December 18, 2015

Christmas Tree Wall Hanging & Banded Kitchen Towels

Since starting my blog earlier this month, the first advice I received was to join link parties to become involved in the online community.  Last week, for the first time, I joined several link parties featuring completed projects including Sarah's "Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?" Friday" over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict which in turn started a chain reaction.

The 2nd link on Whoop Whoop Friday was a beautiful plus quilt by Linda at A Maiden Hair Fern. She also included a giveaway in her post for 2 Mistletoe Lane mini charm packs by Moda for which I entered a comment to win (more about this on Sunday).

I scrolled down a couple of posts to find an adorable Christmas tree wall hanging made from the Trees pattern by Crazy Mom Quilts.  I had that pattern!  Remember when Amanda Jean celebrated her 250th quilt back in September and generously gave a free pattern to those commenting?  Trees was the pattern I chose.  I thought it would be great made from the Blueberry Park in Pickle I had recently received in a giveaway by Robert Kaufman and blogged about in Sunday Stash #1.

It rained most all day and was difficult to take photographs, but in downtown Easley I took a few under a very cloudy sky.

Christmas Tree on brick building downtown Easley, SC


Christmas Tree with fountain in the background


Christmas Tree on the door of the Clock Tower


Straight line quilting detail


Binding in proccss
Quilt Stats:

  • Finished size:  13" x 20 1/2"
  • Fabrics: Libs Stitches in Pickle from Blueberry Park by Karen Lewis, mfg. Robert Kaufman; Woodgrain in Bark from Aviary 2 by Joel Dewberry, mfg. Free Free Spirit; Kona Cotton in white for background; and Sasparilla Check in red from October Afternoon, mfg. Riley Blake for binding
  • Backing: White on white small flower
  • Batting: Warm & White
  • Thread: Aurifil 2024 for piecing and quilting 
  • Quilting: 1/2 " straight line quilting with walking foot 

Banded Kitchen Towels


Linda had also adorned some dish towels using Amanda Jeans's simple patchwork dish towel tutorial.  Wanting to make some with a Christmas theme for a couple of gifts, I looked through my stash, but did not have enough coordinating prints.  I settled on a single print of red with white snowflakes, the same I used for the backing of the The Greatest Gift.  I sewed a single band of fabric to the towels using my walking foot and it worked wonderfully.  The band was cut 3" wide and finished 2 1/2" when the raw edge was turned under 1/4" on each side.

Banded kitchen towels hanging on the oven door

I measured the width of the first towel and cut my band to fit allowing for turning under the edge.  I proceeded to cut bands for 3 more towels using the same measurement. Mistake!  The towels were not the same width.  I did prewash the towels, but they should have shrunk the same.  You can see below where the bands do not quite go to the edge, but I did not want to recut them.  I had to tell myself, "It's just a kitchen towel, it will be fine."  I normally purchase these all-purpose towels from Williams-Sonoma when I applique them for brides' gifts.  But I was not about to make a trip to the mall this close to Christmas, so I purchased these by Better Homes and Gardens from the closer big box store.


Uneven bands due to different towel widths 


Banded kitchen towels ready for wrapping

The towels have now been gifted to two friends and plans are underway for more!  Thank you Amanda Jean and Linda for the inspiration!

I am linking up to Thank Goodness Its Finished FridayLink-A-Finish FridayWhoop Whoop FridayFabric Frenzy FridayFinish It Up Friday and Show Off Saturday.



14 comments :

  1. YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE IS FABULOUS! Just so pretty. I like your diagonal quilting. And your towels look great too.

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  2. The Christmas tree quilt is lovely! I especially like the photo of it hanging on the Clock Tower.

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  3. The tree is very cool, but I love the towels with a fabric band instead of patchwork.

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  4. Love your wall hanging, Paige, and the towels are just super! I bought some towels earlier this year thinking I would make some of these, but still haven't gotten to it. Oh well! Whoop whoop to you for several very pretty finishes!!

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  5. So nice to see your linking ho and meeting other bloggers! Love the Christmas tree mini and the towels. isn't it funny how one thing leads to another when your are looking at everyone's projects?

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  6. Your Christmas Tree quilt is just adorable and your pictures are wonderful! What did you use to stick the quilt to the brick?

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    1. Masking tape did the trick! I remembered a tip Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl shared, Temporary Quilt Hanging Tip: http://quiltingjetgirl.com/2015/04/14/temporary-quilt-hanging-tip/

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  7. Cute festive quilt! And the binding is perfect!

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  8. I love your Christmas Tree quilt! And the photos are beautiful.

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  9. Your modern Christmas tree is fabulous! I love the binding you chose.

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  10. I love your tree! It turned out so lovely! We featured your quilt over on the FWFS blog! Thank you for stopping by and linking up!

    -Lindsey
    http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.com/2015/12/fabric-frenzy-friday-features_21.html

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  11. Link parties can be amazing for prodding memories and starting new projects. I especially love the photograph of the tree mini quilt on the clock tower door. :)

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  12. I love your tree! Can I ask...how did you hang it to photograph it? I'm always stumped when I want to photograph a quilt with no obvious way to hang it.

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