Welcome to my stop on the Christmas in July blog hop. And, since it’s Tuesday, its also our weekly Colour Inspiration Tuesday link up party. Merry Christmas-in-July!
Today I can show you my new Christmas quilt in full! This quilt is also my Island Batik Ambassador project for July. I do hope you’ll like it, it is going to be a very welcome addition to our family’s Christmas decor this year. I’ll finish telling you its story today as well , after having to leave you hanging a bit yesterday.
And I know all this Christmas excitement is a bit distracting, but don’t forget, you can show me what you are working on (or have just finished) by linking up to the Chameleon’s Colour Party at the end of this post. Everyone is welcome at the Chameleon’s quilt and sewing party every Tuesday…. if you don’t blog or use social media you can still join in with just a photo. I’d love to see what you’re making!
But first, come on in and see my new quilt “White Christmas”.
Finished, laid flat and shown in full
But it is not really designed to be viewed this way. Let me show you this little quilt in it’s natural habitat.
I have a small table that is very solid and very handy. But it is not very chic. Not that I am either…… but the kids draw the line at Winnie the Pooh as trendy decor these days.
So while I wait for my kids to grow back into all their childhood favourites, this table needs to go undercover… haha bad pun intended, especially on occasions when we have company. Like at Christmas.
My White Christmas Table Topper Quilt
So, when I decided to make a quilt for this Christmas in July hop, I decided it was time to make something special for my much maligned table. I designed this quilt to be 40″ square, so it fits this table with a lovely amount of drape over the edges. And I only embellished the corners so that the quilt on top of the table is flat.
You can read about much of the construction in yesterday’s post, but here are the remaining details.
The batting layer in this little quilt is HOBBS Thermore, given to me as part of my Island Batik Ambassador box in February. I have very little of this batting left now…… sadly. I think I have enough for one little wall hanging I have planned for September.
It is quilted top and bottom with Aurifil 40wt cotton #2610, which is a soft blue grey colour that fits in perfectly. I quilted the background in dense swirls to flatten it. And just holly leaves down the centres of the pale Winding Ways units. to leave some puff in the appliquéd areas.
Then I embellished the corners with holly leaves made by appliquéing batik fabric onto dark green felt. And finally, I added some pink beads as berries. The last of these went on this morning…….. cutting the finish a little finer than I would have liked.
Here are some more hero shots of this quilt in action. I was a little surprised and very much delighted at how putting it on the table emphasises a different secondary pattern to the original plan. I only discovered this when taking photos. What a great designer I am, of course – didn’t even see that coming. LOL.
And I love the view from the side too. This was more in line with my expectations and mental image.
It will look great on a larger table too., if I have need. But for now I am super happy with its intended purpose. No more Christmas for you, Winnie the Pooh!
Unlike Winnie the Pooh, I hope you will find plenty of Christmas cheer on the internet today. The rest of today’s hop participants are listed at the end of this post. Merry Christmas-in-July! I wish you much peace, joy and happiness today and always, as if it really was the 24th of December. rather than the 24th of July.
Now, let’s have a quick look at last week’s features
It seems only right to feature last week’s Christmas-themed link up to the Chameleon’s Colour Party. Mary from Made by Marney sells the cutest patterns you could ever wish for in your Christmas stocking, Last week was no exception.
Mary has made one of her paper-pieced patterns into the most fantastic Santa cushion! Here’s her block…. go take a look at her pillow. She has also shared a paper-piecing tutorial and a give-away.
Disappointment Avoidance Notice: Please be aware that Mary’s give-away closes Thursday, is limited in scope for international participants and Santa and his friends are patterns for purchase. But oh my gosh, he is really so darn cute, you might just have to buy him. Unless you win him….. 🙂 good luck!
Our other feature this week is not Christmas-themed, but it makes my heart sing because it really captures the Spirit of Christmas. And that is the most important thing, and something that can be done all year round. Carole from my My Carolina Home has shared her improv scrappy quilt process, her tips on using up mostly empty bobbins and a little lesson on the Fibonacci sequence all in one post. And as if that wasn’t enough, this great little quilt is heading off to charity. Generosity abounds in this feel-good post. Go say “Hi” to Carole and leave her an encouraging comment on her latest quilt finish.
And lastly, your invitation to link up to this week’s Chameleon’s Colour party and show us your projects……
What are you working on, or have recently finished in your sewing room? Link up a blog post, a Flicker pic, an IG post or simply a photo from your computer. See if you can get the Chameleon to turn quilted with happiness. We’d love to see your quilting colours.
Guidelines (more detail here):
- Link up your latest or recent quilt excitement. All construction stages welcome.
- You have 100 characters in the link description…. tell us who you are and what your fantastic project is.
- URLs are not necessary to link up…. non-bloggers 100% welcome!
- Do it now……. before you forget!
[inlinkz_linkup id=791001 mode=1]
P.S. Don’t forget to visit the other bloggers posting in the Christmas in July hop today:
Your quilt is amazing! I like the fabrics and the snowflakes. I like the quilting and the sparkly quality of it. Sorry, it really does beat Winnie for beauty. =) Thanks for sharing this amazing quilt.
