I Wish You a Merry Quilt Top!

Now that all the blocks in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt a-Long have been revealed, we decided as a group to have each of our quilt tops completed at the same time for all of you to see. We thought this would be a way to give you ideas and tips for settings/layouts and how to’s for finishing your quilt top too. Here is my completed quilt top:

I Wish You a Merry QAL quilt top 40″ x 53″

First, I squared all my blocks to 12 1/4″ because some of mine measured a little less than the pattern size 12 1/2″ and it is important they all be the same size.

I decided to have a 1″ finished sash all around each block. I just love this dark pink shade (Kona Punch) I chose, I think it ties all the blocks together is a colorful way. I used regular 44″ width fabric and cut 1 1/2″ strips. To make the longer pieces, you can sew strips together, sewing the seams on the diagonal and pressing open for less bulk.

I added a 1 1/2″ x 12 1/4″ long strip to the right hand side of the first block, then attached the next block and continued like this connecting three across making four rows. Each row has one piece the length of the three blocks with sashing in between by 1 1/2 width. If you sash this way, be sure to mark or pin the place on the these long strips where the adjoining seams for the row below will line up with the row above, so you have a consistent vertical sashing line through the quilt.

I pressed all the seams towards the sashing, this gives it a nice look. I decided that I am not going to add any additional border. I am going to use some traditional Christmas fabric pieces I have to make a backing. I chose a colorful free style polka dot fabric I got at Joann’s for the binding that has colors from the all blocks and that I love:) I will make a very narrow binding to complete the quilt.

I am pretty sure I am going to stitch in the ditch and then echo with straight lines inside each block. I want to keep it simple to showcase the quilt blocks (and not run the risk of complicating it with my unpredictable FMQ! )

I love each and every block the designers made for us. I will be sure to post photos of my finished quilt, as I will be so excited and proud to show you it in its entirety!

I want to thank each wonderful woman of the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-Long. Their hard work, thoughtfulness and creativity made this QAL such a wonderful success. It has been a true honor and a pleasure working with you all from the beginning to end.  Congratulations Ladies, Well Done!!! 🎉

Abbie at Sparkle On (you are here!) Host
April at JANDA Bend Quilts Host and Designer
Becca at Pretty Piney Host
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting Host and Designer
Diane at cwilt Designer
Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter Host and Designer
Karen at Tu-na Quilts Host
Laura atSlice of Pi Quilts Host and Designer
Sandy at SandyStar Designs Host and Designer
Sherry at Powered by Quilting Host and Designer
Vanda at Quilt in Piece  Host and Designer

Kathleen of KathleenMcMusing Designer
Sandra of Sandra Healy Designs Designer
Sola of Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co.  Designer

Please be sure to visit each host’s blog to take a look at the stunning quilt tops they have completed and read their knowledgable and experienced tips on how they did.

It has been such a joyful experience to see so many styles, fabrics and ingenuity put into every block you made. The positive response and participation in this QAL has been amazing,  so we have officially decided to present another QAL in 2018!!!!!! It will be a Fall theme. We are still ironing out the details but we will let you know more as soon as we do. Announcements about our next quilt along will be made here on my blog as well as in the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group

This QAL had many firsts for me starting with hosting!, following a paper pieced pattern, using Tri-Recs rulers, and making a block with more pieces than I ever have; “Snowman” with 31 and then “Reindeer Games” with 42! I also improved my piecing, applique, machine embroidery, fabric cutting and 1/4″ seam sewing skills to name a few. All this in one quilt. Wow :)  Most importantly I made friends and feel the comfort of knowing a wonderful quilting community in all of you. Thank you for following my blog and participating in, supporting and or following this journey.  ~Abbie ✨

*Please note that all of the block patterns are free through the end of the QAL January 15th but most will switch to a paid format on January 16th.

One winner selected at random will receive the Super Duper Grand Prize including all of the following:

A six month subscription to Make Modern Magazine
A fabric bundle from RJR fabrics
A 10” stack of River’s Edge fabric from Island Batik
2 PDF patterns from Yvonne Fuchs of QuiltingJETgirl
Warm 100 queen size batting from The Warm Company
Merry Merry Aurifil spool thread by Kate Spain
One pair of Warm Crochet scissors

Be sure to enter your chance to win these fabulous prizes by posting a photo of your finished quilt top by January 15th 11:59 EST on:

1. I Wish You a Merry Quilt-A-Long Facebook Group
2. Instagram, be sure to include the hashtag #iwishyouamerryqal in your photo comment.
3. The linky party, click blue button below, or on any of the other hosts’ blogs.

The Grand Prize giveaway starts at 12:00 AM EST December 5th and runs through 11:59 EST January 15th. The winner will be announced on the I Wish You a Merry Quilt-a-Long Facebook page.

Linking up with Wednesday Wait Loss from Jennifer The Inquiring Quilter, who has many wonderful I Wish You a Merry QAL quilt top setting examples for you to see.