 |
| "Welcome to Santa's House" wall hanging. |
I haven't started any Christmas projects this year, but have done so in the past, although I only have pictures of a few, and even then, I am not sure of the dates.
Two of my projects came from a book or magazine entitled Quilt It for Christmas. I haven't found the actual magazine yet (although I know it is around), but I did find a working copy I made. The first project from that publication was a pattern for a table runner, but I modified it to be a wall handing. I made several, and kept two for myself. I thought the pattern was so cheerful and whimsical!
 |
| A photo of my working copy of the pattern. |
An update: I found the magazine. 1999 Quilter's Newsletter Magazine's "Quilt It for Christmas"!
 |
| I wonder if I am considered a hoarder if I only keep quilt related magazines? |
 |
A close up of the wall hanging. I used a fusible interfacing to apply the houses and trees and stars to the to the patchwork sky, and added extra batting to the snow piece to make it a bit fluffier. I sewed little seed beads on as house lights, and other little metallic decorative pieces as tree toppers.
|
 |
| "Welcome to Santa's House" #2 |
I used different scraps for each wall hanging. This was a great little project to use up some scraps.
 |
| A close up of the second hanging. Different fabrics, same cute look! |
That magazine also had a pattern for an adorable Nativity wall hanging. I believe I made several of these. The one pictured below is one I gave to my mother, who hangs it every December. I didn't make one for myself. I still have the pattern, so perhaps one day soon.
 |
| The magazine instructions. |
 |
| The "Peace on Earth" wall hanging |
 |
| A close up of the little manger scene. |
Like the Santa's House hangings, I used fusible interfacing for the figures, but for this project, I added a zig zag border to most of the pieces. If I make these again, I will use a border of the fusible interfacing, not fuse the entire piece of fabric.
In 1994, before I was quilting, I was in need of a Christmas tree skirt. I had two young children at home, so I purchased a large piece of white duck fabric, some red, green and gold fabric paint, and made a skirt and created some great memories.
 |
| The "Christmas Hands" tree skirt. |
I had the kids dip the hands in the paint and press down on the fabric. This was, as I recall, a rather messy project! I later added gold squiggles and outlines to give it a bit of shine.
 |
| A close up of the hands detail. |
I made sure to add the names and ages of my kids -
 |
| I am glad I remembered to add the date to this project. |
When the paint was dry, I cut it into a large circle, and added some holiday fabric backing, as well as some green and gold fringe. This has held up nearly 20 years!
 |
| The back of the tree skirt. |
One Christmas more recently, I made each child a quilt from layer cakes and yardage of a Christmas line whose name I cannot recall. I cut the 10 inch squares into 5 inch squares, and just started sewing them together.
 |
| One of the two similar Christmas quilts. Each ended up a very generous lap size. |
I recall quilting late at night, and neglected to sign or date these quilts, which were done just before Christmas morning. I liked that the colors were a little offbeat - with the bright blues and lime greens and bright golds.
 |
| I quilted each block with a large swirl. |
 |
| I quilted the wide border with a long vertical meandering pattern. |
 |
| I found some nice wide gold star fabric for the backing of each, and used the some of the dotted fabric for the binding. |
I have two tops and backs finished and ready to pin and quilt, and have fabric pulled for several other quilts. I hope to have a new finish soon to share.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Take care,
Gretchen
