Sew Many Santas is done! Another very old UFO... and my first attempt at hand quilting. I'm glad I opted for the hand quilting as I think it adds a really nice touch to this project. I just finished sewing on the eyes this morning (wanted natural light) and I am in LOVE with this little quilt. These Santas might have to join my snowmen collection for the winter as I'm not going to want to put them away any time soon.
I machine quilted the sashing using my 1/4 foot edge to stabilize the quilt before I started the hand quilting. After I was about halfway done with the hand work I attached the binding and hand sewed it down because the extra "stuff" was starting to get in my way. I should have done that right away as it made handling the top much easier for me.
I had a lot of fun doing the beards. Each Santa has a different pattern on his beard and I just went with it... no pre-planning or drawing them out.
I used jingle bells on 5 Santas and some old shank buttons from my collection on the other 4.
The eyes are teeny 1/8" buttons I found at fabric.com. The finishing touches of the buttons and the bells are just so cute. Love them.
The straight lines were tedious to quilt at first because I was trying to be way too perfect! Once I "loosened" up and reminded myself that no one is going to study them closely but me it got a lot more enjoyable.
The pattern for this project is Sew Many Santas from the book "Quick Country Christmas Quilts" by Debbie Mumm. I started this project in 2002... it's an oldie but a goodie.
This quilted tree ornament also comes from this book, I made a bunch of them one year for a family gift exchange.
I'm linking up to
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop@Confessions of a Fabric Addict,
Link a Finish Friday@Richard and Tanya Quilts and
TGIFF@Sparrow In Flight.
I love that quilt! So cute! You did a great job on it, with all the hand quilting. You're amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is darling! And good on you for hand quilting ; )
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it! I too have the "Quick Country" book and many times wanted to do this quit but never got started. Good for YOU!! It is never to late to finish something, In years to come all quilts become "quilts"....so it doesn't matter when you started them...just that you finished it! Bully, Bully for YOU!!
ReplyDeleteI adore your quilt and you have inspired me to make one. I borrowed the book from our public library and hope to have it done in time for next Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis is so darn cute. I would have a hard time putting this one up. I was going to ask about the pattern but MTN MAMA gave the name of the book.
ReplyDeleteDarling quilt!! I love it. I may have to try this one myself!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt and your hand quilting looks great.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt. I bet you're glad it's finished after all that time. Definitely well worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteI love your Santa quilt it looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful Santas! I do love Debbie Mumm patterns and you have done a beautiful job on this. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the Santas finished. Great idea with the hand quilting, especially the beards. I agree, it needs to stay out a little longer.
ReplyDeleteLove the Santas. What a great way to finish up the year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Santa quilt, Deb! I love love love it! Whoop whoop!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so adorable! I'd leave it out for a while, too. Really love your handwork on it.
ReplyDeleteDeb, this is just darling! What a GREAT way to finish off the year! Hey -- we keep Christmas up through at the very least the 6th of January -- and typically the 15th (or later)! Keep that sweet piece up through Valentine's Day!! I adore the bells and buttons you've adorned the Santa's caps with! :)
ReplyDeleteHo, ho, ho! Fantastic. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome, Deb! Good for you for getting it done and ending the year on a high note!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love the bells and buttons on the ends of their hats :) congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGreat finish and surely a relief to have it done, isn't it? I always make the same "discovery" when I'm quilting: once I decide to have fun and that being over-perfect is a burden, it gets better immediately and I'm really having fun ;o) Love yoir jingle bells and tiny eyes!
ReplyDeleteAwwww - I love your santas! And the individual attention given to each one. Takes a long time to hand quilt, but definitely worth it! I like that you put the binding on before finishing - I often do that too for exactly the same reason, and hope the quilt police don't get me!
ReplyDeleteThe Santas are fun. I know you will enjoy having the quilt next year as much as you enjoyed working on it this year.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic quilt you have to love the Santas. Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDeleteRichard and Tanya Quilts
Track My Shows