Friday, January 09, 2015

a quiet Christmas quilt

Welcome to finish it up Friday!
Yesterday I finished my "quiet Christmas" quilt! It looks dandy with my choose joy pillow, doesn't it?
The quilt is made of 5" charm squares (cut from my stash) in a subtle Christmas color palette. There are LOTS of dots in the mix. I always have and always will love the simplicity of a patchwork quilt. It's a great opportunity to play with color and it allows the pretty fabric to shine. No fuss, no muss.
Speaking of lots of dots...the backing was patched together with 4 different dots from my stash. All of them are fairly low volume, in keeping with the front of the quilt.
I still can't believe I did this, but I chopped up what is probably my oldest and most hoarded fabric (Apple Pie dots by American Jane for Moda) for the binding. I searched for the year that the fabric was released but I wasn't able to find it. It had to be around 2006-2007 or so? I cut off the selvedge years ago, so I can't tell. Ha! But, I do know that it's been in my stash for quite awhile! It's a good one and I am glad I used it!
That single pearl bracelet square is probably my favorite block in the whole quilt. It's the perfect red! For the quilting, I did two lines of FMQ loops through each row of blocks, giving the quilt a nice soft texture. It went fairly quick for a twin size quilt. Hurray for that!
And this is probably the best part...I added a label already-even though I'm keeping it. That's got to be a record! I started and finished this quilt in less than 3 weeks! That feels pretty great, too.
Edited to add: The label fabric is bungle jungle by tim and beck for Moda. (It's older already.)
I have a tutorial "one way to label a quilt" here
And....I used a fine tip sharpie to write the label.
The quilt measures 63" x 90". And you guessed it....I love it! :)

Now it's your turn! Please link up with your finishes! Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!

48 comments:

Melissa Corry said...

I so love this quilt!!! It is so subtle and yet so fun :) I love that your binding is a cherish fabric, that will always make this a cherished quilt ;) Great finish and thanks for always sharing all of your amazing quilts with us. You are such an inspiration!

Heather Graves said...

Sort of hard to use up those long hoarded fabrics! Now you'll get to revisit it every holiday forever (at least that's how long I keep Christmas stuff!)

Anonymous said...

The classic simplicity of a patchwork quilt makes for perfection. This is so pretty. Invites a person to snuggle up with it.

Kat said...

It's really pretty! I love how the colors are so soft, but still Christmas-y.

Quilting Stories said...

Beautiful quilt, simple and joyful!

Petra said...

Such a lovely quilt!
I like the colours and simplicity😀
Happy new year, Amanda

Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation said...

this is so lovely! I am in love with dots too and I think they look perfect used in just about anything. I love that this is a Christmas quilt, but has a soft look. Happy 2015 to you, and thanks for hosting!

:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

Di~ said...

I love it too! Great quilt. Inspiration flowing again, you are the best. Question: Where did you get that fabric that you wrote on the label? I need some of that.

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE this quilt! My favorite block in your photos is the one with cars driving home with their Christmas trees. Love it!

Lorna McMahon said...

What a sweet, sweet finish! Love all the dots, but especially that binding. And the loopy quilting does so much to compliment those dots. What a fun finish for 2015!

Sheri said...

I love your charm square quilt and agree that simplicity is often the best!

a maidenhair fern said...

yea, that is a pretty nice quiet, peaceful christmas quilt. Congrats on using your most hoarded for the binding. You'll have it each year to look at. Love your tag fabric. Is that old too? would love to find that. thanks for the linky.

Wonky Patchwork said...

What a beautiful Christmas quilt, I love that it is quiet and subtle and simple, those fabrics and your color combinations do all the work perfectly.

Andrea @ Mouse in My Pocket said...

Your quilt is absolutely lovely. I keep thinking I need to use up some of my stash, and maybe this would be a great way to do it. Thanks for the idea!

Anonymous said...

Fabulously beautifully scrappy.

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Such a pretty quilt you'll enjoy for many Christmases to come!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

I love it too! So pretty and the backing dots and binding look perfect! The label is so cute :)

MaterialGirlQuilts said...

I love it!!!

SuperMomNoCape said...

