Quilting for Christmas

Christmas is an added incentive for quilters to dig into the scrap basket. The Fairfield Processing Corporation makes quilt batting in a variety of thicknesses and sizes for different uses. The cotton batting is used for baby quilts, wall hangings and stockings, while "Traditional" is better for full size bed quilts. Their stuffing is perfect for ornaments.

Miniatures
Small quilts have become popular as wall hangings or for framing. A group of quilted squares is especially nice in a child's room, on a bathroom wall or lining a hallway.

Patchwork Stockings
Stitch together 2-in. squares of red and white fabric to make a cloth large enough to cut out a stocking pattern. Use a solid red for the backing. This is a strong design that can look contemporary as well as country style. Use the scraps to make small ornaments to match.

Pillows
Quilted pillows are quick and easy projects and almost any patchwork pattern can be adapted for this. Pillows can be made in various shapes such as hearts, animals and other country symbols.

Star Ornaments
Use strips of fabric or ribbons to make pretty, star ornaments. They are also great for selling at Christmas bazaars. You'll need a piece of 8-inch square muslin for the front and one for the back, stuffing and a batch of ribbons in different colors and widths. Arrange strips of ribbons across one piece of muslin and pin in place. Machine stitch along each ribbon edge. Draw a star pattern on plain paper same size as the muslin square and cut out. Pin this to the ribbon fabric and the extra piece of muslin and cut out. With right sides facing, pin the fabric pieces together and stitch around leaving one side of one point open for turning. Clip into the points and turn right side out. Stuff and stitch opening closed. Stitch ribbon or embroidery floss to the tip of one point for hanging.

Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.

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