December Sewing 2024 + Last Minute Projects

It's been an extra busy December this year (more on that below) but this week I was able to get in a few quick projects. No complex projects at this point, but these simple finishes were just as satisfying.

Last week Amanda Neiderhauser shared a pattern for these festive giant bows and I suddenly found myself digging through my stash for the perfect fabric as I felt compelled to make some of my own!

Handmade Fabric bow pattern - featuring Riley Blake Designs and Liberty of London

They were a quick win - super simple instructions, a relatively quick finish and the results are so great. I'm probably going to make a bunch more!

Handmade Fabric bow pattern - by Amanda Niederhauser

They do take a bigger chunk of yardage (¾ - 1 yard). They're perfect if you have big pieces on hand.

I used a Liberty Flower Show remnant I had for the smaller bow and a new piece of Candy Apple from Riley Blake's Red Delicious collection for the large bow.

Handmade Fabric bow pattern - by Amanda Niederhauser and featuring Riley Blake Designs

Warning: These bows are addicting! 😉

Machine Embroidery 2" Ornaments

Another project that I started weeks ago were these cute little 2" x 2" quilted ornaments that I made using the pieced and quilted-block patterns from a variety of Perfectly Pieced blocks that I've been gradually collection over the years.

2" x 2" foundation-pieced and quilted ornaments and fabric gift tags featuring designs from ME Time and Perfectly Pieced

These blocks are both pieced and quilted using digital foundation-piecing and quilting designs in the embroidery arm of my sewing machine.

This is how blocks so tiny can be so accurately pieced and precisely quilted. I some cases I pieced the original block. In others I just used the custom block quilting designs. It was fun to get these finished!

Fast and Easy Fat Quarter Draw-string Bag Tutorial

Another quick-win was making some new Christmas versions of these simple fabric Drawstring Bags. They honestly take about 15 minutes each. (Maybe a little longer for the first, but once you're on a roll, you can churn them out!)

Fast and Easy drawstring bag tutorial using 1 Fat Quarter

This particular size is perfect for using Fat Quarters and a great way to make festive gift wrap that can be repurposed year after year!

You can find the fast Fat Quarter Drawstring Bag tutorial HERE.

Christmas Quilt 2024

Finally, I realized I never shared the Christmas quilt that I made this year! Or at least a quilt top.

I made a Christmas version of my Quarter Star Quilt pattern using Riley Blake's Merry Little Christmas fabric collection. Before I left town for Thanksgiving I sent it off to Susan for quilting! So pat myself on the back for that.

A couple of weeks ago, Susan quilted it during a live stream on her YouTube channel, Stitched by Susan. If you're interested in learning or honing new skills on a long arm machine, or you're just thoroughly interested in the process check out Susan's channel!