Seasonal changes are afoot in my sewing room over the past 2 days. I'm putting away fall-flavored projects and pulling out the Christmas projects! I'm excited to get a bigger jump start on Christmas sewing this year. So with that, here's one last look at the fall feeling in my sewing room:
This scrappy log-cabin quilt-in-progress is one of my favorite current projects, but its progress got stalled with Quilt Market prep. I've enjoyed having the blocks on my design wall all season though. But into the bins they go for the time being.
These blocks are SO much fun to make - it's an improv-piecing style of making log cabin blocks and perfect for using up scraps. I'm keeping this box handy so I can pull it out after the holidays and finish up this project. I'll plan on making a tutorial for the block-piecing process as well.
Here's what I'm working on now:
Last week I shared the first Christmas-finish of 2023 - an amazing quilted flying-geese stocking. I love it so much! And now I'm finishing up my second Flying Geese stocking made with the November Perfectly Pieced kit. It's SO cute.
And I'm feeling inspired to make more quilting stockings to go with these two. (There's six of us in our family + that's a nice amount that looks good on our mantel.) I'm deciding whether to keep the flying geese theme on all of them or play with other classic quilt block designs as well. Stay tuned on that one, I guess.
And it put me in the mood for pulling out the Christmas sewing - which, if you know me - isn't always the case in November. In the past my typical habit has been to pull out Christmas sewing projects in December. Which, to be honest, I know isn't the most practical because December has a million and one other things going on.
So this year, I'm finally doing what I should have been doing all along - and pulling out the Christmas sewing projects BEFORE Christmas craziness begins. Another one of those projects is a Fast Churn Dash quilt using this classic red and white collection Peace on Earth from Riley Blake Designs.
It's such a pretty, collection with a variety of toiles, ticking stripes and classic ginghams and plaids. And you can never go wrong with a red and white quilt! I'm going to make a throw-size version.
Here's a mocked-up version using EQ8. I'm excited to see it come to life! You can find the Fast Churn Dash quilt pattern here. This is a fast and fun take on a traditional Churn Dash quilt where you make 2 blocks at once (hence the fast part). It's also Fat Quarter Friendly.
Also on my sewing table: I pulled out the patchwork squares and cheater-print stars I'd cut last year. (Kudos to 2022-Amy for cutting a ton of squares while the Christmas fabric was pulled out last year.)
Last winter I cut into my ridiculous Christmas fabric stash so that I'd have squares ready to go this season to make multiple simple patchwork quilts. I'm using the star block cheater print from Pixie Noel for the alternating blocks.
They make a really simple quilt of just patchwork squares look fancy! I'm hoping to make a bunch of these as gifts. Hopefully with much of the cutting work already done, I can whip them up quick.
And here's the transformed sewing room from fall to Christmas! Off to make all the holiday things!
Rebecca Trittel
Way to go, Amy! Getting ready for Christmas can be challenging, especially if you are a Fall girl like me (and you!). I just love that log cabin quilt and I look forward to seeing you create a tutorial. We are moving this year - during December! - so I will not be putting up my Christmas decorations at all, which is so sad. However, next year will be great in the new house!!!
Amy
Thanks, Rebecca! And good luck with the December move. xo
Marianne
I am moving in December, too and do not look forward to that! Good luck to us both!
Rebecca Bone
I get so much inspiration from your blog. I have branched out to try many new things thanks to you. I'm taking a page from your book and have started pulling out my Christmas work earlier than normal. Your flying geese stockings have me feeling festive. I'm going to make some for my family. Thank you so much for all you do. I'm a better quilter now thanks to you. ❤️
Amy
Aww, thank you Rebecca! That really means a lot. 😊
Julie Olson
I didn’t get your regular Saturday post ☹️ Missed it so had to search to read it
Amy
Yes. So sorry, I was late getting it out today.😅
Tami
Amy I just want you to know how much I look forward to your posts. They are filled with so much inspiration. I am looking forward to sewing some Dolls of Hope bears during the holidays!
Amy
Oh, thank you, Tami! That means a lot. I'm so glad to hear!
Joan
How big are the “cheater” star blocks each?
Amy
Great question - they are printed 6" x 6", but I've trimmed them down to 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" just so they're all consistent.
Rosalie Jean Young
I especially love the quilted stockings. November is usually not a good time to sew for me, I'm a jewelry maker so I do a few shows up to Christmas. So I live vicariously through you and others!
Janet Sinclair
Amy I really look forward to your posts! I love your writing style and the way you share what you are doing. I'm a fairly new quilter and find so much inspiration from quilters like you. I find it so amazing that you would start sewing a bunch of quilts for Christmas now! I just finished a fall quilt and thought I was doing something good. ha ha. Anyway, when I grow up I hope to be able to fit more quilts into a month. Thank you
Linda
I have been searching for a project to start at my church group and the Dolls of Hope sounds perfect for us.. I really appreciate you sharing it!
Amy
Oh great! You're welcome!