Welcome to Week 3 of the Merry Christmas, Darling Quilt Along!
Last week, we added Chenille-It to all of the floral motifs on the panel quilt. I hope you enjoyed that process as much as I did! I love all the colors and designs that surround this quilt and can’t wait to see your finished creations.
For Week 3, we’re moving on to one of the most exciting (and transformative) parts of the process: quilting your embellished top. Whether you’re quilting it yourself or sending it out, I’ve got some helpful tips and a new video tutorial to guide you through your options and set you up for success.
But first – congrats to Beth Foust @bethfoust for winning the Sew Jolly Pillow Pattern and 3/8" White Chenille-It. There will be another giveaway for participants this week – details at the bottom of this post.
Week 3: Quilting
There are a couple of options when it comes to quilting your embellished panel. Custom quilting is ideal for this project — and really the easiest way to avoid stitching over the Chenille-It. Whether you tackle the custom quilting yourself on a domestic machine or send it to a professional, that’s Option 1.
Option 2 is to have edge-to-edge quilting done. If you go this route, be sure to choose a pantograph with a more open design. Avoid anything too dense, as it can flatten the Chenille-It and prevent it from blooming beautifully.
Our Week 3 video focuses on custom quilting and is a great resource if you choose that option. Be sure to watch it below for tips and tricks:
Watch the Merry Christmas, Darling QAL Week 3 Video Here
As discussed in the video, if you decide to go with edge-to-edge quilting, keep these tips in mind:
- Pick a more open design or pantograph that isn’t too dense and won’t tack down the Chenille-It.
- Use a spoon foot to help your longarm machine glide over the Chenille-It.
- Don’t hesitate to lift the Chenille-It from any areas that did get tacked down too much, using a small pair of scissors or a seam ripper.
I know it might not be realistic to have your panel quilted within a week (especially if you’re outsourcing like I did!), so please don’t feel pressured. This week’s and next week’s information will still be here whenever you’re ready.
Post for Prizes — #MerryChristmasDarlingQAL
It’s been so fun to see everyone’s progress, and this week we have another prize up for grabs! Post a photo of your Week 3 progress (get creative!) on Instagram and use the hashtag #MerryChristmasDarlingQAL to enter.
(If you’re sending your quilt out for quilting, you can simply post about your plans for it.)
The prize for Week 3 has been generously donated by our friends at Moda Fabrics!
Our lucky winner will get to choose between a Tiny Christmas Jelly Roll or a Purrfect Christmas Layer Cake — which one will you pick?
If you have any questions that weren’t answered in the video, please drop them in the comments below. Chances are, if you’re wondering about it, someone else is too! You can also ask your questions directly on the YouTube video.