It is beautiful! I really love the softness of your colours
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your quilt! The new batiks that are coming out are amazing. Thanks for sharing!
The quilt is just lovely, the final addition of just a touch of holly with those stunning snowflakes, was the perfect finish. The soft colours have a special warmth, matching the hopes and dreams of Christmas. Pooh and friends will be kept safe under the folds of luxury until needed again. Thank you for sharing, Dione!
Your quilt is really beautiful! Thank you for sharing it today.
I love the soft, cool colors of your White Christmas quilt! Inquiring minds want to know what thread you used to stitch down your snowflakes? I love the shimmer it gives them! I also love the beads for berries! Great job!
Love your snowflake topper!
Beautiful table topper quilt and love the grey outline on the snowflakes.
Oh my, Dione, this quilt is absolutely stunning. Though I am a huge fan of Winnie the Pooh, I think this is a perfect replacement for your Christmas theme. The fabrics, colors, and embellishments make this a treasure! I just got Mary’s book in the mail and can’t wait to get sewing on one of her cute patterns. Thank you so much for sharing and hopping along with us!
Such a pretty table topper for your Christmas celebrations. And so fun to find the secondary pattern once you got it on the table.
Your table topper is beautiful. The colors are so soothing. It looks great on that table.
White Christmas is gorgeous, very inspiring.
Hi Dione! Wowee – this really turned out great. I love how those snowflakes complete the block centers, and the secondary pattern is fabulous. The nice soft colors look wonderful covering up Winnie – no one except your peeps would ever know he’s under there! Happy Tuesday! ~smile~ Roseanne
Gorgeous quilt! Love the secondary design, too. The colors you chose are absolutely beautiful. Sad to see Winnie and friends go, but you have a winner here!
your quilt is just gorgeous. it is a conversation piece as well as soo pretty. thanks for sharing today
Well done Dione! White Christmas is beautiful!
Your topper is absolutely gorgeous and so elegant looking. Great job! Marney’s Santa is “sew” darn cute too, and well, Carolina home is a favorite of mine too. You’ll see! winky winky
Your Winter-themed table topper is beautiful! Very nicely done!
You are very clever Dione. Creating an elegant table piece for what you describe as “not very Chic” table, and having it become a stunner, proves that cleverness. I love it.
Your blog is chock full of info, so much to explore. Thanks for sharing your creations with us.
Lynn
I think Winnie and friends will be honored to be wrapped up so nicely for the holidays. Your design is wonderful. Really loving the holly leaves and berry accents.
love your projects
Hi Dione, I adore your White Christmas Table Topper…excellent! Thank you for your shout out for my Made By Marney patterns. Luv ya!
Lots of inspiration on your post today. The colors in that quilt for the Pooh table are fantastic.
I’m still working on my July Island Batik challenge, while yours is shining! What a gorgeous table topper. I love all the little touches–the three dimensional leaves, the beads, and the perfect quilting motifs. And ya gotta love how that secondary pattern just pops on the table! Perfection!
Hi Dione, that is a very lovely table topper. Seeing secondary pattern and such is very typical of photos – that’s also when I see my oops! Great job 🙂
Well I saw the snowflake coming, and the curvy diamond secondary pattern, but not the holly berries! With beads! Appliquéd on felt!! Love it. Just love. Perfect on Winnie the Pooh, one of my favourite childhood books, and memories of lying on my top bunk reading and laughing (Winnie’s head stuck in the hunny jar for one) so hard my mum came in to see what was up. I also love and will admit I’m jealous that you got that gorgeous white batik, and impressed that you got the metallic thread to show up so well! Beautiful work as always. 🙂
Poor Pooh bear… but really, the quilt looks amazing on the table! The quilt would look amazing anywhere 🙂 Love it! You did a fantastic job and yes you are a great designer 🙂 🙂 xx
I love your quilt! Great idea to prepare Christmas in July ;))
I love your White Christmas table topper. Very elegant. And I linked up with my color challenge post. I will make note of your weekly linky party and participate when possible. Blessings!
What a great quilt! I love the colors, and the appliques are perfect. I’m curious about the lovely sparkly thread that you used on the snowflakes. Love it!
Since I’m getting a few enquiries about this, I’ll answer it publicly as well: The thread on the snowflakes is Gütermann metallic col.7001 I use it a lot, it is a silver colour…. not the grey silver colour that is more like steel, but the warm yellowish silver colour of the real metal silver when it’s polished. Highly recommended IMHO.
Oh my goodness, I LOVE THAT QUILT! How many secondary designs can a quilt have? There are footballs (pointy American ones) and kisses and curvy octagons and shamrocks and… And then I want to put crocheted doilies where the appliqued snowflakes are, not that the snowflakes aren’t perfect, or maybe a leprechaun in a green version. OK. I’ll stop now. Congratulations on an amazing finish.
I love your quilt! The secondary design is just fantastic!