Monday, November 24, 2008

Christmas charm

Happy Monday! I am so excited, because I now have a Christmas quilt of my very own. It only took me 8 years to make one to keep.
This quilt is made from 5 charm packs.
It uses 192 squares in a 12 x 16 layout.
It measures 54" x 72".
Here's the back. See, this is exactly why I love putting myself on a fabric buying ban. Had I been buying fabric, I would have went to the store and picked out something new, while this lovely back was sitting in my stash. The green print is from Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom line. I LOVE IT!!! Since I had exactly 2 yards of the green, I considered putting a strip of contrasting fabric along one side, but I just wasn't feeling it. Then I pulled the cream from my stash and decided that if I bordered it, I would have 2 quilts in one...patchwork on the front and (nearly) a whole cloth quilt on the back. I was nervous because I wasn't sure I'd be able to line it up precisely enough, but it worked out fine and dandy. Yay!

I used a bold stripe for the binding...

and did small stippling all over in cream thread.

I'm so pleased with the final result!
Now, onto the next Christmas quilt....

105 comments:

audreypawdrey said...

It is beautiful! It was about time you made your own Christmas quilt in my opinion.:) I love the pieced back and that fabric is so pretty! Charmpacks are so great because you get all the fabrics in the line instead of just what your store offers. Great job on this!:)

Anonymous said...

Very pretty! Makes me want to work on my own Christmas quilt...a rather kitschy Jacob's ladder, that I started piecing when I was...oh...19? 20? I should really work on that. Come to think of it, it might actually be at my parents' house across the state.

Oh--and you should be proud of me! I actually put down the knitting needles this weekend and planned, cut, and started piecing a wall hanging. Start slow, get back into the swing of things, y'know :-)

Anonymous said...

oh, it turned out just great!

Teodo said...

This quilt is wonderful and the back too.
ciao ciao

Alana Jo said...

Wow I love it!

Alana Jo said...

Wow I love it!

Tine said...

Fantastic! How did you line up the backing when you basted the quilt? I have often wondered how people do that....

QuiltedSimple said...

Love your Christmas quilt. I'm thinking a quilt for every holiday.....
Kris

Sarah said...

it's a beauty! and it's not even thanksgiving! you'll get to enjoy it the whole season. i have a bad habit of finishing christmas projects right before chirstmas, and have to wait until the following year to truly appreciate them.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I looks so great. very cozy! I love the pieced backs. makes it so lovely.
great job!

Anina said...

Love the quilt. Love the back. I REALLY should make a Christmas quilt for this house too.

Marie' said...

If only I could machine quilt like you. I love how your quilt turned out.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, I love how you made it 2-in-1. And it really does look like you have it all lined up perfectly! Amazing!!

Unknown said...

It looks great! Congrats on keeping this one :) I have a growing list of Christmas items to make for next year . . . stockings, quilt - what's next!?

Anonymous said...

Very pretty! I love that fabric line.

girlsmama said...

It looks wonderful! So a question for you...do you hand tack your binding down or do you sew both front and back?

Unknown said...

I love that fabric line. I made a quilt from it last year and still have some left. Yours is beautiful!

Calico Road said...

Very nice, love the fun colors. You must have arms of steel with all the free motion you do!! hehe
Awesome job!

Deb Robertson Writes said...

Oh that is completely awesome. I have to say I am particularly impressed by the back. How on earth did you manage to get that border even - amazing.

Unknown said...

That is so wonderful. I love it, front and back.
Teresa

MichelleB said...

Your quilt is wonderful. I'm loving all these Merry & Bright things I'm seeing. I'm working on a few things out of that fabric, too.

Andi said...

Absolutely gorgeous.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Andi :-)

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

How pretty! And your backing... wow. I'm impressed. I could have NEVER gotten all that lined up perfectly.

Jen :)

Krista said...

This is a beautiful quilt! I love it.

Jamie W said...

Very pretty!!!! PunkiePie, I feel the same way, mine never turn out that perfect. Very Nice job AmandaJean!!!!

Mama Urchin said...

it's lovely

Danetta said...

This quilt is absolutely gorgeous! I am so glad you decided to keep it for you. I love what you did with the back also.

Shanna said...

Another beauty, Amanda Jean!! I love the binding fabric! I have a thing for bindings...they are like the framing in my opinion. Anyway, great job!

Anonymous said...

great quilt! makes me want a christmas quilt of my own.

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

A very nice quilt! I love the back too! That green is so pretty.

Hannah said...

It's beautiful. Makes me want to make one but first I need to figure out a tree skirt...

Anonymous said...

The back is perfect! I would not call it "back" at all! It is the other front.

Suburban Stitcher said...

this has inspired me! I am convinced that I can do this kind of quilt on my own!

