December 2023 NZP Block of the Month: Blocks Plus Assemble & Finish!
Our NEW! 2023 Nancy Zieman Productions Free! Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series is a great way to finish a quilt in manageable monthly installments. One block at a time is an easy approach to creating a quilt. Plus our BoM23 is fat quarter friendly. Whether you’re a beginner quilter or seasoned quilter, our block of the month series is a great opportunity to get stitching in the new year. Team NZP is honored to continue Nancy Zieman’s Block of the Month program with our free monthly block sewing tutorials! We’ll be keeping the finished quilt design a mystery until later in December 2023! Hint: This year’s quilt is not a block sampler and will not have borders! This year, you may choose from two different Fat Quarter Bundle Colorways by our friends at Benartex: Choose Hugs & Kisses Fat Quarter Bundle includes twenty-one 18″ x 21″ fabric rectangles – Or, choose All American Gnomes Fat Quarter Bundle includes twenty 18″ x 21″ fabric rectangles.
Gather Your Fabrics and Supplies
All blocks will feature fabrics from one Hugs & Kisses Fat Quarter Bundle or All American Gnomes Fat Quarter Bundle! Finished quilt measures approximately 72″ x 72″. For this quilt project, you will need:
- One Hugs & Kisses Fat Quarter Bundle or All American Gnomes Fat Quarter Bundle!
- Our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP
- No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman for Clover
- 3-1/2 yd. White Block Background Fabric (options listed below)
- 1 yd. Binding Fabric (options listed below)
- 4-1/2 yd. White Quilt Backing Fabric
- Basic Supplies and Tools Listed Below
2023 NZP Mystery Block of the Month
The Hugs & Kisses Fat Quarter Bundle or All American Gnomes Fat Quarter Bundle by Benartex offers two beautiful colorways to choose from! Each Fat Quarter Pack includes twenty 18″ x 21″ 100% cotton designer fabrics. Choosing just one collection may be the most difficult part of our BoM23!
Join the 2023 Nancy Zieman Productions Mystery Block of the Month!
Our NEW! 2023 Nancy Zieman Productions Free! Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series will feature Hugs & Kisses Fat Quarter Bundle or All American Gnomes Fat Quarter Bundle! Here’s the inside scoop:
- 2023 NZP Mystery Block of the Month Series kicked off Saturday, January 21, 2023.
- As always, there’s no cost to join and no need to formally sign up.
- Block designs will be announced the Third Saturday each month.
- 2023 NZP Block of the Month is fat quarter friendly.
- 2023 NZP Block of the Month project lasts 12 months.
Sharpen Your Tools
Well, not really, but do make certain that you have a sharp blade in your rotary cutter, and gather your No-Hassle Triangles Ruler, rotary cutting mat and pressing notions. The main tools for our 2023 Block of the Month are our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP and the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman for Clover. You may have already guessed the blocks will be made with a few triangles! Great News! Half-Square and Quarter-Square Triangles are easy to create with our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler and No-Hassle Triangles Gauge!
Basic Supplies for NEW! 2023 Nancy Zieman Productions Free! Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series!
You’re the designer, choose between TWO Fat Qtr. Packs, then choose coordinating Block Background Fabric, and Binding Fabric by our friends at Benartex:
- One Hugs & Kisses Fat Quarter Bundle or All American Gnomes Fat Quarter Bundle!
- Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP
- No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman for Clover
- 3-1/2 yd. White Block Background Fabric, choose one: Hugs & Kisses Shimmery Marble White(for Hugs& Kisses colorway), White Stars Tone On Tone Fabric(for All American Gnomes colorway) or for either colorway: Day and Night Paisley White, or Day and Night Dot Waves White, or Day and Night Geo Bloom White Fabric by the Yard, or a coordinating white solid or white tone on tone fabric from your stash.
- 1 yd. Binding Fabric, “Hugs & Kisses” choose one: A Coordinating Hugs and Kisses Fabric by the yard, such as: Hugs & Kisses XOXO Hearts Black Fabric by the Yard or Hugs & Kisses XOXO Hearts Red Fabric by the Yard. Or 1 yd. Binding “All American Gnomes” Fabric: A Coordinating All American Gnomes Fabric by the yard, such as: Fireworks Celebration Blue Fabric by the Yard or Star Spangled Fabric Navy Blue by the yard.
