I’m super excited to be part of Quilters Newsletter magazine’s blog tour featuring their special issue Best Christmas Quilts. For my quilt, Pomegranate Passion, I used traditional blocks and elegant fabrics from P&B Textiles; all set in a striking design!
I design my quilts in EQ7, so I started by finding a Pomegranate block that I could modify to my liking. Next, I decided I would make BIG blocks … the applique blocks are 20″ square(!) … and set the blocks on point. After playing around a bit, I decided flying-geese units radiating from the center was just the ticket for the large corner triangles. Next, I added borders and I wanted one border to be pieced. A sawtooth border was the perfect compliment to the flying-geese units … except, in order for the border to fit properly, I needed an odd number of triangle units. Not to worry, instead of changing directions in the center of each border (like I normally do), I changed the direction of the red triangles closer to one corner. This 73″ x 73″ quilt makes a dramatic wall hanging or large lap quilt.
Here’s a handy tip for cutting the cream setting triangles. You’ll need to cut two 19 3/4″ squares into quarters diagonally. Since the diagonal measurement is longer than a 24″ ruler, I use two rulers and align them in diagonally opposite corners.
I remove the smaller ruler, cut along the edge of the larger ruler; then slide the ruler to the corner and finish the cut. Without moving the square, I repeat the process aligning the rulers with the other two corners to make four quarter-square triangles.
Once the quilt top was finished, it was time to think about the quilting. I machine quilted this quilt on my APQS George using Sulky’s PolyLite 60 wt. thread. I outline quilted around the applique shapes and then echo quilted them about 1/2″ from the outer edges. In the borders, I quilted rows of loops and other continuous designs. I wanted a flat, antique look for this tradtional quilt and Fairfield’s American Spirit – Classic Cotton batting was the perfect choice.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Best Christmas Quilts at your local quilt shop or bookstore. Copies are also available online at Quilt and Sew Shop. And to read about the other quilts, visit Quilters Newsletter 12 Days of Best of Christmas Blog tour.
Leave a comment on this blog before 11:59 pm MDT tonight, August 31, 2012, for a chance to win this P&B Textiles bundle of fat quarters and a copy of Best Christmas Quilts. I’ll draw one name at random. One comment per person, please. Open to those who haven’t won something from Quilters Newsletter in the last 90 days.
Be sure to include your email address in the comment box so QN can contact you when you win!!
Until next time … Happy Quilting! ~Nancy
Your quilt is really very beautiful and thank you for the tips.
Gorgeous
Gorgeous!
your work is absolutely beautiful!
The red & green fabric that you used is adorable–really makes the quilt pop!! Magazine shows some cute quilts. Thanks for the chance.
Two great tips in one blog post! Your borders look great–the off-center change in direction adds a lot of energy.
Beautiful quilt.. thanks for sharing.
Shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
Beautiful quilt! and how clever to find an easy way to cut extra long lengths! Hope I can remember it for when I need it again. Thx, Barb
I absolutely love the lap quilt. The colors are so rich and luxurious looking.
Thanks for offering the giveaway. Your quilt is beautiful.
Love the quilt, but especially love the tip for cutting the large triangles. Why didn’t I think of that?
Love the quilt, but especially love the tip for cutting the larger triangles. Why didn’t I think of that?
Your appliqued quilts are spectacular! Thanks, too, for the tip on cutting the triangles. It is always a joy to learn new techniques.
Wonderful quilt, love it!
What a great ruler trick!
Congratulations on getting published, Pomegranate quilt is beautiful.
What a great tuler trick!
I’ve seen your work in my favorite mags QM and QNM. It’s always such fun to see what you create. And what beautiful fabrics you use!
Thanks!
Very challenging quilt….
LOVE your Pomegranate quilt! Just lovely! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the chance at the giveaway!
I love the pomegranate design and the design of this quilt! I plan to make it. I love red and green quilts! Hope to win the fabric!
Dblenickel@comcast.net
Love the classic design you chose. Red and green are a natural for it.
I had already marked my calendar to find this magazine when it goes on sale next week. Now I can’t wait to see what else it holds.
Your project is just beautiful!
The quilt is lovely and the colors vibrant. I like the ruler tip.
Nancy, I love the traditional pomegranate pattern and these fabrics are perfect. Wonderful tips also. Thanks for the chance to win the fabric collection &the Christmas book.
