Pages

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Christmas in July Blog Hop: Day 1


We're kicking off the Christmas in July blog hop with a tutorial to make an advent calendar using Nancy Halvorsen's Ho-Ho-Ho, Let It Snow collection!



Sometimes the fun of a panel is cutting it apart and using different sections to enhance a simple idea. Here, the panel sections alternate with rows of pockets ready to be filled with advent goodies.


You'll Need:
1 Ho-Ho-Ho, Let It Snow panel
½ yard dark teal print
3/4 yard light teal print
½ yard each red stripe and green stripe
¼ yard dot on white print
3/8 yard wavy stripe
Coordinating buttons from Just Another Button Company
27'' x 46'' piece of batting
1-1/4 yards backing fabric
Fusible web
Fabric marking pen

Trim the ''Ho Ho Ho'' panel section to measure 17-1/2'' W x 6-1/2'' H (approximately ¼'' into the green, past the light blue background)
Trim the ''Merry Christmas'' panel section to measure 11-3/4'' W x 8-1/2'' H
Trim the ''Joy'' panel section to measure 6-1/8'' W x 9'' H



From the dark teal print, cut (2) 3'' x 6-1/2'' pieces and (2) 3'' x 22-1/2'' pieces. Sew the short pieces to the sides of the ''Ho Ho Ho'' panel section and the long pieces to the top and bottom. (Some of these measurements are a little atypical; the dark teal borders help to make the panel sections the right sizes to fit with the pockets.)

From the dark teal print, cut (2) 1-3/8'' x 8-1/2'' pieces and (2) 1-1/2'' x 13-1/2'' pieces. Sew the short pieces to the sides of the ''Merry Christmas'' panel section and the long pieces to the top and bottom.

From the dark teal print, cut (2) 7/8'' x 9'' pieces and (2) 1-1/4'' x 6-1/2'' pieces. Sew the long pieces to the sides of the ''Joy'' panel section and the short pieces to the top and bottom.


From the light teal print, cut a 10-1/2'' x 22-1/2'' strip, a 9-1/2'' x 10-1/2'' piece and a 10-1/2'' x 16'' piece.

Sew the 10-1/2'' x 22-1/2'' light teal strip to the bottom of the ''Ho Ho Ho'' panel.
Sew the 9-1/2'' x 10-1/2'' light teal piece to the right side of the ''Merry Christmas'' panel.
Sew the 10-1/2'' x 16'' piece to the left side of the ''Joy'' panel.
Join the three sections together.



Layer the calendar top with batting and backing and quilt as desired. I used a 2''-wide diagonal crosshatch pattern. Reserve the remainder of the backing fabric to create the hanging sleeve.



From each of the red stripe and green stripe, cut a 7-1/2'' x 21-1/2'' piece, a 7-1/2'' x 14-1/2'' piece, and a 7-1/2'' square. 

Fold a 7-1/2'' x 21-1/2'' red stripe piece in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch both short sides using a scant ¼'' seam allowance. Turn right side out and press. Repeat with remaining stripe pieces.


Measure 5-3/4'' up from the top of the ''Merry Christmas'' dark teal border and draw a horizontal line. 

Position the raw edge of the longest red stripe piece on the line (shown in white below), with the rest of the red piece below. Pin in place and stitch, using a ¼'' seam allowance and backstitching at both ends. 

Press the red flap up and pin in place. 

Mark lines every 3-1/2'' along the red strip. Topstitch on each line, as well as along both short ends, backstitching at each end.



Repeat with the remaining strips as shown, using the following measurements to draw the positioning line.
Long green stripe piece: 1-1/4'' up from top of the ''Merry Christmas'' dark teal border.
Short red stripe piece: 6-1/4'' up from the top of the ''Joy'' dark teal border.
Short green stripe piece: 1-1/4'' up from the top of the ''Joy'' dark teal border.
Medium red stripe piece: 5-3/4'' up from bottom edge of quilt top.
Medium green stripe piece: 1-1/4'' up from bottom edge of quilt top.


Click here to download the pdf of the numbers. Trace the numbers onto the paper side of the fusible web. (I'll save you the figuring, as if you look closely below, you'll see that I initially counted wrong. You need eleven ''1''s, eight ''2''s, three ''3''s, three ''4''s, two ''5''s, two ''6''s, two ''7''s, two ''8''s, two ''9''s and two ''0''s.) 

Following the manufacturer's directions, fuse to the wrong side of the dot on white print. Cut out each number. Fuse the correct number onto the center of each pocket. You can measure if you like, but I just eyeballed it.


From the remaining backing fabric, cut an 8'' x 20'' piece. Press each short end in ½'', wrong sides together. Fold the piece in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Stitch down the long edge.

 Pin to the back of the advent calendar, matching the raw edges of the sleeve with the top raw edges of the calendar. 


Cut (2) 5'' squares from the remaining backing fabric. Fold each in half on the diagonal, wrong sides together. Position on the back of the advent calendar in the bottom two corners, matching raw edges, and pin in place.


Cut (4) 2-1/2'' x 42'' wavy stripe strips for binding. Bind the quilt, catching the raw edges of the sleeve and triangles as you stitch. Blindstitch the bottom edge of the sleeve to the quilt back so it lays flat.

