Whenever I attend a major quilt show, I’m anxious to see the quilts by Japanese quiltmakers.
Eternal Garden by Yoko Sugisawa of Tokyo, Japan won the The Robert S. Cohan Master Award for Traditional Artistry, sponsored by RJR Fabrics in the 2010 Quilts: A World of Beauty contest. This is the annual fall judged show of the International Quilt Association.
I especially love the pieces made with Japanese “taupes” (see the quilts above and below).
First Place in the Handmade Category, Sponsored by The Colonial Needle Company, was Tenderly Embraced by Mieko Kotaki of Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
So I was particularly excited to receive a review copy of Taupe Inspirations: Modern Quilts Inspired by Japanese Taupes by Kylie Irvine. It’s a new title from Kansas City Star Books.
Irvine uses taupe fabrics in simple, elegant, “modern” quilt designs for eight fun little projects and three quilts. The projects include a pillow cover, handbag, notebook cover, block bag, rotary cutter case, pincushions and a needlecase. This is a great place to begin with your first taupes, or if you already have a stash, to get them out and use them.
Graceful Rhapsody by Denise Sheehan is what you might call “taupe with a twist.” Sheehan adds beautiful blues to neutral fabrics to create this quilted paisley block of the month. In addition to the complete quilt pattern, Graceful Rhapsody includes a couple of bonus projects, one with hand-embroidered bluework.
My to-do list includes several projects from Be Merry by Martha Walker. (By the way, Martha has a great block design in the upcoming 100 Blocks Volume 4 called Garden.)
“Celebrate Christmas” features blocks like this one and an appliqued swag border. I love the fun of combining candy canes with a very traditional applique design. This quilt is in my future.
And aren’t the bird clips fun? They look so old-fashioned. I’d love to have these on my Christmas tree. In total there are patterns for seven quilts, six projects like a hooked rug, a penny rug and a punch needle, plus four projects to adorn your tree.
We’ll give away these three titles from Kansas City Star Books. Leave a comment by midnight Tuesday, Nov. 1 telling us of a holiday project you’ve completed any time in the past. We’ll announce winners next week.
I made my mom a pale pink Christmas tree skirt with lots of shimmering, sparkling silver accents and wide ecru lace. The tree is a table top one decorated in pink, silver and ecru. The effect was lovely.
One year I made a “One Block Wonder” quilt using just three colorways of a single large holly print. One colorway was green, a second colorway was red, and the third was white. I arranged the green blocks in the shape of a Christmas tree, the red blocks were the background , and the white blocks formed a star at the top of the tree. It turned out really cool. Here is a link where you can see it: http://quiltsbyjoyce.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/christmas-wonder/
One year I made a “One Block Wonder” quilt using just three colorways of a single large holly print. One colorway was green, a second colorway was red, and the third was white. I arranged the green blocks in the shape of a Christmas tree, the red blocks were the background , and the white blocks formed a star at the top of the tree. It turned out really cool. Here is a link where you can see it: http://quiltsbyjoyce.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/christmas-wonder/
I made a log cabin design table topper with christmas prints ages ago.
I love making quilts for each of the holidays but I think my favorites are the Christmas quilts I’ve made. I love getting them out each year and it’s fun to see how the Christmas colors have changed over the years from the traditional red and green.
I made a quilt out of Christmas fabric about 10 years ago. The pattern was in a magazine. We love it so much, that it often doesn’t get put away after the holidays!
Each year I make several Christmas gifts, placemats, tree skirts, stockings… but one year, I decided to make personal wall hangings for several family members. A fireplace scene complete with mini personalized stockings… I completed three in time for Christmas, but my own wall hanging wasn’t completed until after the holidays!
My sister is visiting and we’ve been sewing up a storm. Today we will be finishing a snowman made with wool felt. He’s fat- took an entire bag of stuffing! He holds a little owl in his arms. Today we make the hat and add the final touches. I’m sure I’ll be making something else “Christmas-y ” next week, too, probably a penny rug. Thanks for the chance to win. Be Merry looks very interesting!
I’m working on my first Christmas-themed quilt in years right now. But as for a “holiday project I’ve completed” I’d have to say the most recent thing that comes to mind is Christmas stockings. Last year my boyfriend and I blended our families and so I made five Christmas stockings for the mantle for us, my son, and his daughters. I had a box of raw silk scraps and so everyone got their own colorway, and I found silver monogram pins to affix to the cuff of each stocking. I keep meaning to embellish them with beads or stitching but it probably won’t be this year. Maybe I’ll sew a mantle scarf to go with them for this year … once I get done making all the Christmas gifts I have on my to do list. Thanks for the chance to win these books!
