Merry Christmas!!

This year has been a blessed one indeed!!!  Two marriages, two new members of the family, and tons of amazing memories!!   The "Christmas Letter" is going to be more of a "New Years Letter" so for today, I will just say . . . 

Vice-Veras Quilt Along - Getting Ready

Its that time of year . . . where we start gearing up for new Quilt Along's!!!  And this year, I am super excited to jump right in starting January 5th with the Vice-Versa Table Top Quilt Along hosted by my friends at Fat Quarter Shop!!!  This will be a fun and fast Quilt Along, with a finishing project by the end of the month :)   And I've got my Vice-Versa Table Topper Kit all ready to go ;)   

And you know I couldn't stop there . . . I mean, how can you not love all of these happy colors.   And if you are going to play with Charm Packs, why not play with Layer Cakes as well.  So I jumped in with the Vice-Versa Table Runner Kit as well.  This is going to be so much fun!!!  

So do you want to join in this January Quilt Along fun??  Grab your Vice-Versa Pattern (which is 3 patterns in one book, great deal!!)  and let's get ready to make our first finishes of 2026!!! 

Oh, and just because you know I always have to shake things up . . . I have been looking at the kits and the patterns, and am thinking about making some alterations to my projects.  We'll see what I decide by January 5th!

Thanks for popping in today, I hope you are all having a very Happy (and Merry) Quilting Day!! 

Sweater Weather for Snuggle Up!!

I have wanted to make my Sweater Weather  pattern with a dark background since I finished the original (the first original that is :)  So when my wonderful friends at Poppie Cotton asked if I wanted to participate in their Snuggle Up for Christmas Week, I knew that it was the perfect fit.  And here is my new  Sweater Weather quilt, isn't it just so cute!!!  Yup, I just love it :) 

This Sweater Weather quilt is made with Poppie Cotton Country Confetti and Seeing Spots Basics.  I used my favorite Blue Ribbon Dark Blue for the background and Pale Moon for accent and binding!!  The quilt is Fat Quarter Friendly, so for the blocks of this lap size quilt, I choose 8 Fat Quarters in varying shades of blue. And it turned out just so adorable!!  I am teaching classes for this quilt in Jan, Feb, and Mar, so it will be so fun to see both the original white background, and this new version next to each other.  It just gives it a whole new look!!      

Sweater Weather  is an experience beginner skill level pattern, and regardless of your skill level, you will love making this quilt!     The quilt is made of two separate blocks and then pieced in a alternating layout with a small sashing.    The pattern teaches techniques including strip piecing, stitch and flip corners and lots of tiny patchwork in that chain. And because the piecing of everything else beyond the chain is pretty large, the quilt blocks come together pretty quick!  

And when it came time to quilt this I opted for an all over large swirl :)  Because I custom quilted the original, it is fun to do an easy over all design for the new quilt so that when students see both quilts, they can get ideas of which way they want to go with their own quilting.  And I used a beautiful country blue thread that just blended perfectly in the background and pops in the white hearts.  So cute!! 

And that is my new  Sweater Weather quilt!!!       And I am just so happy to share it with all of you!!!   Now all we need is some of the White Stuff in the pictures to make it truly Sweater Weather ;)   But for now, I will just keep snuggling up in this quilt and dreaming of snow!!    If you make your own Sweater Weather Quilts I would love to see them!!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with  #happyquiltingwithmc and #sweaterweatherquilt ;)  I can't wait to see your Quilts!!!

Thanks for popping in today and sharing this new finish with me :)   And thanks to my wonderful friends at Poppie Cotton for creating the perfect opportunity for me to make this quilt that I have been imagining for a year ;)  

I hope you all have a Happy Quilting Day!!! 

GO! Argyle Bed Runner and Free PDF Pattern!

Do you remember when I shared my new GO! Bolt Cutter?  Well, along with it's release, I got to make one of  AccuQuilt's samples for it, so fun!!   You see, it comes with a 5" Square die, so everyone got creative of what could be made with a 4 1/2" finished square!!  And here is one of them . . . the Argyle Bed Runner and there is a free PDF Pattern for it right here!! 

