This tutorial has been provided by quilt designer, Jo Westfoot from The Crafty Nomad. Take a look at her website for more fun patterns, free tutorials and details about her monthly subscription service -http://www.thecraftynomad.co.uk

Christmas Tree Pot Holder Patchwork Project

This fun contemporary patchwork pattern features a Christmas tree! This pattern will provide dimensions to make a 12½ inch block. It's the perfect size for a Pot Holder to protect your table from heat marks. But you could easily add extra borders and turn it into a cushion. Or why not make lots of blocks and turn it into a cosy Christmas quilt!

 

You will need...

Four Fat Quarters of fabric

Wadding: 13½ x 13½ inches

Insulbright: 13½ x 13½ inches

Thread, pins & scissors

Sewing Machine

FINISHED SIZE - 12½ inches square approx.

 

Notes

Read ALL instructions before beginning

Press all fabrics well before cutting

All seam allowances ¼ inch

 

Cutting - all measurements in inches

Tree fabric:

Cut one of each: 3½ x 2in; 4½ x 2in; 5½ x 2in; 6½ x 2in; 7½ x 2in

Background fabric:

For the tree, cut two (2) of each: 5 x 2in; 4½ x 2in; 4 x 2in; 3½ x 2in; 3 x 2in

 

For the tree stump, cut two: 4½ x 2in

Tree Stump fabric:

Cut one: 1½ x 2in

Border fabric:

Cut two of each: 2 x 9½in; 12½ x 2in

Binding fabric:

Cut 60 x 1⅞in - this can be pieced or you can buy ready-made binding

Backing fabric: 14½ x 14½in

Wadding: 13½ x 13½in

Insulbright - Insulated wadding: 13½ x 13½in

 

Piecing the Block

1. Stitch a 4½ x 2 inch background fabric rectangle either side of the tree stump fabric. Press all seams open

 

2. To make the tree, there are five rows, each formed of two background pieces and one tree piece. Each row is formed in the same way, as follows. Starting with the bottom row, lay out the largest tree piece right sides up horizontally. Take the two smallest background rectangles and lay them right sides down vertically at each end of the tree piece. Stitch 45° line as shown.

 

3. Trim excess on corners with 1/4 inch seam allowance, fold over and press seams open.

 

4. Repeat with remaining rows.

 

5. Stitch the tree rows together to form the central block and trim to 9½ inch square.

6. Add the two side borders.

7. Add the top and bottom borders. Trim to 12½ inch square.

8. Lay out the backing fabric wrong side facing up, place the Insulbright in the centre with the regular wadding on top. Then place your pieced block in the centre right side up.

 

9. Pin together with curved safety pins. Using a walking foot to stitch lines as desired.

 

10. Trim off the excess backing fabric and wadding.

Tip: Zigzag stitch around the four edges. This will make your life much easier when attaching the binding as with two layers of wadding it can be really bulky and the zig zag stitches will compress the bulk.

 

11. Attach the binding to the back starting at one corner all the way around.

 

12. Stitch ⅜ inch from the edge and have your bobbin loaded with a colour that matches your fabric on the front.

 

13. Before you reach the end, stop and fold over the binding at the start, so that it gets sewn in correctly.

 

14. Now fold your binding over to the front and top stitch close to the edge of the binding, continuing all the way to the end of the tail. Forming a hanging loop at the end and stitch in place.

 

Your pot holder is finished!

 

If you want to make sure you make time to quilt more regularly consider signing up to Jo's VIP Club and get a pattern mailed to your home once a month: www.thecraftynomad.co.uk/vip-club

Don't want to miss out on any of Jo's free tutorials? Then sign up to the newsletter so you never miss a thing!

 

For more super festive sewing projects, see here.