Finish Your Christmas Quilting! Fast + Easy Ideas

Christmas day is approaching oh-so-quickly, but there’s still time to sew up a fast project or two. We’ve gathered together our quickest and easiest quilted holiday projects to inspire you — from ideas for last-minute gifts to fast home decor projects you can whip up before your guests arrive. We’ve also got a few ideas for finishing and presenting your special gifts. Enjoy!

Never underestimate the power of a single quilt block. A block of any style, framed in a pretty picture frame, is fast and easy to create and makes the perfect gift! This gorgeous Poinsettia Pop block designed by Mary Hertel for our newest edition of 100 Blocks (Volume 14) is sure to be well received this time of year. Of course you can look through back issues of 100 Blocks to find the perfect block for any recipient. You could also use a single block to make a quick throw pillow.

Does your home need an extra dash of holiday cheer before your guests arrive? This FREE Gather ‘Round quilted table ensemble designed by Sarah Price includes a coordinating table runner, placemats and napkins. It’s quick to make, and you’ll love displaying it in your home. The table runner finishes at 14 1/2″ x 41 1/2″, while the placemats finish at 14 1/2″ x 21 1/2″ each and the napkins at 18″ x 18″ each.

You could also stitch up this darling Bitty Block banner designed by our managing editor Paula Stoddard. A String of Cheer uses our Bitty Block tree and house block designs, and you can get the FREE directions for making it right here. The blocks are finished with a backing fabric, without batting, and the garland is made from a continuous bias strip. The finished size of each bitty quilt block is 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ and the banner is 61″ long. This is the perfect way to use up those leftover holiday fabrics, and it will look great on your mantle or table.

Speaking of tiny quilt blocks, you could make small block ornaments to give as gifts or to tie on to larger gift packages. Foundation paper piecing gives terrific detail to the seven handmade Very Merry Ornaments that were designed by Carolyn McCormick and featured in our Nov/Dec ’15 issue of Quiltmaker. They are also available as a digital download (all seven patterns are included). Each ornament finishes at 4” x 4”.

These adorable little mini mitten ornaments designed by Jen Daly can also be used in so many fun ways! Tie the 4″ x 5 1/2″ mittens to gifts, hang them on your Christmas tree, fill them with little treats or make a chain of them to display in your home.

Have a dear quilting friend for whom you need to make a quick gift? Stitch up our adorable Peppermint Polar Bear pincushion pattern designed by Cecile McPeak and Rachel Martin. The precious wool pincushion design finishes at 4″ x 5″ x 4.5″ and a step-by-step photo tutorial is included with the pattern.

Looking for a seasonal motif to help finish a holiday quilt? Use our FREE Holly & Ribbon motif to add a festive final touch to any design.

Or, maybe you prefer our FREE December Motif of the Month, Jack Frost. Both of these motifs are available to download on the Quiltmaker website.

If you’re gifting a special quilt this year, print out one of our FREE quilt care labels. The handy label includes simple instructions for displaying, cleaning and storing a quilt. Enclose a copy with the quilt, or print from your computer onto inkjet fabric sheets and attach to the back of the quilt.

When you’re ready to wrap your quilted gifts, be sure to print out these FREE downloadable gift tags. There are six sayings designed specially for handmade gifts included, from “Made for you — a little love went into every stitch” to “Yes, I made it. No, you can’t return it.”

You can also check out our Quilting Holiday Projects online course for more great projects!

From all of us at Quiltmaker, we wish you a merry Christmas and happy holiday season!

Happy Quilting,
Natalie

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For even more holiday quilting, download these FREE ebooks from our ebook library: