Twirled Squares Meets the Holidays!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... in July...!

I'm happy to be part of Benartex's Christmas in July Project Hop, and especially happy to be playing with these adorable Camp Joy fabrics from Kanvas.

Cute campers decorated for the holidays? Yes please!

I fussy-cut these campers to be the center squares in the blocks of my Twirled Squares pattern. Paired with a fun red and green stripe and white solid, it's all you need for a cheery holiday quilt!

Which camper would you want to stay in?

Here's the assembled Twirled Squares quilt top:

I love the way the the fabric frames in each block create an optical illusion. It's all about fabric placement! 

My Twirled Squares pattern is on sale as part of this hop - 15% off. Head over to my Etsy shop to purchase it today using the code CAMPJOY! Then ask your local quilt shop to order Camp Joy sew your own holiday camper quilt! 

Click here to purchase the pattern.

If you're new to my blog, I invite you to follow me through your favorite social media platform(s). And make sure to sign up for my newsletter - you'll receive a free pattern as a thank you!

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Make sure you check out each day of the Christmas in July Project Hop!
Here's the whole lineup!
Monday July 20^th – Nancy Scott - Winterberry 

Tuesday July 21^st – Heidi Pridemore - Rejoice
Wednesday July 22^nd – Laura Piland - First Frost
Thursday July 23^rd – Lisa Ruble - Camp Joy 
Friday July 24^th – Debby Kratovil - Festive Chickadees
Saturday July 25^th – Wendy Sheppard - Ode to Joy
Sunday July 26^th – Debby Brown - River’s End
Monday July 27^th – Charisma Horton - Deer Festival
Tuesday July 28^th – Sandra Walker - Better Not Pout
Wednesday July 29^th – Kate Colleran - Joy
Thursday July 30^th – Tammy Silvers - Snow Village & Rustic Village Christmas

Christmas in July Project Hop

It is the middle of July … the sun is shining and flowers are blooming, so it is the perfect time to start thinking about Christmas! Join Benartex, Kanvas and Contempo fabrics and 11 talented pattern designers for a Christmas in July Project Hop from July 20^th through the 31^st. Each day will bring an amazing new project and fabric collection feature – all the fabrics are in stores now so you can get started on your projects right away and beat the holiday rush! Hang your stockings, play your favorite Christmas carols, make yourself a mug of frozen hot chocolate and enjoy!

I'll be sharing my project on Thursday, July 23rd, showing a quilt made using some of these fun Camp Joy fabrics:

 I'm especially smitten with these two festive camper prints, and you'll see them take center stage in my quilt!

Here's a sneak peek!

Get your holiday spirit on and follow along through the entire project hop! See you back here on Thursday!

Here's the whole lineup!
Monday July 20^th – Nancy Scott - Winterberry 

Tuesday July 21^st – Heidi Pridemore - Rejoice
Wednesday July 22^nd – Laura Piland - First Frost
Thursday July 23^rd – Lisa Ruble - Camp Joy 
Friday July 24^th – Debby Kratovil - Festive Chickadees
Saturday July 25^th – Wendy Sheppard - Ode to Joy
Sunday July 26^th – Debby Brown - River’s End
Monday July 27^th – Charisma Horton - Deer Festival
Tuesday July 28^th – Sandra Walker - Better Not Pout
Wednesday July 29^th – Kate Colleran - Joy
Thursday July 30^th – Tammy Silvers - Snow Village & Rustic Village Christmas 

Gift & Wine Bag Tutorial

Welcome! I'm excited to be the last stop on Benartex's 12 Days of Christmas Quick Gift Project Hop! If you missed the other 11 days, scroll to the bottom to find the links.

Whether you're going green or just short on wrapping paper, fabric gift and wine bags are a great solution for paper gift wrap. These go together so quickly that you can still stitch up a few bags before the holidays; you can also sew some after the holidays to get a head start for next year!

I chose to use the icy prints in the Pearl Frost collection from Kanvas. These prints have a pearlescent finish, so the shimmer, adding a little extra holiday sparkle. I love the variety of blues! The snowflake print, which you'll see in the gift bag, is my favorite. 

