Christmas countdown: 45 days! Who’s going to luck out this year and land on your handmade gift list? Now’s the perfect time to start stitching—and we’re here to help you begin. Just check out the three categories of quilts below to find a happy match for your gift recipient.
Need help organizing your gift ideas? Print out our handy Handmade Holiday Gift List (right) to help with your planning.
Get a good night’s sleep on Christmas Eve; get inspired and prepared now for the holidays!
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KEEPSAKE QUILTS
Cherish their appearance each Christmas; pass them down to the next generation.
Deck the Halls:
Quilts to Celebrate Christmas
by Cheryl Almgren Taylor
Create this gorgeous poinsettia quilt with simple piecing and fast, fusible appliqué. Add an air of elegance by stitching gold beads to the center of each flower.
Deck the halls—plus mantels, tables, doors, and more >
Adoration Quilts:
Appliqué Nativity Projects
by Rachel W. N. Brown
Appliqué “The First Gift of Christmas” tree skirt in eight sections featuring angels, a manger scene, and a pieced star that encircles the tree trunk.
Learn more about Nativity traditions around the world >
Make Room for Christmas Quilts:
Quilts and Decorating Ideas from Nancy J. Martin
Combine big and little pinwheel blocks in a “Peppermint Pinwheels” quilt that looks as though the pinwheels are actually spinning!
Get 16 patterns plus a dazzling tour of holiday homes >
CUDDLE QUILTS
Perfect for display…when you’re not under one for a snuggle by the fire.
Favorite Christmas Quilts:
from That Patchwork Place
This “Roses and Wreaths” design features the traditional Old Favorite block, but the quilt is assembled in rows. Fabric choices are a cinch—just three colors!
Capture the spirit of Christmas in 14 festive quilts >
Holiday Wrappings:
Quilts to Welcome the Season
by Loraine Manwaring and Susan Nelsen
Choose red and white, green and white, or a multicolored palette for this lively “Candy Sticks” quilt.
Learn how to turn a table topper into a tree skirt lickety-split >
Cuddle or keepsake? Maybe both! This scrappy beauty by designer Roxanne Carter spotlights the classic Sister’s Choice block.
Another favorite: a cardinal perched in the center of a Feathered Star >
QUICK QUILTS
Whip ’em up for gifts, decorating, or charity—there’s time to make more than one!
Christmas with Artful Offerings:
Delicious Cookie-Cutter Designs for Quilting, Sewing, and Punchneedle
by Karina Hittle
Tuck favorite recipes, holiday greetings, or gift cards in the pockets on the back of these “Quilted Cookie Note Cards.”
Use classic Christmas-cookie shapes in ornaments, stockings, and more >
Christmas Cats and Dogs:
Quilts to Celebrate the Season
by Janet Kime
Know a cat lover who could use some holiday humor? Appliqué these cute tuxedo cats! Frame your appliqué with a large-scale Christmas print in the border.
Dress up a dozen adorable cats and five jolly dogs for the holidays >
Paper Piece a Merry Christmas
by Jodie Davis
Stitch an ode to Santa with five fun quilt blocks that capture his likeness. If you can sew a straight line, you can paper piece them all!
Includes how-to for turning more than 40 Christmas blocks into ornaments >
WANT MORE CHRISTMAS-QUILT IDEAS?
Yes, we’ve got more.
Christmas gifts: already done, in the works, or not even close? Tell us in the comments!
No clue with Christmas gifts. The Cardinal in the feathered Star in pretty.
—Quilting Tangent on November 10, 2014Unfortunately, not even close — but I am thinking!
—Carol Sc on November 10, 2014Usually I start making Christmas gifts and cards in August so I’m finished on time to send cards to my family in England but this year I had foot surgery then moved to a new house so I’ve done neither. Oh woe is me!
—Lynda Nunez on November 10, 2014My gifts are in the works. 2 quilt tops done, 1 wip, and lots of smaller projects to go.
—Cathie. on November 10, 2014A table runner and table topper all done. No other Christmas projects planned. Too many UFOs to finish.
—Collette Morton on November 10, 2014Many in the works. Some are already done. Start working on Xmas gifts in January.
—Dawn Smolsky on November 10, 2014Started on next year already. One item for this year awaiting finally assembly.
—Lynne on November 10, 2014My Christmas gifts are in the works…and I have to get in 1st gear to get them finished in time. Just quilting up a storm!
—Jeanette on November 10, 2014Does "not started" count?
—Marsha T on November 10, 2014In the works, I keep thinking of something else I want to make. I am really going to be busy. It is so much fun.
—Patricia D. Roberts on November 10, 2014Done? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha…………
—Whiskers on November 10, 2014Only one gift bought, so far. Not easy on a disability budget. Lots of home made gifts from the heart which will be heirlooms one day. Priceless
—Marcilynn Hoffman on November 10, 2014With visions of Christmas projects dancing in my head……unfortunately they stay in my head at this point in time. I’ll try and squeeze some out to the machine soon!
—Pam Willey on November 11, 2014Yikes! Not even close this year 🙁 – had the flu.
—Lorinda on November 11, 2014So many beautiful things to make, recovering from rotator cuff surgery so ideas will have to wait. Thanks for sharing.
—Blanche Snow on November 14, 2014I have 3 bed quilts finished, all different, for 2 granddaughters, and 1 daughter-in-law. Working on 2 more for daughters in law. It has been a busy autumn, and I love it. Keeps me from worrying about pending breast lumpectomy results; doesn’t look good. Quilting is a great joy, along with grandchildren and our family.
—Norma on November 14, 2014I usually make our fabric Christmas cards in Jan-Feb. This year is no handmade cards. I had critically/terminally ill father in Jan and a funeral in February. Late April, we finally got out move dates to Kansas for the end of May and beginning of June. From June to Aug 4th, we were living in our 5th wheel Rv in a state park. We moved into the 1928 farmhouse bungalow. My sewing studio space needs floors redone, walls built, sheetrock, paint and lighting. It will be at least 6 months before I can move into my sewing studio.
—Ocotilla on November 14, 2014I’ve gotten started but am running behind schedule. Looking at these great ideas is motivating to keep at it.
—Donna Adams on November 15, 2014I’ve started, but only "just." I have Rachael Brown’s Adoration Quilts book and it is beautiful–well worth having! Many of the other books you feature look great too.
—Carol Kussart on November 16, 2014My husband and I are practicing our wedding vow of "In sickness and in health" so much of our quilting gifts are now next years: Works in Process.
Keep smiling,
—Lynnita Shipman on November 22, 2014