We’re starting to feel the Christmas spirit—are you? Here in the office, everyone’s buzzing about decorating, giftmaking, and party planning (remember last year’s office party?). Some staffers are really on the ball; they’ve already been to the sewing machine and back!
Author liaison Cathy stitched up this beautiful tree skirt from Simply Modern Christmas.
There’s still plenty of time to whip up quilts for you and yours to enjoy throughout the holiday season. What’s that—you don’t believe there’s enough time? We’re here to help! We’ve scoured 12 of our Christmas-quilt books in search of the quickest Christmas projects to sew. Take a look below at what you can create…even in a Christmas time-crunch.
One more time-saver: print out this handy Handmade Holiday Gift List below. Write down your (totally lucky!) gift recipients, and then start browsing for the perfect present to make for each person.
REMINDER: Sewing for charity as the holidays grow near? Tell us about your charity projects and you could win one of TWO $50 gift certificates! Enter by December 1.
Cozy up with quick Christmas quilts
“Argyle” from Simply Modern Christmas by Cindy Lammon
Use fat quarters to make the red and green blocks in this fireside-ready quilt.
More from Simply Modern Christmas:
“Holly Jolly Christmas Quilt” from Christmas Is Coming by Cheryl Almgren Taylor
Using basic patchwork and large, fused appliqué pieces, this lap quilt is fast and simple to stitch.
More from Christmas Is Coming:
“Holiday Stars” from Holiday Cheer Quilts
Gather 18 red and green fat quarters to make super-simple blocks; then use fusible-web appliqué to add wonky stars. (Also available as an ePattern.)
More from Holiday Cheer Quilts:
Deck the house in a hurry
“Winter Whimsy Wool Runner” from ’Tis the Season by Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks
Transform bits of felted wool into a festive runner with easy fusible techniques—and skip the batting and quilting! (Also available as an ePattern.)
More from ’Tis the Season:
“Holly Berry Table Topper” from Deck the Halls by Cheryl Almgren Taylor
Piece, fuse, and finish! Cheryl’s appliqué techniques make this pretty runner easy to complete over a weekend.
More from Deck the Halls:
“Snowman Wall Hanging” from Christmas Quilts from Hopscotch by Heather Willms and Elissa Willms
Create this adorable little wall quilt in an evening—no sweat! (Even stitch it up the day before Christmas if you’re frantic for a super-fast gift.)
More from Christmas Quilts from Hopscotch:
“Starlight Table Topper” from Holiday Wrappings by Loraine Manwaring and Susan Nelsen
Whip up this pretty topper with simple Star blocks and strip piecing; or transform it into a tree skirt (instructions included).
More from Holiday Wrappings:
“Holly Jolly Runner” from Sew Merry and Bright by Linda Lum DeBono
Feature seven Christmas-themed fat quarters in this make-in-a-day table runner.
More from Sew Merry and Bright:
Celebrate the spiritual side of Christmas
“A Musical Gift of Love” wall quilts from Paper Piecing Quilts of Praise by Jaynette Huff
Choose one of 18 paper-pieced blocks that you find especially meaningful; then frame the block with two accent borders, a middle border, and a wide outer border.
More from Paper Piecing Quilts of Praise:
“Tree of Life Pillow” from Inspirational Appliqué by Cheryl Almgren Taylor
Fusible appliqué makes easy work of what would otherwise be an intricate project. Because none of the leaves overlap, it doesn’t matter in what order the leaves are placed on the tree.
More from Inspirational Appliqué:
“Do Not Be Afraid” table runner from Adoration Quilts by Rachel W. N. Brown
Search your stash for dark-blue scraps to make the background for this striking runner, which features fast fusible appliqué and simple embroidery.
More from Adoration Quilts:
“Quilted Devotions” 4-block wall quilt from Quilted Devotions by Lisa Cogar
Twenty-four blocks are inspired by Bible stories that many know and love; choose four blocks that are meaningful to you and present them in this simple wall quilt.
More from Quilted Devotions:
What projects do you love unpacking and displaying each Christmas? Tell us about your treasures in the comments!
I HAVE A REVERSIBLE LAP BLANKET MY MOM GOT ME FULL OF WOVEN CATS AND IT MAKES ME SMILE AND HAVE WARM THOUGHTS
—diane on November 5, 2013My favorite thing to unpack at Christmas is an antique Nativity set. My Mom gave it to me after my husband and I bought our first house. It had belonged to my Grandparents. It has a hand made stable and figurines from Germany.
—Donna Hendricks on November 5, 2013I can still remember how excited I was when I was first allowed to set it up for Christmas some 50+ years ago. Baby Jesus didn’t arrive until Christmas Eve, after all that is the true meaning of Christmas.
I most look forward to hanging the x-stitch stockings. It took me 6 months to make each one, so they were created over several years. Each has some personal details besides the names. I used the patterns which were published in Cross-stitch and Needlework Magazine, now out of print. I used fusible pellon to stiffen the dark red cotton on the back so they will hang straight, and lined them with silky polyester to let small presents slide in easily. They are the focal point of my open stairway bannister (no fireplace mantel). They are the first thing opened every Christmas by our now adult children!
—Linda Towers on December 15, 2013