Ugly Christmas sweaters seem to be an ongoing trend every year.  Whether it’s for a party or for decor, any Christmas sweater can be just right for the theme.  Even pretty sweaters can be ugly with the right touch.  Carla at Creatin’ in the Sticks is on the blog today to share a free pattern for this whimsical Nutcracker Ugly Christmas Sweater Mini Quilt.

Nutcracker Ugly Christmas Sweater Mini Quilt

by Carla at Creatin’ in the Sticks

Unfinished Size: 12 ½” X 14 ½” Finished Size:  12” X 14”

please read through the complete instructions before starting.

Nutcracker Ugly Christmas Sweater Mini Quilt Supplies

Pattern – free download:  Nut Cracker Sweater Applique Templates

HeatnBond EZ Print Lite  iron-on adhesive – 3 sheets

StitchnSew Sew-In fleece, High Loft – 14” x 16”

SpraynBond basting adhesive

Cotton Fabric: (assorted Michael Miller fabrics)

Cut one rectangle 13″ x 15″ for the quilt top background (white Fairy Frost)
One rectangle for backing fabric for the mini quilt, 14″ x 16″ (blue Pine Ridge)
Two strips 2 1/4″ x Width of Fabric for binding (green Sugar Stripe)
For Nut Cracker Sweater applique:  scraps of red, green, blue, tan, white, and black. (Garden Pindot)

Other supplies:

Aurifil Thread #2021 and #2692

InkJet Printer, Iron (I love my pink Oliso), Sewing machine, Sharp scissors, and other basic sewing supplies.

Nutcracker Ugly Christmas Sweater Mini Quilt Instructions

**All patterns have been reversed for EZ printing. 

Prepare the applique patterns

Print the applique pattern template pieces (the last 3 sheets of the pattern) onto HeatnBond EZ Print Lite sheets with your inkjet printer.  Follow the package instructions for printing and bonding to the wrong side of the fabrics. NO TRACING!  How awesome is that?

Tip:  When a light-colored fabric is used as an applique, prevent “show through” by bonding lightweight fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric before bonding the HeatnBond Lite.  Fuse the HeatnBond lite onto the interfacing and continue as with all appliques.

The next step is to cut out all the fabric applique pieces on the solid black lines.  Once all the pieces are cut out, place the white 13″ x 15″ fabric rectangle right side up on an ironing surface. Next, peel off the backing paper of the applique pieces and place the applique pieces with the adhesive side down on the white background fabric.

The applique placement key is included in the pattern.

Bond the Applique Pieces to the Background

Once all the fabric applique pieces are placed on the background fabric, follow the package instructions and work in sections to press the entire applique to the background.

Once the applique is bonded to the background, mark the lines on the sweater cuffs, waistband, and collar with a pencil or erasable marker.  Use the key and the pictures in the tutorial as a guide.

Stitch around appliques

Stitch with Aurifil 50 wt thread #2692 and sew about 1/8” in from the edges of the applique pieces.  Tip:  Lower the stitch length to stitch around the smaller pieces.
Sew around each applique piece at least twice.

Finish the quilt

Following the package instructions, spray the 14″ x 16″ piece of StitchnSew Sew-in fleece with SpraynBond basting spray and lay it on top of the wrong side of quilt backing fabric. After that, smooth with fingers to remove wrinkles.

Spray the back of the quilt top and lay on top of the fleece, gently smoothing out any wrinkles.

Finally, quilt as desired with Aurifil #2021 thread, trim the mini quilt to 12 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ and add the binding with the preferred method.

I hope you enjoy creating your own Nutcracker Ugly Christmas Sweater Mini Quilt.  I think this Nutcracker would be a fun quilt block on its own.  He could be cute with a smile instead of the “cracker” mouth.  Have fun with it!