This is Around the Fireplace Christmas quilt, my quilt just published in the November 2019 issue of the American Quilter magazine. The palette is definitely seasonal but its allure is timeless, in my humble opinion…
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| All photos by American Quilter magazine. Used with permission. |
It measures 59″ x 59″ and the blocks finish at 12″. A perfect throw or lap quilt size, with robins, plaids, checks, and applique’, this is already decorating my home! Yeah, I know, I have Christmas stuff around the family room and we haven’t even passed Halloween. But, since the young boys are all in college, I’d rather skip Halloween altogether, hint at Thanksgiving with a table topper (which I will show you on another post), and plunge straight into Christmas.
Reds and greens, although seasonal colors in the US, are my all-time favorites. Thus, this quilt will remain in my family room all year long because it makes it cozy, brings warmth to the area, and… well, I still can’t believe I appliqued all those leaves so I might as well enjoy them!
Do you see how I do it? After the shapes were traced on the fusible web, fused to the respective fabrics, cut, and the backing paper removed, I carefully place the stems and leaves, a few at a time, and when satisfied with the placement I fuse them to the background.
Finally, I machine applique’ everything. This time, instead of the blanket stitch I used the quilting presser foot and straight stitched the shapes. The long middle stem was large enough to accommodate the blanket stitch, though.
Christmas motifs are so fun to machine applique’! Check out my quilt pattern Dancing Poinsettias. I love it, too! In fact, someday I should tell you how many Christmas quilts I have made with applique’…
On page 83 of the magazine, you have the full photo of the quilt. The machine applique’ was done using the straight stitch and the blanket stitch. In the pattern, you also have instructions for a regular border in case you want to skip the applique’.
The fabrics I chose are from the Merry and Bright collection by Timeless Treasures. Here are some of the fabrics I used:
Aren’t these fabrics beautiful? They spell ‘cozy Holidays’ to me. It is a shame I can only use the colors together for Christmas projects…
If you like Around the Fireplace Christmas quilt, go get the magazine. The American Quilter Magazine has already hit the stands and oh… you will love the projects in it. I am in love with “Poinsettia” by Stacy Day on page 70 and “Rustling Leaves” by Margaret Brewster Willingham on page 65. I am a subscriber and look forward to receiving the magazine every quarter and to accessing all the other AQS online resources and discounts.
In fact, this might be a great time to join AQS as they are offering a great coupon AND a free pattern designed by yours truly! “Because I’m Happy” is the name of my colorful quilt featuring batiks from the Tonga Dazzle collection by Timeless Treasures. It has my signature palette: EVERY COLOR. Once you subscribe, you will receive the pattern and can have it made in no time at all.
Have I inspired you so far with all this eye candy? But wait till you see the Award-wining quilts featured in this issue of the American Quilter magazine. ‘Wow’ can’t begin to describe them…
Have a fantastic Monday!