Carrie P. said...

Very Beautiful! You did a great job.

Dana said...

It is beautiful, bright and cheery. I am still amazed at your machine quilting ability. I have tried and tried and just never get it to not bunch or fold on the backing.

Robyn said...

It is so beautiful! Makes me want to go out and buy those charm packs and make myself one! And you realy couldn't have picked a more beautiful fabric for the back. It's lovely.

Sherri said...

Great quilt...and I love the back as well. You're making me feel a little guilty, though...I've made so many Christmas quilts for myself...but I've given many away also (including some I really, really wanted to keep). I'm happy that you have one for yourself!

Gillian said...

I like your framed green print on the back!

I wonder whether you have tried alternatives to stippling? I think that some different all-over quilting designs would add even more distinction to your lovely quilts.

Djanne Cervaal has a book 'Seventy two ways not to stipple or meander', and she is currently writing a second one with another 72 ways. You might like to check out her blog... http://origidij.blogspot.com/

I'm enjoying your blog..

Leslie said...

it is so beautiful...i love the back.

amy smart said...

Wow! That back is fabulous.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Coming or going, back or front... it's beautiful from every angle! Merry Christmas to You!

Anonymous said...

You are AMAZING! This is my FAVORITE quilt blog!

Anonymous said...

Love the quilt! Woould love to know how you matched up front and back. On another note,
Did I count 30 completed quilts in '08? Wow! You are truly one crazy quilting mom! Great job!!

Katherine said...

Looks like your Christmas will be merry, bright and cozy! I love this quilt. Fantastic idea for the backing - your inspired solution due to your fabric buying ban is simply the best!

CJ said...

I love it!! The back is perfect too, as well as the stripey binding. I think that I need a Christmas quilt ;)

Linda said...

I KNEW you'd finish before me! :) It turned out really pretty and I really love the sis boom backing!

tam said...

I freakin love that quilt(I want that quilt-lOL!) I adore all of your work~ You are one super talented girl! Your blog always inspires me....
Happy Thanksgiving to you&your family!!!
~Tam

lera said...

There are no words to describe your quilt. I love it. It's absolutely perfect. Great job, AGAIN!

Cheryl Arkison said...

I love the back/front combo!

Jessica said...

Oh I love love love that quilt! I must get working on a Christmas quilt sometime soon!!!

Selina said...

I love it! It's gorgeous!!

Toby E. said...

I love it! Gorgeous fabrics!!!!

Lynda said...

Fantastic and I especially love the backing. Am putting all my scraps together to make a "Scrappy Stars" next year - can't wait to start.

Amy Jo said...

It's beautiful, my friend. You should keep this one!! I love the back!!

Suzanne said...

Beautiful....glad you finally hung on to one of your wonderful creations!

Anonymous said...

It's definitely a keeper! I love the simplicity of it. Nice job on the backing, too!

rosehippo said...

That's absolutely gorgeous! I'm working on my first quilt, from your tut for the ragged squares quilt. I hope I can make something as beautiful one day!

Anonymous said...

Love it!!! Seriously, love it!

Liz said...

Beautiful!

sarah, rsm said...

LOVE it! Have a wonderful week of Thanks.

erica said...

yep, this one is a keeper! Congratulations. I like it a lot.

house on hill road said...

it's beautiful, aj. and you know i love that sis boom print, right? it's one of my favorites. good choice!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. I love the colors. You sure have an eye for color matching.

Jennifer said...

How fun! I just finished quilting my Christmas quilt for this year. Boy was that a little bit difficult.

Anyway, I would like to know how you get that backing to line up so nicely. Perhaps a tutorial on how to do that? I'd give you at least 5 bucks to know the secret. :P

Fran said...

That is beautiful. You inspire me to make one also. Not this year...too much on the go already, but next year. If I start in January I should have it done by Christmas...*lol*

~~Fran...:c)

Sherry said...

Oh, it turned out wonderful! I love the back as much as the front. The quilting looks awesome too. So glad you decided to keep it for yourself. :)

sulu-design said...

I. LOVE. IT. I love the fun colors on the patchwork side, and I love the simplicity of the back. I love that it's two totally different covers in one. And I love that you now have your own Christmas quilt!

Dorothee said...

Love it! Did you "plan" the arrangement of the squares? Or are they random? Great idea in terms of backing.

I might purchase some Christmas charm packs after the Hols, hoping they will be cheaper.

Louise said...

It's absolutely perfect Amanda Jean. I just love the back - so, so pretty! Well done!!

Jilly's Space said...

You are amazing!! I Love your christmas quilt. I wish I could make a quilt as fast as you. I am still waiting for my quilting feet to arrive for my new sewing machine so I can learn to machine quilt!!

Leigh said...

Love the colors in the charm quilt!