It was so much fun to use my new GO! Bolt Cutter to make this project!!! I love that it cuts fast, and was easy to set up on my dining room table as I haven't made a designated spot for it in the sewing room yet ;)    The GO! Bolt is a special new addition to the AccuQuilt Cutting team and will be a great addition to yours as well!!!  

And while there are a bunch of triangles in this project, the entire thing is made with squares pieced on point.  Then it is just a quick trim around the outside to make it into the runner.  So super easy, and super fast!  You could whip up the runner top in less than an hour, including the cutting!!!  And don't you love Allison Harris's Plaid Prints, I think they just went perfectly with the argyle design ;)  

And I decided it would be fun to quilt this on my domestic machine, just to shake things up.  I played with a decorative zig zag stich, and then when back and did a straight stitch in between those lines.   I love all of the yummy texture it adds to the project!!  And I have to say, it was great to quilt on my domestic machine again, its been a while for sure ;) 

And that is my Argyle Bed Runner!  It finishes at 13" x 64".  It would also look amazing as a table runner or on your counter top as shown ;)   So be sure to pop on over and get your free PDF Pattern so you can whip up your own!!  And if you do, I would love to see it!!  You can add it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc and tag me @happyquiltingmc or you can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com.  I can't wait to see your Argyle Bed Runner's :) 

Thanks for popping in and sharing this little project finish with me :)

I hoe you all have a very Happy Quilting Kind of  Day!! 

Jessi's Dress

So I don't know if you recall, but back in the summer, my daughter Jessi started making a linen dress.  Then life got a little busy with dating, getting engaged, getting married, and so forth ;)  But somewhere in all of that, Jessi did manage to finish her dress!! And it turned out so beautifully!!  Doesn't she just look stunning :)  

Our last bit of progress left off with needing to add the zipper in the back and hemming the full skirt.   And wow, did she do a great job on that zipper.  This dress fits just perfect and looks so pretty on her.    It is made with this Botany Linen Print from Alli K for Moda Fabrics.  Did you know that Moda Fabrics makes Linen Prints!!  They are a dream to work with and obviously, sews up into a beautiful finish :) 

And yes, that was a lot of hemming!!!   This skirt is super full and oh so much fun to swirl in.  Jessi was having fun dancing around the backyard ;)   You can find the links to this wonderful pattern we found on etsy in this post.  

I am just so proud of Jessi for making this dress.  Anything that is not 2D sewing is pretty intimidating to me, but she just worked her way through each step and has a beautiful finish to show for it!!!   And again, a huge thank you to Grandma for helping us through when we both got a little confused ;)  

And one more picture for fun . . .this is the newest member of Jessi and Trey's new little family.   Missy is a sweetheart and had so much fun running around during this little photo shoot ;)  

And with that, I wish you all a very Happy Quilting (and maybe a little sewing) Day!!

Snuggly Squares Quilts with Free PDF Pattern!

Today, I am thrilled to be sharing these brand new Snuggly Squares quilts along with a Free PDF Pattern for them!!! Snuggly Squares was one of the first quilt tutorials I made clear back in 2010, and when I saw the new Baby Boy / Baby Girl fabrics from Lori Whitlock, I knew it was time to make Snuggly Squares again!!! They are just the perfect fit for this quilt design!! And now, you can make your own as well with the Free Snuggly Squares PDF Pattern!

Snuggly Squares is made with 1 Layer Cake and 2 yards of Background fabric and that is it!!! You even get the binding fabric out of the Layer Cake ;) So ya, It is truly simply to just grab a Stack and get cutting and piecing!! And I just love that Lori Whitlock made both a Baby Girl and a Baby Boy fabric collection. I can't tell you how much I love making matching quilts in boy and girl fabrics!! And these Baby Girl and Baby Boy Collections are just so perfect!!! The colors are so soft and the prints are just adorable, perfect for a sweet little one.

     

The Snuggly Squares quilt is a very easy one to make.  You can whip it up super quick, so it is perfect for one of those last minute gifts. It is simply just making 4 patch units, bordering them with a print, sewing the blocks together, and then adding a cute patchwork border. So simple and yet so cute! Sometimes simple is just simply the best!

Snuggly Squares finish at 44" x 44" so it is great size for a wall-hanging in the nursery, a crib blanket, or to lay on the floor for some tummy time. And as I mentioned, there is a free PDF Download of this pattern, so you can make your own!!!

