It's official. I LOVE charm packs. Yesterday afternoon I started sewing up a quilt top from these 5 charm packs...
3 packs of Merry & Bright (many many thanks to Sherry for sending them!)
and
and
2 packs of Holly Jolly, which I picked up from my LQS during their sale
things I love about this quilt:
it's just plain squares
it came together so very quickly
there is a LOT going on in this quilt top
This quilt (so far) is for me. But I reserve the right to change my mind. :)
I haven't used charm packs yet, although I have two that are adorable.. my concern has always been that they would shrink upon washing and then my quilt would end up wonky. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is gorgeous! Can't wait to hear the name you give this one. I've been so inspired by all of these quilts I've been telling anyone who asks that I want lots and lots of fabric so I can build up my quilting fabric stash! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderfulness!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun colors! Now i need to go visit my local shop!! Charm packs are growing on me too.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt. A silly question (but I'm just beginning to quilt) what size are the squares? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLovely. I'm working on a quilt (off and on) using a jelly roll of Merry and Bright, and just finished a top for a Halloween quilt (I know!) also made from a jelly roll. I like them a lot.
ReplyDeleteI hand wash my "convenience cuts" in the sink before use. Do you?
love the colors in this one. beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the simple charm of this! I love charm packs, too.:)
ReplyDeletei'm about to use charm packs for the 1st time.
ReplyDeletei'm hearing alot of GREAT things about using them.
i LOVE this quilt.
LOVE it.
<3
i hope you do keep it.
all quilters deserve it!!!
{especially after a whole year of making them for everyone else.}
I came to ask the same question Esther did. :) What size squares are you using in the quilt? While there are some simply stunning quilts out there, it's the simple ones like this that I like the best!
ReplyDeleteI have table runners for Halloween and Thanksgiving half-way done from a charm pack. They're fun, especially for holiday stuff.
ReplyDeleteLove it...I've used charm packs a few times and yes, they go together so quickly.
ReplyDeleteSo simple and beautiful! Love it!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Love them! I just used a charm pack with a jelly roll to make a wall hanging for my daughter's room. Just finished piecing it together last night. It came together so quick. And I like the fact that there's barely any fabric prep with them! BONUS!
ReplyDeleteJen :)
I love those collections! Charm squares make great quilts - especially when you have enough of them :)
ReplyDeleteThat is one Holly-Bright, Merry-Jolly Quilt top!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, that is one of my favorites that I have seen of yours! Nice work.
ReplyDeleteOK, this is just weird ... because about a month and a half ago, I bought 2 charm packs of Holly Jolly and 2 charm packs of Merry & Bright to make a quick & easy Christmas quilt. And now here's yours! Great minds, huh? I thought I was so smart for knowing that the 2 fabric lines are meant to coordinate with one another! : ) Well, I don't think I'll get to mine this year, but now I have your pictures for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of this quilt. Maybe one day soon I'll make a quilt again...
ReplyDeleteOh its fantastic! I'd LOVE to make one like that, those colors are my favorites (christmas, without being "red and hunter green")
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have those packs locally though, but maybe I've just missed them. I may have to do some online hunting....
Oh my. Im in LOVE! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI used 4 of those charm packs for a Disappearing 9-Patch a few weeks ago... If you go for a look-see, it is in my sidebar about halfway down under my PHD heading. Click on it and it will take you to that post...
ReplyDeleteLove those fabrics! So bright and cheery!
Happy stitchings!
It is fabulous! I have some of those charm packs, too! Hmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteneat! I just bought my first charm pack but haven't decided what to do with it yet - a table runner of some sort. Also - I just finished quilting a copycat version of your tree skirt - i absolutely LOVE it!!! thanks for the great tutorials! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a really beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love it! And another project is so not what I need right now...maybe next year I'll make a Christmas quilt. And I have also just discovered the fun of charm packs--I made a 9-patch for one of my daughters with it. It goes so much more quickly when the fabric is already cut!
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely! I love those prints, I would have a hard time giving this away!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! Absolutely LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful fabrics! Oh my goodness!
ReplyDeleteDid you use all of the 5 packs? What did you do for the back? I honestly just ordered these packs on sale online ;) Plus I am right now making 3 matching rag quilts for my 3 boys. Am I in over my head???
ReplyDeleteCharm packs are awesome for when you've just 'gotta sew' no measuring, no cutting, no fuss!
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt. It's getting me in the spirit...
This is gorgeous! I need to work on a Christmas quilt - in my spare time!!! Yeah!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful!
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs a festive quilt! Love the bright colours on this one.
ReplyDeleteI love the Christmas fabric! A quick question if you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteDo you have doll quilt pattern you use or dimensions that work well? I'd like to make my daughter a doll quilt for Christmas. I think I saw a previous post on a doll quilt you made.... I'd love to have more info. Julie
love the colours. So bright + festive. I also love how simple the quilt is. Do you use 1.5" x 2" squares? Also what heck are charm packs? :) as always thanks for the inspiration Amandajean!
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous is this!??? I LOVE it. I'm convinced now... will try charm packs soon. I have always loved fabrics by Moda so there is no question that this is what I'll get. How will you quilt it? What about binding/borders? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful quilt! I think I like the simple square quilts best of all.
ReplyDeleteso quick and pretty too! i guess i need to make myself a christmas quilt. i do want to..now to find the time.