I love the Pomegranate Quilt. It reminds me of an antique quilt in the family. It would make a wonderful quilt to have around all thru the winter months to ward off the chill.
Love your Christmas quilt.
…Love your Christmas Pomegranate Quilt.
Your quilt is truy amazing, I need to learn applique! awolk at rogers dot com
Now this is my style. Agree it should be used more than at the holidays.
The fabrics would be a spectacular addition to my collection.
kboehner at gmail dot com
Nancy – My eye is drawn to so many of your quilt designs! This one is no exception, it is awesome!
Gorgeous! I hope to have the courage to make a quilt like yours one day.
Thank you for the chane to win.
What a great quilt! Thanks for the tip to cut diagonally with two rulers! Thanks for a chance to win this beautiful fabric!
I really love your quilt. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have always loved your quilts and patterns. The quilt and pattern in this magazine is just beautiful and the color choice is stunning! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
bmoubray@yahoo.com
Love your quilt!
what a beautiful quilt!
I love your patterns and have been a follower for years!!! Looks like a great book!
Your quilt is breath taking! I picked up a copy of the magazine today. thanks for sharing your designs with us!
Char
Beautiful work!
Great quilt. Thanks for the cutting tip and the chance to win the fabric.
Nancy, congratulations on having your pomegranate quilt published in the Best Christmas Quilts 21012 magazine….it is a real beauty. Happy stitching!!
Love the Pomegranate quilt so Pretty And thanks for the tips you gave us! great to learn something new.
I REALLY LIKE THE CHRISTMAS QUILT .
The pomegranate quilt is sensational. I certainly wish I was better with applique.
Great quilt! Thanks for the tips!
Absolutely beautiful quilt!
Love your quilt! It is so refreshing to look at. Also, the larger applique blocks appeal to me. I’m not good with tiny pieces!
I LOVE the Pomegranate Quilt. I like the idea that it combines traditional blocks along with the pomegranates. I just put in on my ‘to do’ list.
Love the large blocks makes it much more interesting.
Love the traditional blocks used in your quilt. Thanks for the opportunity.
My favorite quilt, and fabrics, so far!
Beautiful project! Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the tip on cutting large setting triangles; I don’t know if I would have thought of doing it that way. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.
Your quilt is beautiful! Please include my name for the beautiful bundle!
beautiful dreamer under this lovely quilt. Whomever is the recipient should be delighted. The fabric giveaway makes way for another quilt like it in my book. Whomever the winner, maybe me in my holiday stocking,
, if I could be so lucky. Lots of Christmas ideas dancing in my head.
Perfect Christmas quilt. Perfect anytime quilt. I really need an upgrade of my Christmas stash. Here’s hopin’!
Really love your quilt! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to make this quilt – gorgeous!
Love your site…and, I’d love to win the fat quarters. Just starting to quilt again after many years of being AWOL.
Thanks for the great tip on cutting, your quilt is beautiful, I just bought the magazine at my LQS today, lots of ideas and things I want to make, I love the Fat Quarters too. Thanks for the great giveaway.
I love your wonderful quilt. Thanks for the tips.
thanks for the tutorial and i love the fabric – i am starting my folded fabric christmas ornaments and they are perfect – happy holidays to you
I love red and green quilts and this one is so pretty. Thanks for the cutting tip.
What a beautiful quilt, and designed on EQ7 shows some of the possibilities with that program. Congratulations on being published, looking for the magazine tomorrow!
You do amazing work! Love the quilts!
This is a lovely quilt with the colors of the pomegranates and larger sized blocks. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love the classic elegance of your beautiful quilt. Thank you for the chance at winning the fabric pack.
Gorgeous quilt!! Thanks for the fun giveaway
What a beautiful quilt! Those colors are magnificent and can be used all year round, not just at Christmas.
What a fun giveaway! Christmas is such a great theme for a quilt!
Thanks so much for the great tutorial and tips!
wow, thanks for the tip, that’s very useful and quite the time saver.
Beautiful quilt, thanks for the tips
What a lovely quilt, Nancy…just like all of your wonderful work! Thanks sew much for this chance to win
back2loghome@yahoo.com
What a great quilt. I especially like the large applique blocks. This quilt would not have to be put away after the holidays.
