The 12 Days of Christmas Tiny Mystery, Day 10

Welcome to

the 12 Days of Christmas

Tiny Mystery quilt, Day 10.

Thanks for sharing those

adorable tiny blocks!

If you’re not already a member,

you should join so you can share & see everyone’s progress:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

 

We’ll complete the Tiny Dresden plate block today.

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For those of you not making your quilt Christmas in theme,

I have suggestions for you below.

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I added another background print for this block.

Notice it’s a bit more plain.

I want “Merry Christmas” to really stand out.

Cut:

• 1 square 7″, will be trimmed to 6 1/2″ after stitching

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For those of you not making your quilt Christmas in theme,

cut your square of background fabric 6 1/2″.

I suggest using a busier print to help visually “fill” the block. 

You can skip down to “Crease the background square…”

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Click below to print the “Merry Christmas” template sheet.

Suzn+Quilts+12+Days+of+Christmas+Merry+Christmas+letters

Be sure the 1″ box measures 1″ with a ruler after you print it.

If the box doesn’t measure 1″

go to your printer settings and be sure it’s printing at

“actual size” or “100%” so that it will print accurately.

This is my very cool, antique metal “embroidery box”.

It keeps my tiny hoop, scissors, threads &

Magnetic Needle Nanny by Puffin & Co. 

all together for just this purpose.

The needle nanny attaches itself to the side of the metal box

& fiercely holds my needles & scissors there with it.

I’ve never experienced such strong magnets!

I don’t have to worry about losing either one!

I used a stem stitch with No. 8 perle cotton thread

to stitch “Merry Christmas”.

Kismet helped in getting my blocks stitched.

(remember I’m making 2 so I can make the quilt and pillow)

I traced the 2 blocks & tucked them into my very cool old box for my O dark thirty chauffeuring job for a family member’s colonoscopy appointment this week.

I’m so impressed with myself that I thought of

tracing & taking the project the night before!

Usually I think of it after the fact…

woulda, shoulda, coulda, you know. Lol

I had the perfect relaxed spot complete with an ottoman

in the brand new outpatient surgery center at Barnes West!

My only complaint is that they’re a bit too efficient.

I only completed stitching 1 1/2 of the 2 blocks.

I had to finish the second in front of the TV that night! Lol

I need to get more lighting for my living room.

It’s on my list!

I pressed the blocks with Best Press

then used my 14″ rotating cutting mat

to trim the blocks to 6 1/2″.

It’s so slick to turn the block without upsetting the accuracy!

I don’t use this size mat very often, but when I do I love it!

The block is now ready for the plate!

Crease the background square in half both directions.

Align then glue the divots of the

Dresden plate on the creases.

Stitch the same way the center circle was stitched to the plate

with thread matching the plate fabric.

A couple of tips:

I always start stitching in one of the divots; see the thread tail?

It’s easy to conceal the start/stop point this way.

I leave the thread tail so I can easily see

when I’m approaching the start point.

If you’re not familiar with a blind hem stitch,

the machine takes 3 or 4 stitches forward (beside the applique) then a zag to the left onto the applique.

This zag is what stitches the plate to the background.

I make the stitch width & length very small so it resembles a hand stitch.

I hope you can see the detail in the image below.

I also think it’s important to have a stitch onto all 12 points of the plate.

 

If your machine isn’t going to zag onto the point of the plate,

stop & lift the foot to put the needle into the point of the petal manually.

This is super quick & easy if you have a knee lift.

I can’t imagine not having a knee lift for applique!

Put the needle back into the background fabric

to resume stitching after making the manual stitch.

Be sure to trim the thread tails close to the block.

Isn’t it adorable???

I love Christmas & little Dresden plates too!

I hope you’re having as much fun as I am.

Don’t forget to post pics over at my Sewing With Susan Facebook group!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

See you tomorrow.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan