Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas Stars Quilt - Done in time for the holidays!

Christmas Stars

My Christmas Stars Quilt is all finished, washed and dried! I started this quilt a long time ago, by Christmas last year I had finished the wonky stars and basted it. Then it went on the pile.

Christmas Stars

It was always my plan to give hand quilting a try with this quilt, and that is why it stayed on the pile - I did not really know how to hand quilt. Then when Rhonda, from Quilter in the Gap, and Rachel, from Contented, made the Duo QAL with its focus on the quilting, both free motion and hand quilting, I knew it was time to take it off the pile. So as to play along nicely with the QAL, first I made the ROYGBIV Log Cabin Quilt, but then they let me sneak in this one for the hand quilting.

The finished quilt is about 48" x 60" and is made out of Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas fabrics with Kona White. The binding is a light pink flannel with red dots and the back is flannel too.

Christmas Stars

I used perle cotton and hand stitched around each of the 20 stars. I learned that the stitches are going to be organic, adding texture and colour, not fine needlework. I do love how the hand stitches look, but my very sore fingers are not really fond of this hand stitching - they would rather knit, or do cross stitch, petit point, or embroidery, anything but this.

Christmas stars

So, after I outlined the 20 stars, using 4 different colours, I took the quilt to my machine and added big asterisk - * - stars in the resulting empty squares and smaller asterisk stars in the middle of the wonky stars so that there was enough quilting to keep the quilt together. The amount of quilting is still fairly light and the finished quilt is soft and snuggly.

Christmas Stars

We actually had a little sun this afternoon and so this is a shot before I bound it and washed it. I applied the binding by machine, following the careful coaching that Marianne (The Quilting Edge) provided. Although I clearly need a lot of practice, she is right - it is so much easier and far faster to do the binding by machine.

Package from Sarah

And this loveliness is from Sarah, Narcoleptic in the Cupboard. Several weeks ago she mentioned that she was happy to give this wonderful fabric away. Well I put my hand up immediately. She sent it to me along with the lovely fabric box and matching perle cotton.

Fabric box in use

I have decided this little box is perfect for keeping my scissors, seam ripper and other tools that I need handy tidy on my sewing table. They fall off a lot less now.

Christmas tree 2011

We did decorate our Christmas tree yesterday but I am still challenged to get a nice overall photo. Here is a little peek instead.

I hope you are enjoying the last week of holiday fun and excitement. I finally made a shopping list and spent a wonderful couple of hours at the bookstore with my kids last night. Despite all the fuss, I love this time of year, with bright lights and shiny ornaments - a time for sharing and for family, friends, and community.

I've added a link to Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story and the Needle and Thread Network. There are lovely projects there if you have a minute or to to be inspired.



Fresh Poppy Design


Best,

Leanne

30 comments:

Debbie said...

oh your quilt is terrific! I've never done a combo with hand & machine stitching. Very fun. Love the colored hand stitching, I must say!

Ella said...

I just did my own wonky star for Xmas for my mom. I outlined the stars and could feel your pain. It took WAY longer than I thought it would and my stitches were not pretty from the back....

Linz said...

Love love love love LOVE Christmas Star quilt!! SO cute!!! YAY!!

Mrs.Pickles said...

Great looking quilt

**nicke... said...

i love the quilt so much leanne! the hand quilting along with the free motion is perfect. your treats from sarah are also super fun! she is such a great gal!

Susan said...

Your wonky star quilt looks so cosy and Christmassy! I love the combination of hand and machine quilting!

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

Love your quilt!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Your quilt is beautiful - Merry Christmas indeed!

Canadian Abroad said...

The quilt is beautiful and I love your asterix stars. Great hand/machine quilting combo. And lovely gift from the always wonderful Sarah!

Catherine said...

wow Leanne, your quilt looks fantastic and the hand quilting is amazing. Lovely gift from Sarah too

Judith, Belfast said...

Stunning Christmas quilt L! Love the combination of machine and hand quilting. Great way of using the quilted box from Sarah - I've made a few of these but haven't put them to use yet!! Jxo

Nicky said...

Lovely Wonky Quilt - just needed to wait for the great quilting

Silvinha said...

That the baby Jesus to bring all good health, harmony, unity and joy. And a Happy new year
HUGS
http://tearpiaocupacional.blogspot.com/

Marg said...

The wonky stars quilt is absolutely beautiful. i love the combination of hand and machine quilting and I'm so pleased you persevered with it, even if your hands aren't!
Great idea for the fabric box to hold your scissors and seam ripper. I think I might have to follow your lead and make one to sit on my machine.

Laura said...

That's a really lovely quilt. I like the combination of quilting stitches - it looks light and cheerful and perfect for the season :)

Rhonda the Rambler said...

If I remember correctly this is one you are keeping for yourself....good for you! It turned out lovely!!!

Toni said...

Leanne, this is such a beautiful quilt! It will be so great to bring it out every Christmas! Well done!

Svetlana said...

Leanne, what an amazing quilt. I love it soooo much. Wonderful work!!!

Manda said...

Quilt looks fabulous! I hope your poor fingers recover soon though!

Katy Cameron said...

This looks fab, and love the hand quilting on it :o)

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Leanne this is gorgeous! I love the combination of hand and machine quilting. The stitching looks great. Lovely and Christmassy :)

elle said...

Such a charming quilt. Very nice mixture of traditional, wonky, colours and quilting.

Sarah said...

Fabulous festive quilt to enjoy! I loe the fabrics and the way you have outline stitched the stars by hand. Great finish.

Shocking Hocking said...

what a lovely quilt - and a beautiful finish

Alisa said...

Beautiful! I really like the hand quilting - it certainly adds to the quilt. Enjoy it!

Heather D. said...

The stars quilt looks fantastic. I love the combo of hand quilting and machine quilting.

Dresden Quilter said...

Your quilt is so gorgeous. It makes me want to make one.

Patti said...

Beautiful quilt, Leanne. The hand quilting looks so nice. I have only done a small amount of it, and put bandaids on my fingers that were getting the most abuse! It seemed to help some. Happy holidays!

Marci Girl said...

Oh your hand stitching turned out wonderful and such a beautiful quilt!

Nik Kamisah said...

wonderful star quilt..how i wish i can do it one day..he ..he.. always use future tense for grammar