Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Just in the "Nick" of Time . . . . .

 I've finished my Spell it with Moda for Christmas top.  I started this project last year, but as soon as Christmas was over I wasn't in the mood to spell any more Christmas words so I packed it up.  I'm so happy I won't be packing it up again this year!

28 words made the cut, my list had several more that I didn't use,  but I think this is a nice size.

I didn't use any Christmas themed fabric, but I don't think you would notice, I think it feels like a Christmas quilt before you even start reading the words.


This is Lifetime Quilt Number 170
I've named it Spelling the Spirit of Christmas
It finished at 78" x 91"
The vast majority of the fabric is by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.
It has approximately 2,079 pieces.


The letters are from the Moda Spell it with Fabric pattern.  It is still available for sale at some shops. (click here)



The Moda blocks finish at 8" x 10", I cut them down by half to get blocks that finish at 4" x 5".  I liked the patterns for each letter, I didn't change a one.  The instructions were very easy to follow.

Several folks have asked if I'm going to create a pattern, I am not.  That sounds like work, and this is my hobby not my job.  But I'm happy to share with you all the specifics of my quilt, feel free to use my finish as a starting point for your project or go ahead and copy the whole thing, I consider that a compliment.

So here is a crude layout of my words.  I changed some of the rows as I pieced them.  My main goal was to not have the words all line up perfectly, I wanted it to have a random feel.   As I pieced each row I added extra fabric to each end, then moved it back and forth until I was pleased with how the words and stars were positioned.




The sashing between the rows finishes at 2 inches.  The sashing between the letters of each word finish at 1/4 inch.  The fabric between the words and around the stars started with strips that were 2 1/2 inches wide.  Sometimes I trimmed them to get a better look.

The stars finish at 4 inches.  To get a 4 inch star you need a 2 1/2 center bock, four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" geese and four corner 1 1/2 inch squares.

I can't think of anything to share, but don't hesitate to leave any questions you may have in the comments section.  I'll answer any questions in the comments section so everyone can benefit.

A couple of days ago I woke up in the night thinking that I had not included Santa in my project.  And it bothered me, why had I left out Santa?  When I got I up that morning I checked my top, I hadn't left out Santa!   You know it's time to wrap up a project when you start dreaming about it.

Best wishes to your family for a wonderful holiday season.


37 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your "pattern". It's one I've been admiring.

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  2. This is truly the best Christmas quilt I've seen. Kudos for your creativity! Merry Christmas, Thelma!

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  3. That is awesome!! Thank you for sharing your thought process on your set-up. A Christmas word quilt has been on my mind but I think I want to do a "tree" layout. This is great!

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  4. AWESOME,AMAZING,TRULY INSPIRING AND ORIGINAL!

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  5. You have made such a wonderful quilt! Love those words! Can you tell me if the pattern is paper pieced, or just pieced? Looks like a pattern I should have. Your idea would also be wonderful for a family quilt. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Just pieced! And the piecing was easy. I made one word at a time. I cut all the pieces out for a word, then pieced each letter.

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  6. This is such a fun and clever quilt! Thanks fir sharing your process with us. I hope to get a running start on a version.....think I wil time it for July! Merry Christmas to you and yours. I look forward to all your inspiration in 2016.

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  7. A terrific quilt, and a great explanation! Thank you. Merry Christmas!

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  8. It is an awesome quilt! Love, love, love it. Merry Christmas and happy new year!
    Mary

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  9. I just love it Thelma! Thanks for sharing the "how to". Merry Christmas!

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  10. Saw the quilt on Instagram. Fell in love with it! You did an amazing job!

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  11. I saw this on IG too and absolutely in love with it! How did you make your letters smaller than the original size?

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    1. Yes, I could also use some help with this. jo

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    2. ... also, do you press your seams open? Love all your work Thelma. I'm so glad you discovered quilting and are so willing to share. Merry Christmas. jo

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    3. I mostly press my seams open. Sometimes press to one side works better, but I prefer how flat my blocks lay when I press the seams open.

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    4. Amy, changing a pattern size is easy and one of my favorite things to do, it's all about the math. So let's say a pattern called for a strip 2 1/2" x 10 1/2". To change the size of this strip to make it bigger or smaller you need to know the finished size of the strip. To get the finished size subtract 1/2" from the pattern size. For my example the strip finishes at 2" x 10". To make this strip half it's original size divide the strip in half, to get 1" x 5". But this is your finished size, add back the 1/2" for the seam allowance. So you would cut a strip 1 1/2" x 5 1/2". Hope this helps!

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  12. Love the quilt and the ideas and the words and the colors...
    I made the letters full scale for the local library. I made 26 individual little quilts (1 for each letter) backed by numbers and shapes so they could be played with by the kids.

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    1. Wonderful idea! Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  13. I've got the pattern, I just never thought of a way to use it yet. :) My mind is just spinning now, way to inspire Thelma, thanks!

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    1. The possibilities are endless! I'm be eager to see what you design!

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  14. Merry Christmas to you as well! See you in 2016!

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  15. Thanks for sharing your pattern I love the small 'space' you left between each letter.
    Wishing you and your family a Merry Xmas:-)

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  16. You always have something surprising up your sleeve! Your quilt is so fun and festive Thelma! Thank you for sharing it... and how your process came together! I love it! Merry Christmas to you!

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  17. I love it, Thelma!

    Merry Christmas:)

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  18. I absolutely adore it! So glad you didn't leave Santa out!

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  19. This quilt is simply wonderful. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

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  20. It's awesome!!! I am putting this on my to do list, thank you for sharing!

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  21. Thelma, I love this quilt - well every quilt you do.
    A long time ago you blogged about a Christmas tree pattern similar to the one you made. I thought I saved the website but alas I did not. I have searched your posts but cannot find it. Do you remember the pattern name? Thank you and Merry Christmas.

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    1. I'm sorry, I do not know which pattern you're referring to.

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  22. What a wonderful creation! The "highlighted" words are perfect!
    Merry Christmas!

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  23. This is such a treasure! I love your work and want to thank you for sharing your process and measurements for the quilt Merry Christmas!

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  24. You're a genius and I love the quilt!

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  25. ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this! Merry Christmas!

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  26. Thanks for sharing... and as always... GORGEOUSLY DONE...!!! I love your work! Merry Christmas to all!

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