When I was 10 years old my grandmother didn’t have a tree skirt for her tree…so I latch hooked a very detailed tree skirt for her with santa and the reindeer…it took me what seemed like forever…and when it was getting really close and it wasn’t done yet, I stayed up until 3 a.m. until it was done. I have that tree skirt now and use it every year…it brings back such happy memories and was well worth staying up those late nights.
What beautiful inspiration!
My most bragable holiday finish was a few years ago I took a class to make a table runner using woven tubes of fabric. I often do not finish class projects, usually because if I knew how things would have turned out before hand I would have chosen different fabrics. I really liked this project and the teacher put so much effort into teaching my dysfunctional brain I had to finish it, for her! I know it’s a small achievement, especially compared to the quilts in your post, but I finished it…before the holiday’s
Last year I used one of the block patterns from “100 Blocks”, Margaret Miller’s design for a table runner. The recipient was so pleased. Look for it under my name at Quilt Club of America. My Back to School project is there too.
I made a very special triangle log cabin tree skirt now used by my daughter.
Actually, just this week I made 2 hexagon-shaped table toppers, about 24″ across. I used striped Christmas fabric, and they turned out very well.
Last year I made holiday table toppers. This year I am working on placemats. Thanks for the fun!
One year I made appliques table runners for 3 different people. The same pattern, so it went quickly, but still a lot of work!
I tried making birds similar to the on above, without a lot of success. I could never get the seams under the beak to match. Maybe if I win this I can finally figure it out!!!
I’ve just made my first sampler quilt in Christmas Fabric – really looking forward to hanging it on the wall. Linda
I made the cutest two Christmas tree skirts a number of years ago and gave one away to a friend who loved it so much. I still have the one and use it but it’s time to make a new one. I still love the one I made but I need a updated skirt to go with my gorgeous purple tree my wonderful husband surprised me with last year.
February this year I made two mini Christmas tree wallhangings. Those Japanese quilts are exquisite!
I tore the scraps from two “aged country” quilts into thin strips 6″ long and tied them to jute to make a very rustic tree garland. Looked great with the quilts draped over chairs in the same room with the tree! Other scraps were used to make woodland gnome ornaments with gnarly stick canes and fluffed batting scrap beards.
I made a stocking once, and some potholders
I just finished Snowbound by Bunny Hill and A Tisket A Tasket..I love to applique and on every quilt I try to put some sort of applique in it! Love the Books..Thank you for a chance to win.
I can remember my first Christmas project that I made as a newlywed. It was an angel for our Christmas Tree top. She is looking a little worse for wear but she is definitely part of our tree. Thanks for a great giveaway.
I made Christmas table runners several years ago. Earlier this year I found left-over fabrics and made matching pot holders. I made Bonnie Hunter’s 2009 holiday mystery quilt pattern Carolina Christmas, but am still working on her 2010 mystery pattern. Thanks for the great give away.
Last year I made 12 yo-yo Christmas tree for a swap I was in. I loved sewing all of those cute yo-yos.
I’ve made Christmas table runners, tree skirts and lots of ornaments … I love to make things for Christmas!
Last year I made quilts for my dear friend’s grandchildren, five in all. Next year, their parents will get quilts! And in the meantime, there are two new grandkids who need quilts–since November is upon us, I don’t think they’ll be done in time for this Christmas, but we’ll see.
My first priority is to finish favors for my annual Christmas luncheon. Then I have an apron, potholders and a tote bag for gifts.
In the past my favorite Christmas gift made was a holiday candle mat. It was small and so satisfying to put together in comfy wools. Those books are going on my wish list, awesome selection!
Last year I made Christmas stockings for my 2 daughters, 2 sons in law, and 4 grandchildren. They were made from old blue jeans and turned out so cute.
I made Christmas mug rugs for each of my co-workers last year. Thanks for the giveaway. I love quilt books.
I made pillows for my friends. And a tablerunner for my mum. Thanks for introducing the books.
last year I made me, my sister, my daughter, and my best friend each an x-bag purse from Xmas fabrics, so we can shop in style this year!
Several years ago I made my favorite Christmas project ever. We had an old red & white quilt that was hand pieced and quilted about 1925. It was completely tattered around the edges, beyond use, but the middle had lovely hand stitches. It was made by my husband’s uncle. I made Christmas stockings for all of my family, including both son’s families. I put a green top on each stocking, embroderied names and some miscellaneous Christmas motifs. In 2000 we each started adding pins that were meaningful to us….my husband’s good conduct army medal, my high school cheerleader pin, and so on. There was enough quilt fabric that a red & white teddy bear was made to sit on the mantel too. The whole family looks forward to those stockings being out at Christmas time every year and we always think of the Uncle who made the quilt.
