Sunday, January 13, 2013

Christmas Quilt Progress

Whew,
This quilt has been slow and steady. But they say that is what will win the race.
I have no problem working with Christmas fabrics in January.  No, I am not getting a head start for 2013, I am playing catch up for 2012. Just a few pictures to remind, or show you for the first time, my project.

My new motto, is, buy it, and use it. No more petting and saving. Why? Because I will always find something new that I just MUST HAVE....

So, I bought this one yard bundle of fabrics.
  

 I added two fabrics I already had for a total of 12 yards of fabric.

I cut them into squares.



Sewed them into 2 patches then 4 patches.




I kept on working until I had a quilt top!


Christmas came and went so it was put away in the closet. But now was the perfect time to let her out. I picked out my backing. yes, it is pink!  Who said you cannot use pink for Christmas?


Sandwiched and pinned.



Many years ago I heard that if you make a quilt top with geometric shapes you should quilt it with swirls. The opposite for a flowery quilt. 
Quilt it with straight lines.

I do not machine quilt. I only hand quilt. So, some of my favorite ways to quilt is in a diagonal grid, in the ditch, shadow quilting, even swirls in a border.
BUT...
This was going to be new to me!
I took two different size bowls and drew (with my crayola washable marker) circles all over the top. I have never done circles. Hearts, flowers stars, but not circles.
This is what it looks like with the markings. Hope you can make them out.



I am using red thread. The only problem I am having is loosing the thread on the quilt. I like to quilt while I watch TV, if I look up at the TV, I have a heck of a time finding my spot. LOL!

I hope to have this finished in a few weeks and then look forward to showing you my finished quilt.

Happy Sewing!

17 comments:

  1. Looking good! Enjoy that hand quilting - red on red isn't as bad as block on black.

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  2. LOve it!! it's going to look absolutely gorgeous :) Barb.

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  3. This quilt is so wonderful! Love your fabrics and I think you chose the perfect quilting design! Sounds like Christmas will last a little longer in your house...yay you!

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  4. Very nice Jane. I like your idea with the bowls. Can`t wait to see your quilt when it is finished.

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  5. I like it! It also doesn't scream Christmas so it can be left out longer.

    Every time I see your quilts marked with the marker I cringe lol. It looks like it is permanent and your quilt is ruined lol. I love the circles on the squares though. I like that you have them larger than the 4 patch and that they overlap.

    I always wonder about hand quilting though. My fear is that it won't hold the quilt together wash after wash. I know it is silly since way back in the olden days that's all they did and those quilts lasted over a 100 years. Since I hurt my neck I can no longer machine quilt anything larger than a table topper but I can hand embroider so I thought I would start hand quilting my quilts. It's something I have been wanting to do for a long time anyways because I love the look and feel of hand quilting.

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  6. What a fantastic quilt! I look forward to seeing it all done. I am not a big hand quilter, but am trying to work on that. What type/brand of marking pin do you use?

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  7. I love the pink on the back and the little squares are so cool! I used to hand quilt silky fabric way back in the olden days, but I can't seem to get the hang of quilting cotton fabrics. Do you hoop the sandwich to quilt it or do you have quilt frames?

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  8. Good for you Jane - getting a start on Christmas and using a UFO is a wonderful project to me. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Judy C

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  9. That will be a fun design to stitch on. I do the same thing, usually use black and it can get lost if I am not paying attention, lol. I don't see any pins, are you using iron on batting or spray?

    Debbie

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  10. Wow. I love how it looks even without the quilting.

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  11. very nice! It looks like Christmas candy! I luv that pink backing!

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  12. I see double-duty in this quilt. Not just christmas, but Valentine's too! I love the colors I know your quilting will be awesome. I'll be watching for the grand completion showing!

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  13. This is such a happy quilt! The pink fits in perfectly. I like how the circles are kind of like Christmas ornaments. Happy Stitching!

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  14. wow such a beautiful christmas quilt! have to sew one one day! still have my halloween quilt in progress!!! will keep in mind the bowl idea and have to try the marker too!!! Hand quilting... ouf so much time but your're right in front tv it's a good way! used to sew my biais border in front of tv!!!
    well have fun circle quilting!
    nice 3013 to you Jane

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  15. what a gorgeous quilt, it's going to look wonderful hand quilted

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  16. It is a bright and beautiful quilt and hand quilting will double the charm of this lovely Christmas quilt!

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  17. I really, really love those fabrics and would love to know exactly which ones they are. Making a Christmas item in non traditional colors/patterns is great. It will be awesome when it is finished.

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I always love to hear your thoughts!