Quilt Patterns

Christmas Quilt - A Tutorial Part One

This quilt is a wonderful choice for the beginner, the experienced quilter who is looking for a nice but fast Christmas quilt project for the Christmas season, or an experienced quilter looking for an introduction to the applique process. This Christmas quilt can be cut and pieced in less than a day's time and can be either machine quilted or hand quilted.

This is a two part lesson. The first part of this Christmas quilt lesson covers the cutting of the main background and three colors of cloth for the strips that surround the main background. This is a lap Christmas quilt project and is perfect to have on the back of your favorite chair or couch or at the foot of the bed during the holiday season.

Materials for Your Christmas Quilt

Fabric	Yards	Purpose	Notes	Click Image
A	2/3	Background	Cut one piece 21" X 31" Should be a light colored fabric. The Santa applique will go over this piece.
B	1/3	Strips	3, 5" strips - 2 at 21"; 2 at 39"
C	1/3	Strips	4, 5" strips - 2 at 29"; 2 at 48" (this will require sewing strips together)
D	1/2	Strips	5, 5" strips - 2 at 38"; 2 at 57" (this will require sewing strips together)

Santa Pattern

Use appliqué pattern to cut all the applique parts. The more precise you are in cutting the pieces the easier the appliqué process will be. Make sure the cloth is on a flat surface and the appliqué pieces don't move as you are cutting or marking around them.

Cut fabric into needed lengths. The background piece will have the Santa Appliqué applied. Santa can be applied to the background before or after the additional strips are added.

Helpful Quilt Block Cutting Hints

Make sure the cloth is straight and wrinkle free. Checking that the bias is not off can make a difference in the look of your quilt. Rip a small piece off the end of your fabric so that you have a correct straight edge. Now hold the fabric lengthwise and see if the selvage edges match. If they do the fabric bias is correct, if not the bias is off and the fabric needs to be stretched diagonally to correct the bias.

This is an extra step that can make a difference in the look of your quilt. Once the fabric is straight, use your cutting guides and the guides on the cutting mat to make sure the pieces are accurately cut. Taking a little extra time cutting the pieces will make the piecing process much easier.

Sew one 21" strip of B to the top and bottom of the background fabric. Then sew one 39" strip to each side.

Sew one 29" strip of C to the top and bottom of the background fabric. Then sew one 48" strip to each side.

Sew one 38" strip of D to the top and bottom of the background fabric. Then sew one 57" strip to each side. The quilt top is pieced at this point.

Making the Santa Quilt Applique

Using a quilting pencil measure and mark the center of the Christmas quilt background piece. When applying appliqués you need to make sure the under pieces are put in place first. With this appliqué, start with the lower torso piece. Using pins or a long running basting stitch attach the piece to the background of the Christmas blanket. When you reach the bottom tuck the top edges of the boot pieces under the edge and baste them on.

Next add the upper torso piece in the same manner. The arm piece should be added next, then the belt and the buckle. Lay the beard and hat in place and move them until you like the look Baste on the beard tucking the face piece in as you go. Once the beard is on add the hat.

The last pieces to be added will be the "fur" around the hat, lower skirt and the cuff on the arm. For added dimension to appliqué you can make small slits on the back and stuff fiberfill in. Once you have achieved the desired dimension sew the slit closed with small stitches to complete the Christmas quilt.