Last year I chose three different patterns for lap quilts that would work with only two fabrics. I then made three different quilts using the same two fabrics (a red holiday fabric & a white one). It was amazing to see how different they all looked. And my family room looked very festive.
This year it’s table runners!
I am just starting quilting and want to get some awesome patterns so my family can elp me learn.
My family does an annual gift exchange (there’s to many of us these days not to) I usually make a quilt for whomever I draw. It’s kind of become my tradition. I have a feeling there’s a fix in place I rarely draw the same family member twice. I think every one wants one. It’s ok cuz I love giving them.
I had assisted in quilting with my mother in law and her sisters/ inlaws. I have made doll quilts and quilted ornaments. My favorites that I made were embellished crazy quilt pillows. I am home now full time so am starting a simple pieced quilt for my youngest grandson. Would love to win the quilt book!!
I made a Christmas rag quilt for my couch. I didn’t us flannel material just regular Christmas fabric. My daughter loved it so much she uses it all year.
Many years ago I made some really cute Santa Christmas ornaments. They were pieced and appliqued and I love them. They are placed in a prominent point on my tree each year.
Haven’t completed any Christmas projects yet, but am close to completing a rag Christmas quilt (my Grandsons are already bugging me to give it to them.) I have completed two Halloweeen projects, both Happy Jack wall hangings. I’m gathering fabric to make some more as gifts.
I made a tree skirt at least 10 years ago, and we still love to use it. I also made quilts for 2 cousins, they love them.
I have made several tree skirts, a wall hanging from Laurel Burch, several table runners in different designs, and a set of stockings for our family! These books would give me LOTS of new ideas!!!
Stockings!!! It seems like every year there is a new addition somewhere in the family and they expect a stocking for their new one!! this year I’m making some for my pooches!!!
Wonderful books with so much inspiration! Hope to win and be able to figure out the better techniques to great quilts:)
I have 3 antique beds and have made Christmas patchwork quilts, using calicoes and traditional prints, for all of them.
Love the taupe.
I have made many quilts over the years but my favorite was a snowman quilt. It was just a bunch of snowman blocks I had pieced together from my own line drawings. Christmas is my favorite holiday to quilt.
I love the taupes and the book looks very intriguing. Thanks for the giveaway.
I made 2 baby quilts this spring for 2 adorable babies (of course!) They were log cabin quilts in various shades of pink. Must do more for gifts!!
I made a scrappy table topper and hand quilted it. I t is 36 inches square and it fits on my table really well. Thanks for the chance to win one of these books.
I made a table runner with Christmas fabrics that had gold in them and gold lame with tassles for my Mother and one for myself. Very victorian!
Several years ago I made a tree skirt and it still my favourite thing at Christmas time.
Thanks.
this year I am making some quilted candle wraps and table runners for each of my daughter in laws and my self using the big easy pattern. they take such a small amount of fabric and go so quickly.
Actually, I just finished a snowman door hanger, and I’m in the middle of making four more to give away for Christmas. Those bird clips from “Be Merry” look really cute, too!
I made my granddaughter a Pirate Princess quilt for her 1st birthday. Her parents had a pirate themed wedding and the wanted a prate party for her. Pink Pirate fussy cut faces with pink & white pin wheels. Photos are on my facebook profile.
The 2nd quilt I ever made was for my Goddaughter. It was a queen size log cabin quilt made w/ all Christmas print fabrics & the “chimnies” were red. It was more difficult than I had anticipates due to the size, and barely finished on time the day of our Christmas party. I finished it, literally, an hour before the party. It was well worth the effort:)
I made tree ornaments that are miniature quilt blocks.
Last year I made a “One-Block Wonder” wall hanging from twelve Christmas napkins with poinsettias, and it turned out beautifully. It has been a lot more useful to me than the napkins. Great way to recycle!
Three years ago when I “got back” to sewing, I made tree skirts for 3 grand daughters and decorative Santa stockings to go with them. Love to make pretty Christmas thing.
I made felt ornaments and stuffed ornaments when I was pregnant with my first child, that was a long time ago!
I made a Christmas table topper using a ‘coin’ design, and a table runner in a seminole design. What I really want to start is ‘A Winter’s Dance’ by Robyn Pandolph, but use batiks instead of florals. Christmas is the only holiday that I find time to quilt for! Interesting books!
