December Block of the Month: Christmas Box

Hey quilters! This block is coming at you a bit early. Happy early Christmas! 

I was hoping to get it to you before December so you could focus on all the other fun sewing that comes with this time of year. 

There will be finishing instructions released next month as well for anyone that needs specific guidance. It will be released in the Facebook group, so make sure you’re part of the group to get the final instructions! 

Here is the last cutting guide for the year! 

Cutting Instructions

BACKGROUND FABRIC MEDIUM FABRIC DARK FABRIC ACCENT #2
(4) 2 ⅞” square  (4) 2 ⅞” squares  (1) 2 ⅞” square  (8) 2 ⅞” squares 
(4) 3 ½” squares  (4) 3 ½” squares 

This block is actually super easy, but there is a bit of a technical side to it. 

First, make half square triangles using all of the 3 ½” background fabric and dark fabric. You will have (8) total HSTs when finished. 

For these HSTs, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the background fabric. Put the background fabric right sides together with the dark fabric and sew a ¼” seam on either side of the drawn diagonal line. 

Cut on the diagonal line and then press the seam to the dark fabric. 

You’ll want to make sure that you are trimming up your HSTs to 2 7/8” square. This is crucial for your block coming out square. 

I prefer to use a specific ruler for trimming up HSTs. I’m using the Bloc Lock ruler in the 3 ½” size. There are markings on the ruler in 1/8 increments, so you can use this ruler to square up for these HSTs too! 

Now you get to layout the block! It really is a fast sew. 

However, pay attention to your seam allowance! This block really should be sewn up with a scant quarter inch. You can get away with a regular quarter inch, but definitely don’t do a chubby quarter inch! If you have a tendency as a quilter to sew chubby quarter inches, don’t worry.  This is a safe space for you! Lol! I used to be one of those! 

PRO TIP: If you don’t think you can do a scant quarter inch seam, you can size up the 2 7/8” squares to 3” squares. But I caution you to think about it before just cutting 3” squares! If you already do a great scant quarter inch seam and you size up your blocks, the finished quilt block can be as much as a half inch too big! 

All of the blocks in this year’s sew along have been 12 ½” when finished.  If you size up your blocks and struggle with the seam allowance, this block could end up at 13” finished. So try sewing up this block as written and do a scant quarter inch seam. 

Layout: 

Simply follow the layout in the photo below. It helps if you press the seams in all one direction on the first row. In the second row, press the seams in the opposite direction. This will help the seams nest as you sew the rows together. 

Block layout after sewing the squares into rows

Now your block is done! This really is a fast sew. Make sure to take progress pics of your quilt using the hashtag #seweasybom so I can see your final make! 

Also: This year I will be giving away FREE longarm quilting to one lucky winner! The Facebook group will have an announcement for when the giveaway is going on, so make sure to check the group in the month of December for information on how to enter! 

Can’t wait to see what you make!