Hi everyone – today is my stop on the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. I hope you have been following along. (The full schedule of participants is listed below in case you missed any of them.) There have been so many great projects for gifts and decorating and I have another for you today. Yay!
If you are new here and visiting from the hop, Welcome! I hope you’ll look around and visit for a bit. I would also like to invite you to join in on the Main Crush Monday linky party we have here each week. It’s a fun time and full of inspiration from so many quilters – be sure to check it out at the bottom of this post!
For my stop on the blog hop, I have designed an easy paper-pieced table topper. It’s great for Christmas, but can be used any time of the year just by changing the colors you use.
(I have decided I’m a big fan of tiny polka dots. 🙂 That red fabric with those tiny pin dots is freaking adorable! Must. Have. More.)
The finished topper is 24″ square and very easy to assemble. Of course, you can always make it bigger by adding more blocks and use it as a baby or lap quilt.
This is only the second quilted project I have made for decorating for the holidays. I know!! Last year, I made a quick table runner for our coffee table. It will be nice to add this table topper to the dining room table. Maybe next year I can make a tree skirt?
I kept the quilting light and easy – just simple stitch in the ditch and a bit of stippling in the dark green squares. You can see the quilting detail in the pic below:
This is the first paper pieced pattern I have written; I hope you enjoy it! I call it Double Diamonds and it is available for free download on the Pattern tab above, through my Craftsy shop, or through this link so you can make your own. The pattern includes information for making four sizes – Mini (Table Topper), Baby, Lap, and Throw.
Since this is my first attempt at writing a paper piecing pattern, I would love to receive feedback from anyone who downloads a copy, specifically:
- is the pattern easy to understand
- is there information not provided that you would like to have added
- is there too much info provided
- general thoughts
I would also love to see any projects you make using this pattern. You can post them on Instagram and tag @cookingupquilts or email a pic and I’ll share it on the blog if you like.
I hope you are enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop. I really want to say thanks to Sarah for putting the hop together. Now is a great time to start making those hand crafted gifts, and maybe get a bit ahead for the holiday season. If you missed any of the posts, here are the participants:
And now, on to Main Crush Monday! What are you working on that has you excited to be in your sewing space? Your crush can be any project, fabric, handy gadget, LQS…you get the idea. I can’t wait to see what you share! You can link up any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic – here’s how:
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Ohoooo thanks for the pattern. I likey Double Diamonds!
Beautiful table topper. It’s perfect for the holidays.
I’m so excited you had a good experience with the blog hop, and got your paper piecing pattern out there. You do beautiful work, Beth, and you are one of my favorite people out here. Congratulations!
Double Diamonds looks great Beth! Oh you are so right about that tiny polka dotted fabric!
Thanks for taking part in the Christmas in July Blog Hop!
Thanks so much for the work you put into this, and for providing it free. I took a quick look at the pattern. I don’t paper-piece, but I didn’t find this intimidating at all.
Lovely design. You’re right about it being good for any time based on fabric choices. Your Christmas choices were spot on.
That is really a cute design, looks easy too.
Thanks for the pattern. Yours looks great. And I like little polka dots too. Heck I like most polka dots.
this is lovely, I will be making one for our house for christmas. Thanks so much for sharing the pattern and tutorial.
I’ve never been as organised as to start in July . I thought I was going well usually in September . Your table topper looks well
Love the table topper, especially the dots! Everyone needs more dots!
Such a cute table topper, and it looks easy enough that I might just try paper piecing once again! Thanks so much for all your time and energy that has helped make the blog hop a success!!!
Hi Beth! Your table topper (or one very similar) would look so lovely on my table this coming holiday season! Thanks for the free pattern to make one of my own!
LOVE YOUR TABLE TOPPER! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!
Your quilt is so cute! I especially like the use of the light green. Makes it shine. I already put your pattern in my Craftsy account. Thank you for sharing!
I have to say that I am a fan of dots too. That looks really nice.
It’s a wonderful design, Beth and I agree that the red fabric with the tiny dots is gorgeous!
The pattern will also be great for Quilts of Valor. Thanks.
Love the pattern and the choice of color/fabrics really make it stand out.
I love the pattern, Beth! The red, green and white just puts me in the holiday mood. How many more days till actual Christmas??
Wonderful design, Beth! Thank you for hosting 🙂
-Soma
beautiful. thanks for the free pattern
Another great Christmas decorating idea!
no crush this week my sons getting married the 30th so pretty busy….But I am crushing on my fabric i picked for the mystery quilt us ladies are doing august 27th….. happyness04431@yahoo.com
I have not made one Christmas project. Although with the newer fabrics that don’t scream Christmas I might be tempted. i like the simplicity of this one.
Beth, looking forward to your first paper pieced pattern. Headed over to download now! Thanks for sharing!
I agree it would look great is so many other fabrics. Congrats on a great project.
Lovely. You are clever to make a paper piecing pattern, it takes me all my time to follow them. Unfortunately my table is round, well octagonal really, so runners and squares are not suitable. Maybe one day someone will do a lovely round one (octagonal would be too much to hope for).
Smiles
Kate
Great design for your first fpp pattern and adorable table runner 😀 #12daysofchristmasinjuly
What a smart way to get some experience writing a paper pieced pattern, Beth! I hope that you get some great feedback on the pattern. 🙂