Category: Christa’s Quilts

My Craftsy Class is Now Live – Save 50% on The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It

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My class, The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It is now available online. I’m so excited for you to join my classroom where you’ll have direct access to me – 24/7!! And the best part is, for a limited time, you can save 50% using my exclusive instructor discount! But here’s the catch: it’s available only from me using this link and you won’t see the discount until you actually put the class in your cart. So be sure it shows up before you check out. 🙂

the-quilters-pathClick here to add The Quilter’s Path to your cart and save 50% off the regular price!

As you view the videos, you can take notes, ask questions, and upload images of what you are working on. It’s a great place to get quilting advice from me, or to trouble shoot any issues you are having. My Craftsy class is a dedicated space where I can help you one on one, and I’m really looking forward to it! I like to think of it as 2+ hours of engaging video, along with unlimited coaching. 🙂

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Learn how to quilt an easy but effective wavy grid using your walking foot! This is just one of the many quilting motifs I’ll show you how to do with your walking foot, free motion, or both!

In The Quilter’s Path, it was very important for me to show you how to quilt on real quilts and blocks during class, so the class materials include a free pattern for the Pinwheels quilt. I’ve made it in three different colorways (navy, pink and teal) so that you can see how changing the fabrics and the quilting can totally change the look of the quilt!

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You can easily quilt your own quilts when you find your quilting path!

Here’s an actual screenshot from class so that you can see what the platform looks like. There’s a detailed menu bar where you can find the lessons and class materials, as well as take notes and post projects. On the right hand side of your screen, you can ask questions and read the Q&A of other class members. You can also hide this part of the screen if you don’t want to view it.

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The best thing about asking a question and interacting on the platform is that all of the other students can see your projects and discussions, too. I honestly think you learn as much from the Q&A as you do in the class itself! And remember, my philosophy is that the only dumb question is the one that is never asked!

During class,  I show how to quilt effective designs using a walking foot (or dual feed), free-motion techniques, and combined designs to create a truly custom look.

Click here to enroll in The Quilter’s Path and let me help you become a better quilter!

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Quilts from my Craftsy Class, and Your Chance to Win it Before You Can Buy it!

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My Craftsy class, The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It is scheduled to launch next week!! Whoo hoo!! It’s all about showing you how to quilt some of my favorite motifs using your walking foot, free motion, or both. To celebrate, one of you lucky readers will get a chance to win it before you can buy it. 🙂

Update: Congrats to winner Linda B! The class is now live and available for purchase!

Click here to save 50% off The Quilter’s Path through April 4, 2017

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Win My Class!

To enter, first click here to sign in or register for a free Craftsy account (if you don’t have one yet). Then leave me a comment letting me know if you’ve ever taken a Craftsy class before.

If you are a regular Craftsy user, I’d also love to know what you love best about the class platform. As for me, I love being able to interact 24/7 via the Q&A sidebar in each class. 🙂

The giveaway will be open to all and will run through the end of the week. I’ll draw a random winner on Saturday and will contact them via email.

Pinwheel Quilts from Class

I used Craftsy’s Boundless precut strips in three different color schemes to make the 3 full-sized pinwheel quilts shown in class. With careful cutting you can actually make 2 quilts from each set, or make one larger version. The free pattern will be included exclusively as part of the class.

Here’s closeup shots of each of the pinwheel quilts I share in class:

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The Navy/30’s Pinwheels (with walking foot quilting) was made from 30’s prints and navy solids. I actually show two versions of this quilt in class, the finished red/white/blue version shown above, plus the pastel version shown below. I separated the precut 2 1/2″ strips into two color schemes to make both quilts. I used a contrasting thread on the pastel version that I actually quilt on during class, so you can see what I’m doing.

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Click here to purchase Boundless 1930’s Delights 2 1/2″ precut strips.
Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Navy 2 1/2″ precut strips.

For the Pink/White pinwheels, I free-motion quilted a fun and easy edge to edge design that gives the quilt lots of texture. This is a fast way to finish that looks amazing on your quilt!
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During class, I teach many more quilting motifs than shown in these three samples, but I still quilt them on real blocks so you can see how the designs will look before you commit to a full quilt. For the pink/white version I used some of the leftover solid pink strips to make a scrappy binding. I think it adds such a fun look to a quilt!

