December Block of the Month: New Album Quilt Block and Finishing Techniques for the 2019 Block of the Month Summer Picnic Quilt
2019 Block of the Month—December: “New Album” Quilt Block
In January, Team Nancy Zieman introduced the first of 12 blocks in the New! Summer Picnic 2019 FREE! Block of the Month Series. Find the January through November Quilt Block Tutorials under Popular Blog Posts: 2019 Block of the Month. Join the New! Summer Picnic 2019 Block of the Month Series, anytime, by viewing the supply listing in the January 5th NZP Blog Posting.
Each month, we’re featuring one quilt block design. The quilt blocks are created using Nancy Zieman’s NEW! Afternoon Picnic Fat Quarter Pack* from Riley Blake Designs (*18″ x 22″ fabric rectangles) plus background, sashing, border, and binding fabrics. Follow along as we demonstrate how to create the December “New Album” Quilt Block (below).
Keep your fabric choices sorted using this handy Fabric Planner diagram. Download the planner HERE. Make notes or pin swatches to remind you of the fabric placements.
2019 Block of the Month Afternoon Picnic December PDF
Choose the Fabrics
For the New! Summer Picnic 2019 FREE! Block of the Month Series, “New Album” December Quilt Block, select the following fabrics from your Nancy Zieman’s NEW! Afternoon Picnic Fat Quarter Pack from Riley Blake Designs and a Nancy Zieman’s No-Hassle Triangle Gauge by Clover.
Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal, Afternoon Picnic Red Gingham and Afternoon Picnic Cream Floral.
December “New Album” Block
Instructions: (Each block is a 12″ finished square. Finished quilt measures approximately 44-1/2″ x 57-1/2″.)
If you haven’t already, it’s time to start cutting into your 3 yards of Cream Tonal fabric yardage (or a cream tonal fabric from your stash). Your Cream Tonal fat quarter will likely soon be depleted, and you’ll start cutting Cream Tonal block elements from the Cream Tonal 3 yd. fabric yardage – as listed in the Gather Your Supplies January 5th NZP Blog Posting.
Cut Fabric for Block
Using a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat:
- Cut one 4-3/4″ square of Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal.
- Cut four 3-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ rectangles of Afternoon Picnic Red Gingham.
- Cut four 3-1/2″ squares of Afternoon Picnic Cream Floral.
- Cut two 3-7/8″ squares of Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal.
Construct The Units
All seam allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.
The step-by-step photos illustrate construction of the block.
- Mark blocks using a No-Hassle Triangles Gauge and an Erasable Gel Pen.
- Use a No-Hassle Triangles Gauge. The left side of the gauge is designated to create 1/2-square triangle blocks. Depress button on sliding portion of the gauge and move to size of the desired 1/2-square triangle.
- Place No-Hassle Triangles Gauge on Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal squares, corner to corner. Match corner marks of gauge with corner of block sets. Mark fabric through center of gauge with an Erasable Gel Pen.
- Cut squares apart along center markings with a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat.
Stitch Center Square
- Place the straight edge of the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle on the right edge of Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal square, right sides together. Be sure to center the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle edge within the Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal square. Stitch.
- Open and press seam allowances toward the triangle.
- Place the straight edge of the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle on the left edge of Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal square, right sides together. Be sure to center the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle edge within the Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal square. Stitch.
- Open and press seam allowances toward the triangle.
- Place the straight edge of the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle on the top edge of Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal square. Be sure to center the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle edge within the Afternoon Picnic Red tonal square. Stitch.
- Open and press seam allowances toward the triangle.
- Place the straight edge of the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle on the top edge of Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal square. Be sure to center the Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal fabric triangle edge within the Afternoon Picnic Red Tonal square. Stitch.
- Open and press seam allowances toward the triangle.
- Trim away any small triangles, often called “Dog Ears,” using a pair of scissors or rotary cutter, ruler, and mat. Center block should measure approximately 6-1/2″ square.
Assemble Blocks
- Layout block following diagram. Rotate squares as necessary.
Join Squares
- Place square from top row left column onto middle column, right sides together. Stitch. Repeat with right column and center column.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Place square from middle row left column onto middle column, right sides together. Stitch. Repeat with right column and center column.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Place square from bottom row left column onto middle column, right sides together. Stitch. Repeat with right column and center column.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Place top row onto middle row, right sides together, and stitch rows together.
- Press seam open or to one side.
- Place bottom row onto middle row, right sides together, and stitch rows together to create complete block.
- Press seam open or to one side.
Assemble and Finish the Afternoon Picnic 2019 NZP Block of the Month Quilt
The 2019 NZP Fat Quarter Mystery is a mystery no more! Team Nancy Zieman designed this quilt titled, Summer Picnic. The entire NZP Team appreciates each and everyone of you who have tuned in each month, on the third Saturday, to see our new “Summer Picnic” block tutorial revealed!
