December, the final installment of the year’s TAKE TEN BLOCK CHALLENGE! I can’t believe we’ve reached the end!

When I was designing December, I wanted to pay a little homage to winter. These on-point blocks are like ice crystals but also a little like snowflakes too, so this month’s block is titled “First Snow.” My quilt is using Jolly Darlings by Ruby Star Society.

This block is a lot of big pieces, which uses a lot of background! The block uses (4) 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ and (5) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares from each 10″ square, and (4) 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, (4) 5 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, and (8) 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ pieces from background fabric.

You’ll want to arrange each block into its layout before beginning, as the rows will be sewn together as different sections. As I went, I figured out which areas could be chain pieced together before pressing and lining everything up (gotta match those seams!) into the final block. The block will be turned 45 degrees and then squared up to 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″. The final quilt will be 72″ x 84″.

Because there’s extra background fabric around the block, you won’t have to worry about matching those final seams so much! Whew! Your lovely points will remain in tact.

I think this block takes a little more time than others simply because it’s easiest to sew one block at a time, but even so, without having to make any HSTs it is still pretty quick and straightforward. Love that!

Since I’m using Ruby Star fabrics, it isn’t really a traditional Christmas quilt, but a fun one! I have mocked up the quilt in more traditional Christmas colors, with Christmas Eve by Lella Boutique.

It looks so pretty! Also, winter blues would be really pretty in this too. Click the link below for the pattern!

TAKE TEN DECEMBER

I’ll be doing a Take Ten Block Challenge recap post soon, so keep your eyes out for it. Happy Quilting, everyone!