I have two quick tutorials to share with you today: a fabric gift bag and a fabric wine bag. The wine is not included; you'll have to provide your own. :)

Making the Gift Bag: 

Bag finishes at approximately 10" x 14" x 5"

You'll Need:

• 1/2 yard each fabric
• 1/2 yard lining fabric
• Approximately 40" of 3/4" wide ribbon

Cutting:

From outer bag fabric: 

Cut (2) 15" x 20" pieces

From lining fabric:

Cut (2) 15" x 20" pieces

Step 1 Place the (2) 15" x 20" outer bag pieces right sides together and pin along both long sides and one short side. Sew along pinned edges, leaving top edge open. 

Step 2 Repeat with the (2) 15" x 20" lining pieces. 

Step 3 Cut 2-3/4" squares out of the (2) bottom corners of both the outer bag and lining (lining shown below). 

Step 4 Align the side and bottom seam where you just cut and pin raw edges. Stitch along the the using a 1/4" seam allowance to box the corner. Repeat on remaining lining corner and on both outer bag corners. 

Step 5 Turn outer bag right side out. Slide lining into the outer bag with wrong sides together. Align side seams and pin along the top edge. Stitch around top edge using a 1/8" seam allowance. 

Step 6 Turn bag lining side out. Fold stitched top edge 1/4" to lining side and press. Fold top edge over an additional 2" and press as shown. 

Step 7 With bag still lining side out, stitch along bottom of folded edge 1/4" from fold as shown, creating a casing.

Step 8 Turn bag right side out. Use a seam ripper to open 1-1/4" of the seam in the casing on both sides of the bag. 

Step 9 Cut the ribbon in half and using a safety pin, pass (1) 20" ribbon piece through the casing starting and ending at the left side opening. Tie the ends in a knot. In the same way, pass the remaining ribbon piece through the casing starting and ending at the right side opening. 

Tuck your gift inside (bag is large enough to hold a shirt, several books, a fat quarter bundle, etc.). Cinch ribbon to close bag. Give your gift!

Making the Wine Gift Bag:

Simple Wine Bag: 

You'll Need:

• 1/2 yard fabric (includes both lining and outer bag)
• 15" of 1/2"-wide ribbon (optional)

Cutting:

From fabric: 

Cut (2) 11-1/2" x 18" pieces

Step 1 Fold (1) 11-1/2" x 18" piece in half right sides together so it measures 5-1/4" x 18". Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew along one short edge and one long edge, leaving the top short edge open. Repeat for the lining piece, leaving an opening along the short edge for turning (see second photo).

See stitch lines shown in digital pink--leave opening for turning later.

Step 2 Turn outer bag right side out and tuck inside the lining, aligning side seam and raw edges at the top. Pin to secure. Stitch around the top edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

Step 3 Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Sew the opening closed. 

Step 4 Tuck the lining into the outer bag and press the top edge of the bag. Topstitch along the top edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

Pieced Wine Bag:

You'll Need:

• 1/8 yard each two different fabrics
• 1/2 yard fabric (includes both lining)
• 15" of 1/2"-wide ribbon (optional)

Cutting:

From each outer bag fabric: 

Cut (2) 3-1/4" x 18" pieces

From lining fabric: 

Cut (1) 11-1/2" x 18" piece

Step 1 Sew the (4) 3-1/4" x 18" outer bag pieces together lengthwise, alternating colors. 

Step 2 Follow steps 1-4 from the Simple Wine Bag to complete this wine bag. 

Insert a wine bottle, tie top with ribbon if desired, and bring to your next holiday party! 

Enjoy the holidays! 

If you're looking for more festive inspiration, check out this holiday quilt post. 

Procrastinating your wrapping? Need a little more fabric gift inspiration? 

Check out the other projects featured in the Quick Gift Project Hop!

12-Dec  Debby Kratovil 

13-Dec  Rachel Rossi 14-Dec  Ann Lauer 15-Dec  Stephanie Sheridan 16-Dec  Carol Swift 17-Dec  Pat Sloan 18-Dec  Julie Cefalu 19-Dec  Shelley Cavanna 20-Dec  Linda Leathersich 21-Dec  Charisma Horton 22-Dec  Cherry Guidry 23-Dec  Lisa Ruble - you're here!