Quilter's Thread

If you have already finished making our Candy Cane Christmas Quilt from our previous blog post last week here is another project for you to start on this winter! This quilt is called The Winding Christmas Wreath because of its winding thick lines crossing over each other. Why not try making this Christmas Quilt as another great holiday themed quilt to have lying around your living room to keep the family warm through the winter. Or you can even mix it up with other colors besides green and red, just choose whichever shades of fabric you like for the pattern and start quilting.

Here is a look at two different color variations that you can use to make this Winding Christmas Wreath quilt pattern with. Strips of wide forest green or gold yellow fabric are used as a border to brighten up this winter themed quilt just in time for the holidays. Notice how when you change from using light to dark bold colors of fabric the pattern changes in how it appears to the eye.

You can get this pattern at the end of the month as a prize when earning your total engagement points on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App. Comments, uploading photos and responding to surveys generate 1 point each. By “Liking” 3 things generates 1 point. You must earn 10 points to get the free monthly pattern. You must earn 40 points to get the free pattern and a cloth shopping bag. Earn 75 points to get the free pattern, shopping bag and a $20 gift card. So start being active on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App today!

Live Well. Quilt Well.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to start planning for Christmas this year. Christmas themed quilts are the perfect gift to give a family member or friend. Making that special person a quilt is great because it is unique and handmade with care and thought. Although it might seem easier and quicker to just head to the first shop and buy them a gift, you can sew them a quilt in quick fashion without it looking incomplete or messy.

Try making this candy cane quilt is a version of a rag quilt that only takes about an hour and thirty minutes to complete. Now you really don’t have any excuse not to make them a quilt. By making them a quilt you can put your talent to use this Christmas and make something for them that you know they will use to keep warm at night. So simply pick out your favorite red and white flannel fabric and get sewing!

Here is a break down of basic instruction tips to help you make this candy cane themed quilt this season.

• First start with 1  3/4 yards of two different 44″ wide fabrics to make a 35″ x 45″ comforter. Flannel works best because it provides it’s own nap and doesn’t require batting.
• Place the fabrics in a single layer one on top of the other, wrong sides together.
• Use a long ruler to cut 6″ (or your desired width) diagonal strips. This takes about 20 minutes to do.
• Flip every other stack so the opposing color shows. Then sew them together using a 3/4″ seam.
• When the diagonal pieces are stitched back together, trim the edges and stitch a single finishing seam around all four edges, (about 3/4″ from the edge.) This will take about 45 minutes to complete depending on your speed.
• Then use the nipper scissors (those with really small blades,) to cut the fringe. This will take about 20 minutes to complete.
• You could save time by sewing the seams by using wider strips, but they’d be harder to cut and would probably require some stitching to keep them from shifting.

Want an easy project to start that you can use or give as a gift in time for this Christmas? Why not make a fabric gift box to place your belongings in or a put a present in it for a friend or family member. What’s great about this gift box is that it is one that you can use for many years unlike other paper gift boxes you buy at the store that easily tear and bend. This gift box is easy and quick to make as well as durable. So simply pick out your favorite fabric and start sewing!

Fabric Requirements:

• (2) 12″ squares
• (1) 12″ piece of batting
• (4) Buttons are optional

To Begin:

Place your fabric right sides together on top of the batting. Stitch around the edges using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Make sure to leave an opening on one side just like you would when making a pillow. Next trim your batting back and clip the corners. Then turn your fabric right sides out and press the edges.

Quilt as Desired: 

Stitch close to the edge. By doing this you won’t need to slip stitch the opening closed. Then stitch four rows using a walking foot as a guide and then finish with a crisscross between the last stitched corners.

Construct the Box:

Fold the square in half top to bottom and mark the points two inches from the folded corner on each side. Draw a diagonal line at each corner between the points.  Refer to the images below. Then stitch along these two lines. Re-fold in the other direction, and stitch on the first two lines you drew before.

Finish the Box:

Now turn the box right side out. You can now stitch the flaps inside the box to the sides or you can tack them down. Or leave them loose if  want and then you are done!

What’s great about this gift box is you can custom make it for that special person or make it as a decorative piece in your home for certain holidays with themed patterns. You can add ribbons or buttons as you wish to make it more decorative.

To get this pattern and the detailed instructions you can also go on to the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App and go to our gallery or to the library to view it. Remember you can win monthly prizes by being active on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App. Comments, uploading photos and responding to surveys generate 1 point each. “Liking” 3 things generates 1 point. 10 points gets  free pattern. 40 points gets a free pattern and a cloth shopping bag. 75 points gets a free pattern, a shopping bag and $20 gift card. For more information on our monthly prizes go to “Offers” in the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App.

Live Well. Quilt Well.

Quilter’s Thread has a new prize this November that you’ll want to get. The new quilt pattern is named the Migration Quilt or is also called the “Geese Migration” Quilt. To receive this quilt pattern you must earn points by commenting and liking on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App to receive the pattern at the end of the month.

This quilt pattern is made up of a construction of a “Square in a Square” block with little triangles that create lines crossing over each other creating the symbol X. This type of quilt pattern has been made for hundreds of years or more and is a must have staple for any quilter to have in their collection of quilts made. What’s also great about this quilt pattern is that it is easy to make and sew together, great for beginners and experienced quilters alike. This is one quilt that is visually appealing no matter what colors you choose to use and incorporate into your quilt design. Share with us any versions of the migration quilt you have made in the past on our Quilter’s Thread Mobile App.

Remember to stay active on the Quilter’s Thread App in order to earn points to win this free pattern at the end of this month. Comments, uploading photos and responding to surveys generate 1 point each. “Liking” 3 things generates 1 point. 10 points gets a free pattern. 40 points gets a free pattern and a cloth shopping bag. 75 points gets a free pattern, a shopping bag and $20 gift card.

Live Well. Quilt Well.