- 4-1/2 yd. White Backing Fabric
- Queen Size Pellon Nature’s Touch 80/20 Cotton Quilt Batting
- Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needles
- Clover’s Quilting Pins
- June Tailor’s Starch Savvy
- Tailor’s Clapper
- Frixion Marking Pen
- 45 mm Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat
- 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot
- Optional: Clover’s Ultimate Quilt ‘N Stitch Presser Foot for quilting
- Optional: Clover’s Fine White Marking Pen
- Optional: Quilt Basting Spray
- Optional: Clover’s NEW! Wonder Pins
- Silk Finish Cotton Quilting Thread for piecing
- Iron
Get Started Today!
Prepare for the NEW! 2023 Nancy Zieman Productions Free! Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series by gathering and organizing your supplies. Organize your sewing space, and as soon as you have your fabrics, press & starch all Fat Quarters. Did you follow along with one or more of our previous NZP Block of the Month Series? If you finished part of all of the quilt blocks or the entire project, please share photos. We’d love to see and share them! Email your finished BoM quilt or quilt top photos to [email protected]. Find all the Supplies for NEW! 2023 Block of the Month Mystery Quilt Series at Nancy Zieman Productions at ShopNZP.com! You’re the designer, choose one colorway from the Fat Quarter Pack options above with coordinating Block Background Fabric, and Border and Binding Fabric by Benartex, above!
All blocks will feature fabrics from the Hugs & Kisses Fat Quarter Bundle or All American Gnomes Fat Quarter Bundle along with our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP and Nancy’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Clover. Follow along as we share step-by-step how to create the December Quilt Blocks.
December Quilt Blocks
Keep your fabric choices sorted using this handy Fabric Planner diagram. Download the planner(s), make notes, and/or pin cut block elements to the planner to remind you of the fabric placements. December 2023 NZP Block of the Month Planner(s)
Prepare your fabrics! Pre-shrink fabrics by steaming and pressing. Then, stabilize fabrics for the sewing process by pressing and starching fabrics with Quilter’s Starch Savvy.
December 2023 NZP Block of the Month Quilt Blocks
This block is 12-1/2″ square; 12″ finished square. Approx. Finished Quilt Size 72″ x 72″ This month we’re featuring Two block designs. Follow along as we demonstrate how to create the December Quilt Blocks.
This month we’re illustrating the
All American Gnomes Colorway! See below for the Hugs & Kisses Colorway!
Cut Fabrics for Two December Quilt Blocks
All American Gnomes:
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Star Spangled White Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square Liberty Hearts White Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Americana Butterflies White Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from All American Gnomes Words White Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from American Gnomes Patriotic Gnomes Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from All American Gnomes Gnometown USA Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Americana Butterflies Red Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Picnic Check Red Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Americana Butterflies Blue Fabric.
- Cut Three 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Liberty Hearts Navy Blue Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Star Spangled Navy Blue Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from All American Gnomes Words Blue Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares American Trellis Royal Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from White Stars Tone on Tone Fabric.
- Cut Four 6-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Rectangles from White Stars Tone on Tone Fabric.
- Cut One 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″ Squares from All American Gnomes Words Blue Fabric.
- Cut One 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″ Square from Star Spangled White Fabric.
- Using the Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP, cut fabric strips and subcut into squares above as needed.
Construct Blocks
All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated. Half-Square Triangles (HSTs)
- Create 1/2-square triangle blocks from White Stars Tone on Tone and All American Gnomes Words Blue fabrics.
- Align 3-7/8″ squares right sides together. Pin
- Mark blocks using a Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge, and Clover’s White Marking Pen or a Frixion Marking Pen.
- The left side of the Clover’sNo-Hassle Triangles Gauge is designated to create 1/2-square triangle quilt blocks. Depress button on sliding portion of the gauge, and move to 3-7/8″ half-square triangle setting.
- With squares right sides together. Place Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge on block set, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center die cut openings on gauge, with Clover’s White Marking Pen or a Frixion Marking Pen.
- Repeat steps, marking all 3-7/8″ square block sets.
Stitch Blocks
- Insert a new Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needle and attach 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot to sewing machine.
- Align 1/4″ Quilting Presser Foot along one side of center mark, stitch.
- Rotate blocks 180 degrees, stitch along the other side of center marked lines.
- Cut block apart along center marked lines with a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat.
- Press seams flat.
- Open blocks and press seams open or press towards darker fabric – using a Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
Construct Blocks
All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.
- Layout squares as show below. Rotate blocks as needed.
Join Columns
- Place first column to second column right sides together. Pin.
- Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side – using a Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
- Place first column set to second column set right sides together. Pin.
- Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side – using a Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
Join Rows
- Place top row to second row right sides together. Pin.
- Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side – using a Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
- Place third row to second row right sides together. Pin.
- Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side – using a Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
- Place fourth row to third row right sides together. Pin.
- Stitch.
