Christmas in July: Blog Hop Day 4

 It's July...the sun is shining...flowers are blooming...

So of course it's the perfect time to start planning for Christmas! 

Today is the last day of our Christmas in July series. If you like what you see, the fabrics are available in stores now, so you can get started on your favorite featured project now and be done before the holiday rush begins! 

Crank up the air conditioning, pull out your wool hat, and enjoy our Christmas in July series!

Our last Christmas in July project is a door banner that can be displayed all season long! It uses wintry prints from the aptly named Winter Story collection--black, red, and gray. Enjoy the tutorial and read all the way to the bottom to find out how you can enter to win a bundle of Winter Story fabrics. 

Materials:

1/3 yard of gray pinecone print

5/8 yard red swirl print

1/4 yard white solid

1/4 yard black solid

3/4 yard black branch print

1 yard backing fabric (we suggest the cardinal and snowflake print!)

30" x 38" piece of batting

Fusible web

Love these wintry fabrics!

Cutting:
From the gray pinecone print:
(1) 9-1/2" x 24-1/2" piece

From the red swirl print:
(8) 4" squares
(3) 2-1/4" x 42" strips for binding
(2) 1-1/2" x 24-1/2" strips
(2) 1-1/2" x 17-1/2" strips
Reserve remainder for applique

From the white solid:
(8) 4" squares

From the black solid:
(3) 8" x 9" pieces

From the black branch print: 
(Note: Cut these strips in the order listed--fabric is directional)
(1) 5" x 26-1/2" lengthwise strip (branches running vertically)
(1) 2-1/2" x 26-1/2" lengthwise strip (branches running vertically)
(1) 5" x 24" widthwise strip (branches running horizontally)
(1) 2-1/2" x 24" widthwise strip (branches running horizontally)


Making the Banner:
Note: Click here to download the letter templates. Print out each template at full size.
Step 1: Trace the J, O and Y templates onto the paper side of fusible web. Cut out 1/4" past the drawn lines. Fuse letters onto remaining red swirl fabric. Cut out each letter on the drawn line.
Step 2: Cut fusible web pieces slightly smaller than the (3) 8" x 9" black pieces. Fuse to the black pieces. 
Step 3: Remove paper backing from the back of each letter and a fuse letter onto each black solid piece, leaving at least 1/4" of black showing all around the letter. 

Step 4: Cut out around each letter, leaving approximately 1/4" of black showing. 

Step 5: Remove paper backing from each letter and arrange on the 9-1/2" x 24-1/2" gray pinecone piece as shown. Letters should be at least 1/2" from background edges. When you're happy with the spacing, fuse in place. 

Step 6: Draw a line on the wrong side of each 4" white square. Pair right sides together with a 4" red swirl square. 

Step 7: Sew 1/4" on either side of the drawn line. Cut on the line to create two units. Press each unit open to make a half-square triangle (HST) unit. Make 16. Trim HST units to measure 3-1/2" square.

Step 8: Lay out the HST units into 8 rows of 2 units each as shown. Sew the units into rows and join the rows to make the peppermint stripe unit. 

Step 9: Sew the peppermint stripe unit to the right side of the JOY unit. 

Step 10: Sew 1-1/2" x 24-1/2" red swirl strips to opposite sides of the banner center. Sew 1-1/2" x 17-1/2" red swirl strips to the top and bottom. 

Step 11: Sew the 2-1/2" x 26-1/2" black branch strip to the left side and the 5" x 26-1/2" black branch strip to the right side. 

Step 12: Sew the 2-1/2" x 24" black branch strip to the top and the 5" x 24" black branch strip to the bottom to complete the quilt top.

Your banner top is done! Layer backing, batting and banner top, baste, and then quilt as desired. Use the (3) 2-1/4" x 42" red swirl strips to bind. Add a hanging sleeve and display all winter! 

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Winter Story fabrics, leave a comment below letting us know your favorite holiday color combination. Giveaway closes Monday, July 31st at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Follow along with our Christmas in July Blog Hop!

Wednesday: Mulberry Lane Placemats by Lisa Ruble

Thursday: Nordic Holiday Star Quilt by Debby Kratovil

Friday: A Moose for Christmas Pillow by Cynthia Brunz

Saturday: Winter Story Wall Hanging by Benartex blog design team