolk pokes) or Christmas buttons in the centres of the pinwheels and ribbon pinwheels.

I hope you have enjoyed today’s Christmas recipe. Please upload a photo to my Flickr gallery if you make any of my MBS projects. I would love to see them.

Jane Davidson
{Want It, Need It, Quilt!}

Jane Davidson

Jane Davidson

Jane started quilting over 20 years ago by designing and hand piecing a queen sized quilt. Caught up in study and travel, it was not until 2010 did she rekindle her passion for quilting again.
“I love everything about quilting and the quilting industry. I am so inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity I see everyday”.
A scientist at heart, Jane loves the engineering behind the quilt making process – the planning, the fabric selection, the designing and construction, and of course the quilting. She is always ready to challenge her skills when designing a new block or quilt.
These days you can find Jane in her studio running a professional long-arm quilting service, teaching, designing and planning her next publication.
Jane Davidson

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