Christmas HQAL

Last month I finally finished my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt so it was time to choose a new project for my Hand Quilt-a-long posts. I was planning for a while to start a different quilt, but having started this Advent SAL before Christmas and got a bit behind, I decided if I didn’t finish it now it would languish for years as a UFO!

Advent stitching

Hugs ‘n’ Kisses kindly organised this free mystery SAL, they released a pattern each day for a little bit of Christmas stitching and by the end we had 25 cute mini embroideries. The suggestion was to make an Advent calendar ready for next year. We’ve already got one I made years ago, so I decided to make mine into a runner for the sideboard. This is where things like the Christmas cakes and gingerbread houses are displayed so it would be nice to have a pretty runner.

I found three co-ordinating Christmas fabrics in my stash and started to play about with ideas. In the end I decided to edge them in the red and green fabrics and use the cream in the centre and maybe for an extra border.

A couple of the embroideries were stitched too close together, I patched one but the other I’ve left out as it was also easier to arrange an even number of squares. Similarly I arranged them with one in the middle of the short sides so I would have an odd number down the long side, so the crib could be central!

Advent stitching

I’ve just to finish a couple of long seams, decide on final borders, then I can layer it and I’m going to do a very simple big-stitch quilting in red and green thread, well that’s my plan at the moment. Apoplgies for the photo, I couldn’t get it all in without relaying it on the floor, but you get the gist of what it will look like!

Advent stitching

This hand quilt-a-long is organised by Kathy, we post our progress every three weeks, it’s a great way to keep motivated!

New members are always welcome, any type of hand quilting is acceptable. That could be piecing, quilting, embellishing, applique and finishing.

Kathy, MargaretEmmaTracyDeb, Susan,  Nanette,  EdithSharon
Karrin, Gretchen, Kathi,  Bella, Daisy and Connie

Please follow the links to see some great hand quilting. I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday.

About craftycreeky

I live in a busy market town in Yorkshire with my husband, kids, dogs and chickens. I love trying new crafts, rediscovering old ones, gardening, walking...anything creative really I started this blog after my New Year resolution worked so well. My resolution (the first one I've ever kept!) was to post a photograph of my garden on Facebook every day. My hope was that I would then see what was good in the garden and not just weeds and work, which was my tendency. The unexpected side-effect was that I have enjoyed many more hours in the garden. I am hoping that 'The Crafty Creek' will have the same effect. Happy creating!
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26 Responses to Christmas HQAL

  1. Gail says:

    What sweet little Christmas embroideries! Your table runner is a perfect way to display them and you are well ahead of the game getting it finished now.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Sarah says:

    Nice use of those little stitcheries (I recognise that red fabric Ive got it in my stash) and it showcases them beautifully.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. CathieJ says:

    Your runner is so pretty. I really love those fabrics and your embroidery is wonderfu.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. kathyreeves says:

    Those little embroideries make this runner extra special, Margaret! Great idea to do this now so you can pull out something new next Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. That is darling; what a great way to showcase those little embroideries.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Oh how wonderful! I love these little stitcheries and although I collected them, didn’t have time to stitch even one.
    AND… I love these fabrics… I have had all 3 of them in my stash in the past!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Sharon says:

    What a great idea with these adorable Christmas squares. Glad you didn’t leave them for a UFO. Perfect use for these 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Connie says:

    I love those mini embroidered pieces! The runner is going to be perfect for Christmas next year!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. What a fabulous way to finish your embroideries!!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Karrin Hurd says:

    I downloaded those Advent stitcheries, but haven’t had a chance to work on them yet!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Deb says:

    Those blocks are adorable! A lovely runner it will be!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Amanda says:

    Great use of them 😃

    Liked by 1 person

  13. nanacathy2 says:

    A snazzy Christmas table runner.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Oh those Christmas fabrics are framing those little embroideries just beautifully! You must be quite pleased

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I have the same fabric! What a beautiful quilt you will have when finished! Love it!!!! Hugs

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Susan Nixon says:

    That’s a great idea for putting them together. I carefully collected every day, and have no idea what I will use them to make. I like your idea, except I have no long place to put them, except my bedroom dresser. =) Thanks for sharing your nicely done blocks and plan.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Smart to start for the 2020 holidays early 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Do you know if the patterns are still available?

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Jenny Benton says:

    Lovely little runner, I’m sure I had some of the red Christmas fabric some time ago.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Kim Sharman says:

    How beautiful each and every one of your Christmas stitcheries are and how beautiful they look all playing nicely together in a runner. Love the Christmas fabrics you chose.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. daneesey says:

    These little stitcheries are just darling — and what a great way to put them together!! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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