Christmas Rapping blog hop and giveaway

Welcome to my day in the “Christmas RAPPers” blog hop. If you are a seasonal quilter you will love the patterns in this book. If you are not most of the designs are perfect  anytime of the year by choosing different fabrics.

First I would like to thank the authors, Margaret Brewster Willingham and Nan Baker  who graciously provided me with a digital copy of the book titled “Christmas RAPPing- Christmas Quilts featuring Reverse Applique & Paper Piecing”.   Initially I volunteered to make the Mexican Christmas mini which is a paper pieced quilt, (oh it is gorgeous) because mostly I am a paper piecer.  When I found out no one was making “Miracle at the Manger” I asked if I could switch.  Of course I would love to make them all and perhaps I will at a later date.

I would also like to thank Island Batik and their partners Aurifil Thread, Hobbs Batting and AccuQuilt. They made it possible for me to participate in the hop with the generous Ambassador box.

In addition to the above mentioned, June Tailor Inc was also a sponsor.

Be sure to scroll all the way down for links to the other blog participants, links to the authors websites and purchasing info as well as a giveaway.

Fabrics

All of the fabric in this post were given to me as an Island Batik  Ambassador.

Island Batik-Large Netting Sand BE

Island Batik-Twigs Desert BE

Island Batik-Peach Basics

Island Batik-gray solid

Island Batik-Universe (the night sky fabric

Island Batik- Acorn

Assorted 5″ strips from the Island Batik Stash Builders.

The yardage estimates for Miracle at the manger were generous.

The design

There are a few options for the designs. For instance the animals, you can applique them directly to the quilt top or applique them onto ornaments. I chose to applique them onto ornaments.

Halo and Manger

 

The halo is paper pieced  but I had this great yellow fabric so I decided to do a fussy cut and fusible applique. I was a little worried about changing this but they told me it was fine to make it my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star of wonder and mini star of light

Star of wonder (large star) is reverse applique.. Until this quilt I had never attempted RA and found it much easier to do  than regular applique. If you don’t have an inkling for RA this star could easily be made with needle turn or fusible applique. I also used the same yellow as the halo in the larger points.

Mini star of light blocks are paper pieced with an applique diamond. Again, don’t avoid this lovely quilt because you don’t paper piece as this could also be appliqued.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The animals

I love the peach fabric for the animals .  The camel is appliqued to the quilt top as are Mary and Joseph, there is also a run away cat ornament. I’m not sure where that darned cat ran off to, perhaps hiding from Enzo  under one of my cabinets.  I’ll just make another. Aren’t they cute?

 

Mary and Joseph

Variety of fabrics for Mary

 

 

Joseph just these three fabrics

 

I really love the applique detail in their clothing and headdress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can’t help but to share Enzo

 

Enzo (the quilt judge) has claimed yet another one and I just noticed he brought a snack with him. Does this mean he is planning on staying a while? In fact it did, he remained in this same spot until I was finished for the night. Then picked up his snack and sauntered away. That body language. BTW, that tongue is always hanging out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aurifil thread

Piecing I used 40wt Aurifil thread. 

Appliques I used 50wt.

See how bright it was? I’m not complaining since I’ve only had a window for a couple months.

Finish

Well, not quite. There are star buttons to add for hanging the ornaments. Their placement is dependent on where I want the ornaments to hang. The buttons are stitched to the quilt, ribbon added to the ornaments and then hung from the stars. But I am  considering making the animals again and appliqueing them directly on the quilt. Once I decide I will add the buttons.

For batting I used Hobbs 80/20.

For cutting the binding I used the  AccuQuilt 2 1/2″ strip die and IB Universe fabric,

Now that I have written my own short story I will leave you to visit the other blogs and the authors. Don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter.

Visit other Christmas Rappers to see all the projects in this book.

Clicking the book on the left will take you to Margaret’s site where you can purchase the book or digital download.  Clicking on the right image will take you to Nan’s site.

Come back Thursday for my linky party

Island Batik Ambassadors

What I made Monday

Moving it forward,

Show and tell Monday, Design Wall Monday, MCM, Monday Making

Colour Inspiration and linky party

Wow, Wednesday Wait Loss, Midweek Makers

Lets Bee Social

Finished or not Friday, Off the wall Friday, Whoop whoop