Welcome to Ugly Sweater Week! Yes…we thought why not join in the fun since it seems having an Ugly Christmas Sweater has definitely become a popular thing. Although don’t tell…we think most of them aren’t that ugly. In fact, they are usually kind of cute!

Join us all week long as we share ugly sweater inspiration! From mini quilts to cards, scrapbook pages and more! Kicking things off… a mini quilt from Carol at Just Let Me Quilt!

With the really warm weather of Las Vegas, most of us wear one for a very short time before we start to melt. I thought it would be fun to have a mini quilt of an ugly sweater that could be up throughout the holiday (and I wouldn’t have to melt!)

Don’t Call Me Ugly!
12″ x 14″ Mini Quilt

Ugly Christmas Sweater Mini Quilt

SUPPLIES:

Heat n Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive or Heat n Bond Lite EZ Print Sheets
Spray n Bond Basting Adhesive
Stitch n Sew High Loft Fleece
Heat n Bond Light Weight Non-Woven Interfacing
iCraft Liquid Fabric Fuse
Thread, sewing machine, pencil for tracing, embroidery thread/needle, rotary cutter, scissors
Optional: heatproof applique mat
12” wood dowel

FABRIC NEEDED: Benartex Blushed Houndstooth and Benartex Cotton Shot were used in this fun mini quilt.

Front and back: 1/2 yard or 2 fat quarters Cotton Shot Platinum
Applique – Fat quarters: Blushed Houndstooth Salmon and Leaf
Applique – 10″ x 10″ squares: Cotton Shot Red, Pumpkin, Cotton Candy, Licorice, Pearl Wedding Cake, Mint
Binding: 1/6 yard Blushed Houndstooth Salmon

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut 1 – 13 ½” x 15 ½” fabric rectangle, front mini quilt (will be trimmed to 12 ½” x 14 ½” in Step 7)
Cut 1 – 13 ½” x 15 ½” Heat n Bond Light Weight Non-Woven Interfacing
Cut 1 – 14 ½” x 16 ½” fabric rectangle, back mini quilt (allows extra fabric for quilting)
Cut 1 – 14 ½” x 16 ½” Stitch n Sew High Loft Fleece (allows extra fleece for quilting)
Cut 2 – 2 ½” x 42” strips, binding
Cut 2 – 3½” x 3½” squares of fabric, corner hangers

SEWING/APPLIQUE INSTRUCTIONS: All seams are sewn 1/4” unless otherwise noted.

Step 1: Trace applique designs on the smooth side of Heat n Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive or use your inkjet printer to print the patterns using Heat n Bond Lite EZ Print Sheets. Be sure to write the letter of the piece on traced designs. Designs are reversed so they will be in the correct direction when ironed on fabrics.

Step 2: Cut around traced applique designs leaving at least a quarter-inch from the solid line. Hint: Writing the desired fabric color on the paper applique piece can avoid confusion when ironing to the fabric. Iron applique designs (rough side down) to the wrong side of fabrics following package directions. Let cool.

Step 3: Follow package directions to iron Heat n Bond Light Weight Non-Woven Interfacing to the wrong side of 13 ½” x 15 ½” fabric rectangle.

*Applique Tip: Ironing lightweight interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric used in applique blocks can add stability and make stitching small pieces easier.

Step 4: Cut out applique pieces on solid lines. Peel off paper liner from the backs of applique pieces. Follow design keys for correct placement. Heat n Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive peels off easily…you’ll love it!

Step 5: Place applique, adhesive side down, on right side of the fabric. Press according to package directions until the entire piece is bonded. Let cool.

*Applique Tip: When putting together your applique pieces, lay them out first before ironing them to your fabric. Make sure they slightly overlap if indicated in the keys. A heatproof sheet is a great tool for assembling the pieces. Lay them out on the sheet and lightly press them in place (do not do it for too long.) Let cool. Carefully peel off the applique from the sheet and lay it on the right side of your fabric. Press in place.

Step 6: Sew around edges using a straight, zig-zag, or blanket stitch.

Step 7: Add any decorative stitches using hand or machine embroidery/stitching.

Step 8: Assemble mini quilt – Protect the area where you will be working by placing an old sheet or paper under and around the area you’ll be spraying. Place the Stitch n Sew High Loft Fleece on the work area, smoothing to remove wrinkles. Place the wall hanging front, the wrong side down, on top of the fleece. Smooth to remove wrinkles.

Rollback three or four inches of the front to expose some of the fleece and the wrong side of the quilt front. Using the Spray n Bond Basting Adhesive, lightly spray fleece from one edge to the other. Carefully roll the front over the fleece. Smooth fabric to ensure it adheres to the sprayed fleece and removes any wrinkles. Continue spraying and smoothing a few inches at a time. Check for creases or folds you might have missed. Repeat process with the quilt back. Let dry.

Step 9: Quilt the front wall hanging and fleece using your favorite quilting method. Trim front mini quilt to 12 ½” x 14 ½”.

Add dowel hanger – Create corner pockets on the back using two 3½” x 3½” squares of fabric. Lightly spray baste squares. Fold the squares in half diagonally and press on fold.