My newest daughter-in-law has a December birthday, just a few days before Christmas actually. This year I decided to make her a quilt. Some time back, I had given Ian a lap quilt for their couch but thought it would be fun to make a Christmasy quilt for Shar to use in winter months.
The cute white square is from the Pixie Noel line.
The plan was built around the need for a quick quilt and this cute package of Pixie Noel charms I won in a giveaway several years ago over at Silly Mama Quilts. It was not the complete set so I think I had about 20 or so charms.
I hunted through my holiday scraps and cut about 200 charms so I would have plenty to play with. (I have soooo many holiday scraps!). I wanted to make it a bit less traditional in color so I used a lot of blue and white.
Being a simple patchwork, the top came together quickly. Then it sat for a while because I had a flurry of holiday orders to sew for my shop.
I decided to back it with a soft flannel to make it really cozy. I think this is the first time I backed a quilt with flannel but I like how soft it is. Julia really liked it too and requested the next quilt I make for her be flannel backed too. The wintry blue color worked well with the front.
It has been a long while since I free motion quilted anything and jeez, I was so rusty. This simple stipple was so awkward. Definitely showed me the need to practice more – my hands were not at all cooperative!! Now that it is washed and crinkled, it looks better but still…. I intentionally used a very large stipple so it would stay very soft.
Given the choice, I will often opt for a bias stripe binding. I love this one!! It looks just like a candy peppermint stick.
At this point in the year, I suspect this will be my last quilt finish. There is a slim chance I will get my Fireburst quilt top finished but not for sure. We shall see! I am working on a few things for my grand daughter that I hope to bring her when we go to Vermont the last week of December. So it just depends on how much time there is…… December’s days require more than the 24 hours we are given. There is always so much to do!!
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I love the binding finish, Bernie, it’s perfect! I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and visit with everyone in Vermont.
Same to you Yvonne! Merry Christmas!
It looks great. I enjoy minky on the back of a quilt. I did some free-motion quilting last night, and I definitely was rusty. Didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped. Hoping a good wash will soften it out. LOL
Thanks Anja – I was surprised and frustrated at how I had ‘lost ground’ with FMQ – ing. Better get back on top of it and practice!!
What a great quilt for the holidays/winter season! It’s so bright and cheerful. I hope to get my Fireburst finished as well, but the hours are ticking down and I have miles to go before I get there! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Bernie!
I think my fireworks won’t explode until mid-January at this point. I thought maybe I could squeeze it in but it isn’t looking like it will happen. Sigh….. Such is life!! Happy Holidays Wendy. 🙂
My favorite Christmas colors! The quilt turned out so cute, I know she will be very honored to receive such a gorgeous quilt from her MIL!
I’m finishing up a quilt for my daughter. The one for my son is ready to gift. They both wanted “puffy” quilts like the one I made their Dad almost 40 years ago – lol! They both prefer the cozy flannel backing also. Maybe I should make all my quilts with flannel backing!
Merry Christmas Bernie!
Puffy quilts! That is so cute. What sort of batting will you use? I thought the puffiness came with polyester batting? It would be like a comforter, right? Have a wonderful Christmas. Hope you will be with lots of family. 🙂
Yes it’s polyester batting with some loft to it. I probably should call them comforters instead of quilts – lol!
Hi Bernie, The quilt looks so warm and cuddly. What a great gift for your daughter-in-law. I love the idea of the flannel backing and I think I’ll use that on the one I’m planning for my 22-year old grandson. He’s interested in anything civil war, so I have my repro collection spread out…still in the planning stage. His birthday is in February so I need to get hopping.
Thanks for the flannel back idea.
Have great holidays,
Carol
I bet your grandson will love the quilt. The flannel made it really soft – Better get going – February is not far off!!
Merry Christmas Carol.
It’s darling, Bernie, and yes — the binding looks exactly like a peppermint stick! Delightful!
Thank you Rebecca! Have a wonderful holiday with your family. 🙂
What a lovely quilt Bernie, and such a great gift! It doesn’t scream “Christmas!” and so is perfect for a holiday birthday. I love the binding, too. They have such great flannels for backings now, too. Both cute and cuddly. She is sure to love and appreciate this beauty.
Merry Christmas to you and the whole clan!
I actually thought the same thing Mari – I didn’t want it to be totally Christmasy since her birthday is the 22nd. I think she plans to use it during winter which is great! Thanks so much. 🙂
I love the simplicity of the patchwork in this! I am planning something similar with my Chrsitmas fabric odds and ends. Your binding really does look like Christmas candy! This is just such a comfortable-looking quilt! I hope you finish everything you want to!
It was definitely a great way to use up a lot of holiday scraps. I think I will continue to cut more charms from them so they are ready for another one down the road. Have a wonderful Christmas Emily.
Bernie, it’s as sweet as sweet can be! Simple stipple? I don’t find anything about stipple simple and I avoid it. I thinks you did a great job!
Thanks so much. I like the quilt and it is very sweet. I was just surprised that I had lost some of the ease I had gained with FMQ. But it is to be expected. I have been doing a lot of straight line quilting. I need to get back on it and practice more. Have a wonderful holiday Karen!!
What a fun quilt, Bernie! I love the wintry colors and flannel backings are always so cuddly. The peppermint stripe candy binding is just perfect! Congrats on such a timely and sweet finish :0
Hi Louise! Thanks a bunch. I am happy with that cozy feel from the flannel. I will surely do that again! I have another quilt top ready for the Mercyful quilts and I plan to back it with flannel. It makes for such a soft quilt. Happy Holidays!
such a lovely, lovely quilt!
Pixie Noel was such a great line!
thanks so much for the shout out too!
thanks too for linking up!
Merry Christmas!
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No problem. I am just glad I finally used the charms. They were waiting on the right project. 🙂
I bet your daughter-in-law was thrilled. I like how you used the blue in it to extend the holiday season to winter. And that peppermint stick binding. Stripes are wonderful enough, but then bias stripes. Delicious!!
Have a Very Merry Christmas with your family, Bernie, and beautiful, snuggly time in Vermont!
Thank you Janine. I really like the blue tones for holiday decorations. And, for sure, it seems like you can use it during the January month too. Hope your holidays have been wonderful – off to Vermont later today. SO EXCITED!!