Christmas and quilting go together like hot cocoa and mini marshmallows. The cozy spirit of the season and its delicate beauty call out for quilts to cuddle in and works of art stitched together with needle and thread. That’s why each December, we mark the days to Christmas with the Christmas Countdown, a quilt along with 25 blocks each measuring 4″ finished. The blocks are the perfect size to make in a day especially during busy times. There have now been enough Countdowns to make a 100 Block Quilt! So for anyone looking for a big Christmas project, a fun bit of piecing to do every day, or a few sweet Christmas quilts, we have 5 Christmas quilt alongs you can start today!
The first Christmas Countdown ever happened in 2015 and featured embroidery embellishment for each block that struck a stunning balance with the simple piecing.
Stephanie M. started at the very beginning with the 2015 Christmas Countdown quilt.
The 2016 Christmas Countdown played more with piecing and shape. The setting features 36 appliqued circles that bring a playful quality to the quilt.
The quilt along also featured a wall hanging setting option!
Emily C. used Karen K. Buckley’s Perfect Circles for pain-free applique circles.
Adriana S. set her 2016 Christmas Countdown on point for a fun finish!
The 2017 Christmas Countdown brought about a setting that evokes ribbons, or even cross stitching. The setting pushes focus to the blocks, showing off the piecing.
Billie S. made her 2017 Christmas Countdown quilt out of scrappy reds.
Elaine W. used two fabrics for a beautiful take on the quilt.
Elsie R. mixed prints and solids for a neat effect.
Sue H. also made a two tone quilt.
Emily C. played with color placement and value by making it into a 3-color quilt.
The 2018 Christmas Countdown came in two colorways. The first was a 2-fabric quilt.
The second was a 3-fabric quilt. With each one, quilters were encouraged to try a setting of their own making and wow! There were so many different setting ideas.
Irina K used blocks from several Christmas Countdowns to make her beautiful 3-dimensional quilt!
Gail E. proudly displays her 2018 Christmas Countdown quilt with a setting of her design.
Darlene B. made the 3-color option and designed her own setting that really shows off each block.
The 100 Block Christmas Quilt combines all the blocks of the first four Christmas Countdowns into one quilt. The setting gives the illusion of curved piecing and a scalloped border puts the perfect finishing touch on the 70″ x 70″ quilt.
Members get even more…
AQS Members can access hundreds of patterns and digital issues of American Quilter at any time!
Find all sorts of Christmas inspiration with posts like “6 Christmas Quilts to Keep You Cozy!”
Not a member? Join today!
Show off your Christmas quilt alongs, connect with other quilters, and get inspired!
Join us in the AQS Christmas Countdown Facebook Group and share your creations with us!
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