I always make gifts for the Holiday…..tree skirts, bed quilts, table toppers, placemats, quilted stockings….you name it, I’ve made it! This year I’m doing a poinsettia wall hanging for me that I have been wanting to do for 4 years! I guess that’s what happens when life happens! Thanks for great giveaway!
I designed and made a table topper last year using mile-a-minute blocks, the very first thing I ever made as a new quilter. It will be on my table every Christmas!
Last year I made a great tree skirt for my daughter. I have another one planned for my new daughter-in-law with fabrics she purchased on her honeymoon in Thailand. I’d love any of those books! Thanks for sharing.
I have made several stockings, a couple of pillows, and a tabletopper,. Thanks for a chance to win .
A few years ago I made a table runner with cardinals and poinsettas for my son and his family that are active military for 16 years. This is so every Christmas if I can’t be there I am at the table with them…
Lets see alot of my things as far as gifts have been knit- scarves, hats, purses. I have sewn Christmas stockings and pilows bt it has been years. This year I have gotten back into sewing and I am do a Christmas wreath quilt right now. I have some Christmas fabric sitting here that I don’t know what to make it into. I need a pattern to inspire me.
I do need to make some stockings this year, also a table runner for my foster mom. So I better get to work! Thanks for the great giveaway! I would love to make those birds and some of the other projects as well Those Japanese quilts are amazing!! Wow!
I made a rag wreath. It was really cute! Hhhmmmm…I should make another!
I made stained glass poinsettia wall hangings in a class one year and liked them so much I made them for Christmas gifts. I still use mine. I’ve seen the taupe quilts in Houston and just marvel at the nuances of color that are so beautiful.
For Christmas in 2009 I made 7 “Santa Trips Around The World ” wall hangings as gifts for all the gals in my family. A trip around the world in Christmas fabrics with Santa , sleigh & his reindeer in the border. I did start my Christmas in July that year!
One year I made 4 Nancy Halvorsen applique wall hangings for family. It was a lot of work but everyone loved them. I almost always make all my Christmas presents and they are either quilted or machine embroidered or both!
I still have my great grandmother’s quilts. Quilts are the best family heirloom to pass along.
I made my step-dad a Nutcracker flag….and made sure he knew in no uncertain terms that if he liked it, he better take care of it, because I would NEVER EVER make another one! *laughing* That was about 20 years ago….. he still has it, and displays it on the wall INSIDE where it’s safe. I feel like a kid every time I see it….but a proud kid none-the-less!
Two years ago I finished making a Christmas sampler quilt. I hand pieced and with a group of ladies I quilt with we had quilted it. It took me awhile to make it but when it was finished it was beautiful. Now I want to make another one. There are so many beautiful Christmas fabrics calling me.
I made some wool Christmas ornaments last year.
I made a “Christmas lone star” (star of Bethlehem) quilt a few years ago in a class taught by Jan Krentz.
about twentyfive years ago, i crocheted 30 different 3″ sugar-starched ornaments for her christmas tree … she hangs them on her tree every year. they are still just as though i made them yesterday!
I have just finished a series of calendar quilts. These are wall hangings, one for each month of the year emphasizing the holidays . The Halloween and Thanksgiving quilts are my favorite, but the Christmas one is very pretty also.
The Japanese quiltmakers are phenomenal! They make some of the most incredible and intricate designs. Their use of color is unique.
I truly enjoy Renee N.’s Need’l Love books….I’ve made several of her wool Christmas Stockings, plus a wool wall-hanging of Santa Claus up on a roof with his bag full. At the moment I’m making a table runner for Easter from Kim Diehl’s book.
Just the other night (Friday) I was flipping through an Irish Quilting magazine, I pointed to the cover and held it up for my husband to see and told him I would like to make this quilt. Saturday when my husband got home from work I told him to go look at my design wall, to his surprise it was the quilt from the magazine, I think that is the fastest quilt I have ever made, my advise to new quilters, fall in love with your project and dont stop till its finished, the feeling of acomplishment is awesome:)
I used left over fabric to make small stuffed symbols to associate to different songs, e.g. a star for “twinkle, twinkle, little star” and made a little bag to put them all in. A song bag. Gave it as a Christmas gift to a little boy who loves to sing. He puts his hand in the bag and picks an item and sings a song connected to the item.
A tree skirt.
I love the quilted stockings I have made for the whole family. Continued the tradition as each daughter had their children and now three households have Christmas stockings that I have made. Thanks for the giveaways.
