Vertical Quilting Curve

Okay, I know it seems a little early to be discussing the holidays and it seems retailers try to get you to start the shopping season a little earlier every year but quilters and other crafters always seem to start (or need to start) early to get everything done. In fact, I bet October is actually late for some people.

Every year I try to do at least one big handmade gift for someone. Luckily both mine and my husband’s family have a great appreciation for handcrafted gifts. Last year I made matching denim aprons for my brother-in-law and his wife who both love to cook and entertain. Past gifts have included a crossed-canoes quilt using mostly plaid fabrics, a very heavy flannel and denim rag quilt, and a bird watching wall-hanging. There have been several years when time is rare and the gifts are smaller. I’ve made crochet dishcloths, quilted potholders, scarves, cross-stitched bookmarks and quickie fleece blankets.

In fact, some of my fleece blankets have been the most well received. All it takes is a great print that reflects the personality of the receiver or something they like. One year I found an extremely beautiful panel of a Navy ship and used my serger to add a simple finished edging to make a throw for my brother-in-law who is in his 20th year with the Navy. It was the hit of the year and it took me less than 1/2 hour to complete. Doing easy projects like fleece also frees up time to do my own projects or get more gifts made.

This year is one of those “I really don’t have time” years. So, I’m seeking quick and easy projects. Yes, I know that Christmas is only two very short months away but I have to do at least one big project that was actually due this month. I’m trying to make a 50th wedding anniversary quilt for my in-laws. It should have been done for this month but with all the illnesses running around the house I’ve barely had time for laundry and chasing germs away. This memory quilt is at the top of my list. My other handcrafted projects probably will not be quilt-related except for maybe a tote bag or two. Though, there are a few easy projects in the “easy quilts” magazine I just picked up.

How about you? Are you in high gear to make gifts for the upcoming holiday season? If so, what? I love to hear what people like to make to give away and what the recipients think, or, do you care what they think? Many of my recipients don’t really “need” anything but I love to believe it’s the thought that really does count and I’m most thoughtful when I’m making something.

quilting, quilts, handcrafted gifts, Easy Quilts, Christmas, gift giving, handmade

This is a little wallhaning I started a few years back. I had it almost done except for the binding. There really is no reason I should not have completed it then but somehow it got thrown in a basket and then eventually a drawer and then a box when we moved.

I really would have liked this piece to be hung around for the patriotic holidays and I found myself thinking about it every time the 4th rolled around but soon the holiday was over and I found other things to do. But now I am finished and I can truly have a handcrafted wallhanging for the holiday. I’m proud of how it turned out.

The eagle is from Go Wild With Quilts by Margaret Rolfe which I paper pieced. I designed all of the borders. It was machine quilted using a walking foot and a spring darning foot. I made straight rows to shape a diamond around the eagle and then I free-motioned quilted stars in the outer border (see detail below).

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

quilting, 4th of July, patriotic quilt, quilts, holidays, paper piecing, Margaret Rolfe

June 14 is the official day of the American flag. Here a few small paper pieced blocks I bought in an auction right after September 11. I still haven’t made them into anything. I’ve recently considered making them into fabric postcards to send around patriotic holidays. You can find more about Flag Day and the history of our flag at the Library of Congress.

Flag Day, holidays, flags, quilt blocks