Christmas Quilt...

Hi, Mandy here again. 

Last year I made two lap quilts to give to my neices as a special surprise Christmas present.  I posted about them in detail here and here on It's a Creative World.  I used Moda Basic Grey fabric called 'Fruitcake'.  Happily, once I'd finished those two quilts I had some leftover jellyroll strips and a few odd Layer Cake 10" by 10" squares, and quite a bit of plain red fabric.  I remember that time was running out and it was nearly Christmas but I stupidly optimistically decided to make our family a lap quilt too for Christmassy snuggles on the settee.  I did get as far as the final stage, the binding strips around the edge and ran out of time (and to be honest I was all quilted out by then).  Here's a photo of ds last year helping me baste the quilt sandwich before it's quilted...

 

The pattern in the centre is from the site Quiltville which I have consulted time and time again.  The pattern is called Streak of Sunshine and is really good fun to make because you use jellyroll strips, then sew them into a 'tube' and cut strips from the tube.  It's really fast but looks effective and is very easy when you read the tutorial (honest!).

I'm a self-taught quilter and find this site to be full of helpful tuts on patchwork and quilting.  I'll soon be consulting this tut on how to bind your quilt to get it finished in good time for Christmas this year.  I photographed it this morning so you can see the pretty Basic Grey fabric better (just ignore the creases because it's spent the last year in a bag!)

Quilting is very satisfying.  I've heard and read online many quilting nightmares (and have had a few of those myself... see this post from 2008  when I was making my first quilt... try not to laugh!) But I'd encourage anyone who has always wanted to make a quilt to buy a jellyroll and try this pattern.  A quilting ruler and rotary cutter although not essential makes life much easier and is worth the investment.  Saying that, I made my first quilt with kitchen scissors and a 30cm plastic ruler see the evidence on this very early quilting post.  Anyway, don't forget to link to us here at IACW if you do get brave and make a quilt... we always like to see what folks make.

See you in December,

Mandy.

 

 

Comments

[Lynne V.]

Great colours, it made me feel really Christmassy looking at it. Thanks for all the links and tips.

[Catriona]

Had not quilted for 35years ans stupidly decided to make a full size quilt for a friend's retirement. It finally got finished- but not to my satisfaction-in the nick of time. Like you Ii found myself all quilted out but seeing your quilt zinging off the page has given me fresh inspiration. Thank you.

[jayne]

I know nothing about quilting and basting the quilt sound like you are going to eat it after ??? I will go on your links a little later and see what i'm missing out on. Love your Xmas quilt & your first one was really good too :)

[Gabrielle]

My sister made me a quilt for our wedding present 15 years ago and in the winter we all snuggle up under it! The children call it the 'poorly quilt' as that's what use if they are ever ill enough to be home from school! Your quilt looks wonderful and I admire your skills very much x

[Karen P]

I have a quilt top stashed away in my wardrobe for over 5 years now - I have the backing fabric and the inner stuff too (can't remember the technical term for it LOL!!) I must next year get it out and finish it - I will have a look at your links as this is my first quilt and I really don't know what I should do next to finish it!

[Debbie]

Lovely quilt, going to look at the links because I have heard the word basting but related to chicken and roasting! x

[Katherine]

Wow my mother-in-law is a super quilter...so I haven't had a play at it yet - your is absolutely gorgeous :)

[GlitteryKatie]

Beautiful!!!

[Erika]

Fabulous quilt and so much work.
Erika.