Just completed 22 little gift bags for Halloween for the kids in the Peds ICU unit where my daughter works. Used the pattern from allpeoplequilt.com . I will probably start on some little stockings for her unit for Christmas. Love all Kansas City Star books, since I grew up there. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve been having fun with a simple quilted tree skirt made using 9″ half-square triangles. Beginning in the summer (Christmas in July?!?) I’ve taught the class several times at quilt shops and retreats, and will teach again this week for a group of 68 quilters! Just sharing the Christmas/quilty joy! It goes together so quickly and looks beautiful! http://www.quiltscapesquilting.com/patterns
Every year I make some folk art Xmas ornaments, mitts, birds, stars etc. One year a girl friend and I made advent calendars, there were sequins and beads and wine involved. Oh we had fun.
I have a gorgeous high healed shoe stocking cut out, ready to sew.
Many years ago I made a trivet for my mother-in-law using a pre-quilted background with green tree shapes in a circle machine appliqued with red thread. I stuffed it with a sachet bag filled with whole cloves and crushed cinnamon sticks. It comes out every year to be used at our Christmas dinner and still leaves a scent of Christmas. Many have complemented me on the snowflake design. I hadn’t noticed that it indeed looks like a snowflake.
I have made a Christmas ornament, usually fabric, for my son each year since he was born, he is almost 31 and still looks forward to opening his newest ornament Christmas morning.
I have completed a stocking for my son which was of an embroidered nativity scene.
I finished a cat on a picket fence in front of a full moon and along the side were a stack of “flying geese” – but they were all in orange and had Jack-O-Lantern faces. It was on an early American Patchwork and Quilting calendar and I managed to get in done in time for Halloween. I also finished custom Christmas stockings, a tree skirt and a snowman quilt for my mom. The clip on bird is adorable!
One year I learned to make wreaths and in my usual fashion, “went to town” with them. It is always thrilling to learn a new skill for me and I want to make sure everyone else has a chance to feel that too. I was given the opportunity by a friend who was running a Christmas stall to set up a table with a very small budget, set about to gather materials, gathering gum leaves and nuts which I rubbed with gold, wire coathangers bent into circles, embellishings such as made up small “gifts”, colourful fabric covered tiny boxes with pretty Christmassy ribbons and anything at all that would add a flavour of the season. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life..I spent the day surrounded by people young and old who wanted to join in the fun and together we created and glued and fiddled to our hearts content and each person left with a big smile and a new skill. It was a marvelous day.
I always make my greeting cards on time, maybe because I start way back in July.
I have sewn birds as ornaments, and I just love the way they accent the tree. A friend was having a difficult time and I gave her a gift of tea, a tea cup and a sewn bird ~ she was tearfully grateful. I love those little birds and love to sew them for Christmas or any time of year. ~~Lisa
My favorite is the Maple Leaf wallhanging, made in bold autumn colors, that goes up in the living room every year on Nov 1, just when all the Halloween stuff comes down and all the Thanksgiving decorating is put in place. The rest of the year, the Maple Leaf is near my desk so I can see my favorite deep, warm autumn colors year round.
I made quilted advent calendars. I tied a red and white peppermint candy at each number. They were a big hit!
I have done advent calenders for the grand kids, what fun they wanted to see inside all the pockets the first day.
I made an applique pillow cover of a Christmas scene for my mother, and she uses it every year in the winter. (I’ve made other pillowcovers for her as well, and it’s fun for her to change them with the seasons.)
The very best holiday quilt I ever made was a ‘modern’ quilt for my ‘modern’ daughter (none of that traditional patchwork stuff for her…no sir!
). It did come out beautifully and she was very happy to take it home to her house with her!
I think my finest Christmas present was almost 20 years ago when I made my mother-in-law a tree skirt from log cabin blocks in the shape of diamonds. (I had just learned to do foundation log cabin and the pattern not only was in diamonds, but included a pleat between each log.!) I don’t remember how many weeks I worked on it, but I spent many a late night working diligently on it so I could mail it to Texas in time for the tree to be put up! It was a great hit and since MIL loved it, I was happy!
I just finished a Christmas table runner – a kit from Jinny Beyer – it turned out great!
I just finished a quilt celebrating many holidays! It is A Tisket A Tasket by Bunny Hill Designs- I love it!
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I just took an awesome class from a very special instructor at our local quilt shop. We were taught the Dresden Plate using the Perfect Patchwork Templates from Marti Michell. I made two of the mini Dresden Plates using all red fabrics from my stash and have decided to make little holiday coasters for the dining room table out of them, so I will need to make several more…but they are such fun and look very much like a cheerful little poinsetta with the yellow center. I want to make a skinny little table runner using these cute little mini red plates. The Christmas table should be delightful this year.
i made table runners for all my girls last christmas