How to Sew a Christmas Quilt

 
How to Sew a Christmas Quilt
Content provided by

Create a family heirloom by inviting family members to contribute their own designs to create a Christmas quilt. Start with a brainstorming session to come up with ideas for each block and then gather the supplies needed to execute the design. Work with the youngest members of the family to design and construct their quilt blocks. Make sure that everyone signs and dates their contributions to add to the memories.

Things You’ll Need
    * Fabrics in holiday colors and prints
    * Matching thread
    * Sewing needles
    * Fabric glue sticks
    * Iron-on adhesive
    * Pencils and markers
    * Heavy cardboard or plastic for templates and patterns
    * Scissors
    * Embroidery floss for embellishing
    * Straight pins
    * Sewing machine
    * Iron and ironing board
    * Quilt bat

Step 1: Choose 100% cotton fabrics in red, green and white solids or small prints. Select a cotton fabric for the quilt backing in either a solid or print, as well as fabric for the binding. Determine the finished size of the quilt and purchase cotton batting in the appropriate size.

Step 2: Allow family members to design an individual quilt block and then join the blocks together, alternating them with a unifying block of one design. Select one size for the finished quilt block.

Step 3: Assist each member of the family in creating a design for the quilt block. Use holiday themes like stars, trees, snowflakes, snowmen or create geometric patterns using prints and solid-colored fabrics.

Step 4: Assemble a kit for each person's quilt block. Include a cut foundation piece for an appliquéd quilt block, pieces of fabric for the appliqué design, pattern templates and scissors. Provide straight pins, iron-on adhesive, fabric glue sticks, sewing needles, thread and have a sewing machine available.

Step 5: Start the project in the summer or no later than early November. Gather at least once a week to work on the quilt blocks. Help younger family members with the cutting and stitching of fabrics. Have an iron and ironing board set up.

Step 6: Design a unifying block to sew between the individually designed quilt blocks. Pick up the colors of the fabrics used in the other blocks and sew patchwork, four-square or strip blocks.

Step 7: Sew all the quilt blocks together, alternating the family designs with the unifying block. Use a fabric border between the blocks to give each one definition. Sandwich the batting between the quilt top and backing and attach the border. Quilt by hand or by machine.