Ryan's Holiday Ribbon Block - Celebrate Christmas Quilt Along

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be hosting a block for the Quilting Gallery's Celebrate Christmas Quilt Along. Thanks for joining me today and thanks to Michele for inviting me to the group.

Fall and Winter are my two favorite seasons because some of my absolute favorite holidays occur right smack dab in the middle of them. Halloween and Christmas, respectively. I go crazy decorating the house for both holidays and occasionally have been known to keep my Halloween swag displayed year round. True story!!

When I think of Christmas, the song "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews comes to mind. I immediately picture wrapped packages tied in ribbons of different colors, snow falling outside a frosty window and entryway doors adorned in wreaths of green pine and sleigh bells. Ahhh, such a wonderful time of year.

I chose to share with you a ribbon block in honor of the aforementioned Julie Andrews song. Those of you who read my blog regularly know I LOVE to reproduce vintage quilt blocks in modern, colorful fabrics. This simple yet retro block is a quick-to-piece project and would look great in any fabric.

Make several and put them together for a one block weekend quilt project.


Ryan's Holiday Ribbon Block

Each block will consist of the following fabrics:

2 prints
1 solid

Step 1 - Cut the fabrics

From the solid fabric, cut 1 square 7 1/2" x 7 1/2".

Decide which fabric will be the top ribbon and which fabric will be the bottom ribbon.

From the bottom ribbon fabric, cut 1 square 7 1/2" x 7 1/2"

From the top ribbon fabric, cut 2 squares 7" x 7".


Step 2 - Assemble Your Block

Using a pencil or pen, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of your solid 7 1/2" square and both of your 7" x 7" squares.


Layer both your 7 1/2" fabric squares right sides together (your solid and bottom ribbon fabrics) and sew diagonally, corner to corner, a scant 1/4" from the diagonal drawn line on each side.


Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut the block apart on the diagonal line.


Press the two half square triangle blocks open and trim them to measure 7" x 7".


Layer your remaining two 7" fabric squares (your top ribbon fabric) and half square triangle blocks right sides together so the drawn line lies in the opposite direction of the seam line. Sew diagonally, corner to corner, a scant 1/4" from the diagonal drawn line on each side.




Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut the blocks apart on the diagonal line.


Press your four quarter square triangle blocks open and trim them to measure 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".


Arrange your quarter square triangle blocks to create your ribbon pattern as shown in the photo below.


Using a scant 1/4" seam, sew the blocks together as shown in the photos below.




Finished block should measure 12 1/2" square.

Use several prints of your favorite line and make multiple blocks to assemble this throw.


Quilt block and quilt images use Flurry by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics.

Don't forget to upload you block images to the Celebrate Christmas Quilt Along Flickr Group!

Happy quilting,