     

When it came time to quilt my Snuggly Squares quilts, I went with a favorite for "grid" quilts. I call this my wavy orange peel. It has a great organic look with the wiggly line, and it also means you don't have to use rulers like a typical orange peel look. So super fast, super cute, and it adds so much yummy texture to the quilt!! I used a light blue thread in the boy version and a light pink thread in the girl version, just to add the finishing touches to the two themes. These are just going to be so perfect to snuggle in.

And that is my Snuggly Squares Quilts !! I hope you have enjoyed this post. Oh, and if you make your own Snuggly Squares Quilt or Quilts (because truly, it is hard to make just one) , I would love to see them!!!   Grab your  Layer Cake and get happy with a little cut, sew, quilt  . . . and repeat.   When you are finished  you can share your quilt with me on social media using hashtags #happyquiltingwithmc and tagging @happyquiltingmc or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com. I can’t wait to see your Snuggly Squares quilts!!!

Thank you so much for popping in with me to share these new baby quilt finishes!!  

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

Jolly Box 2025 (with spoilers)

Okay, I just couldn't wait any longer to open my 2025 Jolly Box from Fat Quarter Shop !! You all know that I just love these Limited Edition holiday boxes!! (Which you just might be able to reserve the Cupid Box now, )    And sadly, yes the Jolly Box is Sold Out, you have to jump on these Holiday Boxes quick!!  But truly, I was so very excited when I opened this Jolly Box!!   If you want to see the full reveal, just keep on reading :)  

What an incredible Box of Christmas Quilting Goodness!!  How can you not love it!!!  It just all plays together so nice and is full of fabric, panel, pattern, thread, and even a Christmas ornament!   And all in Beverly McCullough's adorable Classic Christmas Goodness!!    

I was so excited to find a Bundle of Mistletoe & Holly  I love these festive prints and Bev's style always just makes such happy quilts!!  And speaking of . . . how cute is that Mistletoe Moments quilt pattern!!  You know this one is going on my list to make!!! 

And along with the Bundle of Mistletoe & Holly for making the quilt . . . there is also a panel of  Mistletoe & Holly to make a matching tree skirt and mini stockings.   I think I want to make this one up for one of my newly married kiddo's :)  How fun would that be!!  And while this Tree Skirt is exclusive to the Jolly Box, Bev did design a second Mistletoe and Holly Tree Skirt here ;)    And of course, I always love Aurifil!!!   And I am super excited for this new matching Enamel Ornament to add to the tree!! 

It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!!! 

Thanks for popping in and I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!! 

November Sew Sampler Box!!

Wow, November has come and gone!!!  I was out of town for the Thanksgiving Holiday, so I am just now getting to my November Sew Sampler Box, and was it worth the wait!!!    This month's box is so great and it is filled with some of my favorite notions!!  The theme is Winter's Orchard.  

And it starts out with a beautiful Junior Layer Cake of Lella Boutique's new Wild Honey Collection!!   I am so excited to sew with these fabrics!  I just love all of the happy colors and it is filled with some gorgeous floral prints!! And how happy and bright does that Orange Blossom quilt look.   It will make such an adorable baby quilt, can't wait to get started on it :)   

And the notions for this month are some of my all time favorite notions!!!   First off, Diagonal Seam Tape!!!   I can't say enough about this wonderful little "never draw lines again" tape.   I take it to all of my classes and share it with all my students ;)  And I love Karen Kay Buckley Scissors, the hand grips are just so soft and the scissors are super sharp!  These Perfect Scissors really are the perfect little pair of snippers, just fantastic!!

And last but not least, we are on to block 8 of this Flowering QAL!!  .  I am using  50 Years of Moda!!!  This month's had a lot, a lot, a lot of stitch and flip corners!!!   But they went super quick with my Diagonal Seam Tape (no drawing lines for me!!)   And guess what, I even figured out how to nest every single angled seam throughout the entire block, so no pins either!!  So fun ;)     I am just loving these Flowering Blocks!! 

And that is November Sew Sampler Box.  Looking forward to December's box!! 

Thanks for popping in again.  

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Day!!! 

$5 Pattern of the Month - Wishes!!!

  It's a new month and a new $5 Pattern of the Month here at Happy Quilting!!!  And December is all about Wishes.  And it is just $5 all month long!!!   

