When we moved into our house a year ago, for some reason I struggled with how I wanted to decorate my youngest son’s room. He was only three at the time, and I guess I thought I would wait to see what he became interested in then build a theme around that.

Fast forward a year to this summer, to the moment my dad bought him his very first fishing pole and took him to the lake. He learned to cast and reel his first time out, and he was catching little bluegill left and right. After that point, he was hooked! (No pun intended). Everything became about fishing and going to the lake, and that fishing pole went everywhere he did. Not long after that I was at my local craft store and saw lots of hunting, fishing, and camping-themed home decor on clearance, and I stocked up. I had the theme I was looking for!

Summer Polaroid-style Quilt Blocks

So, when the Summer Fun-themed sew-along came around, I decided to use those blocks to add to his outdoorsy-themed room. I made up each 6.5″ block, then turned it into a Polaroid-style snapshot. I hung them up with clothespins and made them part of his gallery wall. I realize he will probably never know what a Polaroid camera or picture is, but I will, and I’ll enjoy seeing these and being reminded of the ’80s…

These blocks are super easy to make, and there is no quilting or binding involved! So, grab the patterns from the Summer Fun sew along and make up your blocks. Then come back here and read the instructions below for how to make your own vacation snapshot quilt blocks!

Supplies Needed

Sewing Instructions

  • For each block you will need:
    • Two 1.5″ x 6.5″ strips of white fabric
    • One 1.5″ x 7.5″ strip of white fabric
    • One 2.5″ x 7.5″ strip of white fabric
    • One piece of 7.5″ x 9″ piece of white fabric
    • One piece of 7.5″ x 9″ piece of HeatnBond Lite Interfacing
  • Sew one of the 1.5″ x 6.5″ strips of white fabric to each side of your block and press. Sew the 1.5″ x 7.5″ strip of white fabric to the top of your block and press. Sew the 2.5″ x 7.5″ strip of white fabric to the bottom of your block and press. Repeat for the remaining blocks.

Summer Quilt Blocks

  • Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of your 7.5″ x 9″ block. This will help your block to keep its shape, and if you are using a machine to sew letters and numbers, this will ensure the fabric does not pucker and tuck while you are sewing.
  • Trim off any excess interfacing.
  • For my blocks, I used my machine to stitch a place and date on the bottom of each snapshot. This is completely optional, but if you want to do it, now is the time.

  • Pin the 7.5″ x 9: piece of white fabric to the right side of the block. Using a 1/4″ seam, sew all the way around your block, leaving a 4″ opening on the bottom.

  • Trim the corners of the block and turn it right side out through the opening. Press your block flat.
  • Press the seam allowance of the opening toward the inside of the block. Topstitch using a very scant seam allowance all the way around the block.
  • Press your block flat. I sprayed each of my blocks with some spray starch to help stiffen them up a little as well. Use your snapshots to make a banner (hang them up on a string with clothespins), or just hang them up individually.
  • Enjoy!

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