What a lovely quilt!
your quilt is beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win the fabric
Love these poms!! Such a great quilt!
Your quilt says Old Pennsylvania Deutsch to me! Love apples intend and green! Perfection!
I absolutely LOVE those fabrics!! It would be wonderful to win them, but even if I don’t, they’re still gorgeous!!!
I love the way you did the border. The quilt is beautiful. Thanks for the tip on cutting the triangles. I love a great tip!
I LOVE your quilt and how you quilted it! I have only “grid-quilted” my quilts, I’m not brave enough to try something else
Mostly because I don’t know how to decide HOW to quilt them! Thanks for the great giveaway! Good luck, Everyone!! 
What a great quilt to cozy up under on a cold winter’s night, with a cup of hot chocolate and a great book.
Your quilt is really beautiful. I love the change in direction on the border, and the geese. Thanks for sharing “how you did it” and a trick. Love when I learn something. Have a great weekend!
I adore the sawtooth border and the asymmetry when the points change directions. It makes the piece much more interesting. Pomegranate Passion is a fine work of art! Nice job.
janevancho@comcast.net
Your quilt is beautiful and very elegant. The P&B Textiles fabrics would be lovely to win.
Your quilt is beautiful and very elegant. The P&B Textiles fabrics would be lovely to win.
Oooops! Forgot to add email: donnlaw@comcast.net
Love the colors!
I try to do at least one applique project a year, and your quilt is absolutely lovely. I like the idea of making big blocks, and appreciate the “mini course” on your great blog. You should be proud.
Love the quilt, have always wanted to make one.
Beautiful work.
I love your quilts. I’ve been a fan of your design for a while. I hope to make a quilt using one of your designs soon.
Gorgeous!!
Wow! I see quilts like this and I can’t even imagine designing it…..I’m happy if I follow the pattern correctly ( hence, I appreciate your tips about the setting triangles!). Thanks for sharing with us! bverburg@juno.com
All I can say is that is a very lovely quilt. The colors really say celebrate Christmas! Thank you for the chance to win fabric.
Anne
I have not tried applique yet — but each project I see – I may just try this one
I love that pomegranate design–hope to make one someday!
What a beautiful quilt! Even though it is most appropriate for Christmas, I could see myself using this in any room at any time of the year. A job well done!!!
carolyemola@hotmail.com
Wow, I’m in total awe of this quilt. Love all the colors. This would make a great fabric bundle to win, so thanks for the chance to win it. Congrats on being in the magizine.
Loved reading about how you designed the quilt . Enjoy your many quilt pqttern in the quilt mqgazines.
Great tip for cutting the triangles!!!
kathygarringer@gmail.com
Your quilt is beautiful! Such talent….I love it!
Beautiful work; thank you for letting us share your wonderful creations.
Classic and elegant…the best kinds of quilts. Though I do like the quirky change of direction in the pieced border too. Thanks
I liked reading about the process that you followed to create this beautiful quilt, especially that the batting would give you the antique feel that you wanted to achieve. Thank you.
Hello Nancy, Your quilts are always wonderful and so much fun to see. Thank-you for such a fun giveaway. Julie
Love your work!
Love your quilt!
Love your quilt. I just started learning EQ and I’m hoping it goes well. Super glad you were a guest blogger on the 12 days of Christmas. My husband likes this one also. He loves quilts that have some hard angles as he calls them. He goes with me to shows and shops. What a keeper!! Kim
Beautiful quilt Nancy!! Simply stunning !!! I love the appliqué tecnic, although I´m a beginer in this matter!!! Thans a lot for the giveaway, realy loooove to win!!!!
Greetings from Argentina!!!!
I love your quilts! And such handy tips. Thanks for the chance to win some fabric!
Beautiful quilt! Thank you for the generous giveaway.
Love the bold big blocks! Scrumptious!
I really like the sawtooth border, esp the way you offset the reverse directions. It really works great with the onpoint block. Great job!!
The colors are so much like what I use at Christmas. I really like the sparkle and deep colors.
Great!!! I love the colors. This is a wonderful quilt.
What a fantastic quilt! And I love the colors both in the quilt and the give away pack.
Thanks.
nice quilt–love the colors
Love the block-Makes me think of old quilts!
I love the pomegranate quilt.
Wow! Such beautiful work. Love the use of the pomegranate.
-VTE
Love the quilt and the fabric bundle. Thanks.
Love the quilt. Makes for drama by switching the flying geese around the corner! Thanks for the giveaway.
The pomegranate quilt is lovely! Love the colors
This is beautiful! I will have to be a whole lot more talented than I am to tackle this – thanks for sharing!
Beth
I have always liked the Pomegranate motif. Beautiful quilt!
Beautiful quilt!! Love the colors.
Beautiful quilt. Love the fabrics and colors.
love using B*I*G blocks!! great project!
Oh – wouldn’t that quilt make a wonderful Christmas present!!! Beautiful.
Love this quilt!!!
This is a beautiful quilt that could be used all winter. Thanks for sharing your tip about using two rulers to cut the triangles.
LOVE THE COLORS!!!!! Makes me want to get started on Christmas!!!
I love your pomegranate quilt!
Thank you for the tip for cutting large triangles!
Great giveaway!
I like your pattern and your suggestion of reversing directions on the triangles. You’ve freed me from my worries about borders not fitting precisely — “make it work…”
Thanks.
Hi Nancy, Love your quilt and thank you for the tip and pictures on the setting triangles larger than my ruler. This is a great help. I make lots of Christmas quilts and can’t wait to find this magazine locally. Thanks for the chance to win it and some fabric.
beautiful fabric choices!
The pomegranate quilt is beautiful, I like traditional quilts the best. Thanks for the great tip on cutting setting triangles that are longer than 24inches as I have struggled with this in the past.
Love the idea of the blocks being 20″ for the applique. Your pictures make cutting the setting squares very clear.
Love the quilt, it is Christmas but more, the reds and greens are so wonderful together, what a great project! thanks for the hint on cutting too!
I really like the pomegranate pattern. I would use this quilt beyond the Christmas season.
Getting so excited about all these holiday ideas and fabrics! So cute!
Connie Tracy
connietracy@hotmail.com
Beautiful! This reminds me of a quilt my great grandmother made! Thanks for the memories…..mom has the quilt now, I hope that one day she will pass it along to me! I love the depth of color that you used…..displays the richness of Christmas Season!
sowingstitches [at] yahoo [dot] com
I love this quilt. I’ve wanted to try something like this for a while and think I will have better result using your pattern since it is larger then most on the applique I’ve seen. Thanks for the tips.
Nancy, your quilt is gorgeous. Love too win the fat quarters and the magazine, I have looked for it at my local grocery store at the magazine raft without any luck.
Beautiful quilt & thanks for the tip!
Simply stunning. I love the pomegranate pattern and I love the simple elegance of the fabrics you have used. Just love it.
As much as I think the newer quilts are pretty I have to confess that I love the more traditional patterns. Your’s is wonderful! I love the old time look of Christmas that it gives while the modern fabrics bring it into today’s looks. Great job!
What a clever idea with the rulers! Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful quilt. Thanks too for the tips. I’m a new quilter so I can definately use all the great tips.
diane-morse@sbcglobal.net
Love the large blocks! Maybe I can even finish something like this!
Thanks for the tip on cutting the larger triangles. A lot more accurate than what I have done in the past. I usually just cut half way – slide the ruler up and go from there. Love a good tip. Thanks.
Love the quilt. And thank you for all the tips. Beautiful as always.
Love your quilt. Keepsake fabrics sent me to you.
Pomegranate is one of my favorite designs- it always catches my eye. Thanks for the chance!
I just love the pomegranate blocks…I’d leave it out all year long!
Love the reds in the pomegrante quilt.
Another beautiful quilt. Not just for Christmas either. Thank you for sharing.
I didn’t think to use two rulers when I cut some 18″ squares into triangles last night! I ended up folding my squares into triangles, lining up my ruler on the “mid-points” and cutting those in half. It worked out okay, but I was holding my breath the entire time!
For great Quilts, info & pics see a great magazine
As always, you’ve designed a beautiful quilt, Nancy. I love the traditional block with an updated setting.
WOW – what a great gift this would be – love your patterns and books – thank you Nancy.
Beautiful quilt and magazine, still wanting to make a christmas quilt for myself!
great tips
I really like the Pomegranate Quilt a lot. I especially like that it is a Christmas quilt that can be used year round.