One year after starting this Jingle Bell Rock quilt, it is finally completed. I thought I was going to finish it for Christmas 2014, but I ended up putting it in the closet for Christmas 2015. I'm only a few days late!
As I posted about it here and here, I just had to make this pattern because of the name. Jingle Bell Rock is the song my husband and I roller-skated to (yes really!) on our first date on December 17, 1962, and it has become our Christmas song. This quilt is in honor of that long-ago night.
The back is an adaptation of Crazy Mom Quilts Mini Trees Quilt with simple strips of color representing a Christmas tree. I drew the design on graph paper, did the math, and somehow got it right - it was fun! Dimensions ended up at 57" x 68".
I completed sandwiching the layers in December last year and started the quilting, but I put it away because I knew I couldn't finish it in time for Christmas. When I got it out recently to finish quilting it, it was a case of "what was I thinking?" I had started diagonal quilting on each block, and now that seems like way too much diagonal. I wish I had quilted each block in opposite diagonals instead, to add more interest.
But I'm pleased with the way the quilting looks on the back, and overall I like the result. This is first Christmas quilt I've made and kept and is the start of a collection I hope to add to every year!
Because of the riot of colors in this pattern, I was able to pull from a variety of stash and scraps and not limited to Christmas fabrics. Binding is from Sweetwater's Elementary collection, blue and white striped inside border is from Nancy Halvorsen's Curiosities, and outside green border with birdies is from Ann Kelle's Jingle collection.
I have a weakness for Christmas fabrics, and I might have asked Santa to bring yardage from Riley Blake's Postcards for Santa collection (love it!) and a few dark green Christmas fabrics.
Linking this week to Oh Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework
I love the quilt you made and the story that goes with it. I especially love what you did on the back, and I might just have to copy your idea on my next Christmas quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to say Sandra - thank you! :)
DeleteLinda, what a fun quilt! I love the new, modern Christmas colors that you've made it with. I also really like the quilting. It looks doable with a walking foot, which is how I quilt everything! Your Santa gift of fabric is perfect! Lots to use for next Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI did it with a walking foot Diann - that's the only way I seem to be able to quilt. I hope to develop some FMQ skills next year!
DeleteP.S. I have been admiring your festive blog header! I love the decorated lettering. Wish I knew how to do that!
DeleteThank you!! I do it in Picasa by making a collage of my photos, then I leave enough space at the bottom of the collage for the name of my blog. I get free fonts on dafont.com :)
DeleteLinda, this is such a sweet story. I love that this holiday quilt doesn't erad strictly Christmas. I think it would be fine to leave it out during the winter months. So cozy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bernie, and yes I'm going to keep it displayed for awhile - heck, maybe all year! :)
DeleteI love that tree you put on the back of that lovely quilt. How fun to have a song you first skated to. What a great memory. Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cynthia!! :)
DeleteOh what a brilliant way to use Christmas fabric without being one bauble past tinsel Christmas crazy, it looks lovely and I think the tree on the back is fabulous :)
ReplyDeleteCarie thank you for such lovely compliments! I appreciate your visit. :)
DeleteDear Linda, what a lovely story and a beautiful quilt! I would leave it out all year and not just at Christmas if it was mine! Hope Santa brought you some of the fabrics you wished for! Hugs Christine xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine! Yes, Santa had no choice!
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