Journey of Quilting

Handmade Holiday Happiness {a tutorial}

I can't look at those Santa-gnomes and not smile. I pieced this table topper the other day, quilted it on Sunday and bound it yesterday. An easy project!

I backed it with Paula Prass' Woodland Delight...

And bound it with some Bliss...
The pattern is the disappearing 9 patch which is by no means an original of mine but I thought I'd show you how to make a quick table topper like this. All you need is 36 6" squares and basic quilting/sewing notions.

Lay out your squares how you prefer. The center square will end up being the smallest square once the block is finished. Balancing the colors is important here...

Stitch the squares into rows and then each row together to make a traditional 9 patch block

With a ruler find the center of your block and then cut it in half.

You now have two rectangular blocks...

Stack the rectangles on top of each other with seams matching and cut them in half again.

You now have 4 blocks from one 9 patch block. See why this is a fast project? :)

Arrange the new blocks in a pattern that you like {there is no right or wrong way here, just try to balance your colors}

Repeat this process 3 more times to get a total of 16 disappearing 9 patch blocks. Sew the blocks together in a 4 x 4 layout to make a 30" square table topper.
Quilt, bind, and enjoy... or give!