Creating an Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt is a wonderful way to bring a sense of warmth and nostalgia into your home for the holiday season.
This quilt combines traditional charm with festive elements, perfect for enjoying cozy picnics in the winter or simply as a beautiful decorative piece during the holidays.
In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of making this delightful quilt, covering fabric requirements, cutting instructions, and assembly techniques.
Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just starting, this quilt pattern will let you create a unique, handmade treasure to cherish for years to come. Let’s get started with this festive project!
What is an Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt?
An Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt draws inspiration from traditional Christmas themes, featuring rich reds, greens, whites, and golds, evoking a sense of nostalgia and timeless charm. The quilt often includes elements like plaid, stripes, and holiday-themed prints that remind you of old-fashioned Christmas picnics, filled with warmth and joy. This quilt pattern combines both modern and vintage styles, making it a versatile addition to any holiday decor.
The charm of this quilt pattern lies in its simplicity and ability to capture the essence of the holidays without being overly complicated. Its block design usually focuses on straightforward shapes like squares, triangles, and rectangles, making it an excellent choice for quilters of all skill levels. Whether you choose to make it for a Christmas picnic, as a cozy throw, or simply as a festive decor piece, the Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt is sure to bring the spirit of the season into your home.
Fabric Requirements for the Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt
Before you begin, it’s important to choose your fabrics carefully. For an Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt, the fabric choices should reflect the traditional Christmas palette while also adding variety and texture. Here’s a general list of fabric cuts needed for the quilt:
- Main Quilt Blocks: Red, green, white, and gold fabrics in a mix of solids and prints. You’ll need a variety of fabrics for the main quilt blocks, which will form the overall design of the quilt.
- 1 yard of red fabric (for 6 blocks)
- 1 yard of green fabric (for 6 blocks)
- 1 yard of white fabric (for 6 blocks)
- ½ yard of gold fabric (for accent pieces)
- Background Fabric: A neutral fabric that will serve as the backdrop for your quilt blocks.
- 3 yards of off-white or cream fabric for the background.
- Binding Fabric: The fabric you will use for the quilt’s edge.
- 1 yard of coordinating fabric (could be a deep red or a festive print).
For a 60×60-inch finished quilt, these fabric amounts will provide a good balance of coverage for the quilt top. However, depending on your chosen quilt size, you may need to adjust the fabric quantities slightly.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt
Step 1: Cutting Your Fabric Pieces
The first step in making your Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt is cutting the fabric into the necessary pieces for the quilt blocks and background. This ensures that each piece is the correct size and helps you assemble the quilt more efficiently.
- Cut 6 red squares, each measuring 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
- Cut 6 green squares, each measuring 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
- Cut 6 white squares, each measuring 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
- From the gold fabric, cut 12 small rectangles, each measuring 3 inches by 6.5 inches, to use as accent pieces for your blocks.
- For the background, cut 24 squares, each measuring 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches. These will form the neutral backdrop between the colorful quilt blocks.
Once your pieces are cut, press them well to ensure they are flat and easy to sew.
Step 2: Piecing the Quilt Blocks
Now that your pieces are cut, it’s time to start piecing together the quilt blocks. The Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt features a simple block pattern, where different colored squares are sewn together to create a clean, grid-like design.
- Start by arranging one red square, one green square, one white square, and one gold rectangle in a row. This will form a single quilt block.
- Sew the pieces together by attaching the squares and the gold rectangle in a straight line. Begin with the red square, followed by the green square, the white square, and finally the gold rectangle.
- Press each seam as you go to ensure the fabric lies flat and the edges align perfectly.
- Repeat this process for all 12 blocks, alternating the colors for variety.
After assembling your blocks, lay them out in a grid pattern of 3 rows and 4 columns, adjusting the placement to ensure the colors are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Assembling the Quilt Top
Once you’ve completed all the blocks and arranged them in your desired pattern, it’s time to sew the blocks together to form the quilt top.
- Begin by sewing the blocks together in horizontal rows. Take two blocks at a time and align the edges carefully before sewing. Once the first two blocks are sewn, continue adding blocks to complete the row.
- After completing all the rows, sew the rows together, again ensuring that the edges align perfectly. Press the seams flat as you work.
- Once all the blocks are sewn together and the quilt top is finished, lay it flat on a large surface to check for any uneven seams or areas that need adjustment.
The top portion of your quilt is now complete, and you’re ready to move on to adding the quilt backing and quilting layers.
Quilting the Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt
Step 4: Adding the Quilt Batting and Backing
After assembling the quilt top, the next step is to add the quilt batting and backing fabric. This is what gives the quilt its softness and warmth, making it perfect for chilly Christmas picnics or cozy nights by the fire.
- Lay your quilt top on a large, flat surface and measure it to determine the size of the backing fabric you will need. For a 60×60-inch quilt, your backing fabric should be slightly larger to accommodate the edges.
- Cut the backing fabric to the appropriate size, adding a few extra inches on each side for overlap and shrinkage during quilting.
- Lay the batting on a smooth surface, followed by the backing fabric, with the right side facing down. Then, carefully place the quilt top on top of the batting, right side facing up.
- Smooth out all the layers to remove any wrinkles or creases.
Step 5: Quilting the Layers Together
Now that your quilt top, batting, and backing are layered together, it’s time to quilt. You can quilt by hand or by machine, depending on your preference and skill level.
- For machine quilting, use a walking foot or free-motion quilting foot to stitch through all three layers. Start by quilting along the seams to secure the layers together, and then add decorative stitching, such as diagonal lines, swirls, or simple grid patterns, to enhance the design.
- For hand quilting, use a simple running stitch or a more intricate design, like a Christmas-themed motif (stars, holly leaves, etc.). Use quilting thread that contrasts with the background for a festive touch.
Be sure to quilt carefully, maintaining even spacing and securing the stitches as you go. This step is essential to keeping the quilt layers together and adding texture to the final design.
Step 6: Adding the Binding
Once your quilt is quilted, the final step is adding the binding around the edges. This will finish the quilt and give it a clean, professional look.
- Cut strips of binding fabric, each 2.5 inches wide, and sew them together end-to-end to create one continuous strip. The length should be enough to cover all four sides of the quilt.
- Fold the binding in half lengthwise and press it. Attach the binding to the edges of the quilt, folding the raw edges of the quilt underneath and sewing the binding to the quilt top.
- Finish by hand-sewing the binding to the back of the quilt, making sure to tuck in the corners for a neat finish.
Once the binding is securely in place, your Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt is complete and ready to be enjoyed!
Tips for a Beautiful Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt
- Fabric Choices: When selecting fabrics for the Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt, opt for traditional holiday patterns like plaids, stripes, and florals. These fabrics will give your quilt an authentic, vintage feel.
- Quilt Pattern Variations: While this tutorial follows a simple square block design, feel free to experiment with other quilt patterns that might suit the picnic theme. Consider adding tree, star, or wreath shapes for a more festive look.
- Personalization: Add embroidery or appliqué to make your quilt unique. You could add initials, a special Christmas message, or little images like snowflakes or Christmas trees.
Conclusion
The Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt is the perfect project to celebrate the holiday season. It combines traditional colors, patterns, and festive spirit to create a warm, inviting quilt that will be cherished for years to come. Whether you’re looking to add a cozy touch to your holiday picnic or create a timeless piece of decor for your home, this quilt pattern offers endless possibilities for customization and creativity. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you can make your own Old Fashioned Christmas Picnic Quilt and enjoy a handmade masterpiece this Christmas season. Happy quilting!
