Father Christmas – new collage pattern

October 31, 2025 / lifesloosethreads / 2 Comments

Father Christmas, my new collage art quilt pattern, is now on my Etsy shop as a pdf pattern. After purchase, the downloadable files include a supply list and detailed collage instructions. There are also instructions to print the full-size pdf pattern, and finally, the pattern pages. When the pattern pages are printed (on 8-1/2″ paper) they are to be taped together to create a full-size pattern which will be traced on pattern ease.

For those who have collected Christmas fabric for years, there is a collage art quilt you are going to want to create. Father Christmas includes lots of metallic reds, greens, and subtle snowflake greys (for the beard). There are so many ways Father Christmas can be interpreted. You might want to include a bag of Christmas presents with toys spilling out of it at Santa’s feet.

The Father Christmas image measures 22″wide by 33″high. When the collage is completed, glued onto the background fabric, and quilted, Santa is meant to be an art quilt. I have several art quilts I hang seasonally around my house. This Christmas, Santa will be hung in the foyer! Once completed, the final quilt measures 37″ wide by 46″ high. My longarm quilter used metallic thread to custom quilt Father Christmas. Not all the fabric used was Christmas-themed. Notice the peacock fabric used for Santa’s eyes. The background longarm quilting is an all-over pattern with swirls and snowflakes. I just love how it turned out! Below are photos from making Father Christmas.

I have written lots of tips and tricks over the years on making collage quilts.

My quilting adventures are also documented on Instagram @lifesloosethreads

“Life is Short, Eat the Cake” pdf pattern release

May 7, 2024May 8, 2024 / lifesloosethreads / 3 Comments

As the saying goes: “Life is Short, Eat the Cake” … figuratively speaking of course! Actually, the version I really love is “Life is short. Take the trip. Buy the shoes. Eat the cake.” Yep … that version would have been difficult to put on a quilt!

I decided to make it a celebration art quilt first. Next, a birthday cake. After that … maybe a wedding cake! Stay tuned for future blog posts! The finished art collage quilt is 35 inches wide and 50 inches long. The pdf downloadable pattern comes with detailed instructions, supply list, and full-size pattern (print out the pages and tape together). Create a hanging sleeve or use your own favorite hanging method. I had this quilt professionally longarmed. Lisa custom quilted the cake image and used an overall bubble pattern for the background. It is also double batted!

The pdf pattern can be purchased on my Etsy shop.

“I Spy Gumballs” new art collage quilt pattern!

October 2, 2021October 2, 2021 / lifesloosethreads / 2 Comments

I’ve been working on this new collage art quilt pattern for a while now and it is finally ready to release! But first … the reason why I chose a gumball machine! In the past, I’ve enjoyed making “I Spy” quilts for the grandkids, and charity, from a pattern that utilizes lots of little mason jars. Each “jar” is a different novelty fabric. So adorable! But then I thought … what about an old-fashioned gumball machine with each gumball being a novelty fabric? How much fun would that be? The prototype “I Spy Gumballs” quilt is in line to be longarmed at A Needle and Thread. My friend, Sally, made the adorable quilt label! She is so talented and enjoys surprising me with a new embroidery design. Since the quilt top is complete, I am releasing the pattern.

This quilt would look amazing hanging in a child’s room, playroom, or classroom. The finished quilt size is 34 inches wide by 50 inches long. There are approximately 50 novelty “gumballs” in the quilt. Lots of opportunities for a child to learn language! Each gumball is 3-1/4″ in diameter. The PDF pattern can be purchased in my Etsy shop and, as always, a portion of the proceeds goes to charity! This quilt is so much fun to make and I can’t wait to teach it!

I’m currently making the quilt again. This time with a Halloween-theme in mind. Stay tuned!

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