Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Xmas quilt update.

The class sample that grew and grew!
Here I was auditioning many different fabrics, to see where I wanted it to go...
I made this small sample above, thinking it would only be, a sample... Nothing to fancy...Usually those are famous last words, right?  

Well, good for that! Because now it's a totally adorable, and my THIRD Christmas quilt I've made this summer.  Yes, yes, I know... I have a Double wedding ring quilt problem, and a Christmas quilt problem. I easily accept that...

I had purchased a group of Christmas fabrics all in one go, from my friend Maureen's Quilt Shop back in the spring...None of them actually were meant to go together, but I challenged myself that they all SHOULD live together...

By adding a few of my own red, green, and brown reproduction fabrics, and an army green Kona solid, was able to make a not-terribly-interesting quilt into a fun-more interesting-project, that I am now quite pleased with it!

I had a panel fabric with Santa, reindeer, and snowmen... ( I pulled out the "let it snow"  concave piece above, because I can do without the snow!) ...And decided I would need a 9 ring quilt to make it all work...


Chain piecing helps whip the DWR's in to shape quickly. Don' you just love the conifer fabric? Sorry, I don't know whose it is... no selvage...


To fill the now, four empty concave squares in a 9 ring quilt, I decided on making some easy blocks that would give direction and shape to the quilt...


I also can't make a quilt without adding in SOME Made Fabric somewhere, So I used my Full Melon template, that works with my Double wedding ring acrylic set.


I decided they would make fun accent corners, of holly leaves...


Using the leaves in opposite corners some made fabric and the others of a brighter green to match the center for a bit of brightness... 


Once I had the background fabric pieces, and prints lined up to look like a continuous pattern, I decided it would need some Holly Berries around the quilt, as well!


Of Course,  if your having Holly leaves, then they better look like Holly Leaves, so I made a scalloped edge out of pattern pieces...


Traced them on, and cut them out leaving room for turning under the edges....



That's it for today!  I want to add a dark brown crocheted lace edge around the quilt, before I appliqué it down...
( I do know the background fabric is by Riley Blake lost & Found Christmas...)  It's bit of an odd choice for me as background, but I'm determined to use it... Once I have the dark edge down around the quilt, I think it will sing it's merry tune!  And besides, how can it not be, all that Christmas novelty fabric goodness!

It's quirky, and fun, and will be fabulous to cuddle up next to the fire, this winter!
It's a family quilt, that will get used!  YAY!




23 comments:

  1. The crochet edge is intriguing! I think it sounds fab, and I might have to try it out of myself!! I hope you take that as a compliment :) the quilt is super, I am itching to make some Christmassy things now!

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    1. It's in the book, ready for you to play with! See the "Iris By Night " quilt, for details...in Double Wedding Rings Traditions Made Modern...

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  2. This is where my heart beats strong..... lots of color juxtaposed to black and white. If I were to hire you to make me a quilt this would be IT!!
    Stunning! I plan to copy this idea! Hahaha

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  3. Love it so much! I would be hard-pressed to avoid coloring in some of that Riley Blake with markers....!

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    1. It's pretty stinking cute... a few markers would be fun... Bring yours, and we can color it together... ;-)

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  4. Thanks for sharing your design process with us. This is such a good example of how much energy and personality comes through with a few quirky choices. I am trying hard to get off the " matchy-matchy" train! And I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

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    1. it's so close to done! Just need my lace... Hoping this weekend it will arrive...

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  5. This is what I love about improvisation....making decisions as you work through your project....that way you're always surprising yourself....

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    1. exactly! that's what I love best! It's all about PROCESS.

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  6. You have a wonderful eye for color, contrast and just plain fun!

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  7. What a fun, fun project! Thanks for sharing. I love seeing how your process unfolds.

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    1. I'm ready to start another! This was quite fun to play with...

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  8. I'm sorry if I missed it, but what are the overall dimensions of the quilt? Will the crochet edging go around the entire (that is, including the black and white) or just the DWR part?

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    1. I haven't measured it yet. :-) good question! it's maybe around 60" square guessing...
      the crochet edge goes around the rings... I'll be showing that soon as I get the lace.. It's done like my "Iris by night" double wedding ring quilt, in my book...

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    2. I LOVE your book and I see it now. Thanks for clarifying :)

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    3. It's fast, and easy peasy! ;-) Gotta love that! ;-)

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  9. Great project and thanks so much for sharing the way the quilt developed. Scalloped edges and the holly berries are the icing on the cake!!

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    1. Thank you!! It's been a fun "silly" project to work on... I prefer those for my home... Good to snuggle and toss around...and have Jenny Egg curl up on... ;-)

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  10. I LOVE your Double Wedding Ring quilts, I have your book but I am struggling with these pieces. Mine all lay wonky...practice practice practice.

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    1. Check my video for Sizzix in piecing...
      Fold to find your centers.... Only way to do curves.. Don't pull your fabrics when you sew.... There is no "easing" in piecing quilt blocks..
      Video links at my website, vfwquilts.com

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  11. You are such a clever girl! I love seeing how your mind works.

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