Meeeerry Christmas!

 

Do you remember my Christmas 4-patch project I started earlier this spring?  Well it's finally DONE!  And I mean not just the quilt top, but quilted, bound and labeled!  Whoo hoo! 

 

It's just a triple 4-patch block.  I used up a LOT of scraps.  Big and small scraps.  The first 4-patch is with 1.5" squares.  Then those are paired up with 2.5" squares.  And then 2 of those are paired up with 4.5" squares.  Pretty simple to do, but you do have to make sure that your little light squares are all going in the same direction. 

 

 

First I pulled all my Christmas scraps along with reds and greens that looked Christmas-y.  (I like traditional Christmas colors.  Mostly.)  Then I grabbed a piece of fabric and cut out all the 4.5" squares that I could out of it.  Then with what was left, I cut out as many 2.5 inch squares as I could.  Then whatever was left after that, I cut into as many 1.5 inch squares as I could.  By the time you do that, there isn't much usable fabric left.  So, you THROW IT OUT! 

 

 

 

There are several ways to arrange these blocks: zig-zag, diagonal lines, a maze... But I settled on the barn-raising design. 

 

The Barn-raising design is perfect for feathers, but it a pain in the you know where to quilt on the longarm.  Instead of doing one long continuous free-flowing feather, you have to break it up into little chunks at a time.  And you have to remember which direction your feathers are going.  Notice here where two feathers are going the same direction.  Oops.  Oh well.  :P  It's my quilt, and I'm leaving it that way!  It adds character.  ;)

 

I used a poly batting and flannel for the back.  It is going to be super warm and cozy when we are watching Christmas movies.  I got to try out my new binding clips for the first time on this one.  They are so nice!  No more hand cramps.  But my little munchkin also really likes them too.  He thinks its pretty fun to pull them off and leave them around the house.  So far all are accounted for!

 

 

One project finished, five more started!  This is my Countdown to Christmas QAL Advent calendar. I've been wanting to make an Advent calendar (even though my little guy is not even 2!) and when this qal came up, I had to jump in.  QAL's are perfect motivation to actually complete a project.  (Uhh, OK, well, my QCR QAL blocks are still waiting to be assembled, but at least the blocks are done!)  It MUST be done by Dec. 1!  Especially if I'm going to win one of several excellent prizes.  So far there are only about 30 participants, so I like those odds.  But feel free to join in!  You can start here.

 

Linking up to Better Off Thread Christmas Countdown and Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it Up Friday.