Thursday, November 20, 2008

Christmas quilt top

Thanks for all your charity quilt suggestions from my last post. I'm feeling much more inspired, I'm happy to say. I had to laugh at those of you who poked fun at me and told me to look through my archives for inspiration. I have quilter's block (hee hee) from time to time, too. :)

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
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. :)

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

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?

Caroline said...

That 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!

Calico Road said...

What fun colors! Now i need to go visit my local shop!! Charm packs are growing on me too.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous quilt. A silly question (but I'm just beginning to quilt) what size are the squares? Thanks!

Beth said...

Lovely. 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.

I hand wash my "convenience cuts" in the sink before use. Do you?

Philigry said...

love the colors in this one. beautiful!

audreypawdrey said...

I love the simple charm of this! I love charm packs, too.:)

rachel griffith said...

i'm about to use charm packs for the 1st time.
i'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.}

Jennifer said...

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!

Mama Urchin said...

I have table runners for Halloween and Thanksgiving half-way done from a charm pack. They're fun, especially for holiday stuff.

Anonymous said...

Love it...I've used charm packs a few times and yes, they go together so quickly.

Alissa said...

So simple and beautiful! Love it!

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Me 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!

Jen :)

Unknown said...

I love those collections! Charm squares make great quilts - especially when you have enough of them :)

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

That is one Holly-Bright, Merry-Jolly Quilt top!

Ashley said...

Honestly, that is one of my favorites that I have seen of yours! Nice work.

John said...

OK, 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.

Anina said...

I love the simplicity of this quilt. Maybe one day soon I'll make a quilt again...

~*Sarah*~ said...

Oh its fantastic! I'd LOVE to make one like that, those colors are my favorites (christmas, without being "red and hunter green")

I don't think we have those packs locally though, but maybe I've just missed them. I may have to do some online hunting....

Alana Jo said...

Oh my. Im in LOVE! Beautiful!

Myra said...

I 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...
Love those fabrics! So bright and cheery!
Happy stitchings!

Cindra said...

It is fabulous! I have some of those charm packs, too! Hmmmmm.

Bison Girl said...

neat! 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! :)

Sara said...

That is a really beautiful quilt!

Meg said...

I 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!

Tine said...

It is lovely! I love those prints, I would have a hard time giving this away!

tam said...

LOVE IT! Absolutely LOVE IT!

lera said...

Those are beautiful fabrics! Oh my goodness!

The Titmi said...

Did 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???

Amy said...

Charm packs are awesome for when you've just 'gotta sew' no measuring, no cutting, no fuss!

I love the quilt. It's getting me in the spirit...

Amy Jo said...

This is gorgeous! I need to work on a Christmas quilt - in my spare time!!! Yeah!!

Betsy said...

beautiful!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Everyone needs a festive quilt! Love the bright colours on this one.

Peppermint Lane said...

I love the Christmas fabric! A quick question if you don't mind.
Do 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

Anonymous said...

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!

Karen said...

How 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.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

That is a beautiful quilt! I think I like the simple square quilts best of all.

jacquie said...

so quick and pretty too! i guess i need to make myself a christmas quilt. i do want to..now to find the time.

The WoodLand School said...

Oooh ... I love this one! Be sure to bookmark your post so you can refer back during your next quilter's block ; )

Amy said...

You 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
If you get the change, drop by my blog and say hey!
http://solomon21.blogspot.com

Michaela said...

I never worked with actual charm packs, or at least not yet, but I was given scraps that were already cut into half triangles.
I loved it! Super simple, super fast. It must be similar with charm packs.

Amanda Jean said...

esther and jennifer,

the blocks are precut to 5" so they will finish at 4.5".

aj

Amanda Jean said...

caroline,

I 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

Amanda Jean said...

beth,

I don't pre-wash my charm packs.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

the Titmi,

I 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

Anonymous said...

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!
A quick question. After using your 5 charm packs - how big will your quilt top be?

Erin in Australia :)

Amanda Jean said...

Julie,

my doll quilts vary in size. I think about 14 x 18 (or so) is a good size. or 15" square. really, anything works.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

kattmd,

charm 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

Amanda Jean said...

Nana Karen,

I 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

Aunt Spicy said...

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!

Louise said...

Another beauty!!!

Wanda said...

I 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!
So glad you are feeling better. We missed you too

Jilly's Space said...

LOVE it!
I 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

Мария Доричева Maria Doricheva said...

Amanda,
may be something like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/roseisred/2067672122/in/set-72057594090632575/
will be a quick and enjoyable project.
Maria (Zayasa)

Val said...

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.

QuiltedSimple said...

Love this one - and charm packs are fabulous! Now at least you can say you have a Christmas quilt!
Kris

Karen said...

Simply Charming! :)

Rebekah said...

cute fabrics! I love bright Christmas fabrics like these :)

sulu-design said...

charm packs. I'd never heard of them. See how educational your blog is?

Linda said...

After 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!

AMY said...

Love that material! So cute!

The Rausch's said...

We have matching quilts! See my Merry and Bright quilt on my blog at www.sewinginthepurpleroom.blogspot.com

sammyjo said...

love the quilt top, plus you just helped solve my block! thank you! :)

Anonymous said...

I adore this! Christmas quilts seem to be my favorite.

I 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.

Amanda Jean said...

erin in australia,

the quilt will be 54" x 72". the layout is 12 blocks by 16 blocks.

aj

Amy said...

charms are so addicting. the quilt looks really nice. I enjoyed reading your blog. Happy Stitching, Amy

Sherry said...

I 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!

Sharla said...

Hope 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!!)

Anonymous said...

Very 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?
Thanks!

Amanda Jean said...

ariana,

I 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

Clair said...

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.