ReplyDeleteOooh ... I love this one! Be sure to bookmark your post so you can refer back during your next quilter's block ; )
ReplyDeleteYou started that yesterday and you're done today? Well, I guess it's just squares...but it would take me a year just to get that done, LOL! I have troubles staying on a project so I'd be bouncing between that and my other ten to twelve things I was trying to make, so I suppose that's what would make me take so long, :-P
ReplyDeleteIf you get the change, drop by my blog and say hey!
http://solomon21.blogspot.com
I never worked with actual charm packs, or at least not yet, but I was given scraps that were already cut into half triangles.
ReplyDeleteI loved it! Super simple, super fast. It must be similar with charm packs.
esther and jennifer,
ReplyDeletethe blocks are precut to 5" so they will finish at 4.5".
aj
caroline,
ReplyDeleteI rarely pre-wash my fabric, so I am using these just as they came. I like to wash my quilts after I finish them, then dry them and they end up all crinkly. it's part of the charm, I think. I haven't had any wonky results from that method so far.
aj
beth,
ReplyDeleteI don't pre-wash my charm packs.
aj
the Titmi,
ReplyDeleteI used 192 out of the 194 charm blocks. I made the quilt layout 12 blocks by 16 blocks. for the back i pieced together some fabric from my stash. there will be no borders on the front of this quilt.
aj
Your quilt is simply stunning! So, needless to say I hopped straight on the internet to see if I could get some of these charm packs and now Im hooked - who would have thought that charm packs are so fantastic! What a great way to get so much variety in complementing fabrics!
ReplyDeleteA quick question. After using your 5 charm packs - how big will your quilt top be?
Erin in Australia :)
Julie,
ReplyDeletemy doll quilts vary in size. I think about 14 x 18 (or so) is a good size. or 15" square. really, anything works.
aj
kattmd,
ReplyDeletecharm packs are pre-cut fabric squares that measure 5". each square is a unique fabric from the fabric line. so you get a sampling of each of the different fabrics in that particular line without spending a lot of money. I think they are marketing geniuses!!!
aj
Nana Karen,
ReplyDeleteI plan to stipple this. there will be no borders on the front and the back is pieced from my stash. the binding is also from my stash, but it is a fabric from one of these lines...it's a very bold stripe. it's going to be a very fun quilt when finished.
aj
Ohhhh....I am so jealous, I have been looking for Holly Jolly everywhere! Maybe I will get some Merry and bright to supplement, they look fabulous together in your quilt!
ReplyDeleteAnother beauty!!!
ReplyDeleteI am assuming the charm packs are where you purchase the material already precut and ready to sew? Forgive my ignorance. Love your material spree...Yeah, getting something in the mail that you mail-ordered every day is fun but...ha ha Been there. Done that!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are feeling better. We missed you too
LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you posted the question on what quilt to do the other day. I never heard of the disappearing nine patch, as soon as I saw it I thought,"I can do that"!! Soooo...I bought my first charm packs yesterday and started it : )
Thanks for always sharing <3
Amanda,
ReplyDeletemay be something like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/roseisred/2067672122/in/set-72057594090632575/
will be a quick and enjoyable project.
Maria (Zayasa)
Oh I adore the colors. I have to say thank you again as usual. Because of you and your binding tutorial, I was able to finish a 25 year old quilt (my first quilt). I just posted about it on my blog. I am also still doing both of your quilt alongs so please keep them on your blog. I am determined to finish those too. You are so good and I can't thank you enough for what all you teach.
ReplyDeleteLove this one - and charm packs are fabulous! Now at least you can say you have a Christmas quilt!
ReplyDeleteKris
Simply Charming! :)
ReplyDeletecute fabrics! I love bright Christmas fabrics like these :)
ReplyDeletecharm packs. I'd never heard of them. See how educational your blog is?
ReplyDeleteAfter having seen this one in person, I have to say that I love these fabrics, and wait till they see the back! The quilt is awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove that material! So cute!
ReplyDeleteWe have matching quilts! See my Merry and Bright quilt on my blog at www.sewinginthepurpleroom.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletelove the quilt top, plus you just helped solve my block! thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteI adore this! Christmas quilts seem to be my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI e-mailed you a question about a week ago about your ragged edges quilt (remember?). Well, I did that one as a Christmas quilt. I'll post pictures once the recipient has the quilt in her hands after Christmas.
erin in australia,
ReplyDeletethe quilt will be 54" x 72". the layout is 12 blocks by 16 blocks.
aj
charms are so addicting. the quilt looks really nice. I enjoyed reading your blog. Happy Stitching, Amy
ReplyDeleteI hope you keep it for you, you deserve it. But, you are right, you reserve the right to change your mind. LOL Those charms are addictive. I've made so many quilts over the last several months with them & feel guilty, because I should be using from my overfloweing stash!
ReplyDeleteHope you don't mind, but I immediately just ordered those 5 charm packs so I can make this. You are SO inspiring! I'm about to finish my first quilt (after 2 years) for my 4-year-old and can't wait to get started on my next (hopefully it won't take me 2 years! I'm so excited I don't have to cut the fabric!!)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty quilt, I am just getting into quilting and have been really inspired by the designs on your blog. Can you recommend any books or resources for a novice quilter?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ariana,
ReplyDeleteI read all kinds of quilting books. I like to check them out of my library...I actually own very few quilt books. if you have a local quilt shop that has classes, you may want to sign up for a beginner quilting class. if you are anything like me, it's always more helpful to learn the basics first hand. then reading books can help you improve your new skills.
hope that helps!
aj
A cool quilt. And it would not have to be JUST a Christmas one. I had envisioned you making one with applique...but I should have known better.
ReplyDelete