I've got a finished quilt to show off. I'm calling it Jingle All The Way, after the fabric line I used to make it.
I started this quilt back in late 2020, knowing I would not finish it in time for Christmas. Well, I put the last stitch in the binding yesterday so it's done plenty early for Christmas 2022!
I used a pattern that was in an issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. It was designed by Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life and she sells the pattern as Coastal on her Etsy site. The fabric is a collection called Jingle All The Way by Nancy Halvorsen. I've had it in my stash for ages, though you can still find some online.
Having the right fabric for the plain alternating blocks is crucial for this pattern in my opinion. It requires something that works with the prints used for the stars but still lets the stars take center stage. I chose an open, swirly pantograph pattern for the quilting, done by Olde City Quilts.
The quilt is 69" square, great for a throw quilt to use on the couch while watching TV. It will be especially cozy because I backed it with flannel. I happened upon this flannel sheet while leafing through a catalog sent by Garnet Hill; the red and green polka dots coordinate so well with the colors on the front of the quilt. I ordered a flat sheet (I think it was queen bed size). I washed it and dried in on "high" to get any shrinkage out of the way before I took it be quilted as I was concerned that the flannel might shrink quite a bit more than quilting cotton. I'm really pleased with how it came out and the back is so soft! This is also a fairly cost effective way to back a quilt as the queen size sheet is only $49.
I'm tempted to make this quilt again and am sure I will once I came across the right fabric collection.
In the meantime, I'm putting the leftover fabric to use in my first project of 2022, but that's a story for another day.
Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteCathy, this quilt is beautiful and festive! I love the colors. How did you learn to quilt and how long does it take you to make a quilt?
ReplyDeleteThank you! I’ve been quilting seriously for about 25 years. I learned to sew in Home Ec in junior high school, did some other needle crafts, then got interested in quilting as an adult. The first class I took (in my school district’s adult ed program) was all hand piecing. While I enjoyed it, it took too long to finish anything. It really took off for me when I took a rotary cutting and machine sewing class a quilting fabric and supplies store. I think they are the best places to learn the craft.
ReplyDeleteQuilt making is not speedy and I don’t work on it every day, so it takes a while but the amount of time really varies, depending on the size and complexity of the quilt. I usually make four or five a year but they are not all bed size.
What a great finish and very pretty Cathy....great idea with the flannel sheet and will have to keep that in mind when I have another quilt top finished...thanks for sharing and love it!
ReplyDeleteThat first finish for 2022 turned out way cute! I remember that fabric from Nancy H. It's a great pattern and really showcases the fabrics. I'm sure if you find another line of fabric you love it will be a fun pattern to try again.
ReplyDeleteWell you've given me a great pattern and idea for my fabric from the 90's! Its Nancy Halvorson fabric too...or Thimbleberries?! But I'm going to copy your quilt so thanks so much!! I just need to buy the alternating squares fabric.
ReplyDeleteI really love your Jingle All The Way quilt! Do you know which issue of American Patchwork & Quilting it was in? I have so many older issues of that magazine. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeletePattern is in the October 2020 issue of APQ magazine and is also available as a pattern from Sherri McConnell's Etsy store, here:
Deletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/966266801/coastal-quilt-paper-pattern-208?click_key=f159049e2b1780b3172d1c6d482727ce48fc7fce%3A966266801&click_sum=af7ec340&ref=shop_home_active_53