The  Wishes Pattern can be found in my Etsy Shop in both a Paper version as well as a PDF version and both versions will be marked down to $5.00 for the month December.   This is such a fun quilt to make and is a great technique builder.  It is rated Beginner and is Fat Quarter Friendly.  

Wishes  has 5 size options.   The blocks finish at 21" so it is a nice big block!  This allows you to make even the queen size in a hurry.  And the quilt blocks come together with some pieced star sashing in the corners.   

Wishes uses some basic piecing units.  You will make cute little No Waste Flying Geese for the center stars.  Do some Stitch and Flips for the sashing stars and side units.  And also do a fun No-Waste Lattice Block in the corner units, that comes out perfect every time with a quick trim and very little waste.  And because this design pretty much floats on the background, you really don't have to worry about lining up any points!!!  I just love that, it makes it perfect for beginners, while still be so much fun to make for experts alike!!!

And this design is super versatile!!  This show it using low volume Christmas fabrics with a dark background.  It is a great way to use up some of those low volume fat quarters that just keep building up in our stash ;)  

  

Truly, this is just a super versatile design that would look great in any fabrics!! And you can always omit the sashing if you prefer just the blocks.  It is a fun way to change it up ;)  Whatever you decide, just grab Bundle  and have fun piecing this wonderful Wishes quilt !!  

  

And that is my $5.00 Pattern of the Month!!!   December 2025 is all about the Wishes Pattern!!!   You are going to have so much fun making this quilt ;)   And of course,  if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to me ;)  And when you make your Wishes Quilt I would love to see them!!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to social media with  #happyquiltingwithmc and #wishesquilt ;)  I can't wait to see your Quilts!!!

So are you ready to start making your Wishes Quilts???  Pop over to my Etsy Shop, to pick up your Pattern and get Happy Quilting!!!!   

Signature Quilt with Free PDF Pattern!!!

 I am so excited to share this new Signature Quilt along with a Free PDF Pattern for it!!    This is the quilt I made for Jessi and Trey's wedding reception.  Rather than having people sign a book when they arrived, they signed a signature block in the quilt.  Everyone just loved it, and now Jessi and Trey have a special keepsake with everyone's well wishes!!   It would work for just about any occasion that you want to have well wishes from people . . .wedding, retirement, hospital stay, baby shower, golden anniversary, etc.. etc.. etc..    And it is so fun and fast to make . . . you are going to love it!!  Here is where you can download the FREE PDF Pattern  so you can make your own ;)    

What I love most about this quilt is it is Layer Cake Friendly.  And you use all 42 squares of your Layer Cake, so pick out one you like, grab a coordinating neutral fabric to use for the signature blocks, and you are set to go!!   Jessi picked out a Folktale Layer Cake by Lella Botique for Moda.  It matched their wedding colors perfectly and it has always been a favorite of mine, so I am so glad she loved it too!!   And isn't it so great that you get a full representation of the fabric line, it's just so pretty just and is just how it was designed to be used!!! 

You are literally just putting a border of print fabric around a signature rectangle, and then cutting some of those blocks in half to make the offset layout.  Truly, you can whip one of these up for a special occasion in no time at all.  It finishes at 49" x 60" so it is a great lap size ;)    

And I used Micron Pens with archival ink for people to sign with.  That way I know the signatures will stay after it is well loved  They come in pretty colors and that really added to the prints in the quilt ;)   isn't it just so fun to see all of those sweet words of congratulations and love shared! 

When it came time to quilt this keepsake, I decided I wanted to keep the signature blocks unquilted so they would be easier to write on and would pop!  So I did a stitch in the ditch around the signature blocks and then a cute curly q in the print fabrics.  I just love all the texture it adds, makes it so soft and snuggly!!  

And that is my new Signature Quilt!!!  I wish I would have remembered to take a picture of it on the reception table, it looked so pretty ;)  Ah well :)   I just hope you love this Signature Quilt as much as I do and that maybe you have a special event that a signature quilt would be just perfect for!!  And if you do and make up this quilt, I would love to see it! You can share your projects with me on social media with the hashtags  #happyquiltingwithmc  and tagging @happyquiltingmc or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com. I can't wait to see your Signature Quilts!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!