Coming this September – Tinsel Tree Quilt Along

We’re so excited to be hosting our first ever quilt along starting September 14! Our Tinsel Tree pattern is a fun Christmas quilt that showcases your favorite Christmas prints (solids work too!). It comes in two sizes – wall hanging or throw – so pick your size and let’s get planning! Tinsel Tree includes techniques that you might not be familiar with to expand your skills, but don’t worry they are easier than they appear! Step-by-step videos will guide you and live Q&A sessions throughout the QAL will answer any questions you may have.

Tinsel Tree is a unique, non-block-based quilt. It is made of 60° (equilateral) triangles for the background with the tree inserted with a pieced, slice and insert technique. Simple appliquéd circles and a bit of bias tape made on the straight of grain make up the tree topper.

The QAL will be hosted through a weekly email sent directly to your inbox, and on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to follow the hashtag #TinselTreeQAL2020 on Instagram to see what others are doing for their QAL and share your progress.

Prizes! We have partnered with some pretty great companies for prizes you will love! More on this later.

Details

• Dates: Sept. 14-Oct. 19

• Duration: 6 weeks

• How to Join: Sign up for the weekly email (at top of this post) to receive all the tutorials, inspiration, and other goodies you need to know about! Also, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, and follow the hashtag #TinselTreeQAL2020 to see what others are doing and to share your progress with them.

Quilt Info and Supplies

First purchase the Tinsel Tree paper pattern OR the Tinsel Tree pdf download version. Then gather your supplies.

We will be using some cool little gadgets and rulers to make the quilt . These are optional but they help things go smoother. We have a limited supply in our shop for purchase, so be sure to order yours soon.

• 60° Equilateral Triangle ruler by Creative Grids for making the triangles
• The Hole Thing circle template by Creative Grids for making the appliqué tree topper
• Clover bias tape maker (found where you buy quilting supplies) – 1/4″ size for wall hanging or 1/2″ size for throw for the tree topper (this can also be pieced)

Choose your favorite Christmas fabric line to make your version. If you don’t have enough variety, add in coordinating prints, solids or near solids to flesh it out. We’ll post inspiration photos of lots of fabric lines you can choose from if you’re stumped. Follow the hashtag, #TinselTreeQAL2020, to see what others are doing – this will be more than enough inspiration!

We are making our own versions along with you! Trisch is making the wall size in Winter Games by Odile Bailloeul for FreeSpirit and Jenifer is making a throw in Winter Gnomes by Striped Pear Studio for Windham Fabrics.

Wall Hanging Supplies (28″ x 35″)

• 1/2 yard coordinating solid for the tree and tree topper
• 3-4 colorful coordinating solids for the tree topper
• 1/4 yard cuts EACH of 9-15 prints
• 3/8 yard coordinating print for binding
• Your favorite applique supplies
• 1/4″ bias tape maker (optional)
• Creative Grids’ 60-degree Triangle 8-1/2” quilt ruler (optional)

Throw Size Supplies (70″ x 73″)

• 1 yard coordinating solid for the tree and tree topper
• 3-4 colorful coordinating solids for the tree topper
• 1/2 yard cuts EACH of 13-15 prints
• 5/8 yard coordinating print for binding
• Your favorite applique supplies
• 1/2″ bias tape maker (optional)
• Creative Grids’ 60-degree Triangle 8-1/2” quilt ruler (optional)

Tentative Schedule

• Week One: Gather supplies, prep, and plan out fabric
• Week Two: Triangle Cutting
• Week Three: Triangle sewing – 3 sections
• Week Four:  Appliqué the Tree Topper
• Week Five: Slice and Insert Christmas Tree, Quilt top assembly
• Week Six: Finish the Quilt Top, Quilting and Binding tips, Bonus Christmas Stocking

Inspiration

We mocked up some variations in a lot of different Christmas fabrics to get your creative juices flowing! Take a look at how beautiful Tinsel Tree looks in any Christmas line!

Don’t forget to purchase your pattern and sign up for the emails using the form at the top of this post and we’ll see you in September!