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Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Tickled Pink 2 1/2″ precut strips.
Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Bright White 2 1/2″ precut strips.

For the grand finale, I show how to combine both walking foot and free-motion techniques to create a truly custom look with your quilt, as shown in the Teal/Gray Pinwheels quilt.

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There’s plenty of leftover pieces in each bundle that you can use to whip up sample blocks to practice on like I did. It always amazes me how different a quilt can look, once it’s quilted!

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Click here to purchase Boundless Blenders Aura Coastal Escape 2 1/2″ precut strips.
Click here to purchase Boundless Solids Nickel 2 1/2″ precut strips.

In class, I also share several of my other finished quilts for inspiration, explaining how I apply the quilting to each of these quilts. My goal is for you to not only learn the designs, but feel comfortable quilting them on any quilt. Once the class launches, I’ll be back with a detailed class summary, along with an exclusive discount available only from me. I can’t wait!!

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Craftsy Holiday Sale and a Sneak Peek of my Upcoming Class

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While I excitedly await the release of my Craftsy class in January, I’m paying much more attention to all of the great deals the company is offering. For example, I just saw that ALL classes are on sale for under $20, now through the day after Christmas (12/26 at 11:59 PM MT).

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So now that you are done with your gift shopping, why not reward yourself with a gift of learning? Click here to view all quilting classes on sale.

Speaking of learning, here’s a behind-the-scenes shot of me quilting for my upcoming Craftsy class, The Quilter’s Path: Plan It, Stitch It, Quilt It.

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The best part of filming was getting to quilt on a BERNINA. I felt right at home!

See those pinwheel quilts? The main focus of the class is showing how to quilt the same quilt in different ways depending on the look you are going for and what your skill level is. My students have been asking me to show them how I physically move an actual quilt under the machine; so most of the class is spent quilting real blocks and real quilts, using both walking foot and free-motion techniques. I also wanted to give as much value as I could, so the Pinwheels design is included as a free pattern in the class. 🙂

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Tip from class: If your machine has built in dual feed – you DON’T need a walking foot!

I’ll be telling you much more about my class as it gets closer to launch day in early January. In the meantime, be sure and grab the other quilting classes you’ve had your eye on, now while they are on sale. I highly recommend taking as many different classes as you can, from as many different instructors as you can. We each put our own spin on the material, and you never know when one of us will say something in a way you’ve never heard before. I sure love teaching, but I’m still always learning, too!

Click here to view all Quilting Classes on sale. And remember, every class site-wide is on sale, too! (Note: this post contains affiliate links, so thanks for your support!!)

New Pattern Release – Nested Pinwheel

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One of my goals for the next year is to release a series of new quilt patterns that have I’ve been dying to complete. Over the last couple of years  I’ve written 4 print patterns, 7 PDF patterns, 2 books (with a third coming next fall), and created numerous quilts for magazines and compilation books. Now that the rights are beginning to revert back to me for the one-off publications, I can finally start releasing them on their own. It’s a big task to be sure, but one I’m looking forward to.

Without further ado, here’s the first of hopefully many patterns – Nested Pinwheel!

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Nested Pinwheel designed and made by Christa Watson, 27″ x 27″

I originally created this design as part of a larger designer bundle of smaller projects. It finishes at 27″ x 27″, perfect to use as a mini quilt, table topper, wall-hanging, or newborn quilt. In the 2 page pattern, I’ve also included a diagram showing what it would look like if you wanted to create a larger, 4 block 54″ x 54″ size.

I’m experimenting with an idea I saw another blogger do recently. When I first release an individual quilt pattern I’ll offer it as a PDF only, for a super low price. This will allow early adopters to get the best deal, and it will help fund the printing process, if I choose to take it to print later. This will also help me gauge the interest of a particular pattern before I introduce it to the masses via the quilt shop distribution network.

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Right now I don’t have a set schedule for when I’ll release patterns, but the more often I do it, the easier the process will become. In every pattern, I’ll include some hints or tips on how I did the machine quilting, such as the photo above. After all, my goal with releasing patterns and teaching machine quilting is to help others finish their quilts quickly, and have fun doing it!

Click here to grab your copy of Nested Pinwheel, just $2.95 through the end of the month!

