Fun and Funky Christmas

Earlier this summer, Jen (Heritage Threads) and I hosted an Christmas in July quilt along on Instagram, using the Modern Christmas Tree tutorial by Amy Smart, Diary of a Quilter. We wanted to get a jump on the busy holiday season and make a Christmas quilt when there was less stress...if that's even possible. We were so impressed with the number of Instagram friends that decided to quilt along with us. Many of the quilters used the Cotton + Steel holiday lines, like Jen and I did, others used more traditional Christmas fabrics in reds and greens, and there were even one or two who switched things up and modified that pattern to makes witch hats with Halloween fabrics.

These little trees that I used for the backing make me smile. Particularly the randomly decorated trees.

Picking the right binding was a hard choice, but I'm so happy that I ended up choosing this hot pink solid. I love the way it frames the quilt.

If you would like to see more quilts using this pattern, check out #holidaypatchworkinjulyqal and #holidaypatchworkforest on Instagram.

Holiday Patchwork Forest Tutorial: Diary of a Quilter

Fabric: Cotton + Steel

Quilting: Utah Valley Quilting

Calico Stars

I fell completely head over heals the first time I saw Amy Smart's first fabric line, Gingham Girls by Penny Rose Fabrics, and knew immediately that I wanted to turn it into sawtooth stars. This is the ultimate summertime fabric, with a real patriotic feel. The sawtooth star is a classic staple that is used over and over again in traditional quilting, creating a homey feel. Without at doubt, this is the quilt I'll be sitting on while I enjoy parades and fireworks this summer!

I have had several people ask me if I used a pattern. I did not, but if you would like to make this quilt for yourself, here are some basic guidelines.

You will need:

• 15 Gingham Girls Fat Quarters
• 3 yards background fabric
• 1 1/2 yards border and binding
• 4 1/4 yards backing

Using my Sawtooth Star Tutorial, make 30 sawtooth star blocks.

From border and backing cut:

• EIGHT 4" x width of fabric for BORDERS
• SEVEN 2.5" x width of fabric for BINDING

Add side borders first, then add top and bottom borders. Quilt and bind as desired.

If you're looking forward to summer as much as I am, you must make a Calico Stars quilt for yourself!

Quilted by Utah Valley Quilting.

Kirsten's First Quilt

This spring my daughter, Kirsten, decided to try her hand at quilting. She chose a layer cake from my stash and decided on a hugs pattern. We couldn't find an exact pattern that she wanted to use, so we decided to wing it and we made it up as we went along.

 It was so rewarding for me to watch as Kirsten carefully cut and stitched all of the pieces together with very little help from me.

 I'm so proud of her and the beautiful quilt that she made.

I'm looking forward to making many more quilts together!

Fabric: Sugar Pie by Lella Boutique for Moda
Quilted by: Utah Valley Quilting