It’s week 1 of our sew/quilt along, and I have designed a small wall hanging that I’ve been wanting to make for some time. Have you seen those fun art pieces using broken jewelry? I have a lot of that, and designed this piece to use them. Don’t worry, if you don’t have any broken jewelry, I’ll give you more ideas when we get to that. The size is fairly small about 16 x 18. It has a front pocket that can be used in multiple ways. I’ll show you how to use it as an Advent calendar, storing the ornaments in the pocket, or you can place cards received there. Here is a pic of the base before the binding, just to give you an idea of where it is going. I haven’t finished it yet, and will be working on the handwork while you catch up.

Start with cutting the following pieces, and making the half square triangles.
Green scraps
One piece 9-1/2 inches x 6-1/2 inches
Four 4-inch squares

Background
Two 3-1/2-inch squares
Four 4-inch squares
One piece 16” wide x 14” high
One piece 12-1/2” wide x 6-1/2” high
One piece larger than 12-1/2 x 6-1/2 for backside of pocket backing for quilting

Borders
Strips of 2-1/2-inch wide border print, cut to fit sides and top of tree piece.
Strips of 2-1/2-inch wide border print, cut to fit sides and bottom of pocket piece.
Strip 2-1/4-inches wide for binding of top of pocket
Additional strips if you wish to bind it in matching print

You’ll also need backing and batting in appropriate sizes for your method of quilting. Here’s a pdf of the cutting instructions for your sewing room – it isn’t fancy as I just didn’t have time to do more than the basics – CIJ Cutting.

First, match the 4-inch green squares to the 4-inch background squares and make eight HSTs. See my post on Chain Piecing Half Square Triangles for a detailed tutorial. Square up the HSTs to 3-1/2-inches.

Lay out the elements in a tree formation with the large green center section placed vertically.

Sew the top row and the side HSTs together.

This is one of those times where pressing the seams open reduces some bulk and makes it very clear where to sew for perfect points.

Then sew the sides to the middle, and add the top row to complete the tree section.

Add the background piece to the bottom. Put aside while we work on the other section.

Now for the bottom pocket section. If you have an embroidery machine, pick out something fun to embroider. If you do not have an embroidery machine, find a cute motif to fussy cut or a pretty print. The tree will be heavily decorated, so make the print simple. I’m using a tone on tone fabric with a simple embroidered sentiment.

Next week, we’ll add borders, quilt the elements and assemble the base.

Then the third week is when the fun begins! Gather up all your broken and non-wearable costume jewelry, trims and buttons, crafting pearls and stick on rhinestones. We’ll decorate the tree in two weeks.

What do you think of the project? Will you be quilting along? Are you working on Christmas in July projects?

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