- Press seams flat, then press open or to one side – using a Tailor’s Clapper to set the seams.
Block A
- Repeat steps above stitching the December Block B.
Block B
- The December All American Gnomes Quilt Blocks Are Complete!
Be sure to label each block upon completion. This will help with assembly below!
Cut Fabrics for Two December Quilt Blocks
Hugs & Kisses:
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses So Sweet White Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses Hugs & Kisses Candy White Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Hugs & Kisses Latte Pink Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Hugs & Kisses Cupid’s Love Pink Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses XOXO Hearts Red Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Hugs & Kisses Shimmery Marble Red Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses Shimmery Marble Dark Pink Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Hugs & Kisses Hugs & Kisses Valentine Words Red Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Hugs & Kisses So Sweet Black Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses Valentine Words Black Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses Latte Black Fabric.
- Cut One 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Square from Hugs & Kisses Heart to Heart Black Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses Shimmery Marble Black Fabric.
- Cut Two 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Squares from Hugs & Kisses Shimmery Marble White Fabric.
- Cut Four 6-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Rectangles from Hugs & Kisses Shimmery Marble White Fabric.
- Cut One 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″ Square from Hugs & Kisses Latte Black Fabric.
- Cut One 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″ Square from Shimmery Marble White Fabric.
- Repeat steps above stitching December Blocks.
Block A
Block B
- The December Hugs & Kisses Quilt Blocks Are Complete!
Be sure to label each block upon completion. This will help with assembly below!
The BIG REVEAL!
Tada! below find the finished BOM23 quilt designs! Finished quilts measure approximately 72″ x 72″.
Assemble and Finish
Keep your blocks sorted using this handy Planner diagram. Download the planner, make notes, and/or pin cut block elements to the planner to remind you of the fabric placements. 2023 NZP Block of the Month Planner.
Construct Quilt Top
All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.
- Prepare quilt blocks by pressing and starching and trimming all blocks to 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ square.
- Layout block rows as shown below, or you’re the designer, you may choose your quilt block layout!
- Working with one row at a time, join blocks one and two, blocks three and four, and blocks five and six right sides together, using scant 1/4″ seams.
- Pin and stitch.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Repeat with remaining rows.
- Working with one row at a time, join block sets one and two, block sets three and four, and block sets five and six right sides together, using scant 1/4″ seams.
- Pin and stitch.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Repeat with remaining rows.
- Align row one and row two, right sides together, as shown:
- Pin. Stitch.
- Press seam flat, then press to one side.
- Align row four to row three, right sides together, as shown:
- Pin. Stitch.
- Press seam flat, then press to one side.
- Align row five to row four, right sides together, as shown:
- Pin. Stitch.
- Press seam flat, then press to one side.
- Align row six to row five, right sides together, as shown:
- Pin. Stitch.
- Press seam flat, then press to one side.
- Our quilt top is complete!
Finish Quilt
- Quilt Layers using your favorite quilting techniques.
- 1 yd. Binding Fabric, “Hugs & Kisses” choose one: A Coordinating Hugs and Kisses Fabric by the yard, such as: Hugs & Kisses XOXO Hearts Black Fabric by the Yard or Hugs & Kisses XOXO Hearts Red Fabric by the Yard. Or 1 yd. Binding “All American Gnomes” Fabric: A Coordinating All American Gnomes Fabric by the yard, such as: Fireworks Celebration Blue Fabric by the Yard or Star Spangled Fabric Navy Blue by the yard.
- Finish quilt, using your favorite binding technique. Find Nancy Zieman’s favorite binding method at the Nancy Zieman Productions Blog: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/quilting-2/how-to-bind-quilts/
Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 218 Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Quilt Binding!
Watch Stitch it! Sisters Absolute Easiest Way to Sew Quilt Binding Tutorial Video with hosts Deanna Springer and Dana Casey from Team NZP! In this video, Deanna and Dana share the last step in making a quilt, adding the binding! Try Nancy Zieman’s absolute easiest binging technique for great results with your next quilt.
- Cut Ten 2-1/2″ crosswise fabric strips from binding fabric, we’re showing All American Gnomes Fireworks Celebration Blue Fabric for our All American Gnomes Quilt.
- Cut Ten 2-1/2″ crosswise fabric strips from binding fabric, we’re showing Hugs & Kisses Shimmery Marble Black Fabric for our Hugs & Kisses Quilt.
Thank you for joining our 2023 Mystery Quilt Block of the Month Series! Mark your calendar for January 1, 2024 for our 2024 Mystery Quilt Block of the Month Launch, right here at The Nancy Zieman Productions Blog!
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