Sunday, November 27, 2016

Ugly Xmas Sweater Quilt Finished!

 Happy Sunday! I spent a couple hours last night and some more this morning binding my Ugly Christmas Sweaters Quilt. After all it is Slow Sunday Stitching: 
It is finished just in time to adorn my kitchen table for the Christmas season. This was a quilt along in the spring from Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts:
 I quilted it on my mom's long arm yesterday and just did big loops. I want the sweaters to be the focus, not the quilting. Plus, it is a utility quilt--it shrunk up nicely and will look good with my rainbow of Fiestaware dishes on top. After washing, it measures 60 inches square.
 I get lots of questions about using quilts for tablecloths and I have been using them for this purpose for 15+ years. I saw vintage quilts being used for this task at a family reunion in an old farmhouse in Missouri. I recommend using high quality fabrics because they get washed often. I use Warm and White or Warm and Natural batting because it is thin and dishes can rest on the low loft surface easily.  The tablecloth quilt also works like a protective table pad. I have not bought a regular tablecloth in years!
I love all the sweaters and had such fun digging into my stash for the right color combinations. The lime green with red and white dots is from the Chantilly line. 
The binding and backing was a $5 a yard Windham Fabric called Country Lane by Bari Ackerman. I have used this same fabric for a couple of other quilt backings because I love the red with pink and lime green plaid and I know the quality is top notch--plus I can't beat that price.
I have no will power--I traced another redwork Christmas design from Red Brolly. This is my third! You can find the free design here:

I am thrilled I was able to get the Ugly Xmas Sweaters Quilt outside for some pictures because I just looked up and it is blowing snow again. Sounds like a perfect afternoon to spend in my sewing room working on Lisa Bongean's The Magic of Christmas red and white blocks:

Have a great week!
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26 comments:

  1. This is so adorable, Tanya! Perfect timing to finish it. The colors are perfect for Fiestaware, too! Enjoy!

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  2. Your Ugly Christmas Sweater quilt turned out gorgeous. I LOVE the colors you used in the border and binding. Congrats on a beautiful finish. I really wanted to do that QA, but was short on time.

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  3. Fantastic finish. You really have been zooming along to get this finish. It looks wonderful. Good to see you have been bitten by the red work bug!

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  4. I can't explain how much I like this quilt. The border and backing are wonderful. Lime green is awesome and that plaid is perfect. What a fun conversational piece it will be. Lucky you getting to use a longarm!

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  5. Your Ugly Christmas quilt is adorable!! I say use a quilt how you want. How is it different from a quilted placemat?? Just one large one!! There are some fun fabric combos on there!!

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  6. I really wanted to make that quilt, but time got away from me. I love yours! I had never thought to make quilts for tablecloths...great idea! That redwork design is adorable. Thanks for the link!

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  7. Your Ugly Sweater quilt is wonderful! I really wanted to make one, but had too many other irons in the fire--I love yours!!

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  8. So very festive! This quilt is going to look lovely adorning your table for the holidays. I love the border and backing/binding you chose and the loops are a fun quilting finish. Well done! Thanks so much for joining in the Ugly Christmas Sweaters quilt along, Tanya!

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  9. The Ugly Sweater quilt is a fun piece. It is a good one to use for a tablecloth.

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  10. Congratulations, Tanya, this is really nice finish! You are so tempting me with this project...but...there are so many temptations! I will just admire yours. :D

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  11. Your Ugly Sweater quilt is adorable!

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  12. I just adore your quilt!! It's so cute and I love all the fabrics you used!

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  13. Your ugly sweater quilt is just a delight. Thanks for the link to Red Brolly. I had forgotten how much I enjoy her designs.

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  14. Such a fun quilt! It will definitely be a great addition to your holiday decorations.

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  15. What a fun finish, though I must admit to cringing when I think of food spilled on it.

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  16. I love that quilt! Wonderful job on it. I have never used quilts as tablecloths, but I think I may give it a try. Have a wonderful December!

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  17. What a fantastic quilt, I wish I had taken part in this quilt a long too now. I was interested to read you use quilts as tablecloths. I use them as tablecloths when we picnic.

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  18. Hurray for the Ugly Sweater finish before Christmas. Each year, Jimmy Fallon gives away an ugly Christmas sweater as a count down to Christmas on the Tonight Show. Has no mention of it this year but probably coming again.
    What do you use for marking your embroidery design? I have been using a Frixion pen.

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  19. Your quilt really turned out great Tanya and the backing is perfect!

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  20. Tablecloths are always quilts. As we speak all three of my tables sport the "quilty" look !~! I love yours too.

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  21. How pretty. Your quilt is beautiful. I hope to have mine quilted very soon :)

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  22. How many of us started, but you finished! Good for you, it is awesome and cute, too.

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  23. I love everything about your quilt. Great fabric choices, front and back. Congratulations on the finish!

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