Christmas quilt patterns

Father Christmas – new collage pattern

/ 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

Gumball Machines Galore!

/ lifesloosethreads / 4 Comments

I just realized I’ve never posted the three versions of my gumball machine art quilt pattern. It is available for sale in my Etsy shop. The pdf quilt pattern also includes a quilt photo, supply list, detailed instructions and now you have three ways to collage it!

The first art quilt version is a traditional I-Spy quilt in the form of a super fun gumball machine! I call it “I-Spy Gumballs.” It has approximately 50 gumballs and is a great opportunity for little ones to learn language. It would be a great gift for the preschool/kindergarten teacher on your Christmas list.

The second gumball machine quilt used a fraction of my Halloween novelty fabric. Over the years, my eyeballs tended to gravitate toward Halloween fabric. I never knew exactly what to make with it. I call this art quilt “I Spy Spooky.” I love to hang seasonable quilts and was happy to add a whimsical Halloween quilt in my entryway!

Of course, the third gumball machine quilt is a shout-out to Santa Claus. I started with a Santa panel and after a little fusing and cutting placed him in the gumball section of the quilt. I used Christmas fabric that reads “white” for the rest of the gumballs. It was fun to experiment with different shades of red and white for the gumball machine base. I call this art quilt “I Spy Ho-Ho” in honor of Mimi, my special needs daughter, who passed away in 2018. She adored Santa. Due to her limited speech, she called him “Ho-Ho.”

If you are needing to source collage supplies/fabric such as Karen Kay Buckley scissors, pattern ease, Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite, applique pressing sheet, fabric glue, and pretty fabric consider purchasing from my go-to online store: My Favorite Quilt Store.

The adorable model with the completed quilts is my handsome grandson Ben! He’s five.

Trudi, the collage art reindeer is coming to town

/ lifesloosethreads / Leave a comment


Need a Christmas quilting project to get into the Christmas spirit? Or perhaps you have a quilt lover on your list? While Rudolph is still getting into tip-top shape for the big day, his lovely cousin, Trudi was posing for the above quilt! With that being said … Trudi, my collage art reindeer pattern, is being launched today on Etsy. And yes … girl reindeer have antlers. At least that is what Google told me.

Head over to my Etsy shop and check out how you can purchase this full-size pattern with complete pattern directions and supply list. The quilt size is 42 inches wide by 56 inches high. And did I mention domestic shipping is free for a limited time?

Next week I will post more photos and directions on how to make this collage art quilt.

Click her for Etsy shop link

Kate Spain Christmas quilt all done!

/ lifesloosethreads / 2 Comments


I LOVE Christmas fabric! I’ve been collecting fat quarters for years. So every now and then I find it healthy to pull some of those pretty fabric pieces out and actually use them in a quilt.

When I saw Kate Spain’s pattern called “Flurry,” I knew what I had to do. If the truth were told though … I really wanted the fabric line that Kate Spain used for the Flurry quilt. OK so I couldn’t find it anywhere on the Internet. Hence … my stash to the rescue!

I changed up the pattern slightly since I didn’t have her “Flurry Panel” which is found in the corners of the quilt and in strategic spots between the rows of “present” boxes.

The fabulous Kim Norton of A Busy Bobbin quilted an all-over quilt design called Holly Jolly Christmas from Urban Elementz with a butternut-colored thread from King Tut.

This quilt is destined to become a Christmas present for … wouldn’t you like to know?