This was my first quilt pattern in a long time. I had no intention of writing any more patterns this year but I really wanted a scrappy pattern. I also missed writing patterns. I sat down one night and started designing a quilt that I wanted to make. I had TWO full jars of Christmas scraps and I knew they would be perfect for a classic Christmas quilt. I wanted the pattern to be a good scrap buster quilt and to also work with Fat Quarters. After mocking different things up, I finally landed on #starglassquilt and my new pattern was born.
I love that you can make one block at a time so it is easy to make a larger quilt or a smaller quilt. Block based quilts are perfect for using scraps because you can change the direction of the quilt as you go based on what is available. The entire quilt is made from two sizes of squares and is traditionally pieced. Starglassquilt is block based and it comes in FOUR sizes.
This block is incredibly versatile! In my Christmas version, I made some blocks really scrappy. Other blocks, I used the same fabric for the “L”s. One of the best parts about block based quilts are the secondary blocks that are formed. This quilt is no different with circular blocks appearing when four blocks are placed together.
My Christmas version took inspiration from my classic red and green Christmas decor this year. I tend to gravitate toward the same fabric colorways of Christmas and over the years I had accumulated two large jars of red and green Christmas scraps! Let’s just say I have made more CHRISTMAS quilts than I have any other quilt.
I had a lot of fun with the quilting on this quilt too. I did a small plaid cross-hatch using red and green thread. Last year I sent out most of my quilts to be quilted by a long armer. However, I had a goal of quilting more of the quilts myself this year. I found Walk by Jacquie Gering and it completely changed my quilting life.
Walk is a quilting design book that shows how to quilt beautiful designs using a domestic sewing machine. Jacquie not only gives tips and how-to’s but her book also contains simple and quick to very detailed and stunning designs.
There is also Walk 2.0 which has even more designs. I have quilted probably about 30 designs from these books and not a single one has disappointed. These quilts look like they were quilted on a long arm machine but I used my domestic machine.
If you follow me on instagram, you will be familiar with my love of this book and how often I use it. In my stories I share my daily process and quilt designs. I am happy to say that so many have messaged me they too purchased this book and have discovered its value. If you have ever wanted to learn how to quilt on your machine, this is the book for you.
Stargalssquilt is indeed a versatile quilt and I made a second version using Kismet by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics. I will share the Kismet version next week.
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