Share your progress while making this quilt, or anything else from my books and patterns in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa. I’d love to see your progress, and offer support and encouragement while you create!

I Love Churn Dashes – Book Winners

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Just a quick note to say congrats to the two winners of I Love Churn Dashes – the latest compilation book from Martingale/That patchwork Place. Kim S. won the downloadable e-copy and Gloria C. won a signed physical copy.

Click here to read more about my contribution to the book.

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For those that didn’t win, you can pre-order your copy online here.

Thanks to all those that commented and went with me on a journey to revisit all of the quilts from Machine Quilting with Style. The giveaways are now over, but you can click here to see all of the quilts in the book, and click here for links to all of the re-colored versions.

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Detail of quilting from Machine Quilting with Style.

One final note – after a crazy busy couple of years of non-stop work that left little time for blogging, I should be able to start blogging more on a regular basis. I’m looking forward to it!

My Quilt From I Love Churn Dashes

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I’m so excited to finally reveal a secret sewing project I made last year! If you followe me on instagram  (@christaquilts), you can check out the hashtag #secretsewingchrista to see sneak peeks of my progress while working on this quilt, plus several others that I can’t reveal quite yet. Makers gotta make and sharers gotta share!

So without further ado, I’d like to introduce Churn Dash Slide, my contribution to I Love Churn Dashes, the latest book in the Block Buster Quilts series by Martingale/That Patchwork Place.

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Churn Dash Slide, by Christa Watson, 72″ x 78″. Photography by Brent Kane.

Although this book is more about the pieced design of the quilts rather than the machine quilting, I still loved quilting the heck out of it! I used a simple elongated swirl, quilted edge to edge across the quilt.

Here’s a machine quilting tip: when working with busy prints, where your quilting is NOT the star of the show, choose a simple quilting design that adds texture, but is relatively quick and easy to do. I used a light green from my Piece and Quilt thread collection from Aurifil to quilt it.

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I love adding texture to my quilts with lot of machine quilting!

So here’s a bit of trivia I learned when reading I Love Churn Dashes: The term comes from the design’s resemblance to the staff or pole (referred to as the dash) that’s used in a traditional wooden butter churn. I’ve also heard the block called by other names such as Monkey Wrench, or Hole in the Barn Door, but I think Churn Dash is the cutest name, don’t you??

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Partial quilts on the cover (clockwise) are from Amy Ellis, Me, Jo Morton, and Carol Hopkins.

I Love Churn Dashes include 15 fabulous designs from 15 well-known quilters (plus a bonus quilt in one of the patterns – so really, 16 quilts)! Plus it includes detailed instructions on making a basic churn dash block right at the beginning of the book. Once you have this block down, the variations are endless! In addition to the eye catching designs shown on the cover, here are a few more of my personal favorites:

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Block party by Jackie White – I love those white solids and the modern design!

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In reverse by Kate Henderson – the book includes intrucctions to make two quilts at once – this version, and an inverted version with a pieced background and solid block!

wavy-churn-by-gina-reddinWavy Churn by Gina Reddin – this one is all machine applique!summer-dash-by-april-rosenthalSummer Dash by April Rosenthal – so fresh and sweet!

I tend to go for the lighter brighter versions, but the book is so versatile. It includes several more traditional-looking Churn Dash designs, too. There’s truly something for everyone! Be sure to follow Martingale/That Patchwork Place’s blog for more fun announcements and new releases.

FYI, here’s the complete list of designers included in the book:

  • Tanya Alexander
  • Laura Beohnke
  • Kim Brackett
  • Kari Carr
  • Kim Diehl
  • Amy Ellis
  • Kate Henderson
  • Carol Hopkins
  • Kimberly Jolly
  • Jo Morton
  • Gina Redin
  • April Rosenthal
  • Tammy Vondershmidt
  • Jackie White
  • And ME!

Click here to pre-order your copy of Churn Dash Slide using my affiliate link. Thanks!

Machine Quilting with Style: Pearl Gray Re-imagined

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We’ve come to the end of the quilts in my book Machine Quilting with Style! Thanks so much for going on this journey with me, taking another look at all 12 quilts in the book. Writing this book was a dream come true, and as a successful quilting author once told me, “writing a book will change your life.” That’s the truth!

