Getting Ahead of Myself

What month is this? September?? I thought so, I was just checking because I usually start thinking about my holiday cards and the hand-made ornament insert right around December 1. Well . . . that’s actually not quite true - I start *thinking* about it in October, but usually don’t start *doing* anything about it until December.

For some strange reason, this year is different. Don’t ask me why, but I’m not going to over analyze things. I’m just going to roll with it.

I started this several years ago. Every year, I put a hand-made ornament in my holiday cards. And sometimes I struggle with an idea for the ornament. Usually the idea pops into my head right around Thanksgiving and I have less than a month to pull it all together.

This year, for some reason the idea came early. And because it came early, I’m actually enjoying the process.

Spoiler alert: If you are on my holiday card list and want to be surprised, then read no further. But if you enjoy using up some scrap fabrics, and you don’t mind piecing and sewing in some pretty darn small spaces, then read on. AND there’s a bonus bundle at the end!

I’ll start with the finish point. Here’s the result. A scrappy-mini-log-cabin-block-ornament that I’m calling Yule Logs.



First the supplies. This project features the BlocLoc Log Cabin Trim Tool. As you may already know, I’m pretty fond of the BlocLoc half-square triangle trimming rulers, so I wasn’t surprised when I tried, and really liked their log cabin tools. My ornament project uses the itty-bittiest size.

Also needed: some fusible batting squares, some scrap fabrics (actually these bright solids are cut from a fat quarter find in my fabric stash, thanks to some Tidy Fabric Club prep that is underway), a focus print for the backing and binding (I’m using this adorable mini print from the Woodland Wonder collection from Quilting Treasures (more on that below). And some Clover Wonder Clips - the Mini Wonder Clips are ideal for this tiny project.



I started with a fussy-cut 1” square from the Woodland Wonder focus print. Since I want to have my ornament hang from a corner, I cut my center as well as my backing from the focus print on the bias. Then I added the first two strips, pressed the seams outward, locked in to the seam bulk with the BlocLoc groove on the bottom of the ruler, and trimmed the three raw edges using the tool.



Then added two more scrap strips, pressed, and trimmed to complete the round.



Lather, rinse, repeat. (Just kidding - I mean keep adding, pressing and trimming two opposite sides at a time to build the itty bitty log cabin.)



The fourth round is the last one.



In case I haven’t made myself perfectly clear - these are really, REALLY small pieces. The strips are cut 7/8” wide, then trimmed *down* after sewing. The logs finish to 1/4” wide - I 100% get that this is a little bit (a lot?) crazy, but the result is SO cool, and SO much easier than it could be by using the trim tool.

With four rounds sewn, my blocks are measuring just a hair over the ’should be’ measurement of 3” square. I could give them an added trim, but I’m good with that measurement since I’m not sewing them to each other. Each block will stand alone as it’s own. I think I may be incorporating a little bit of stretch into the fabric as I press. I’ll have to watch this as I make more. But for now, I’m rolling with it.



Next I’m going to sandwich a double sided fusible foam batting square that has been trimmed to match the block size between the block and centered on the oversized backing square. Fuse.



Then I work one side at a time: fold the backing edge so the raw edge meets the batting edge, then fold again so the first fold is on top of the ornament, and the second fold is snug against the batting. And clip with the Mini Wonder Clips. You could use pins, but because everything is so small, I think the mini clips work best.  


Miter at the corner by folding once diagonally at the corner . . .



Then making the first fold to begin the binding for the adjacent ornament side.



Clip, clip, clip to secure. . .



 . . . until you get all the way around.



Then secure the folded binding edge with a button-hole, zigzag, or satin stitch. A stiletto will help to keep the layers secure near the needle as you remove clips and sew the binding edge.



Add round or two of stitch-in-the-ditch quilting as desired. This step could be done before the binding steps as well.



The Yule Logs Bonus Bundle

Now, here’s the fun part, as promised. I’ve assembled a bundle of essential Yule Logs Ornament tools, so, if you choose, you can surprise your holiday list with a little something (very little!) hand made this year.

What’s included in the Yule Logs Special Bundle:

 - 1/4” & 3/8” BlocLoc Log Cabin Trimmers
 - One Package Mini Wonder Clips (20 in the package)
 - Twelve 3-1/2” square fusible batting squares (In-R-Form by Bosal)
 - Yule Logs Ornament Pattern
 - BONUS fat quarter of Woodland Wonder print

For a special bundle price of $29.95, saving 30% off the combined full price of $39.14. This special bundle is only available through Tuesday, September 26, 2017. The offer is good only while supplies last.

Are you in? Click the green button below to proceed.

I can’t even believe I’m this far ahead of the game for my holiday cards this year. The rest of the my holiday list can wait. I’ve got all of the fall season to consider my holiday plans--while I sew little itty-bitty log cabin ornaments!

How about you?

Happy Stitching!

Joan Ford