The Nancy Zieman Blog readers, fans, and followers shared a few of their blocks each month with the NZP Team. With so many beautiful quilt blocks shared throughout 2019, we’d love to see your finished quilt top or quilt. When you have your quilt top ready, please email your pictures to [email protected].
If you’ve missed a block, no worries! You can always find block pattern tutorials from any of NZP’s Block of the Month programs, FREE and linked in the upper right-hand side bar.
2019 Block of the Month, “Summer Picnic”
Block Recap
Supplies for Finishing the 2019 Block of the Month Summer Picnic Quilt
- 1-1/2 yd. border and binding fabric. (Team Nancy Zieman is using 1-1/2 yards Cream Tonal from the Afternoon Picnic Fabric Collection.)
- 1 yd. sashing fabric. (Team Nancy Zieman is using 1 yard Blue Rose from the Afternoon Picnic Fabric Collection.)
- 4 yd. backing fabric.
- 1-2/3 yd. Pellon 96″ wide 80/20 Cotton Quilt Batting.
- Matching all-purpose sewing thread.
Prepare Quilt Blocks
- Square all blocks using a 12-1/2″ square ruler, rotary cutter, and cutting mat. Each of the 12 blocks should measure 12-1/2″ square.
Prepare Sashing Strips
- For sashing strips cut ten 2-1/2″ crosswise fabric strips from Afternoon Picnic Blue Rose.
- Join sashing strips together at short ends, right sides together, with diagonal seams to reduce bulk; trim away excess fabric leaving 1/4″ seam allowance. Press seams one side or press open.
- Using a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat, cut eight vertical sashing strips 2-1/2″ x 12-1/2″.
- For horizontal sashing strips cut five crosswise fabric strips 2-1/2″ x 40-1/2″.
- For vertical sashing strips cut two 2-1/2″ x 58-1/2″.
Prepare Border Strips
- Cut six 5-1/4″ crosswise fabric strips from Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal.
- Join the sashing strips together at short ends, right sides together, with diagonal seams to reduce bulk; trim away excess fabric leaving 1/4″ seam allowance. Press seams one side or press open.
Using rotary cutter, ruler, and mat, cut borders strips:
- For horizontal borders cut two 5-1/4″ x 45″ strips.
- For vertical borders cut two 5-1/4″ x 68″ strips.
Assemble and Complete the Quilt
All seams allowances are scant 1/4″ unless otherwise stated.
- Layout quilt blocks three wide and four tall, following diagram. Or, choose your own 3 x 4 quilt block layout! Rotate blocks as necessary.
- Prepare block rows as shown.
- Align Afternoon Picnic Blue Rose vertical sashing strips between blocks.
- Working with one row at a time, join vertical sashing to blocks, right sides together.
- Pin and stitch.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Align horizontal sashing rows above, between and below block rows.
- Working with one row at a time, join horizontal sashing to blocks, right sides together.
- Pin and stitch.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Align vertical sashing rows on long sides of quilt top.
- Join vertical sashing to blocks, right sides together.
- Pin and stitch.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Align the border strips with the top and bottom of the quilt top.
- Join horizontal borders to quilt top, right sides together.
- Pin and stitch.
- Press seams open or to one side.
- Align the border strips with the sides of the quilt top.
- Join horizontal borders to quilt top, right sides together.
- Pin and stitch.
- Press seams open or to one side.
Ta dah! Here is our finished quilt top, approximately 55″ wide by 68″ long. We look forward to sharing a photo, when the machine quilting is complete.
- Bind quilts, table runners, and wall hangings with Nancy Zieman’s Absolute Easiest Way to Bind Quilts FREE! Sewing Tutorial.
- Watch Nancy Zieman’s Easy Quilt Binding Tutorial Video and learn how to add a binding to your quilt, table runner, and/or wall hanging!
Watch No-Hassle Triangles Quilt Blocks (Part One and Part Two) on The Best of Sewing With Nancy online.
FREE! Peppermint Mug Rug Project Sheet by Team NZP
Celebrate the Holiday Season with Team NZP! “Follow” and “Like” the Stitch it! Sisters on Facebook during the month of December, and receive a FREE! Peppermint Mug Rug Pattern Printable PDF! Follow the Stitch it! Sisters on Facebook by clicking the “Like” button and “Follow” button at facebook.com/stitchitsisters.
Visit the NEW! NZP Online Shop for the latest tools, patterns, fabrics and more at shopnzp.com!
Visit shopnzp.com, or click the “shop” tab
at the top of the NZP blog, anytime!
For a chance to win Nancy Zieman’s New! Afternoon Picnic Fat Quarter Pack please leave a comment below.Nancy Zieman Productions will give away one Afternoon Picnic Fat Quarter Pack to one US resident in the 48 contiguous states. Winner must reply within 30 days to the official giveaway announcement email message – sent from Nancy Zieman Productions.
Happy Quilting!
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.
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Gail
I love the colors in this quilt. I haven’t started it yet because of other projects, but I hope to make this quilt in the new year. Thank you for a wonderful pattern.