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Pearl Gray at my local guild’s quilt show in 2016 – 1st place, single entrant category.

Pearl Gray shown above is a remake of my original String of Pearls quilt shown below. I made the newer version slightly larger and switched up the background to create a checkerboard effect. I also went with a softer palette in the remake compared to the brighter original.

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String of Pearls at my local guild’s quilt show in 2014 – 1st place, single entrant category.

I love sharing my quilts in quilts shows and every now and then one of them snags a ribbon. However, for this quilt to get the same ribbon in the same category at the same show 2 years apart was definitely a feather in my cap.

Pearl Gray Re-Imagined

Since I designed the quilts in the book in EQ7, it was so fun and easy to switch out the fabrics to give you some new ways to imagine how these quilts can look. Let’s explore a couple of options for Pearl Gray, using some newer fabrics that are available now.

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I recolored this fun version above with Tula Pink True Colors. If you’ve been hoarding some pretty prints, this is the perfect design in which to show them off! Play around with different background and contrast colors to see how the design pops!

The design below shows off Sherri and Chelsi’s line, Desert Bloom from Moda. No matter which fabrics you choose, they are sure to look great!

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Click here to see all of the quilts from Machine Quilting with Style re-imagined.

Click here to see all of the original quilts in the book, with more options.

Click here to get your signed copy of my books.

Christa Watson Books

Yes I love writing books. Yes, there will be more!

Giveaway Time!

And now, for the last giveaway! I really, really enjoy writing books. Like really! Although it takes a ton of time to write all the patterns and make all the quilts, the process is so much fun. What’s also enjoyable is being a part of someone else’s book. It’s a smaller time commitment but still very rewarding.

For the last present to celebrate the one year birthday of Machine Quilting with Style, I’m giving away two copies of I Love Churn Dashes. The release date is Dec 20th, so you can win it before you can buy it!

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Pre-order your copy of I Love Churn Dashes here.

This book is the latest collaboration from my publisher, including 15 fabulous quilts, all from different designers. Come back on Friday for a full peak into this book and the reveal of my quilt! For now, see that orange and gray block on the cover near the logo? That’s mine. 🙂

Martingale/That Patchwork Place will send an e-copy to one international winner, and I’ll send a signed, physical copy to one US winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite quilt book ever (other than mine!!) I’d also love to know what makes it special. I’ll select the winners on Monday and notify them via email.

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Pearl Gray by Christa Watson, 66″ x 77″. Photography by Brent Kane for Martingale.

When you make any of the quilts from either of my books – I’d love to see them! Please share your in-progress photos and finishes in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa.

Now – go make some quilts!

Machine Quilting with Style: Facets Re-Imagined

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Today I’m excited to re-imagine my favorite quilt – Facets – from my book Machine Quilting with Style. It might be my favorite because it was the first quilt I designed for the book. Or maybe it’s because this was my first stab at improv piecing. The fabrics I used might have had something to do with it, too. And when I quilted it, I was really pushing myself to do something really eye catching. It was very validating when this quilt was also a favorite of judges’ at the AQS Paducah show earlier this year, nabbing a 2nd place in the modern category.

Facets Quilt

Facets 63″ x 70″ by Christa Watson

Facets was a huge favorite of several of my friends and followers in my Facebook Group, too! Here is just a sampling of some of the beautiful versions others have made. Notice how they changed it up to make it their own!

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Made by Katherine D – those icy blues are so gorgeous and the black adds drama.

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Leah H. chose pretty purples, made fewer blocks, and added extra solids Just stunning!

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Sharon S. alternated plain and pieced blocks to make this beautiful version.

To see more amazing variations, head over to my Facebook Group: Quilt with Christa and type “Facets” into the search bar. It’s chock full of inspiration!

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My Kona Cotton Designer Palette is available for a limited time only!

Giveaway Time!

I chose my Designer palette of 28 Kona Solids to make my version. Click here to grab a bundle if you’d like to make a quilt similar to mine. The fun thing about improv is that two quilts can look completely different even when using the same fabrics and pattern.

