Fun & Funky Christmas Quilt Block Series – Stocking Block
Designer: Scott Hansen
Size or dimensions: 12 .5” x 12.5” unfinished block.
Skill level: Advanced Beginner or higher
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Play along with Scott from the Blue Nickel Studios as he presents a mini-series of slightly improv blocks between now and Christmas. Three of the blocks can easily be done up in other fabric for other holiday happenings, so they are not just limited to the Christmas Holiday. All are sure to help you play with improv quilt concepts. Let’s have a fun and funky modern holiday!
Check out the first part of Scott's Quilt Block Series HERE: Fun & Funky Christmas Quilt Block Series – Wreath Block!
Let’s get started on the second block – The Stocking.
Tools and Supplies:
- OLFA RM-MG/NBL 24"X36 Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat, Navy
- OLFA 45mm RTY-2DX/PBL Ergonomic Rotary Cutter, Pacific Blue
- OLFA QR-6x24 6" X 24" Frosted Acrylic Ruler (for the larger cuts as needed)
- OLFA QR-6x12 6" X 12" Frosted Acrylic Ruler
- OLFA QR-4S 4 1/2" Square Frosted Acrylic Ruler
- Sewing machine
- Pencil or marking pen
- Thread
- Iron
- Pressing Surface
- Assorted Stocking fabric scraps – A Fat Quarter’s worth is more than enough for one block.
- Assorted Background fabric scraps – A Fat Quarter’s worth is more than enough for one block.
Cutting instructions:
From Background Fabric cut:
- 2 – 2.5” x 2.5” Square A
- 1 – 3.5” x 4.5” Rectangle B
- 1 – 2” x 2” Square C
- 1 – 3” x 3” Square D
- 1 – 1.5” x 8.5” Strip E
- 2 – 2.5” x 11” Strip F
- 2 – 2” x 13” Strip G
From Stocking Fabric cut:
- 2 – 1.5” x 7.5” Strip H
- 11 – 2.5” x 2.5” Square I
- 4 – 1.5” x 2.5” Rectangle J
Construction:
As we piece this block, remember, there is a lot of trimming as we go. Some of the parts cut above are larger than needed. As you construct the block, you will be trimming down to more specific sizes. Freedom with Control is what I like to call it. I also suggest sewing with a tight seam. My machine defaults to 2.5. I like to use the 2.0 setting.
- Stocking Section 1 – Sew the 2 Stocking H Strips together and add 1 of the background A Squares as shown:
- Stocking Section 2 – Take 4 of the Stocking I Squares and 2 of the Stocking J Rectangles and stitch together with Background B Rectangle as shown:
- Stocking Section 3 – Sew remaining (7) Stocking I Squares and (2) Stocking J Rectangles together as shown:
- Take Background D Square, C Square, and remaining A Square and draw a line from corner to corner on the wrong side of the fabric as shown:
- Place these Background pieces on the pieced section created in Step 3 as shown:
- Sew on the drawn lines:
As you can see, I got a little jiggy with my seams here. I was not exactly sewing on the lines, one is even wobbly. That will be fine after you get through Steps 7 and 8. No one is going to care!
7.Trim off the corners as shown:
- Press Background squares out to the corners and trim to 4.5” x 8.5” if need to square up this piece:
- Combine Stocking Sections 1, 2, and 3 with Background E Strip as shown:
- Add 2 F Strips to each side and trim off excess as shown:
- Add 2 G Strips to tope and bottom as shown:
- Trim to 12.5” x 12.5” Square:
Finishing Instructions:
Create more Stocking blocks in a variety of colors and make a runner or wall-hanging or combine with the Wreath Block or the other two upcoming blocks as you would any 12” finished block.
Check out the next bloc in the series - GIFT BLOCK
