This cute Christmas ornament #3 quilt block is inspired by the vintage Shiny Brite Christmas tree ornaments that I’ve collected over the years.
These ornaments bring back the nostalgia of my childhood and decorating the freshly cut balsam tree on Christmas Eve.
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I love the red, aqua blue, teal, pink, gold, purple, and green color combinations of the vintage Shiny Brite ornaments!!
This ornament #3 quilt block is so cute with the colorful zigzaggy stripes running across it! I’m so excited to use these ornament blocks in a quilt for the holidays!
Decorating with quilts during the holiday season is so cozy and brings a sense of warmth to your holiday décor!!!
Cutting the Fabric for Ornament #3
Use your favorite rotary cutter, plastic ruler, and cutting mat to cut out the following pieces.
For a quick tutorial on using a rotary cutter check out my previous post. I also have a post on choosing fabric for a quilt if you’re interested.
Red Fabric:
Cut 48 – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ squares and 8 – 2″ x 6 1/2″ strips
Aqua/Pink/Gold/Green Fabrics:
Cut 12 – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ squares and 1 – 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ strip of each color
Cream Fabric:
Cut 12 – 2″ x 2″ squares
General Sewing Directions for the Ornament #3 Quilt Block
Accurate cutting and sewing enhances the final product of your ornament #3 quilt block!
Pin your pieces together before sewing them to ensure proper seam alignment.
There are so many cute sewing pins on the market today!!!
Use a 1/4″ seam allowance. I recommend using a special presser foot with a 1/4″ guide if you have one for your machine. This will help you get uniform seams, and matching corners!
Follow the directions described below as you press the seams.
Finished block size is 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″.
Sewing the Ornament #3 Quilt Block
Follow each of the steps below to make the Ornament #3 quilt block!
Step 1
Cut all necessary pieces listed above.
Step 2
Using a washable marking pen draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the aqua/pink/gold/green 1 1/2″ squares.
Place a 1 1/2″ red square right sides together with each of these 48 colored squares (the ones you just drew the line on).
For each, with the diagonal line facing you (wrong side up!) sew along the line. To save a bit of time and thread you can strip piece these units!
Trim 1/4″ from seam.
Press open toward the red side.
The half square triangle (HST) units should again measure to be a 1 1/2″ square. Trim if needed.
Step 3
Arrange like-colored HST and 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ like-colored strip into design shown on Step 3 diagram.
Step 4
Sew HST together to form top and bottom rows. Press seams open to reduce bulk.
Sew these rows to top and bottom of 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ like-colored strip to form center unit. Press seams toward center colored strip.
Step 5
Right sides together, pin and sew 2″ x 6 1/2″ red strips to top and bottom of each center unit. Press seams toward red strips.
Step 6
Using a straight edge and a washable marking pen, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on wrong side of cream squares as shown in Step 6 diagram.
Right sides together pin cream squares in each corner of these colored units and sew along diagonal lines of cream squares.
Trim corners 1/4″ from seam, press toward red.
Unit should measure 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″, trim if needed.
Repeat these steps to make all four ball units!
Step 7
Lay out ball units in order you’d like them to be in the Ornament #3 Quilt Block.
Sew two units together right sides together (RST) to form top row of block, press seam to left.
RST sew other two units together to form bottom row of block, press seam to right.
Sew rows together, press seam open.
Block should measure 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″, trim if needed.
Have fun making this Ornament #3 Quilt Block and check back for more ornament blocks inspired by vintage Shiny Brite ornaments!!!
Happy Quilting!
Bonnie
