Let me know if there were others that you found  interesting, helpful, or just plain fun to read.

*What Do Quilters Use for Storing Buttons?

*Quilers, Are You Getting Enough Exercise?

*Quilter, Make Christmas Gift Balls With Fabric Scraps!

*Restoring Old Quilts – Saving a Piece of History and Family Memories

*Quilters Love Tea Parties, Too!

What were your favorite November posts?  (I invite you to comment!)

Post from: Blisstree

5 Favorite November Posts at Quilting & Patchwork

Fabric scraps left over from quilting projects would be perfect for those Victorian scrap gift balls that I mentioned in passing, too[in Holiday Decorations]. Basically, it’s a ball of fabric strips, wound up the way you’d make a ball of yarn. At the center, you put a tiny gift, then wrap the strips around to cover it. As you keep winding, you can tuck in some more small surprises and cover each one with the fabric. It’s a lovely ornament when finished — cluster a few in a pretty basket, or fill a large glass vase — and when it comes time to unwrap the gifts, the recipient gets to unwrap and unwrap and unwrap, finding fun treasures along the way!

 What a fun way to use up scraps, Jen!

And here are some more Christmas decorating ideas…

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters – Make Christmas Gift Balls With Fabric Scraps!

As I read about this and saw the pictures on Jen’s blog, I wondered, “Why not make these from recycled quilting or fabric art projects?”

Fabric artists save fabric for years.  (Cyndi at Layers Upon Layers, that the leaves for her September Morning art quilt came from fabric she’d obtained 12 years ago.)  So why not take some from your fabric stash or scraps and whip up the wreath and other decorations Jen mentions at Domestik Goddess?

How have you created holiday decorations from fabric scraps?  Do you use your original ideas from snippets or look to patterns in books and online?  I’d love to have you share with us.

Post from: Blisstree

Holiday Wreaths from Quilt Fabric Scraps

You’ll find a number of delightful holiday decorating and gift giving ideas as you browse Noreen’s post and check out the links to the varous blogs.  Participating in the Artists’ Showcase is an enjoyable experience each month as we select a theme and see how each artist can tie in with it. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting and Patchwork Blog Participates in Artists’ Showcase

These decorative shirred circles can be used by themselves…with loop of yarn or trim attached…as decorations for your tree.  They can be sewn together in a chain.  Or they can be stitched to other items…such as pillows, tote bags, vests (see Noreen’s ideas), scarves, hats, headbands for decorative effect.

They also can be sewn together, as quilters in the 1920s and ’30s did, to make quilts, spreads, and table cloths.

To make a Yo-Yo:  Cut a circle from cotton or cotton-blend fabric, 4, 5 or 6-inches in diameter, depending on the size you want your decorations.  Some quilters make mini yo-yo’s and cut even smaller circles.  I find the 6-inch circle is a convenient size, especially if you’re making yo-yo’s with your children.

Turn under a tiny hem, just slightly less than 1/4 inch, to the wrong side.  Children will need this pinned down before they start sewing.  Adults usually can turn as they sew. You also can press the hem, if you find that works best.

Take a double thread with knot in the end.  Then make basting size stitches around the hem.  Gather the fabric as you go. 

When you’ve finished sewing and gathering, you’ve gathered your circle into a double circle with small hole in the center of the front.  Take a few stitches to secure your thread.  For decorative effect on Christmas decorations, sew a pretty button or sequin in the center over the hole.

One hint:  Do not gather with tiny quilting stitches.  This will leave a large hole in the center.  Basting stitches will gather the circle tighter so there’s only a small hole left.

This is a good way to use up scraps of fabric.  For Christmas decorations, use Christmas fabrics and colors.

Post from: Blisstree

Making Yo-Yo Quilts & Decorations for the Holidays

Noreen is from Canada and I live in the United States.  It’s interesting how we both have a fascination for the yo-yo’s of the quilting world and have made them with our daughters.

Post from: Blisstree

More Yo-Yo Decorations for Quilters & Crafters

Eleanore, one of my readers, wondered if anyone knew where she could get a pattern for a yo-yo animal ornament.  She received one of these ornaments and would like to make something similar.  If anyone has the source of a pattern

There is a pattern for a yo-yo wreath online at eHow.com  that fabric artists might find of interest.

Post from: Blisstree

Search for Yo-Yo Ornament Pattern