Quilting and Sewing Archives - Page 116 of 158

Christmas Star Quilt

December 10, 2012 jennifer Christmas, Quilting and Sewing

In addition to my Scrappy Swoon quilt , the Vintage Holiday quilt , and my Chevron Christmas pillow , I also made a Christmas quilt for my mom. It’s a Christmas take on the Turquoise Star quilt I made this year along with the Made in Cherry Quilt along.

Once again, I made the 60 inch square size quilt. The squares are 3 1/2 inches unfinished and I had fun cutting into Christmas fabric I’ve had for years to make this quilt. My mom likes traditional Christmas colors and I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it for her.

For the backing I used a large piece of fabric I had which coordinates with most of the fabrics in the quilt. If I remember correctly it’s an April Cornell collection from years ago. I added a red floral and a green floral to complete it.

The stripe is a pretty holly pattern which I’ve always liked.

For a binding I opted for a low volume fabric, one that adds a hint of color while mostly blending with the cream background of the quilt.

And so it’s done. A bright, crisp, traditional yet modern Christmas quilt.

It went home with my Mom on a plane last week to be part of the holiday festivities where I grew up. I hope very much that it contributes to a feeling of warmth and love there in the next few weeks. Much as I’m happy to be in my own house with my own large family for the holidays, there is always a brief wave of homesickness that washes over me when I think of who’s gathered there, a wish to join them, to somehow be in both places at once, a longing for those safe happy Christmases of my childhood where the days and hours flowed perfectly because I was a child and my Mom was hard at work. I miss it and I long for it, and then I look around and realize I’m still living it, just on the other end, the giving end, and that it’s part of life’s great circle for me to be where I am. And I wasn’t making quilts then, either. I’m not sure I could give that up.:)

Isn’t it wonderful the memories we can wrap ourselves in while warm quilts warm our toes?

Merry Christmas!
Jennifer

Chevron Christmas Pillow

December 4, 2012 jennifer Christmas, Quilting and Sewing

I wanted to sew something Christmasey for my sister this year, something she could enjoy in her cute house. Knowing she liked Aneela’s Cherry Christmas line, I snapped up a charm pack and started cutting. I did have to add a few gray scraps to make the pattern work how I envisioned it.

It seems the Utah gray clouds have descended, thick and heavy, making photos difficult. I was operating with a deadline, though, so this is as good as it gets!

The pillow is made almost entirely of half square triangles, with a few solid white squares here and there. The squares finish at 1 and 5/8 inches across.

I quilted only on the white in lines 1/4 inch apart. I like the way it adds detail and movement to the pillow and makes the colors stand out. I finished the quilt with a simple white envelope back and bound it in a red polka dot print.

I’m hoping she enjoys it. The pillow measures 20 inches square, the same as this pillow I made for her birthday. I’m toying with making a second one with rest of the charm pack (I only used half of it!)

I have loved sewing some holiday themed gifts this year. This weekend I also sent my Vintage Holiday quilt off to a new home. It’s fun to give them early so they can be enjoyed during December.

A temporary spot

November 21, 2012 jennifer Quilting and Sewing

I was expecting a quiet Thanksgiving weekend. Instead, we’re having unexpected company come to town. (Unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome.) It’s kind of thrown me for a loop to get everything ready.

I’ve been up early every morning this month to sew, and am getting a lot done. I didn’t want to lose the entire weekend where my goals are concerned, so I made a little sewing spot in my room. My poor husband gets to roll over at 5 a.m. when I start.

As I sat there in the darkness this morning, I realized it looks rather cozy. It’s not a very effective space, but I did take a few small projects upstairs to work on when I can. I’m feeling a little “empty” emotionally, so I have a quiet place to run to and regroup when I need a break.

I’m off to work in the kitchen! Have a great holiday.
Hopeful Homemaker