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful AmandaJean! It's so festive but doesn't scream just Christmas KWIM? love that back fabric from sisboom, it's so sophisticated :)

Miaou said...

Oh that's beautiful! I love love love the colours :-)

Anonymous said...

This is just beautiful! How long did this take you to make? I thought we just saw the pile unsewed last week. You must be one of those super sewers. It takes me forever to get a project finished. I really love how you did the backing. What a wonderful idea and so inventive for not having enough yardage! Can't wait for your next project.

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, it turned out beautiful! I love your choice in backing. You inspire me so much. I'm thinking of getting those charms too now to make the Christmas tree skirt like you did.

Anonymous said...

I love the front and I love the back! So pretty!

Tina said...

THis is such a lovely quilt!! I like it so much that I can't get it out of my mind! And now I feel like I have to make my own version of it.

way to go!!

Anonymous said...

I love this! The back is just as cute as the front--I'm putting this on my list of future quilts!!

Amber said...

Love that quilt, the quilting, and the fabric. I've used that print in a couple of colorways and it doesn't get old to me, mmm so yummy!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Oh - so lovely. I'm going to be doing a lot more quilting in 2009 - you're such an inspiration. I especially love the binding on this quilt.

Karen said...

What a beautiful backing fabric! Of course, I love the front too. Enjoy cuddling with this quilt! Glad you're keeping it....you have given so many away, so you deserve it!

Cindra said...

Just gorgeous!

Sara said...

wow it's gorgeous!! You're so inspiring!

i made a ragged squares quilt (thanks for the great tutorial!)
Posted photos on my blog today. :)

Anonymous said...

I love it and I'm totally into piecing the backs these days to use up fabric that I already have :-)

nettie said...

i love it! the back is fabulous. i think you are the best stippler i have 'known'. really your quilting is so perfect.

Anonymous said...

I love this quilt! Your blog is such an inspiration! Question...when you do your binding, do you typically cut bias strips or how do you do yours?

Jennifer Paganelli said...

love the back so much!!!!!:) xoxox Jennifer

kat \ Taylor Made designs said...

You should be pleased! It's wonderful. I'm so impressed with how clean and neat all those blocks are. I don't think I could come even close to that!

Anonymous said...

I come back once a day to look at this quilt. I love it!!! The back makes me smile every time. You are so clever.

Jane said...

I absolutely ADORE this quilt, both front and back! No one does backs of quilts like you do! I'm so glad to be inspired by you in my own quilting!
~jane

sammyjo said...

that is one seriously cool quilt!

Dallas said...

It's really cute. Not overwhelmingly Christmas-y, but fun and festive and could be used more than just Christmas time.

princess pudge said...

the way you quilt has totally changed my outlook on quilting, you never fail to inspire me! thank you.

Amanda Jean said...

girlsmama,

I first attach the binding to the quilt by machine and then I hand stitch the binding to the back.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

dorothee,

I placed the squares randomly.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

anonymous,

this quilt was finished in under a week. I think i started it on wednesday and finished it on the following monday. the charm packs really helps cut down the prep time before sewing.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

anonymous,

I cut my binding strips from salvage to salvage. I usually don't cut bias strips unless I am using gingham fabric or binding around curves.

aj

Rebekah said...

how fun! I love the fabric that you used for the backing! Way to use the stash :)

A Colorful World said...

It's just lovely!

Unknown said...

I am officially motivated to start my own christmas quilt!!! Hmmm... when will i have the time?

dlynthomas said...

Beautiful quilt!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the inspiration to make a Christmas quilt. I actually haven't finished a quilt in 5 years and when I saw your Christmas one, I wanted to have a Christmas one of my own! I have made it in a different style then yours, but of course I got the idea from you! I made mine like the Christmas coins one you made for the auction. Your binding tutorial was very very helpful too, I have only bound by wrapping the backing fabric around before, but this binding is turning out awesome!! Thank you so much for the inspiration you have given me and all the wonderful things you share with this blog!!

Rachel
athenagwis at hotmail . com

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog tonight. Very nice. I LOVE your Christmas quilt...mostly because I LOVE the fabrics...Holly Jolly from Moda, right? Or is it Merry & Bright from Moda? I LOVE both those lines. Fun and beautiful.

Amanda Jean said...

Christine Thomas,

there are 3 packs of Merry and Bright and 2 packs of Holly Jolly in this quilt. i LOVE these fabrics, too. :)

aj

Vicki said...

so this quilt has been in the back of my mind all this time... I just ordered a jelly roll of merry and bright and will be making pillows for my mom and MIL for gifts. I'm not sure what pattern to use yet, but I might just cut 2.5" squares and do a charm layout, similar to what you did here, only smaller :)

thanks so much for all the inspiration!