Make an Heirloom
Christmas Quilt

Since Christmas art is relatively easy to find, once you have the art you desire, then your quilt pattern will usually be relatively easy to envision. Should this be your first try using art to appliqué your Christmas art quilt pattern, it’s possible that you may find the mission a bit overwhelming. It truly is quite easy if you follow the tips below.

Initially on your first try, keep the art as simple as possible. Stay away from perhaps a five-person Christmas nativity scene for your art quilt pattern. For example you may begin with a Christmas tree.

Christmas trees can be represented with something as simple as a large dark green print triangle as part of the tree, and perhaps a brown rectangle representing the trunk. Thus you can make it as simple as you wish, or more intricate if your skill levels are elevated.

The art you select will either already be in your computer’s existing clip art collection, or you may wish to check your preferred online clip art. This will give you design inspiration. Once your Christmas art is found that you wish to use as a quilt pattern for your quilt, all that’s left to do is to print it out.

Next you will need to make your quilt pattern selection. In other words will the appliqué be one large 12-inch square, or are you going to integrate it into another pattern, such as a nine patch one? Perhaps you’ll wish to appliqué that Christmas art against a large panel positioned in the center of the quilt and then border it with a number of blocks consisting of your much loved quilt panel? The choices are always yours!

If you have a higher skill level, you may wish to integrate into your quilt pattern a family photograph from Christmas past, for instance. This would definitely create a family favorite!

If you like this idea, there are a number of different ways to transfer that photo onto the quilt. Put the photo directly onto a quilt block before you do the piecing. This way, should something go wrong, it will be much simpler to cut another block rather than having to create an entire new quilt!

You will find that photo transferring is quite easy. Most craft stores carry the transfer paper. Should you be printing the photo on fabric that is relatively dark, make sure that your transfer paper is especially made for dark fabrics. The directions are quite easy in order to produce your photograph Christmas art quilt pattern. 

Or in order to transfer photos, you may decide on direct-to-the-fabric digital printing. You will have a slightly higher cost than if you did this yourself, however their water-based ink will go directly into those fibers of the cotton fabric. Because it in fact becomes a part of the fabric, the photo portion will be soft to the touch.

You will find that there is a long life to items that have been digitally printed, which if the quilt is to be actually used, it will need to go through the wash frequently. On the other hand photo transfers may not last through such multiple washings. If you desire to find digital printers in your neighborhood, call local t-shirt printers. The majority of those are screen printers, thus you will need to ask for the digital direct to garment printer so that they do not use a sublimation process. Using those words in your question will enable you to find a great photo printer for any Christmas art quilt pattern.

If appliqué is not interesting to you, you will find may quilt patterns that have wreaths, bells, or Christmas trees pieced directly into the design. Thus selecting one of those traditional Christmas quilt patterns is a very simple way to produce a holiday family heirloom.

Should you select a Christmas art quilt pattern similar to this, then an appliqué would not be necessary. To add your own style to such a Christmas art quilt, using traditional pieced tree patterns, you could elegantly decorate the tree with rick-rack garland, iron on rhinestones, or buttons and such.

Do remember that when you’ve finished your Christmas art quilt pattern, to sign and of course date that quilt. Fabric marker pens are perfect for this. In addition, if you so desire, you could use plain embroidery to actually stitch your name as well as the date right into the quilt. After all, it’s not your creation until you affix your name and date on it!