Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Christmas in July, in June

Usually, every July, blogs and quilt shops have Christmas in July promos, sew alongs, and gift projects.  I always enjoy following along but in my mind I'm saying, " I sew with Christmas fabric in December, nice try but I'm not biting".  Well that's going to change this year.  I  made a goal to piece several Christmas quilts for gifts this year, the year is half over and I've only pieced two, I need at least two more, four more would be better.  So I'm getting organized now to be all in and ready to finish some quilts this July.  Here is where I stand now.


I have this bundle of Winterberry by Kate & Birdie for Moda that I would like to do something with.  I'm a little iffy on the green, it's a different green, sort of a mint green but not quite.  But I'm sure it will make a lovely quilt that someone would enjoy.  I just need a good pattern.  All I have is this bundle so I would need a pattern with a pieced border or no border.  Do  you have any suggestions?  I googled Winterberry Quilts but only found one hit.  It's a nice pattern by the Fat Quarter Shop, uses fat quarters, but only uses the reds and greens.  I could maybe modify it to add the grays.   It has a Christmas feel but I think I can do better, or I hope you can come up with a suggestion that's better.



I'm having the same problem with this bundle of Holly's Tree Farm by Sweetwater for Moda.  Most of the patterns I saw online were tree farms, I think we can do better.

This pattern is a sure bet.



I've got my background fabric and my bundle of Juniper Berry, I'm just waiting on a bloc_loc ruler to help me with the triangle in a square blocks.  This may be a tough quilt to give away.  The pattern is available here and the fabric is in shops everywhere.

I love this book by Cindy Lammon, available here.


December 2014 I made this quilt from Cindy's book, Garden Lattice.


I used Kate Spain Christmas fabric, of which I have plenty.  I think I will cut and piece a couple of these quilts.  I love mine and have no intention of giving it away, but making two more should be a breeze.

So that's where I stand, not much sewing, more planning, but it will pay off in July,  I hope.  I thought maybe you would want to get some Christmas gifts off your To Do List, if so let me know so I can link to your blog.  If you don't have a blog I would be happy to post your pictures.

If I use a pattern you suggest for Winterberry or Holly's Tree Farm I'll pass along a token of my appreciation.

I plan to start sewing on July 5th, I'm going to have a hard enough time sewing with Christmas fabric in July, so I need through the fourth to do something that's red, and also white and blue.

Sorry about the gap in vacation posts, I plan to blog about Florence on Friday.





19 comments:

  1. Hi Thelma,
    You are so sweet to give so many quilts for Christmas gifts! I recently saw the Felicity pattern by Kate Spain and loved it! Solstice, In From the Cold and Flurry and also great patterns by Kate and as a bonus, they are free!! Choosing patterns and pairing with the perfect fabric is one of the hardest parts of quilting for me! Good Luck!

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  2. Thelma, have you seen the Felicity quilt by Kate Spain? It's available on her website -- I thought of you the 1st time I saw it.

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  3. I'm thinking of making Merry Christmas Darling (http://www.fatquartershop.com/merry-christmas-darling-downloadable-pdf-quilt-pattern) or Christmas Stars (http://www.fatquartershop.com/christmas-stars-downloadable-pdf-quilt-pattern) by Cotton Way. Might work for either of your bundles.

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  4. I've been looking at "Baubles" by Kelly Young as it reminds me of some Christmas ornaments my mom loved, but they've been broken. It is designed for fat quarters. She has a few others that might inspire as well. (http://www.craftsy.com/user/2089376/pattern-store) I always enjoy seeing what you're up to.

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  5. I ordered Holly's Tree Farm fabric in a jolly bar and received the"Tree Lined Street" pattern for free from Fat Quarter Shop. It was a quick and easy pattern, I just don't think I will be giving it away. Now I just have to wait for colder temps so I can wrap up in it.

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  6. Last summer Hyacinth made a modified version of the Fat Quarter Shop's Sparklettes pattern that I'm in love with. I figured out her changes and I will use Holly Farm by Sweetwater to make it a Christmas quilt. I am struggling with the directional pieces in the bundle but I think I'm ready to just suck it up and move on it.

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    Replies
    1. Here is the link:
      http://hyacinthquiltdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/06/sparklettes.html

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  7. Have you thought about Camille's 'Summerville' pattern? With your fabrics you could easily turn it into a 'Winterville'.

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  8. What about Kate Spain's "In From the Cold" pattern? I think that would look fantastic with the Winterberry fabric. There is a border, but you could either leave off, modify, or find a coordinating winter fabric to make it work. And the pattern is free! :) I made it last year and had so much fun making it. Also love the Sparkle pattern and the Garden Lattice quilt!

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  9. I know you've already made Starry Eyed. Last year I used that pattern with Holly's Tree Farm for a quilt for my oldest grandson, Seth. It's one to consider.

    Good luck!

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  10. https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/sotak-handmade-3276487/my-christmas-quilt-4594615564?email_button=true
    http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.ca/2013/01/trees.html
    I sent these in a comment the last time you requested ideas for Christmas quilts. I love them! You might too.

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  11. P.S. I forgot to add this one...kind of a fun design for trees without giving half your life to the making of it...
    http://hopesquiltdesigns.bigcartel.com/product/wander-through-the-woods-pdf-pattern

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  12. One of the Holly's Tree Farm is Christmas Ribbon. It is a lap quilt. I found a pattern here. I like it's look. http://www.fabricpatch.net/shop/Fabric/Hollys-Tree-Farm-by-Sweet-Water/p/Christmas-Ribbons-x7160366.htm

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  13. How about BOURBON STREET by Sassafras Lane? I have it in my sights for a holiday quilt - it might be excellent for one of your bundles.

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  14. Here is my second idea, it is a pattern that would be great. The Little Ruby Quilt along pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop. It would look like peppermint candy.

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  15. How about http://www.annkelle.com/christmas-in-july-christmas-trees-quilt/ or http://thermoweb.com/blog/christmas-cogs-quilt-tutorial-featured-project/. I think the eighth grade quilt or cover quilt from this book would be great for your fabric http://www.buttonsandbutterflies.com/2015/09/precut-primer-review-and-blog-hop.html

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  16. I have some Christmas fabric set aside for Camille Roskelley's Round and Round. Not a hard quilt, but great eye appeal. Check out that one. It might work well for Winterberry and/or Holly's Tree farm. Have fun!

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  17. I love Miss Rosie's Sparkle pattern and I can't believe that I haven't seen that pattern ever. I thought that I knew all of her patterns!! LOL I might be a bit addicted to her patterns. I am no where near Christmas sewing and I've never made a Christmas quilt, but when I do, its gonna be a Kansas Troubles log cabin quilt....someday! Have a fabulous weekend, Thelma. Thanks for all the Italy pics.

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  18. Two quilts did come to mind:
    Ruby Strings by Film in the Fridge
    Carnival by GE Designs
    I'll email you both pics.

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