The first of December seems like a good time to share a few Christmas quilts with you. These are quilts I’ve designed and made over the years, and they’re part of the Jingle Bells Trunk Show that I do for quilt groups. I hope you’ll enjoy the eye candy.
Very Merry
This is Very Merry, a quilt made with stars different from what you usually see. I made the proportion of the points smaller relative to the block center. And each of the center patches is the same size, even though it doesn’t seem that way.
Tiny Baubles
Tiny Baubles comes together easily with stitch and flip units. There is one foundation pieced block, but you can easily substitute one of the others if you like. I added vintage rickrack to a few blocks, and buttons to every ornament.
MerryJoyCheer
MerryJoyCheer was probably the most enjoyable quilt I ever made. It began with some reject blocks that were free on my guild’s giveaway table: the dark green tree, the JOY block, and the candlestick. From there I just made it up as I went along. This is a big quilt, about 72″ x 90″. I have plans to make a Halloween quilt in a similar style, and probably another Christmas one, too.
Nested Nicks
Nested Nicks is a small quilt I made with fusible applique and a scrappy vibe. It’s 18″ x 26″. Buttons help to tell the Santa story.
Twinkling Bright
This is Twinkling Bright, a quilt made from Baby Windmills. I have a series of quilts based on this simple little block, but this is one of my favorites. All of the patches in the quilt are the same size, with the exception of the bows on the presents. That was an interesting challenge. I especially like the border.
For years, I had no interest in making Christmas quilts. It seemed like so much work for something that was displayed for a short time each year. But once I got the bug, I couldn’t stop. Now I have dozens, and many more in the pipeline.
What fun eye candy! I don’t know which is a favorite. Love the scrappy look of the MerryJoyCheer and the Twinkling Bright is awesome with so many small blocks. Great article!
Thank you!
Love Very Merry and think I might use the pattern to make a scrap quilt. I’m part of a recently formed group making quilts for kids in the UK who leave the Care system aged 18 but usually with nowhere to go. The poet Lemn Sissay, who was himself in Care, has started a project to give these youngsters a Christmas to remember, which includes a meal, treatments by volunteers if possible and, of course, presents. The two women who began the group have managed to get over 100 quilts made in less than three months and these will be given to youngsters in three cities in the UK. Obviously we’re plannng to make more quilts for next year and your pattern would be perfect for scraps. I’ll try and get a photo sent to you when I’ve adapted’ your pattern.
Happy Christmas
Hi Kate, I’m sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier because of the holidays. I love your idea of using Verry Merry for Care quilts! And we’d definitely try and use any photos you could send us. Thanks so much!