If you've been following along on my 2023 Christmas sewing reports, I'm pleased to tell you that we have an official finished Christmas Patchwork quilt to share! (With special shoutout to my friend Monica for a quick quilting turnaround in a busy month!)
This quilt is pure and simple patchwork at its best. Last year I had my Christmas fabric stash pulled and decided to just start cutting it up into useable patchwork squares before I put away all of the Christmas sewing projects.
As part of my goal to start using up my fabric stash horde, it felt good to cut a bunch of patchwork squares and have them ready to sew. And even though I didn't finish the project last year, it was super helpful to get a head start on this year's sewing as that stack was ready to pull out and sew!
The star blocks in this quilt are printed cheater stars from Rile Blake's Pixie Noel collection. I bought a couple of panels a few years ago on an end-of-season-sale. I love how the star blocks add some pizzazz to the patchwork - and from a distance they even look like pieced star quilt blocks.
To make the quilt extra snuggly, for the backing I used a red gingham flannel, also from Riley Blake, that I had in my stash.
The binding is a bias stripe print that was also in my stash. In other words, this quilt was a fantastic stash buster.
I basically hacked up the stacks of Christmas prints I've been collecting over the years and it made for a fun scrappy quilt.
Fabric Choosing Tip: to keep it scrappy by cohesive, I stuck with "clear" Christmas colors and prints in similar shades as opposed to darker or 'muddy' hues. I love how throwing in some blues - both navy and aqua give the quilt even more interest.
This quilt ended up being gifted to some adorable nieces and nephew who live out of state.
I also made them coordinating pillowcases using the red gingham flannel and other prints. I used this "Burrito" Pillowcase Tutorial from A Seasoned Homemaker.
It's a great (and relatively fast!) tutorial for making a simple pillowcase with a tailored-finished cuff and French seams on the interior, creating a beautifully-finished end product with minimal effort. It's a great beginner-friendly project or perfect for teaching young sewists or grandchildren.
Because this quilt had so many darling novelty prints, I made a list of "I-spy" elements to look for in the quilt.
Hopefully this activity will buy their mom some time and keep little ones busy for a bit.
We got the best video a few days later of the nieces and nephew opening the package. The reactions were priceless - that's always the most rewarding part of gifting something handmade. Our favorite reaction was the 2 ½-year-old who squealed, holding up a pillowcase, "'Dis is for me?! Look what I got for my Happy Birthday!"
Lol - she's too young to remember Christmas last year, but has more recent experience watching siblings get presents for Birthdays. 😉
And so with that, Happy Holidays friends! Wishing you and those you love a happy season, however you celebrate, as well as Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward All.
Thank you for stopping by and being part of this quilting journey and community with me. xoxo
Jocelyn says
I love it. Great way to bust that stash!
Linda says
Amy I will always love a patchwork quilt! I love the fabrics so much and your quilt is beautiful! Thanks so much for your blog and Merry Christmas!!
Susan says
Adorable quilt! I just sent a quilt to my niece for her daughters 1 st birthday. I received a thank you phone call as well as a video of the little one playing peekaboo with it. So rewarding,isn’t it? Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing.
Adriene says
Amy, in a world full of quilt bloggers--your is one I must open and read. Your eye for color and layout is inspiring. This is another example of taking what you have and turning it into something darling. I find a lot of ideas and inspiration in your work and while I'll never be on your level, I just keep plugging away.
Elaine Papworth says
THANK YOU, Amy! Love you, and Merry Christmas to you and your family. ♥️
Rosemary B says
Happy Blessed Christmas dear Amy, to you and your family.
Best wishes for the fresh new year, but first, enjoy this special day
Thank you so much dear friend for sharing this pattern. You are a doll
Love, Rosemary
Ann W says
What an adorable quilt and pillowcases. Love the idea of making it into an I-spy quilt. Thanks for sharing.
Erika S says
Thank you, Amy!!! I found you when I was new to quilting and your blog is my favorite! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family! 🎄😘
Devonna Tabor says
Such a cute quilt! You have done it again! Can't wait to see what new things you will create in the new year. I want to wish you and your family a happy, healthy holiday and a Happy New Year. You are an angel, always spreading cheer in everything you create! Bless you! Devonna Tabor
Cindy says
I have learned so much from you. Your quilts are so inspiring. I love your blog and reading your emails! Your blog was one of the first one I found a number of years ago when I wanted to learn to quilt and your free baby patchwork quilt was the first one I made for a gift. Thank you so much for sharing your love of quilting with others. Blessing to you and your family this Christmas and Happy New Years!
Marcia B says
Thank you for the pattern.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Donna says
Thank you so much for your generosity. Your Christmas patchwork quilt is gorgeous! A Blessed Christmas and New Year to you and yours also!
Barbara says
Amy, you are such a wonderful person. I always look forward to your emails with all good stuff you want to share. Wishing you a happy, healthy and safe holiday with your family and friends.
Merry Christmas!!
Charlotte says
I ALWAYS open and read your newsletters. Your optimism and joy - not to mention your quilting stuff - are always a welcome addition to my day. Thanks for doing them, and have a wonderful holiday season.
Mardell Grayhek says
I love this Christmas quilt! I think I may have enough to make one too. And....maybe other seasonal prints from my stash can make other seasonal quilts. You are an inspiration.
Nann says
I came across a stack of churn dash blocks and a stack of sawtooth star blocks today -- your design with simple squares in a big variety of prints gives me an idea for getting them out of the box and into a quilt! (P.S. I think you may have a hoard of Christmas prints rather than a horde!)
Helen says
Hope you have had a fantastic Festive Season. Sounds like a big winner on the gifting front. The quilt is beautiful. My 2024 mission is to get my stash under control. First up a sewing machine service.
Tracy says
I love the quilt and pillowcases so much!!! What a precious gift!!
Gwyn says
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Thank you for creating one of my favorite quilt blogs! It's one of the few I follow consistently. I continue to be inspired by your esthetic and clean design.
Amy says
Aww, thank you Gwyn! That means a lot. ❤❤
Jeanette F Krebs says
This is such a brilliant idea! Thank you!