Oh my goodness, I love so much about this quilt. The front, the back and even the fabric you used for the label! And I may just have to make myself a Choose Joy pillow too.

Unknown said...

I love this quilt, it looks great and sweet, love the quilt's name. Perfect for a quilt.

Kim said...

Love the beautiful prints for this quilt. The binding and label fabric is so fun.

Linda said...

I love it too, and good for you on using the hoarded fabric. :)

Gemini Jen NZ said...

Gorgeous quilt! Totally your style! Happy New Year!

Clair said...

I like that you wrote made in Minnesota on your label.

Little Quiltsong said...

So pretty! Love the 'Label' Fabric too!

Taryn (forkandneedle) said...

Awesome quilt - you are so clever!

mb-RI said...

What a pretty quilt and I do love all your pillows. This one is no exception!!

Kathy E. said...

I'm totally impressed that you made this quilt in 3 weeks AND over the holidays! Way to go! It is a beauty. I love the label fabric too...I'm a teacher, so I may love it more than the average person.

Unknown said...

There is something sweet about the simplicity of a one patch quilt. :) Love it! The label fabric is genius.

Unknown said...

You nailed it! My sister-in-law and I have made JOY
our new word. We have become very close, and this
will be the perfect quilt for her. JOY will be placed on
the quilt, as a reminder of what she has brought into my life. Thank YOU for sharing The Joy.

Unknown said...

Beautififul quilt with those fabrics ad colors. Love the pillow!

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilt, simple and joyful!

Love from www.trangscorner.com

Linda said...

Very pretty! I love the simplicity of simple patchwork too.

Gunilla said...

It is "fresh" and beautiful!
Gunilla

Dominique said...

I love simple, happy quilts, and this one is no exception. the writing on the pillow says it well. It is very joyous.

Nita said...

I love everything about this quilt. I especially love the pillow. Do you sell the pattern/template for it? I need the mantra "choose joy"... Such a positive affirmation!

Kim B. said...

It's just lovely . . .so cozy and brightening.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I love this quilt! Simple, scrappy patchwork is also my favorite! Thanks for the inspiration!

jam said...

Beautiful quilt. I've been struggling to find a pattern for a special Xmas quilt and I believe I have discovered my inspiration.
Thank you for tons on inspiration throughout the year.

Carla said...

I made two charm quilts in 2014 and loved it. Your low volume Christmas quilt is awesome....I may have to copy in 2015. A three week finish is very impressive! You go girl!!

Christine S said...

Love!!

MissesStitches said...

I applaud you for using some of your favorite, oldest fabric for the binding. When I'm having trouble using some of my favorite fabric (because then it will be all gone!), I tell myself that it's not doing me any good sitting there on my shelf. It wasn't bought for that purpose. Also, I love the loopy quilting you did. Very nice.

Marle said...

You have done amaizing quilt again! It´s lovely and you did it very soon!

Becki said...

I love scrappy quilts, and this one is GREAT. Thanks for sharing it with us, and KUDOS for making and finishing it within 3 weeks. I'm NEVER that quick!

Diane Beavers said...

Amanda Jean,
I love it, it's so tender looking and appealing like my favorite ice cream. I hope it didn't hurt too bad chopping up your cherished fabric. Thank you so much for the label tutorial ...so easy and I've got that as a 2015 goal in make labels for every item I quilt.
bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Thimbleanna said...

My very favorite kind of quilt -- it's beautiful CrazyMom!!!

Christine @ 12,450miles said...

I haven't stopped thinking about this since you posted the photo of the front/flimsy. Seeing the whole quilt finished makes me love it even more! Very inspiring!

grapes and hearts said...

Amanda, it's been many months since I last shared a quilt finish (too many secret sewing things) and I am very thankful that you are here, keeping up the fun for us. Your linky party is always very inspiring and I love coming back and browse the links. Thank you for all the work you put into this and for being our host.
And your christmas quilt. Can I just say Wow! and Wow! again?! I never made a christmas quilt because every single one seemed to be too "christmassy". You changed my mind. Your christmas quilt is perfect and rather subtle. Thanks for sharing!