To celebrate the one year anniversary of Machine Quilting with Style, one lucky winner will receive a precut bundle of my entire palette. Let me know which you prefer: a set of 40 precut 2 1/2″ strips, or 40 precut 10″ squares. To enter, leave a comment on this post letting me know if you’ve ever done any improv piecing. For a bonus entry, share a picture of it in my Facebook Group. I’d love to see!

Click here to purchase a signed copy of Machine Quilting with Style.
Click here to see all of the quilts from the book.

Machine Quilting with Style: Broken V Re-Imagined

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I’ve been having a great time recoloring all of the quilts from my book Machine Quilting with Style. I hope you’ve been getting inspired by all the possibilities. 🙂

Machine Quilting With Style

This week, I’m sharing about Broken V. First, here’s the original – a simple modern design made from half-square triangles. I love how the solids really show off the machine quilting, but it would look just as fabulous in prints!

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Broken V 60″ x 70″ by Christa Watson. Photography by Brent Kane for Martingale.

Broken V Re-imagined

First of all, I thought it would be fun to change out the background to a dark navy while still pairing it up with bold solids:

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I design all of my quilts using Electric Quilt Software.

For the next re-coloring, I thought it would be fun to use Cozy Christmas prints from Lori Holt for a completely different look, perfect for the upcoming holidays:

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Click here to purchase Cozy Christmas precut bundles by Lori Holt.

Celebration Giveaway

Each week along with sharing new versions of each quilt, I’m also hosting  a giveaway. It’s like a 12 week-long birthday party, celebrating the joy that writing this book has brought into my life after just a year in print!

Last time Jean K. and Lillian K each won a four pack of my quilt patterns. This week I’m going to send one lucky winner a copy of The Quilter’s Planner, produced by my friend Stephanie Palmer of Late Night Quilter.

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I was excited to have my Feathered Chevrons quilt included along with 13 other fabulous projects shown below.

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And if that wasn’t exciting enough, Stephanie is also throwing in a fun bundle of Blueberry Park fabric for another lucky winner.

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How to Enter

Just leave a comment below letting me know how you usually plan out your days. Do you use a paper planner? A digital tool? The back of your hand??? 🙂

I’ll pick 2 US winners next Friday when I reveal the next recolored quilt!

More Inspiration & Where to Buy

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My book was published on my daughter’s birthday last year, so she got the first copy!

Machine Quilting with Style: Candy Pop Re-imagined

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Candy Pop is the 9th (out of 12) quilt patterned in my book Machine Quilting with Style. I was so happy to include a machine applique design. Truth be told, I really, really like machine applique and would love to one day do a book of modern machine applique designs. The problem? I can’t draw very well. But I can create easy geometric shapes like circles!

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Candy Pop 45″ x 45″ by Christa Watson. Photography by Brent Kane for Martingale.

If you cut carefully while making this design, you’ll have several pieces leftover that you can throw on the back. I love making artful pieced backings whenever I can!

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I love it when you can see the machine quilting on the back of the quilt!

Not only does Machine Quilting with Style include 12 beautiful modern quilt patterns. It also includes step by step instructions on how to quilt them. I think it is so important to show all aspects of making a quilt, from start to finish!

Candy Pop Re-imagined

I think I could recolor every design I’ve ever made into black and white and be a happy camper! For some reason, this version of candy pop reminds me of Chinese lanterns:

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Candy Pop, recolored in black, white and red using EQ7 software.

View the Rest of the Quilts

Click here to see the rest of the quilts from the book, along with more optional colorways made by my friends!

Machine Quilting With Style

Click here to get your signed copy of Machine Quilting with Style.

Giveaway Time!

First congratulations to Sherry C. and Laura M. for winning some Hoffman Batik fat quarters.
This week, I’m giving away a 4 pack of my individual quilt patterns. These are written in the same helpful style as the patterns in my books, and they also include machine quilting suggestions!

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Christa Quilts Patterns are available in print or PDF.

I’ll choose 2 winners: one person in the US will receive a printed version of each pattern, and one international winner will receive PDF’s of all 4 quilts patterns. To enter, leave a comment letting me know your favorite way to quilt your quilts – by hand, sit-down machine, long-arm machine, or even by check!

No matter how you finish, I’d love for you to share your quilting progress with me in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa.

**I have to give a huge thanks to those of you who continue to support me and my family by purchasing my products. This post contains affiliate links. XOXO**