
Here’s a quilt you can make before you even start your Christmas decorating – just strips sewn together, quilted, trimmed and bound – Voila! A gift for a friend or a gift to yourself!

Straight line quilting – so simple.

After it’s quilted, use a dinner plate to mark the rounded corners.

Because the corners are rounded, I cut bias binding to fit on the curves perfectly.
Here are the measurements:

Feel free to adjust the strip size – for example, all I had was 11-1/2” of the middle fabric but I had really wanted to make it wider than that. I used what I had.
Here’s another thought – the strips could be various widths – who said they all had to be equal? Not me.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with – I made red and white but that’s just a jumping off point for you. Maybe you have lots of Christmas themed fabrics or novelty fabrics or stripes and plaids or florals – throw them all together in this simple but sweet quilt.
Reader quilts:







Our friend Joanne lost her husband, a Vietnam veteran, last month – and she used this Country Threads quilt to lay over the top of his casket. it takes my breath away.


I leave you to your plans to make this quilt. It’s a very rainy night and I’m off to choir practice.
Tomorrow I’ll start posting the Christmas patterns available in the online store. I’m a poor seasonal sewer – I am not good at sewing Christmas quilts after Christmas – until maybe October/November. Then I become inspired – haha!
I’m so sorry for your friend who just lost her husband and I have to agree the quilt she used from your pattern is gorgeous, what a wonderful tribute to him! I also loved the quilt you just made, so simple and perfect! I am inspired to get my reds out and get started! Thank You for that!
Thank you for the reminder of making a simple quilt. I think sometimes we get caught up in all the patterns available and forget how nice simple can be. I’m inspired by the quilts you post. Also Mary thank you for being an animal lover and going all the miles that you have to make a dog happy. I meant to comment earlier but something or someone diverted my attention. Unfortunately for me out of sight truly is out of mind. I’m gearing up for my youngest son and family coming home for a week visit during which we will celebrate 3 birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas and we get to spend time with our 4yr old grandson and 4 mo. old grandson.
Gayle Shumaker – you will have such a great time with your little boys!! I have always been an animal lover but now I can finally do outrageous things like driving a dog to Colorado! Haha!
Love the idea of the Christmas fabrics. Good way to use some up and make stripes.
Rain for us Thursday evening. Beautiful fall day today 68 degrees.
Carolyn b Shenandoah Valley Va
Mary, a beautiful use of red and white fabric. It’s so simple and a great way to get a quilt done in a hurry. Joanne’s quilt is a beautiful way to honor her husband.
Loved your quilt. Do you do your quilting on a long arm or your domestic machine? A big fan of your blog.
Love the strip quilt idea for Christmas fabrics or whatever else. I am going to be at the retreat starting tomorrow, I might just have to take some fabrics along to give it a try!! Loved seeing all the readers quilts too, always fun! Thanks for the idea!!
Kathy Hanson – please tell Jodee “hi” from me! Wish I were there to see everybody!
I love your Christmas quilt! I’m like you I want to make a Christmas quilt about 2 months before Christmas. Not going to happen. I love the pictures of the quilts that were sent in. All are very lovely. Hugs,
Each and every quilt is lovely. Mary I love your quilt with the rounded corners. Have to look through my stash tomorrow and make that beautiful quilt.
Great quilt show today…thanks to all.
The striped quilt is perfect for kiddos. Just the right size.
I guess I’d better get busy.
When Christmas gets here, I always wish I had made a Christmas quilt. But, I didn’t….again. After Christmas, I am not in the mood and start dreaming of spring. So, I’m glad you mentioned that you get inspired at the moment, too. I love that easy quilt of yours, so maybe I could get it done and use up some Christmas prints too. I wonder how it would be to add another print to the same stripe if you don’t have enough to go the whole way across? Oh…and thanks for the gift of the pattern.
Love today’s quilt show.
Sue in Oregon – this simple quilt accepts all variations so go for it and piece that strip! Remember, I’m not the quilt police – haha!
Another beautiful quilt show today!! Lots of talented ladies in this group. I love your red and white quilt with the rounded corners. I want to try that one. I love easy!!!
I love your Christmas quilt! And I agree with you on the quilt that your friend used on her husband’s casket. So moving!
I so look forward to seeing what others are making and once again great pictures of their creations since I am not out much. Thanks for the pattern idea. I seem to remember you showed one you had made with homespun or was I dreaming that I needed to use my stash of homespuns for one?
Love the idea for the strippy Christmas Quilt! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Thanks so much. This is a great idea, and I can imagine the wide strip being a great print that you bought a bit of just because you loved it. Make it t center stage.
I love your striped quilt! Lately, I seem to be drawn to simpler quilts and quilting (like your straight-line quilting). I’m not one who believes “the quilting makes the quilt” … I love simple quilting. As impressive as dense quilting can be, to me it detracts from the quilt pattern & the fabric we pay dearly for. Thanks for sharing your idea!
Candy – I agree 100%! I hate dense flowery quilting!
Candy and Mary….I also think it makes a quilt too stiff and heavy. All that thread adds lots of weight. I love cuddly quilts.
I, too, much prefer “lofty” quilts – they keep me much warmer!