December 17, 2019

Christmas Quilting

Did you do any sewing for the holidays?

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

Making Christmas quilts was definitely NOT on my radar for 2019. I made the drunkard's path quilt shown on the wall above several years ago as part of this QAL. There's not a bit of Christmas fabric in it.

Two years ago I designed this small wreath wall hanging as a gift to my readers. It's a free pattern and is still available on the old Craftsy platform. You can find it here. 
Note: If you are interested in a copy of this pattern leave me a comment.

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

Then, while visiting the Missouri Star Quilts last May, I found myself buying a handful of modern Christmas fabrics in small amounts. Here are a few of them and I'm happy to say I've used them up. Wish I had more of the little bird print though. It's so sweet.


I decided to make another simple Irish Chain quilt like these quilts quilts made earlier in the year for my SILs. It's a fast, easy project. With 6" blocks finishing at 42 x 54 the small size is just right for my lap.

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

It's my first quilt using minky for the backing and was quilted by Cara of Sew Colorado Quilting using a design called Wild Cherries. I thought it felt like berries and love how it looks. Even though the thread is green, it gets buried into the minky giving an embossed look. I washed it yesterday and now it's so soft!

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

After finishing this one, I was hooked on Christmas sewing. Foolishly thinking I had all the time in the world, I decided to make two more quilts. And maybe stockings. Maybe a tree skirt. Maybe fabric ornaments. The list goes on. Of course that lead to buying even more Christmas fabrics online and down the rabbit hole I went. Big time!

Did I mention foolish in the previous paragraph. Ha! I only managed to finish one of those two quilts and none of the other things. Maybe next year. I certainly have all the fabric I need now to make the above mentioned projects and more.

My finish was this scrappy, mostly 16-patch, wonky star quilt for my daughter. I love it!

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

The original idea was to alternate red and green 16-patch star blocks in a 5 x 5 layout. Then I decided I didn't want stars in every block. Then I decided I wanted a few bigger stars so I made four 9-patch blocks with bigger wonky stars. Then I threw in a couple of 4-patch blocks to alter the scale even more. Finally, I decided I didn't want a square quilt so I added a row at the top and bottom using the same size squares as the 4-patch. I love letting a quilt evolve into something a little different from where it started. It finished at 50 x 60 so a large lap size.

The prints are so fun. I mixed the new fabrics with many from my stash. Some are really old Christmas prints and some are just stash prints like dots and stripes. Little deer, bears, rabbits, owls and birds make appearances here and there.

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

I'm especially fond of all the little deer . . . aren't they cute?

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

It's backed with the same red minky as the Irish Chain quilt and quilted by Cara with a pattern called Star Struck which was perfect for the star theme.

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

So two new Christmas quilts this year makes me happy. I think they look great mixed in with the other holiday quilts. Here's a few of my older quilts that make an appearance during the Christmas season. I think of this green, triangle quilt as a winter quilt but it fits right in for Christmas too. I blogged about it here.

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

This applique still life is very traditional but I love it!

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

And this little paper pieced cardinal. It was a struggle to make at the time but always reminds me of my Mom. Cardinals often visited her bird feeders throughout the year. We don't have them here in Colorado and I sure miss seeing them.

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

Thanks for reading along with my sporadic blog posts this year.
For a little more holiday cheer, check out my all red Instagram posts here.

Hope you have the most Merry Christmas ever!

Christmas quilts, www.springleafstudios.com

Cheers!

Linking up with Wendy's Peacock Party for the end of 2020.
Also with Cynthia and Oh Scrap.

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23 comments:

  1. Wow, from not on your radar at all to two beautiful finishes. I love how the scrappy star quilt evolved and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, too, Anne.

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  2. That rabbit hole adventure sounds all too familiar.:) Beautiful finishes that will bring plenty of smiles.

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  3. Whoa! You've definitely been busy making Christmas quilts! I love them all. The minky backing is so great! Did you send them to be longarm quilted because Minky is difficult to home machine quilt? I've never used Minky, so I don't know how it quilts on a home machine. Of course, I love your small, wreath wall hanging. I made three of them and gave them away. So my answer to your opening question is "no." I don't do any sewing for the holidays. I don't have a Christmas prints in my stash, a probably not enough red or green to come up with more than a table runner. As you know, it's an effort to decorate for Christmas when no one comes to visit, but I'm okay with that. It's fun to see others makes, and you definitely share lots of great eye-candy in this blog post! (By the way, I am no longer able to comment on your blog through my MacBook. I can only comment through my iPhone! This is all due to greater security restrictions in Safari, and Blogger no longer allows me to comment using my Google account. Sigh.)

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  4. Beautiful quilts all!! I love the Drunkard's Path one especially...and your pp bird is lovely hugs, Julierose

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  5. They are all gorgeous! I especially love the star quilt! I’ve only completed one, but it’s used as a large wall hanging each year. I have one that’s a UFO from many years ago. Someday it will be a finish.

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  6. I'd say your Christmas sewing just kinda snowballed, ha ha! You found some really cute fabrics. My favorites are the little birds peeking out here and there. Have a wonderful holiday season! :)

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  7. I’ve always loved your green quilts but these red and green ones are just fantastic thanks for sharing all of them at once.

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  8. What a cheery blogpost Anne! All your red and green quilts are very striking! The first photo is fun too!

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  9. Mmm. I love all you Christmas quilts! I'm inspired to go and sew.

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  10. I don't decorate for the holidays but I love all of your Christmas quilts. They make me want one of my own :)

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  11. Great Quilts. I really like the fresh colors you used. And, thanks for the wreath directions.

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  12. Anne, your Christmas quilts are gorgeous and the photoshoot with Santa hats is absolutely spectacular. That is all the holiday cheer I need - color and inspiration!!! Hope you have a holly jolly Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

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  13. I love your xmas finishes, the modern Christmas fabric and designs are wonderful.

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  14. Oh such a superb collection of Christmas quilts Anne! All delightful and after seeing the photos I really must try and make one for next Christmas to hang on the wall.

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  15. I would like to have your wreath wall hanging pattern please.

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    1. I tried to send you the pattern but you may be a no-reply blogger so the email may not go through. If you didn't get it, send me an email to anne@springleafstudios and I'll resend.

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    2. I sent you an email, but I must not be receiving yours. I subscribed to your blog. Will that help? I'm looking forward to making the poinsetta wall hanging. Thanks so much.

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  16. I would love to have your pattern: ph_davis@bellsouth.net. I'm a newbie...however...I think I could do this. Your talent is amazing!!! Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Pattie

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  17. The poinsetta still life applique is stunning! What is the name of the pattern, and where can I purchase it? Thanks!

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  18. I always dream up more Christmas projects than I can finish. This year I’m determined to complete two Christmas UFO’s still left from last year but now I love you little wreath quilt so much I’ll have to abandon my UFO’s once again to make it. Thank you for sharing! Brenda

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  19. Those are all GORGEOUS!! I love the drunkards path, and the wonky stars is awesome, I love the subtle stars that aren't in white, catching the eye and making you look twice. May I have the pattern for the wreath? Thank you, for all the lovely inspiration!

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  20. As a beginner I think I could manage your lovely little wreath wall hanging. Could you please send pattern to me annieaquilts16@gmail.
    Many thanks Anne

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WaHoo!!! You're leaving me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Quilt on, Anne.