boy have we enjoyed the relief of blessed rain these past few weeks, and it’s also been a great motive to dive into… yes… christmas! now i’m not anxious to bring on the season, but after seeing a few really charming christmas quilts hanging at the sewing palace in helena, i was inspired to start thinking about it ~
and so i thought a good place to start is from my new collage a’peel pattern:
here’s the christmas version of it, seen below. i’m really delving into using more “whites and blacks” for christmas, and it’s been an interesting contrast to explore.
and ~ i like it very much!
really never thought i would be saying that about black… but when i found this gorgeous black christmassy print at the quiltaway i just had to try it out, and then added assorted scraps in other christmas prints from my stash. a simple layering of poinsettias with snowflakes on top and holly berries and leaves strewn about in outside perimeter! fun!!
this little table topper {or wall hanging} is on display at the quiltaway shop here in great falls {406-453-2788}. we have another fun “create collage class” set at the quiltaway for october 9th and 10th friday and saturday, {10-4 each day for $65}. i’ll help you make any pattern you like, including this one, or a tablerunner, or your own design! i’ll be sharing my processes, and showing how i create a collage pattern, too!
i’m also teaching a “create collage” class in helena at the sewing palace, {406-443-5724} october 2nd, and 3rd, 10-4 {friday and saturday}. they have a super web site, so if you have a minute, go visit it!
and a great little class: free motion basics is set at the quiltaway for tuesday, october 13th, 10-4. i’m teaching all the basics, sharing my favorite tips, tension, needles, feet, threads and great resources, and will include a few surprises and demos of various quilting motifs we are all going to try!
and… if you have a finished collage put together, but not sure how to quilt it? i’m crazy excited to help you “quilt the collage,” lots of hints and tips for quilting with a walking foot, or free motion style. this class is set at the sewing palace in helena {click that link to go their class pages} — set for october 23rd 10-4.
this is such a festive and easy project ~ easy to do in an afternoon’s time. the accuquilt Go! makes this so quick to accomplish, using the orange peel die, and a 5″ block die, too. i bet you have some poinsettia scraps, and they would be fun to fuse up and put to glory on this great project!
fyi ~ for the quilting, i decided to apply a black thread; either king tut 40 weight cotton, or the 40 weight magnifico, look really good here! i also put 50 wt masterpiece cotton in the bobbin {all of these threads are from superior threads}. {they carry a great selection of these at the quiltaway and sewing palace, too!}
i accented the snowflakes with quilting in black thread, keeping it very sketchy-looking. however, i kept the swirly motif in soft curves throughout the piece for additional contrast!
did you notice that just a few butterflies are thrown in for fun ~ heck they were in the christmas fabric, so why not?!
what a charming nostalgic print for the back… and guess what?! it has such cute images… perfect for {more} collage! yes… fuse. fuse. fuse. cut. cut. cut!!
i’ve got several more sweet little christmas projects to showcase, and i hope you’ll come back and see them! i hope you enjoyed this little ‘pre-season’ preview, and perhaps taken away some ideas for your own special creations!
oh yes. my little fingers, my lovely karen kay buckley {blue handled} serrated scissors go with me everywhere these days, with a great selection of fabrics pre-fused and ready to cut!
blessings ~
xo
leslie
soli deo gloria!
Comments 4
Very pretty!
This is my favorite Christmas quilt EVER! I love the pattern and the fabrics your choose, and the wonderful stitching. Thanks for sharing this.
Your pattern! The black stitching is exquisite especially on the back!
my! Isn't that black stitching fabulous! 🙂 Lovely seasonal stuff is appearing. The white stuff must be just around the corner! :]