Holiday Gifts Wall Hanging

Inspired by Wrap It Up from designer Linda Lum DeBono

Quilt Tester: Laura Boehnke

• 9-8" squares assorted prints in blue, gold, green, red, cream, and navy (appliqué foundations)
• 1-1/2 yard total assorted solids in light green, white, red, dark green, gold, and cream (appliqué foundations, appliqués)
• 2/3 yard navy print (sashing, border)
• 3/8 yard navy stripe (binding)
• 1-1/2 yards backing fabric
• 42x50" batting
• Lightweight fusible web
• Tear-away stabilizer

Finished quilt: 34x41-1/2"

Finished block: 8-1/2x11"

Quantities are for 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton fabrics.

Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut pieces in the following order. Click on "Download this Project" for patterns. To use fusible web for appliquéing, complete the following steps.

1. Lay fusible web, paper side up, over patterns. Use a pencil to trace each pattern nine times, leaving 1/2" between tracings. Cut out fusible-web shapes roughly 1/4" outside traced lines.

2. Following the manufacturer's instructions, press each fusible-web shape onto wrong side of designated fabric; let cool. Cut out fabric shapes on drawn lines. Peel off paper backings.

From each of nine prints, cut:

• 1--6x7" rectangle

From assorted solids, cut 9 matching sets of:

• 1--3-1/2x9" strip
• 1--2x9" strip
• 2--2x7" strips

From remaining assorted solids, cut:

• 9 matching sets of patterns A and B

From navy print, cut:

• 2--2-1/2x37-1/2" border strips
• 2--2-1/2x34" border strips
• 2--2-1/2x30" sashing strips
• 6--2-1/2x11-1/2" sashing rectangles

From navy stripe, cut:

• 4--2-1/2x42" binding strips

1. Sew a set of assorted solid 2x7" strips to long edges of an assorted print 6x7" rectangle (Diagram 1). Press seams toward bright print rectangle.

2. Add solid 3-1/2x9" and 2x9" strips from the same assorted solid set to remaining edges of assorted print rectangle to make an appliqué foundation. Press seams toward print rectangle. The appliqué foundation should be 9x11-1/2" including seam allowances.

TIP: Pressing seams toward the print rectangle gives each "gift box" a little more dimension than the background of the appliqué foundation. Enhance this effect by quilting more heavily in the assorted solid strips and minimally (or not at all) in the gift box.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make nine appliqué foundations total.

1. Center an assorted solid A ribbon on an appliqué foundation, aligning the bottom edge of the ribbon with the bottom edge of the print rectangle (Diagram 2). Position the matching assorted solid B bow on appliqué foundation so it covers top edge of ribbon. Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse pieces in place.

2. Place a sheet of tear-away stabilizer behind appliqués and pin in place from the front. Using a short (1 millimeter) and wide (3.5 millimeters) zigzag stitch and thread that matches appliqués, satin-stitch around ribbon and bow.

3. Gently tear away stabilizer to complete an appliquéd block. Press appliquéd block from the back.

4. Repeat steps 1–3 to appliqué nine blocks total.

1. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out blocks, navy print sashing rectangles, and navy print sashing strips in five rows.

2. Sew together pieces in each block row. Press seams toward sashing rectangles.

3. Join rows to make quilt center. Press seams toward sashing strips. The quilt center should be 30x37-1/2" including seam allowances.

4. Sew long navy print border strips to long edges of quilt center. Add short navy print border strips to remaining edges to complete quilt top. Press all seams toward border.

1. Layer quilt top, batting, and backing; baste. Quilt as desired.

2. Bind with navy stripe binding strips.

Make certain your machine is clean and in good working order.

Install a new size 60/8, 70/10, 75/11, or 80/12 sharp embroidery needle in your machine.

Wind a bobbin with cotton 60-weight embroidery thread or bobbin-fill thread.

Thread the needle with matching or complementary-color cotton 60-weight embroidery thread.

Set your machine for a zigzag stitch with a width between 1 and 3.5 millimeters (about 1/8" wide) and a stitch length between .5 and 1 millimeter. (Larger pieces can accommodate a wider, denser appliqué stitch than smaller appliqué shapes can.)

If possible, set your machine in the "needle down" position, and turn down the speed.

When stitching, use a stabilizer behind the appliqué foundation to prevent puckering.

Position the presser foot so that the left swing of the needle is on the appliqué and the right swing of the needle is just on the outer edge of the appliqué, grazing the appliqué foundation.

Begin stitching on a curve or straight edge, not at an inner or outer point.