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20 January 2017

Have A Jolly Little Christmas Sampler


Well... Merry Christmas to you!

This is my first finish of 2017. And my first finish using the blocks in the free Have A Jolly Little Christmas quilt along that just started. You can read all about that here.

To be quite honest....



I don't quite recall just exactly how this all started....




I guess during the two weeks that the kids were off school for the Christmas holiday, and also that the hubby was home for a week, I didn't want to spend all my hours closed away in my sewing room. So I sat out where everyone could easily find me. And I relaxed. I got out my graph paper and began to doodle. Sketching out a 12" block. It's pretty obvious that Christmas was on my mind and so this theme evolved into many blocks. Sometimes it's like that. Inspiration comes - like a flood. Then there are other times... Where the blank page stares back at you. So when the ideas are coming freely... I go with it!

I'll be the first one to admit....

I got carried away!




For these projects I'm making for the Have A Jolly Little Christmas quilt along, I am making from my stash. The first thing I did when everyone went back to school and work, was to do a bit of sorting. I wanted to find out just what did I have in a white/offwhite solid. And I measured all those pieces of yardage and planned accordingly.




All the other fabrics are also from my stash. You really only need small pieces for the blocks. And I am determined to start using my fabrics this year and to resist making purchases if I can. It is difficult to resist shopping for new fabrics, but I found some perfectly suitable pieces already on hand.





When it came time for quilting, I went with my usual organic wavy lines. I used Ghost White Magnifico thread by Superior Threads on top and plain white Guetermann in the bobbin. I used to do A LOT of quilting in white. And the beginning of this year will have a lot again.




The backing is Winter Garden by Susan Winget for Steele Creek Studio, which I found two years ago at Fabric.com. I fell in love with this print and bought it when it was on sale. I bought A LOT. So you'll be seeing more of this too.





The binding was left over from my Canada 150 quilt. It really makes me think of Christmas and it goes so well with the backing. It also matches a few places I used it in the blocks, like for Santa's hat, the big bow and the Cardinal's wing.





The "Have A Jolly Little Christmas" sampler quilt finished at 42" x 55"
and was the 15th use of my 2nd edition of 100 labels
ordered from Ikaprint.





This is the first project I have made using the blocks designed
for the "Have a Jolly Little Christmasquilt along.

The free colouring page has been downloaded over 1500 times already!

Are you quilting along?






It is NOT necessary to purchase the pattern in order to participate in the quilt along, but if you would prefer the convenience of using a printable pdf pattern, the Have a Jolly Little Christmas Collection includes all 15 designs and is available for purchase in my pattern store here.









Linking up to Finish it up Friday with 

Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts







Keep On Quilting On!





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18 comments:

  1. It is such a welcome present, these pretty pretty free instructions !
    I do quilt along ! x

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  2. I'm quilting along, made my very first block, the Santa Stockings a week or so ago, can't wait for the next block, I already have my fabric picked out, although like you, I am trying to use my stash or at least some of it for the blocks

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  3. I don't know, Lorna - I doodle too, but somehow never come up with such beautiful designs :)! Your quilt and blocks are something special. I'm just thankful for designers like you, so that I can sew these wonderful designs to my hearts content.

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  4. I needed a new Christmas quilt for my living room so I am happy to be sewing along with you. When does the next block come out?

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  5. What a refreshing quilt. It's simplicity and graphic look are really fine. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. This quilt came out wonderful! My favorite block remains the partridge and the pear. So unique!

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  7. Beautiful quilt, Lorna. I hope to sew up the stocking on Saturday when I get together with a friend for a sew day. Love sewing with friends.

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  8. I got such a nice mental image of you, legs tucked under you, sitting in an armchair, sketching with the Christmas tree up, music or TV on, and family around you. Thank you! Thank you too for sharing so freely with all of us. You are an inspiration to us all.

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  9. This is a fabulous finish! I can't decide which block is my favorite ... I can envision making the wreath with all its friends here or as a standalone mini. And the story behind this beauty had me laughing. You're not sure how all that Christmas planning and sketching even started? Sounds like most of my quilt projects! : )

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  10. I do like your quilt Lorna but I really love your backside , I mean the backing ... it's a lovely fabric and also so appropriate

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  11. So cute! I'm enjoying the quilt along, thank you!

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  12. Always fun to join you in a quilt along! I've been shopping some amazing fabric sales for bigger backing pieces but, like you, am determined to sew my from stash for blocks this year.

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  13. You should do a lot of doodling! Lovely patterns!

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  14. I loved hearing the story behind this quilt design. :) Good job using your stash fabrics. It is a darling quilt.

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  15. I'm glad you got carried away and did a lot of doodling. Looking forward to making some blocks. Still trying to find a background fabric.

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  16. What a great quilt. I might have to try this and I want to hit my stash, too! :D

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  17. Hi Lorna,
    I'm quilting along also, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful designs with all of us. Can you please tell me how much backing material is needed? I've looked and I didn't see it in the instructions.

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  18. It's a very fun holiday quilt. Love the backing fabric too. Congrats on such a pretty finish.

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Your kind comments certainly make my day!