Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Magic of Christmas to Date

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I hope you all aren't bored to death hearing about the Magic of Christmas sew along!  I promise I will give it a week or two before I mention it again.

The blocks pictured above are the block patterns given out by Lisa Bongean, who is hosting the sew along.  She has actually put out eleven patterns, but I wasn't crazy about number 7, so I switched it out for something I liked better.  Also block 10 has been seriously moderated by me because I was making a real hash of the pattern she released.  The blocks are in order of release, going row by row, to the right.  With number seven being skipped.

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And these are some blocks I have added.  I have used Judy Hopkins 501 Quilt Block encyclopedia for the patterns.  I will name them for you in case you are interested in making any of them as well.  The first two are Summer Winds, my modification of Lisa's dreaded Block 10.  I was able to use the two and a half inch center star unit, but swapped out all the other units.  To the right in row one is a pattern called Swamp Angel.  Despite the name, I really think that block is pretty.  Second row, the first two blocks are Mosaic Rose, a fun and easy choice where you can add interest by using two shades of the same color in each block.  Next two blocks in row two are Crown.  Another one that lends itself two two fabrics.  Evidently I really liked it, because I practically duplicated it in the row below.  I am getting ahead of myself though.  Row three, first two blocks are Chinese Block.  This was simple and I think is an interesting design.  Next two blocks are Union, very similar to Crown, above it.  Finally row four, is Crystal Star.  All of these blocks are six inch finished.

Here is everything together, laid out in a diagonal set:

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If I use this layout, I will need more red blocks to keep the color layout consistent.  So what did I do to add more red blocks?  Why I made basket blocks of course!  Can you find them?  I added four different basket blocks, all from Judy's book.  I think all sampler quilts need basket blocks, don't you agree?

Have a great weekend, and I promise to take a break from talking about these sew along blocks!

48 responses to “Magic of Christmas to Date”

  1. I love, love, love this quilt. You’re doing a fabulous job and have inspired me to change out a pattern. I’ve been stuck in a rut for too long. Thank you, Nicole.

  2. I love, love, love this quilt. You’re doing a fabulous job and have inspired me to change out a pattern. I’ve been stuck in a rut for too long. Thank you, Nicole.

  3. I love, love, love this quilt. You’re doing a fabulous job and have inspired me to change out a pattern. I’ve been stuck in a rut for too long. Thank you, Nicole.

  7. This quilt will be a super adaptation of Lisa Bongean’s plan. On point, it’s a keeper for sure. Love that you added basket blocks and also blocks from Judy’s book. I have had that book from my very first quilt class and never open it. I’ll have to correct that situation. Thanks for the encouragement. I don’t like super big blocks, but have to hand it to you for working on this variety in 6 inch blocks. Can’t wait to see the finish so don’t hide it.

  8. This quilt will be a super adaptation of Lisa Bongean’s plan. On point, it’s a keeper for sure. Love that you added basket blocks and also blocks from Judy’s book. I have had that book from my very first quilt class and never open it. I’ll have to correct that situation. Thanks for the encouragement. I don’t like super big blocks, but have to hand it to you for working on this variety in 6 inch blocks. Can’t wait to see the finish so don’t hide it.

  9. This quilt will be a super adaptation of Lisa Bongean’s plan. On point, it’s a keeper for sure. Love that you added basket blocks and also blocks from Judy’s book. I have had that book from my very first quilt class and never open it. I’ll have to correct that situation. Thanks for the encouragement. I don’t like super big blocks, but have to hand it to you for working on this variety in 6 inch blocks. Can’t wait to see the finish so don’t hide it.

  10. These blocks are coming along nicely and love what you have done and the changes have added to it. Yes, every quilt could use baskets and yours are just what it needed…..love it Nicole and can’t wait to see if there is going to be sashing or what is next?????

  11. These blocks are coming along nicely and love what you have done and the changes have added to it. Yes, every quilt could use baskets and yours are just what it needed…..love it Nicole and can’t wait to see if there is going to be sashing or what is next?????

  12. These blocks are coming along nicely and love what you have done and the changes have added to it. Yes, every quilt could use baskets and yours are just what it needed…..love it Nicole and can’t wait to see if there is going to be sashing or what is next?????

  16. I have to give you credit for staying with this. I had planned to do this quilt along but they are just too much for me. I think I might paper piece school house blocks with this fabric but I will keep them 6 inches.

  17. I have to give you credit for staying with this. I had planned to do this quilt along but they are just too much for me. I think I might paper piece school house blocks with this fabric but I will keep them 6 inches.

  18. I have to give you credit for staying with this. I had planned to do this quilt along but they are just too much for me. I think I might paper piece school house blocks with this fabric but I will keep them 6 inches.

  19. Don’t stop keeping us informed of your progress. The basket quilts make a classic addition.

  20. Don’t stop keeping us informed of your progress. The basket quilts make a classic addition.

  21. Don’t stop keeping us informed of your progress. The basket quilts make a classic addition.

  25. Love all your blocks and that you make Lisa’s quilt your own by changing some of the blocks💗

  26. Love all your blocks and that you make Lisa’s quilt your own by changing some of the blocks💗

  27. Love all your blocks and that you make Lisa’s quilt your own by changing some of the blocks💗

  31. “I Spy Basket Blocks” could be a new game! Nice addition to an already great collection of blocks! I do like the diagonal layout.

  32. “I Spy Basket Blocks” could be a new game! Nice addition to an already great collection of blocks! I do like the diagonal layout.

  33. “I Spy Basket Blocks” could be a new game! Nice addition to an already great collection of blocks! I do like the diagonal layout.

  40. I really like how your quilt is shaping up, it’s going to be a beauty when finished. I’m looking forward to seeing how you put it together, whether you follow Lisa’s idea or carry on doing what you’re doing when something doesn’t appeal to you. So nice of you to share your good ideas with us. Thanks. Karen

  41. I really like how your quilt is shaping up, it’s going to be a beauty when finished. I’m looking forward to seeing how you put it together, whether you follow Lisa’s idea or carry on doing what you’re doing when something doesn’t appeal to you. So nice of you to share your good ideas with us. Thanks. Karen

  42. I really like how your quilt is shaping up, it’s going to be a beauty when finished. I’m looking forward to seeing how you put it together, whether you follow Lisa’s idea or carry on doing what you’re doing when something doesn’t appeal to you. So nice of you to share your good ideas with us. Thanks. Karen

  43. I absolutely love your sampler quilt! My daughter introduced me to quilts set on point and I’m sold on them! Yours is spectacular! Thank you for sharing!

  44. I absolutely love your sampler quilt! My daughter introduced me to quilts set on point and I’m sold on them! Yours is spectacular! Thank you for sharing!

  45. I absolutely love your sampler quilt! My daughter introduced me to quilts set on point and I’m sold on them! Yours is spectacular! Thank you for sharing!

  46. Wonderful variety in all these little blocks–I think you’ve done wonderfully to make the quilt your own. That’s the thing about little blocks, it taking so many to make a decent sized quilt 🙂 Enjoy!

  47. Wonderful variety in all these little blocks–I think you’ve done wonderfully to make the quilt your own. That’s the thing about little blocks, it taking so many to make a decent sized quilt 🙂 Enjoy!

  48. Wonderful variety in all these little blocks–I think you’ve done wonderfully to make the quilt your own. That’s the thing about little blocks, it taking so many to make a decent sized quilt 🙂 Enjoy!