Let’s Count Down to Christmas with 25 blocks designed for template handwork.
Steal quiet moments throughout the holiday season to hand piece and embroider these charming blocks. Instructions for making the templates are provided below. Setting instructions will be provided at the end.
Have some quilty fun! Remember to share your progress on our Facebook Group: Project Parade.
Click on the links below for each day’s new block:
Simple Sashing Version:
Or 2015 Version:
Candy Striped Christmas – Day 2
Fabric Requirements:
Click here to download a PDF of the Fabric Requirements and the Template Instructions.
Christmas Countdown Quilt
66 x 66
Fabric Requirements:
Blocks:
1 yard red fabric
1 yard white fabric
Setting Blocks:
2 yards red fabric
2 ¼ yard white fabric
Sashing:
1 yard red fabric
¼ yard accent squares fabric
Binding:
¾ yard
Backing
4 yards
Cutting Instructions
Setting Blocks:
Use templates provided or rotary cut the following:
Red –
50 – 2 ½ x 10 ½ rectangles
50 – 2 ½ x 6 ½ rectangles
White –
50 – 1 ½ x 12 ½ rectangles
50 – 1 ½ x 10 ½ rectangles
50 – 1 ½ x 6 ½ rectangles
50 – 1 ½ x 4 ½ rectangles
Sashing Strips:
Red –
60 – 1 ½ x 12 ½ rectangles
Accent –
36 – 1 ½ x 1 ½ squares
To make the templates:
- Trace the templates onto heavy cardboard or plastic.
- Cut along the line so the template matches the measurement. Verify with a ruler.
The templates have NO seam allowance added. This allows the sewing line to be transferred to the wrong side of the fabric as the template is traced around.
To use the templates:
- On the wrong side of the fabric, lay a template, leaving at least a ¼” around each of the edges.
- Trace the template with a marking pencil or pen. Chalk can also be used, but it is important the drawn line remain for use later. Disappearing ink is NOT recommended.
- Continue tracing the template on the wrong side of the fabric leaving room for the seam allowance between pieces until the desired number of pieces are traced.
- Cut around the drawn pieces leaving the ¼” seam allowance. Because the drawn lines are the sewing lines, it is not critical that all seam allowances be completely accurate.
- Store marked pieces in a plastic bag or a box for safekeeping.
Hand Piecing
To counter the rushed pace of the holiday, we invite you to take a couple minutes each day and sit down for a few stitches with us. If handwork is new to you, here are a few guidelines for hand piecing:
- Pin two pieces together marking the beginning and end of the seams lines with pins.
- Using a sharp or milliner needle and waxed hand piecing-weight thread, thread the needle and knot the end of the thread in a quilter’s knot.
- Hold the two pieces at each end creating an even tension on the fabric.
- Sew along the drawn line with a locked running stitch. Next, take four or five bites of fabric with your needle, no farther than 1/8″ apart, loading it up for a running stitch and pull the thread through. Now, as you place your needle back in the fabric for the next stitch, begin before the last stitch of the previous running stitch. This includes the last stitch in the next and locks the stitch.
- When pulling the stitches secure, do not pull too much nor leave the stitches too loose. It is important to pay attention to maintaining even tension.
- Stop when you reach the end of the line where it connects to the next corner. Take a tiny backstitch, a single stitch that goes back over the sewing line, and pass the needle through the loop made taking the stitch. Repeat to secure the knot.
- When sewing units or rows together, take a lock stitch on one side where the seams meet, then pass the needle through the seam allowance and take a lock stitch on the other side of the juncture.
Show off your creation!
Join the AQS Christmas Countdown Facebook group to join a community of quilters and share your creations. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Hi
Your Day 17 pdf link is pointing to the Day 16 image link
Lisa, The PDF link is working now. Sorry for the inconvenience and frustration. Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
Stacks block link on 17th doesn’t work
Sally, The PDF link is working now. Sorry for the inconvenience and frustration. Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
Until today, I have been able to print off each block for your Christmas Quilt. Today, however, when I click on the link to be able to copy today’s block, it just goes to yesterday’s block,that is in the upper lefthand corner….and tiny. What happened??
Carol, The PDF link is working now. Sorry for the inconvenience and frustration. Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
The link to day 17 is not working.
Susan, The PDF link is working now. Sorry for the inconvenience and frustration. Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
Great News! Block 17 is now available. I’m really sorry, my bad. I linked the wrong image yesterday. The correct PDF link for block 17 is ready. I’ll get 18 loaded in late today.
I hope you all are enjoying making this quilt! I’d love to see photos of your progress on our facebook page.
Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
Sylvia,
Have to tell you that these are a delight–so much fun to use templates and hand stitch a wee block a day (more or less!) Having a ball, thanks so much!
Thank you Sally! Can’t wait to see your quilt.
I forgot to add. Rather than tracing the patterns onto cardboard, I glue the patterns to the cardboard and then cut out the templates (takes away any error I might make tracing!) I’m using frixon pens to draw the templates on back of fabric for stitching line since it will go away when I press them.
That’s a good idea Sally. Thanks for sharing. I may have to try it because I’m not that great at drawing…even tracing is a challenge for me, lol.
I keep a roll of laminating plastic from Office Depot handy; just drop the roughly cut template on the sticky side of the plastic and cut around it; it is not as stiff as cardboard but has enough of an edge to trace. This works really well when there are match points or details to be copied also;
the last block showing in Day 23. Are there any more or is this the total number of blocks?
I’ve really enjoyed these … but I’m anxious to get started on today’s before our celebrating begins!! 🙂
Thank you! Merry Christmas!! 🙂
You are welcome! Merry Christmas!
Found this site too late to catch up but plan on working on it during vacation — love to take small handwork projects when I travel. Will there be a layout for the blocks?
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to get started on it. Donna
Where will I find the setting instructions? Initial instructions state will be at the end but I do not see any setting instructions at the end of Block 25
When will the setting instructions be posted.
Signature and setting blocks are now available! Hope you are enjoying this project! Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
Thank you for the blocks, and setting. The signature block does not seem to open, though.
This is a wonderful quilt! Day 26 Signature Block just opens to a small picture.
I have asked the designer for a PDF for the Signature Block. Will get it posted as soon as possible. Sylvia
The link for the signature block is not working.
Sorry about the delay everyone! The Signature block PDF for Day 26 is now loaded for you.
Please remember to share you quilts on our facebook page: http://www.Facebook.com/AQSonline
I can’t wait to see your quilts! Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
How much material should I buy? Red? White?
Hi Donna, We have the fabric requirements listed now in the blog. Scroll down past the block images to find them.~Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
it would be very useful to have a pdf file for the fabric and cutting info; many of us save the patterns on disk and the pattern is not complete without fabric and cutting;
Hi Barb. Great suggestion! I made a PDF and added it to the post. If you need anything else, just let me know. ~ Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
How long will the blocks be available? Would like to work on them during the year for next year. Thanks so much! Happy New Year!
Hi Judy. This project will be available on QuiltViews for most of 2016. Try downloading the PDFs to your computer, a jump drive, or CD so you will always have it handy. ~ Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager
Thank you for the Countdown blocks. I am really looking forward to making this quilt.
I don’t see the templates for the Christmas countdown
Hi Nancy. The templates are in the PDF documents for each block. Once you download those, you can print them and you are all set to get started. Sylvia Thomas, AQS Social Media Manager