WHOOPS! My 12/27/25 newsletter link didn't update. 😅 If you're looking for the Scandi Little Christmas post go HERE.
Happy last week of December! The week between Christmas and New Years is probably one of my favorite weeks of the year. The Christmas-hoopla and checklists are done. Schedules are more relaxed, there's still plenty of (probably too much) holiday food leftover to munch on, and my family likes football so I have time to sneak away to my sewing room while they're entertained. 😉
I'm enjoying three of my four kids at home for the holidays so my sneaking-away time is purposely minimal time. But I did get the binding attached to my Quarter Star Christmas quilt so that I could do the hand work part while hanging out and watching shows with everyone.
The quilt arrived back from Susan this week and oh my goodness... it is amazing! You can read more about (and watch!) her quilting process here.
I love the Crazy 8's quilting design that she used. (All free motion! No pantograph!) The design combined with the bamboo batting gives the quilt the most amazing weight and texture. I LOVE it so much!
This quilt is made out of the Merry Little Christmas fabric collection by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs using Melissa Mortenson's White Sparkle fabric as the background. I love the way it gives the background a little more interest, and well, sparkle.
For the back I used a green and white woven that I found in my mom's stash. I love how the green is a lighter shade but still compliments the green in the quilt top.
For the binding I used the green stripe from the collection, cut on the bias for some pretty bias stripes. (I love a good bias-stripe binding!)
For more details about the method I use to bind most of my quilts, go here. I enjoy hand-sewing the binding to the quilt while watching TV. It's especially cozy in the winter to sit under a warm quilt.
While the quilt didn't get finished before the actual holiday, it did get finished before the month of December. So I'm calling that a win!
You can find the Quarter Star Quilt Pattern available here.
Another handwork project I finally pulled out this week are these cute red + white embroidery designs from Cozy Blue. They are also perfect for stitching while visiting or watching a show because the pattern is already marked and ready to go.
You can see more Cozy Blue embroidery designs here.
I originally had big plans to hit my neglected sewing machine this week - my sewing room was calling me! First things first, clear off the Christmas clutter of wrapping, ribbons, cards and other stuff that accumulated there during December.
But once I got going, I just wanted to KEEP CLEANING... and suddenly the whole room is torn apart and getting a much needed re-organization. And I'm not sad about it!
Here's how things stand this afternoon:
I promise the progress is more impressive than it looks!
I've sorted so much stuff this weekend and now I just want to get it put away in it's appropriate home. And I'm making myself do this before I start any new projects.
My parents moved this past year and I helped them do a lot of cleaning out of stuff - including absorbing some of my mom's fabric stash to be used and donated. I have a big tote of red, white and blue prints to go to the local Quilts of Valor chapter. In the foreground are a bag and box of flannel baby receiving blankets to be donated to local hospitals, Native American, and refugee organizations.
My adorable Hmong friend (who is now in her mid 90's) still loves sewing projects. I cut up the fabric into 1-yard pieces and she sews 2 of them together for receiving blankest. At some point I need to tally how many she's made in the past year. The number is definitely in the 100's since I've known her.
So good progress is happening. And I'm feeling motivated to get it done. Will report back soon.
I hope you can enjoy some lazy days between the holidays yourselves. Excited to share more in the coming year!
DEANNA MARTZ says
I cracked up at the picture of your sewing room now. I can commiserate. Happy new Year.
Laura says
So homey! I feel like we’re just chatting over a cop of coffee! Love the blog!
S says
I absolutely love your Quarter Star Quilt. it is beautiful. Wish I was as talented as you with this type of crafting. You are really blessed.
Mary says
Great idea to make yourself finish the cleaning before starting another project. I find it motivates me to finish!
Love the new quilt! It's just what is needed at this time of year--cheerful colors and happy stars!
Amy says
Yes! Me too. Nothing new until everything is organized or purged!
Mary A Joanis says
Your quilt was so awesome! I will have to look into those embroidery pieces.
Judy Puletti says
Beautiful Star Quilt. I enjoy seeing all the quilts you do. 2024 was a great year!!
JP
Robby Bottom says
Amy the quilt turned out absolutely refreshingly gorgeous. Congratulations.
Julia says
I just made a block of this pattern to test it before I cut everything out and to make sure I could do it! Lol.
really love my first block and am excited to make more! Thank you for a lovely pattern and showing it in Christmas colors is lovely too! Your post is right on time! So many quilts to make and so little time!
Lol. Blessings for 2025.
Helen says
Happy New Year, my sewing space is due an overhaul, funny how we all stack things up in piles. I am trying to declutter and not be so hoardy with little pieces of fabric. Having a daughter who is a kindy teacher helps.
Donna Halvorsen says
I don't have a before picture, but trust me, mine was worse. I finally started reorganizing my sewing craft room because I wanted to get the motorized legs attached to the tabletop my neighbor made for me. Now I can raise and lower the table as needed for sewing, cutting, creating, etc. The room is getting there, just need to figure out the newest addition, a Cricut Maker 3 and supplies, and also what I can part with.
Amy says
Ooo! I'm looking to get an adjustable table this year too! Definitely part of the motivation to get this room organized.
Vivian B. says
I've dubbed this period between the day after Christmas and New Years Day, "7 Days of New Year's". I try to do daily quilting (or this year "crafting" since it now includes cross stitch) projects and try to finish up a few things for the year. You picked great projects for being able to work on projects while being around family. Good on you to initiate your studio clean-up! Mine will have to wait and be the first New Year's Resolution to tackle (or break), LOL!
Mary Jean Cunningham says
Belated Merry Christmas! The quilt is so, so pretty - love that background fabric and the striped binding - both interesting choices for an elevated result. I need to clean my sewing room so badly - the overflow goes into the guest room, which was occupied and everything that was in there is in the sewing room...and needs to move...maybe next week...hoping to get something done now that company has left - loved having them here but not possible to sew when they are visiting.