Best Christmas Quilts 2012 BlogTour

I'm so excited to be participating in the blog tour for my "Christmas Critters" quilt in the new issue of Best Christmas Quilts 2012 by Quilters Newsletter! I met the editor in Houston last fall, where she fell in love with my "Cuddle Buddies Quilt" and invited me to design a Christmas quilt for their awesome magazine, of course I was thrilled. I've kept the basic design very easy, and I used Woolfelt for the critter applique and orange peels for simplicity, no need to fuse or turn under raw edges, as it doesn't ravel. Do be sure to pre-shrink your fabrics, and especially the Woolfelt, it will add a wonderful texture to it and it does shrink just a bit when it goes in the dryer. (I allowed for shrinkage in my yardage in the materials list.) I've used some basic hand-embroidery stitches on my sample: blanket-stitch around the critters, a pretty decorative herringbone stitch around the orange peels, stem-stitch for the reindeer antlers. All of these can be done by machine too if you prefer, I just like to do hand-work.

I chose animals that would have a special meaning for Christmas: of course the rein-deer at upper left, giving Santa a ride to all the good little boys and girls; the polar bear bringing to mind the North Pole where we all know Santa lives; what would Christmas be without the lamb, and every little boy and girl needs a Christmas puppy frolicking around! The 4-patch blocks reminded me of presents, so I added a little bow to the center of each one. If you're making this cuddle quilt for a small one, I would recommend not to use buttons; instead you can fuse or stitch penny-circles on the Christmas tree and at the corners. Ditto for beads, I would use French knots instead, and instructions and diagrams are included in the magazine for doing all the decorative stitches. I also had a thought as I was looking at the magazine photo: wouldn't it be cute to use chenille or minkee fabric on those outer borders? And so soft and cuddly for your little one, too. If you don't have a young one at home, this would also make a great wall hanging as well. My sample was quilted in a Christmas motif by Judy Whitehead, more info on Judy's beautiful work at www.goneawayquilting.com

If you'd like to see more of my patterns including my inspiration quilt #150 "Cuddle Buddies Quilt & Accessories", please visit the Patterns page of my web-site http://www.annieskeepsakes.com Hard to believe, we are celebrating 22 years in the business this year! Lots of patterns and magazine projects have been designed over the years, and we're still going strong! I also have the Woolfelt kit for the critter appliques and green orange peels for this "Christmas Critters" quilt.

And most important: if you'd like to be entered in the blog tour drawing, please leave a comment on this blog post before 11:59 MDT tonight, August 24, for a chance to win this "Hugs and Holly" fabric bundle by Red Rooster Fabrics and a copy of Best Christmas Quilts. Be sure to include your email address in your comment so we will know how to get in touch with you. I will draw one name at random. One comment per person, please. Open to those who haven't won something from Quilters Newsletter in the last 90 days. Good luck, and happy sewing!