Linda
What a beautiful quilt, done with beautiful fabric – very old fashioned looking! Please keep doing Nancy’s Block of the Month. I really look forward to it!
Bev Bolduc Aldridge
I love this years afternoon picnic quilt- fabric and blocks. I could always use more of these fabrics.
Nancy Lewis
The fabric is just beautiful. I love the colors and how well it coordinates.
Shirley Clark
I love all of the beautiful variations of the blocks! The Afternoon Picnic fabric just makes them even more beautiful! Thanks for all of the tutorials!
Ann West
The Summer Picnic BOM has been really fun. The fabrics are fabulous. It makes a beautiful and colorful quilt. Thanks for this BOM series. I am looking forward to 2020 as well.
Jo Wray
I love the colors in this quilt.
Dixie
I love the fabrics in this quilt .Please keep the block of the month going each month. I really enjoy them.
Clovis
Nice beautiful quilt.
Tamra Botkin
These beautiful fabrics bring fond memories of my grandmother. She would lovingly hand quilted gifts on her 2×4 wood frames. The design in this pattern makes your eyes look over the whole quilt. LOVELY!
L Watson
The fabrics look like they would be fun to work with.
Judy Bartholomew
Love the festive prints. Makes me want to have a picnic, even though it’s 30°!!! I especially like the easy to understand directions.
Beverly
These fabrics are just so perfect for this picnic quilt. I’ve followed the block of the month for the past few years (since I retired and found time to quilt) and I really enjoy doing so.
Karen A
I like the final layout of this quilt. I have enjoyed following along this year.
Pat
Love the finished quilt. Wish I wasn’t four months behind. Never fear, I will catch up. Thanks for a wonderful design and very easy to follow instructions.
Niomi
Loved the block patterns, but this last is my favorite.
Janet
I love the fabrics, love the colors, love the blocks. It’s great to make one block at a time. I am finding it easy to make these blocks, one at a time. I am a beginner quilter so the hints of what to sew first helps me out a great deal. Thanks so much.
Evie H
I love this line of fabric — especially the red. I haven’t done the blocks, but it’s on my to-do list for 2020. Thanks for the pattern and the chance to win.
Karen
Thanks for all the block patterns and give away.
Twyla
I LOVE the summer time fabric. Thanks for offering it in a Giveaway!!
Bonnye
The fabric is so cheerful. I love it.
Tina
Love the cheery colors. Thanks for a chance to win.
Carolyn T
I appreciate learning with you! Video and written lessons are fantastic.
Hannah W
The final quilt lay out is lovely. Thanks for an entire year of inspiration!
P.J. Miller
I’m not always a fan of sampler quilts, but this one is lovely. Love the fabrics!
Marilyn Dunstan
Just looked back at the 2015 Quilt of the month block and wondered why I didn’t participate in that challenge. Some of those blocks looked so different from the norm. And would be fun to make.
Bonnie
I enjoyed following the Summer Picnic BOM series. The detailed tutorials were very informative and the fabric was so lovely. Looking forward to another BOM series next year!
Vickie
As most quilters do… I so love the variety of the fabrics used in the Afternoon Picnic BOM…such pretty and very colorful fabrics!
Kathy Kintzler
Following this quilt-a-long has been so much fun! I really LOVE the fabric bundle used….I’m “fabric challenged” and this project helped me learn how to pick fabrics that play well together! Thanks for the adventure!
Kathy Kintzler
What a wonderful year long adventure……I always look forward to the monthly blocks and am thrilled to see the final result! I LOVE the fabric bundle you used and have learned a lot about how to pick fabrics that play well together! Thank you so much for this beautiful project!
Susan
Quilting Block of the month is a fun concept and makes a bigger project doable. Just love the fabrics shown.
Carol A Skilling
This quilt is so beautiful. I love the name of it, too. The instructions are very simple to read and the choice of fabric is something I never would have thought would look so pretty together. I thank you for continuing with Nancy’s legacy she left to all of us. I have 6 more quilts to make for all the kids, grandkids and greats. This would make a really pretty one.
Helen Glover
This is my second bom from nancy zieman. Why does it specify only 3 fabrics but then says to cut squares from 4? This must be another error in the instructions. I have found at least one error in each month’s details. They really should be checked more thoroughly! I am glad this is done frankly. Love the fabrics, love the blocks, just not the instructions!! not helpful. thank you.
Helen Glover
Why does it say to use 3 fabrics but then says to cut from 4? Where do you use the cream tonal? There doesn’t appear to be any in the block?? Just the picnic floral? These instructions have had an error every month. Just not up to Nancy’s professionalism. Love the fabric, love the blocks, just not the instructions! Glad it’s done…almost!
Lorraine Alves
Thank you to Nancy for her vision for sharing sewing, quilting and giving advice and information. She and the Sewing with Nancy team have helped me keep my hands and mind busy for years and will continue to do so for years to come. This quilt project was a perfect gift to me.