We are in St. Petersburg, FL where several of our friends live. We're only here for about a week, so it's been a whirlwind of social visits and fun events. In quiet moments I was able to piece up this Christmas quilt top.
After I finished my tree skirt flimsy last week, I realized I had a lot of holiday-themed scraps. Most were already cut into 2.5" wide strips, so I went looking for a pattern to use them.
This is a nice freebie from P&B Textiles, called Illustrations. Click here for the free pattern. I liked the offset barn raising layout and how the black and green little squares alternated. On my quilt, I used scrappy black and red for the small squares, and separated my strips into darks and lights.
Almost all my holiday scraps are fairly dark reds and greens, and I'm happy to say that I was only short about 5 or 6 strips for the entire quilt! I pulled a few greens from my regular scraps and I was all set. My Christmas scraps are completely used up, wahoo!! The lights were the entirely opposite story, though. There might be only 6 light strips that are "holiday" themed (mostly snowflakes) and I had to fill in the entire rest of the quilt from my regular off white and cream scraps.
I won't get this finished into a quilt this year, but really enjoyed working with all the pretty Christmas fabrics: poinsettias, holly, ornaments, etc. And since all my scraps are now used up and I can shop guilt-free for more holiday fabric in April when it's all on sale. I've learned my lesson, though, and will make sure to also buy plenty of coordinating light shades.
This pattern was a keeper, too. I'm sorry I didn't take photos until the top was finished, but here's a cropped photo showing an individual block. Every block has the identical layout so it's a fast chain piecer for sure. The 12" finished block uses all 2.5" strips and each block ends up half light and half dark, like a pixelated HST. So the blocks can be put together into all the same larger patterns as any HST, not just barn raising.
Linking up with Oh, Scrap!
Another wonderful quilt. I have pinned it to Pinterest for future reference. Need to use up more of my scraps. Glad you all are having a nice visit in St Pete. Hugs, Claudia
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I really love the neutrals contrasted with the holiday greens and reds! I can why this pattern is a keeper as it looks quick, easy and the perfect scrap buster too. Happy Holidays!!!!
ReplyDeletelovely way to use up pieces ... and I love how you have put your fabrics... thanks for the pattern link too
ReplyDeleteHugz
I love it! That pattern is perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh yes that is a beauty!! Great way to use scraps, I will have to pin that one for a real possibility(some day). Happy shopping!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful quilt! Thanks for the pattern link. I love your colorful theme. To be able to empty the scrap drawer of strips would be grand.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at how quickly you whip up a quilt! Yay for you using up your Christmas scraps too! I'm always short on neutrals, so I've begun collecting them when I find them on sale. Enjoy St. Pete!
ReplyDeleteDon't you love looking through and admiring Christmas fabrics?! And what a great pattern to use up 2 1/2" strips. I'll be pinning it for sure.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it in the scrappy Christmas prints. That is a fun pattern. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteYou sure have been busy sewing these past few weeks. That Christmas quilt is really a beauty with the dark reds & greens. Gives it such a warm feeling. I still have a wee bit of trouble with quilts that are off-centered but they are beginning to grow on me. Some things take a bit more time with me....like I had a hard time considering machine piecing & quilting back in 2001. Now nothing can stop me from using my sewing machine! :) Enjoy your family & friends during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for those leftover holiday scraps. I really like the offset layout. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fun pattern and great scrap buster. You had quite a collection of pretty Christmas scraps!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! What a great way to use up all your holiday scraps (and a few others that were taking up space).
ReplyDeleteLovely, and I can hardly believe you made it so quickly. I'm glad you are keeping this one, you make so much for others and this one is beautiful. I downloaded the pattern, thank you for that, I'm thinking I could use up one of my jelly rolls.
ReplyDeleteUsed up all your Christmas scraps? I just got busted on my last post...Rose recognized the backing of one of the mug rugs to be a 20-year-old print...egad. She's right. I might have to do this pattern (going to find it after I comment) to put a dent in my Christmas scraps, which are the fewest. Christmas lights, yup, I don't have many. Love the shot in the harbour. So hope we can connect sometime; to have been so close--!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to use up all of your Christmas scraps! And I really like how the black and red squares give some structure to the scrappiness. The block looks really fun to piece. Joann had a huge sale on Christmas prints awhile back—70 percent off, I think. I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t do another post holiday sale. You might not have to wait until April!
ReplyDeleteLove the offset. Might do this to make a dent in my 2.5" strips. Have you been able to view my new blog template? I havent figured out why its coming up blank for you.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. Will be a nice quilt once it's finished! We are hoping to make it to Florida again this year - but sounds like you are already on your way to the next port! Maybe some year I can time it so I get there when you are there too! Happy sailing!
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