The very first Christmas I spent in Texas, I decided that I wanted to make a quilt. I loved that Christmas Quilt so much that I then decided it needed to become an annual tradition! Of course, I have YET to finish one of these quilts BEFORE Christmas! But I’ve been getting closer and closer to being done on time. This year I’m actually less than a week late! Yippee!! This years quilt tested my patter design skills, my quilting skills, my patience and my perfectionist complex. It involved a few band aids, several swear words, a bunch of sewing machine needles, hand stitching for the quilting, more sweat words and a WHOLE lot of love 🙂 I give you my Christmas Stars Scrappy Quilt!
I used this tutorial to make the floating stars… it was the very first time I’ve made stars… and I slightly miss read the tutorial. So instead of having a nice sharp point centered where the star points meet, there is a flat area. But I figure, its my quilt and I’m allowed to make mistakes and I love it anyways!
I hand stitched just inside the edge of each white star with red thread instead of my usual free motion quilting. Definitely adds more character and a little more visual interest. I also choose to go with a “binding free” type of edge. First time for that too! If I choose to go binding free again, I’ll top stitch around the entire quilt before doing the quilting. With this quilt I waited to top stitch until the very end, and there are a few places where its a tad bulky in the back.
Instead of piecing together a large backing, I chose to go with a Christmas/Winter themed flannel! And boy is this quilt comfy!!
I’m definitely going to be making more star quilts in the future, in fact I already have an idea for my next project and its going to be awesome! In the mean time, if you need me, I’ll be snuggled up under my new favorite quilt with the kittens and some stitching 🙂
Do you have something that you simply MUST make or do each Holiday season?
This is something I want to learn- quilting. I just learned a crochet stitch my Grandmother used to make afghans and quilting is next on my list. Thanks for the links and the inspiration – it's beautiful and the 'mistakes' add character!
Your Christmas quilt came out so pretty! I was hoping you'd share the finished product after catching a glimpse of it in an earlier blog post!
What a beautiful quilt! My grandma quilted and many of my aunts do, but I have never given it a try.
that is stunning! i want one for my bed!!
That is beautiful! That is one thing I would like to learn to do in 2014, quilt. Happy New Year to you!
That's just gorgeous. I wish I had the patience for quilting.
Your Christmas quilt is so beautiful! My holidays are usually so packed that I don't have a tradition of making something every year, but it sounds like a fun idea. Maybe I will start something next year with my kiddos.
that looks so cozy, loving the variety of winter themed patches. you should make one for each season
I love your quilt, and think it is beautiful! I woudl love to learn to quilt!
Oh my gosh, I love it! It's just so gorgeous. I've always wanted a nice quilt.
I have always wanted to make a quilt and would love to make this quilt
Oh that is beautiful. I want to learn how to quilt so I can make our family heirloom quilt.
My mother quilts by hand. She would love this. I must tell her about it. I don't think she has ever quilted a Christmas quilt. Just beautiful
One of the things I like most about being able to handmake item using a variety of disciplines is the ability to make designs my own. I am glad you decided to leave the stars as they were.
I am in LOVE with this quilt! I can't wait to put together a quilt that I found in my grandmother's attic. She took the time to embroider over 30 squares over the years, and they are still in pieces. I think I'll make a goal to finish it and give it to Red. Thanks for the boost of inspiration. I LOVE the quilt! (totally pinning this!)
I love it! When I get a sewing machine, a Christmas quilt is going to the top of my project list!
You did a great job! I've been wanting to make a quilt for so long!
That is gorgeous! I have been saying for years that I want to quilt. I need to just do it.
This is beautiful! During the holidays we love to make homemade cookies everyday
That is just the cutest and cheeriest quilt. I sure wish I had sewing skills so I could do something like this!
What a beautiful quilt. I have been wrecking y brain trying to fin some traditions to implement for my family, but it's just going to have to happen organically.
What a beautiful quilt! The backing is gorgeous, too. I crocheted a blanket for my daughter this year, but I was teaching her a little lesson along the way. Great job, Jennifer!
Such a beautiful quilt 🙂 This is a skill I want to re-learn in 2014. My Gram is a beautiful quilter – she has made me a few that I will keep forever – and she and I even made one together. But it was quite a long time ago and honestly, she did most of the work 🙂 I need to buy a new sewing machine this year and then hit up YouTube for some lessons.
Wow you are so talented. That is a beautiful quilt!
That quilt is beautiful! I have always wanted to make a quilt and just got inspired!
This is fantastic! Great job!!!
I love this so much- it's *Christmas*!!, it has stars on it, and the backing is too cute. *Sigh!* 🙂
Oh wow this is so beautiful 🙂 thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays…
This is absolutely gorgeous! Quilting is something I really wish I knew how to do. And I LOVE the flannel on the back. I was not expecting that! PINNED! Thank you so much for linking up with Found & Foraged! The girls and I really hope to see you again this Saturday 8PM CT (ya, we're back to normal now). See ya in a few days!
It is beautiful ♥ Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop
I'm totally in love with this! Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you being a part of our party, and I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. We love partying with you!
Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
I love quilts! Yours is so pretty!
Pinned!
It's beautiful! Love! Thanks for linking to Show Me Saturday.