Monday, November 15, 2010

Charming Christmas Cardinals

Nina-Marie over at Creations..Quilts, Art....Whatever has linked up to an online Christmas Quilt show at  SewGalCal's.  Lots of beautiful eye candy to check out.  Just click on the button to go have a look (But not before you check out my entry!). 












So here is my entry.   Last year, before the local quilt shop had to cut back on hours due to family changes, they were still offering classes.  I signed up to take a class based on the Quilt in a Day pattern "How Charming".  I played around with 3 different sets of fabrics before I finally decided on a Christmas theme.  Then the class was canceled because no one else signed up. It's not a hard pattern and I had signed up for the class mainly as a reason to start a new project.  So I had my own all day class on the same Saturday as the canceled class.  I didn't follow the layout guidelines exactly, but really liked how the quilt came out.



I did learn one very valuable lesson when making this quilt.  In order to fussy cut the cardinals, I had to cut them as diamonds, on the bias.  I had heard that spraying pieces cut on the bias with starch reduces stretching.  But you are supposed to spray on the starch before you cut out the pieces not after!  Thankfully I had not cut the strips for the red frames yet, I just cut them a bit larger and then cut the final square to size, that worked really well and kept everything the right size. 


I collect cardinal fabric, I just love the deep red of those birds.  This was the first project that seemed to be just the right place to use that fabric.  I don't do my own quilting, this one was quilted by Lesa Foreman at the Corner Sew and So.   

Thanks for letting me share one of my favorite quilts.  It's almost time to pull it out of the closet and enjoy it during the Christmas season.  Hope you get a chance to enjoy the rest of the Christmas Quilt Show. 

33 comments:

Ariane said...

I love it!! It is such a beautiful quilt!! Thanks for sharing it!!

Lisa at Sun Naturals said...

We can learn a lot from quilting can't we....Your quilt is beautiful. I love cardinals as well. Great job.

Joanna said...

What a beautiful quilt. I love the fabric and layout. The colors are just perfect.

Carol said...

I really like the design and layout.
I have some of the same fabrics in my collection.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Beautiful! I love cardinals in real life, but I don't have any in quilts - I'll have to fix that! Thanks for sharing yours.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love cardinals and they look lovely in Christmas quilts don't they. I have a table topper which is put away right now so I didn't photograph it for the festival and it has a cardinal in it too.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Dawn said...

Beautiful! Great way to use that fabric :)

Shay said...

Oooh I like the multi coloured scrolly fabric.

Love the quilt Kate. Isn't it fun to have a quilting "class " for one?

Teresa F. said...

I love your quilt.Those fabrics are great.

Nina Marie said...

Cardinals always remind me of Christmas!!! Lovely quilt!

Karen said...

This is a gorgeous Christmas quilt. I love the way you have cut and used the cardinal fabric.
Great choice of design!!

Sarah Vanderburgh said...

Great quilt! Love your starching lesson:) I've never used starch, but it seems to be a trick I'm reading about a lot lately. My sister loves cardinals. I'll be sure she comes to peek at your quilt. Thanks for sharing.

Lois said...

I liked the way your quilt turned out also. I wonder how much fudging goes on in all the quilts we see? It is really a pretty quilt and I am sure it is appreciated by all who get to view it and I am glad I am one of those who got to view it. Love Lois

Linda in Arkansas said...

I've always wanted to make a quilt from this fabric - I just didn't know how or what to do. Hmmm...I guess I should have bought some. Maybe they still have some at the store. I like the 4 patches out of different fabrics - very pretty.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing one of your favorite quilts... and the story. I love cardinals, too... well, most birds in general. ;-) We don't have the really red ones here in the desert southwest to photograph. But I can get them on fabric! Your fabrics are beautiful.

...Karen

andsewon said...

This is a very pretty striking quilt! So festive too!

QuiltSue said...

What a great quilt.

Linda said...

Love your cardinals!! It's funny, my entry is cardinals too.

Nanbon44 said...

My Mother In law would just love that quilt, I am always making her things with cardinals. Beautify job, thanks for sharing

Sandy said...

Wow, how we learn the hard way...glad it worked out okay for you. Lovely quilt...I love cardinals, it is our state bird and we have alot of them all year!

SheilaC said...

I love cardinals too.... and your quilt is beautiful!

SheilaC

Chris said...

Beautiful! I keep my Christmas quilts our year round to enjoy :)

Becky said...

Thanks so much for sharing your cardinal quilt! Your story reminded me how lucky I am to have many quilt shops with many classes in my area. I love cardinals, too. This pattern does a wonderful job of showcasing your collection. Take care!

Teresa said...

It's a wonderful quilt! Lessons learned the hard way are not soon forgotten!! :)

Denise in PA said...

What a beautiful quilt - I just love the colors and the cardinals! Thanks also, for stopping by to see my Christmas quilt!

Susan said...

The things we learn in error are the things that stay with us.......... Your quilt is lovely. I really like what you did with your Cardinal blocks.

Nancy Sue said...

A class canceled! I can't imagine! I love the sweet 4 patch in between the fussy cuts! Thank you for sharing your wonderful quilt with us!!

Pat said...

Love your quilt. It was a good use for the cardinal fabric. Cheerful!

Roslyn said...

I don't know what the original setting was but I really like yours!

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Lovely quilt! I love your fussy cut cardinal blocks! Good work!!!

SewCalGal said...

Spectacular Christmas quilt. Love your cardinals. I am not familiar with this design, but love it. Love how the blocks with cardinals really pop. Excellent job. Inspirational.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Elzaan said...

That is a great quilt! Well done making that.
(If you like, I can send you a small piece of fabric with the Cardinals on them. I am not going to use the fabric. Think it is a Fat Quarter)
Elzaan

Kim said...

Your quilt is so pretty. I love the cardinal blocks.