A Christmas Sampler

Happy December!

 

We really enjoyed our Thanksgiving, and I hope you enjoyed yours as well. Holidays are such a wonderful time for family gatherings, but unfortunately, our family is so scattered that we were not able to get everyone together. As a replacement, our wonderful daughter sent this photo, and I just had to show off two of our cute grandchildren! (Our daughter Sarah with Samantha and Emily)

 

 

As for that Black Friday shopping, I don't know about you, but I chose not to brave the shopping the last couple of days and decided to remain in the safety of my home. I enjoy Christmas shopping, but I certainly do not want to be around crowds of crazy people who are in a trampling mode!
I love this time of year - the music, lights, family fun, children's pageants, laughter, decorating, baking, etc. I love most of all to watch children's faces - they are all so full of wonder, joy, and excitement - which is really what Christmas is all about. After all, the very first Christmas gift was a child, so it is only natural that children should be the most excited.
 

A Christmas Sampler Quilt

For me, this time of year also means lots of quilting, so here is a Christmas sampler for you to check out.

The Poinsettia Center block



A sample block - Path Through
the Woods - with continuous
curveand feather swirls

Christmas Star  block

The quilt border as a busy fabric, so the pattern would be hard to see. This is the back of the quilt, which allows you to see the Ivy pattern, and some of the feather sashing. 

I really enjoy working on samplers, and this one was no exception. Some of the block patterns in this quilt I had not seen before, and sometimes it was a stretch for me to determine what to quilt, but I do so enjoy the process!

 

Well, its time for me to get to wrapping all those gifts that have to go into the mail. Have fun with your Christmas projects - I am sure all who receive them will be delighted with the special effort you have put into them. Enjoy the season!!!  

 

"...and unto us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders; and His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."  (Is. 9:6)

 

 

Pantographs

"He Loves Me" flower pantograph

What is a pantograph? A pantograph is a continuous line pattern that a machine quilter uses to guide the quilting machine.  This type of quilting is also known as "edge to edge" or "all-over" quilting. It is stitched in rows from one side of the quilt to the other, and is repeated in an interlocking format from one row to the next, until the entire surface has been quilted.


"Bauhaus" a more contemporary pattern

A quilted pantograph is 

"Merrily Feathers" one of the
many feather pantographs



"Double Bubbles" - a fun
 and contemporary design
 which looks great on
 strip quilts.




"Starburst" a swirl
pattern

not only beautiful, it is the most affordable and quickest way to have your pieced top professionally machine quilted. There is a huge range of categories for this type of quilting: flowers, leaves, animals, butterflies, fish, abstract, sports, children's designs, feathers, swirls, western, music, and more, both contemporary and traditional designs - and there are literally hundreds of them out there.

"Angel Wings" a versatile pattern for
all types of quilts.

Many of these patterns work well for any type of quilt. I have shown just a few here to give you the idea. If you have not considered this type of quilting before, perhaps this may be just what you need for that top you are working on!


"Baptist Fan" a much loved and
 asked for traditional design.
 



Totes, etc.

I cannot believe it is November already - I am once again in a panic because, like you, I know Christmas is right around the corner. I am working down my Christmas list every spare moment I have, and thought I'd show you a couple of the completed items on my list. (Notice I said completed - there are still a few to go!!)

Tote bags make great gifts, and these were really easy to make. I always like lots of pockets in my totes - makes it so much easier to find things - and these have a total of 10!) This pattern is "The Max Bag" by Dixons Designs, and uses grommets to hold the handle. I had not done this before and was truly surprised by how easy they are to install.

 

I have an affinity for cat fabric, and when I found this Laurel Burch fabric I thought it would make the perfect bag for one of the cat lovers on my list. This is "The Melanie Bag" pattern, designed by Patricia Minich. It has zippers, so it was not as easy as the totes, but still not difficult. (Trust me - if I can make it, it is not complicated!)

Well, I still have a lot of gifts to make, so I guess I better get to it - but I think I will go for a walk first. There will not be very many beautiful fall days like today! Happy Fall, everyone!