Hand stitch coordinating buttons onto the panel sections.
Carrot nose and bird on the wreath


Star on the right tree


Star below the words


We're giving you the opportunity to win a fat quarter bundle of the Ho-Ho-Ho, Let It Snow collection! The contest is open through Tuesday, July 31st at 11:59 pm EST. All you have to do is sign up to follow our blog (see Bloglovin' and email options in the righthand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you are doing so. For a second entry, like us on Facebook and leave a comment letting us know you are doing so. Good luck! 

And be sure to stop back here each day through the end of July to see more holiday tutorials! Plus, join our Christmas cookie recipe exchange on Facebook!



98 comments:

  1. What an adorable idea. I have just ordered two panels of this print to make some for the grandkids. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I "do" Nancy Halvorsen...a lot!, love her fabrics!!! I do follow your blog, have for quite some time and enjoy it "sew" much!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Have been a follower on Facebook for a long time! I also have your new app downloaded on my iPad for quick viewing anytime I'm away from my main computer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just love Benartex and enjoy the blog very much. Your Ho Ho Ho Blog Hop is going to be so much fun with all of the creative tutorials coming our way. I did leave a comment on FB and always look forward to my visits with you. Thank you for all that you do for all of us, your followers.

    Sandi Timmons

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very cute! I follow your blog via GFC.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Panels make such fun Christmas projects! I am a follower--thanks for the chance to win some cute fabrics!

    ReplyDelete
  7. i follow you via email and look forward to receiving it. it is hard to believe that christmas will be here before you know it. babscorbitt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. i follow on facebook. babscorbitt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I follow you through email. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  10. I follow by email.
    thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I also follow on Facebook. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  12. Super cute and I follow by email.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cute advent calendar. I follow you by email.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow by email. senstrings (@) yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the advent calendar! I follow you by email. illusions@rainierconnect.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great tutorial for this line. My Grandkids will love the Advent Calendar.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow on FB as well as by newsletter.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What wonderful eye candy! Thanks for the giveaway. I follow this blog via email.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm a follower and receive your posts via email and bloglovin. I like the tutorial on this post. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great project!
    I'm a happy follower!

    ReplyDelete
  21. So cute! I'm following you on Bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Have already been following you. Cute tutorial! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the wall hanging and I have been following.

    (smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  24. liked you on FB, thanks for the giveaway.

    (smjohns63 at yahoo dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Adorable!!
    I follow the blog through email.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow the blog and Benartex on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Super cute.Happy Christmas in July and thanks for the tutorial!.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I also follow by email. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I follow via email, my preferred method!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love this line! Great for the grandkids!

    ReplyDelete
  31. how cute is that! I get your blog posts straight to my email.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I really like the calendar!
    I follow you by email.
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I "like" you on facebook!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow on Facebook and email already.
    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is getting me in the mood for Christmas - a little early! I love this and am a happy follower by email and on bloglovin!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I follow on FB too (Deborah Gunthorpe)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm following with Bloglovin'.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Liking you on FB. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thanks for the tutorial. I already follow your blog via email.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I already like you on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I follow by email. Thanks so much for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am already following the blog via email and I have just now added you to my BlogLovin' list too.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have 'liked' you on Facebook also

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow you with Bloglovin. Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thats a cute advent calender! And darling fabric. I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I follow your blog and receive the newsletter.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am allready following your blog via Bloglovin. What a beautiful advent calendar...

    ReplyDelete
  48. I also allready like dand follow your Facebook page too. Thank you for the chance to enter. This is such a gorgeous fabric line.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Love your take on the advent calendar, so creative! I follow you on bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'm a longtime follower on Fabebook.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I follow your blog on Bloglovin!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'm also a follower on Facebook. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Follow on facebook! Good luck to us all!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am now following your blog via bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love that panel. So cute and such a wonderful Advent calendar. I follow you through email.

    ReplyDelete
  56. love your countdown panel thanks for much for the giveaway. email follower
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  57. fb follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Love the panel and the entire fabric line. I'm a new follower via email.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I'm a new follower via Bloglovin'. Thanks for the chance on this lovely fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm a new follower on Bloglovin'...isn't that a great app? Love the snowmen! pbstrand@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I am a new follower on Bloglovin' I love snowmen! I decorate with snowmen for the holidays and keep them up for most of the winter. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow your blog by email and bloglovin Love this tutorial

    ReplyDelete
  63. FOLLOW >BLOG LOVIN'

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. LIKE BENARTEX ON FB
    (linda.douglas.35)

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Very sweet and I follow on Bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I already follow on Facebook. Good luck for me.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Great tutorial.

    I already follow by email.

    I do not use Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I follow by email. What a cute Christmas idea!

    dbelliott@outlook.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Very cute! Love all the buttons to add a special decorative touch! My daughter would like me to make this advent calendar!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'm following the blog on Bloglovin'. Can't wait to sit down and read some older posts to catch up on lots of good stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  71. I also subscribed to you by e-mail.

    ReplyDelete
  72. I am signed up by email. Love this fabric and the calendar. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete