Clear Sky Quilt Scrappy Version

I've been able to get a few of my WIP quilts finished up lately and I'm looking forward to sharing them! This quilt is my most recent finish - I just finished binding it over the weekend. It is a scrappy version of my Clear Sky pattern-

I stitched this up during the recent Clear Sky Quilt Along that I hosted throughout August and September.

It was a lot of fun, and I have to say...I've learned that quilt alongs are a great way to make a quilt! Personally, as a participant, I like having the schedule to follow (and to keep me motivated) and it's so great to see all the different versions that people are making right along side of you. If you've never joined one, try it sometime!

Split Stars Quilt - Summertime Version

 This quilt has been a couple of years in the making! I started it back in 2019 when some of these prints were first available. It's been my slowly-but-surely project ever since.

Do you have one of those? A project you enjoy working on, but you take your time and just let it be finished when it's ready to be finished?  I have a few projects like this, and they're so much more enjoyable than the ones I rush to finish (go figure!)

For the fabrics in this quilt, I had a fun time pulling prints from several different lines. 

Most of the fabrics come from a line called Orchard which was designed by April Rosenthal for Moda Fabrics. I used some of those prints as a jumping off point and added in a few coordinating prints from other Moda lines. This color palette just screams "SUMMERTIME!" to me.

Holly Jolly Tree Skirt Pattern

I've been working over the last month to give a fresh new look and an update to one of my best-selling patterns, the Holly Jolly Tree Skirt. It's now in the shop, just in time for your Christmas sewing!

The pattern now comes in full-color booklet form, or instant download (PDF) option. But I figured while I was at it, I might as well add some of the most-requested features to the pattern. 

Use Yardage or Jelly Roll

One of the most common questions I get about the Holly Jolly Tree Skirt is, "can I use a Jelly Roll to make this"? And now the answer is an easy "YES!"

With one Jelly Roll (40, 2-1/2" strips) you can make any of the three sizes of tree skirt (small, medium, large). And using a Jelly Roll makes this tree skirt come together even quicker. I love being able to see all of those lovely prints!

Here's a look at the two versions (wider strip option & Jelly Roll option) side by side so you can see the difference. I love them both for different reasons:

With the wider strip option you can see more of each print - that works really well for medium scale prints like the red floral in the photo above.

But with the Jelly Roll option you get to see a bigger variety of prints. So this is a great option when you love a fabric line and you want a beautiful variety of prints and colors in your tree skirt. 

Three Size Options

In addition to new Jelly Roll instructions, the pattern now also has three size options. Probably the second most asked question I get is how to make the tree skirt smaller or bigger. And now those instructions are a permanent part of the pattern!

Small - diameter 43"- 44" (good for tree height 4 1/2 - 6 feet)

Medium - diameter 49" - 51" (good for tree height 7 - 7 feet)

Large - diameter 58" - 59" (good for tree height 9+ feet)

diameter is measured at the widest point of the tree skirt before quilting

(All of the photos in this post are showing the medium sized skirts)

See the back of the pattern cover for all of the details:

Christmas Morning Fabrics

Both of the versions that I'm sharing today are made with fabrics from the Christmas Morning line designed by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics. It's a beautiful line, with perfect reds, slightly olive greens and the most gorgeous gray prints.

**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post. Thank you!

Christmas Morning is selling quick - so if you want to make a tree skirt I'd snag your fabrics quick. Some of the prints are already hard to find!

Get your copy of Holly Jolly Tree Skirt Pattern here

both paper copies and PDF (instant download) available

Quilt shops can order wholesale through Checker or Brewer. 

Contact me (abrightcorner@gmail.com) for more info.

The pattern gives instructions for adding ribbon ties to help keep the tree skirt in place around the tree, but they are optional. In fact, I left the ribbons off of our family's tree skirt and it stays in place fine. 

However if you have little ones, or furry friends that like to play under the tree I'd recommend adding the ribbon ties.

Did you know? 

• Even though it is not a square or rectangle shape, you can still have your longarm quilter quilt your tree skirt for you! 

• You can make a reversible tree skirt! Choose a favorite print for the backing - one that coordinates with the binding (maybe a fun plaid? Or a novelty print?) and you'll have the option to flip the tree skirt over to change your look. Check out this older post to see an example of one I made years ago. 

• Don't have a Jelly Roll but love the look? Cut your own 2-1/2" strips. The back of the pattern gives you the total number of strips you'll need for each size of tree skirt. 

• Holly Jolly is a quilted Christmas Tree skirt pattern so the instructions are similar to a quilt pattern. No templates or paper pieces are needed. Instructions include how to cut and piece fabrics together as you would for a traditional quilt. The only special tool you'll need is a long ruler with a 60 degree marking on it (like this one, or this one)

Tree Skirt Details:

Pattern: Holly Jolly (find it here in my shop)

Fabric: Christmas Morning by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics

Quilting: Soho (edge to edge computerized longarm design) was used on the wide strip tree skirt, and Two Simple design was used on the Jelly Roll version.

Pieced on a Juki TL-2010Q using Aurifil Thread (50 wt color 2021)

Want to make a version like this one? Here are the fabric requirements for the specific Christmas Morning prints:

1/2 yard each of the following six prints

Plus 1/2 yard for binding: I used the red dot from the Christmas Morning line.

(for the Jelly Roll version, use one JR of Christmas Morning, with the red dot for binding)

Want to save this post and come back to it later? Save this image to your pinterest board

**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post. Thank you!

Clear Sky Quilt ideas + Quilt Along

I think it's so fun to play around with a pattern and try adding in different fabric combinations.  

This week I've been trying out some new ideas with my Clear Sky quilt pattern. The Clear Sky quilt along starts on Monday (August 2!) so I thought I'd share some of these mock ups to hopefully inspire you and help you decide which fabrics to use for your own version of Clear Sky!

Are you joining us for the quilt along? 

You can sign up here!

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

For all of the details and info on the bonus content check out this article

And if you'd like a copy of the Clear Sky pattern, visit my pattern shop

Okay - ready for some inspiration? First of all, here's the very first version of Clear Sky, made for the Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine back in 2020.

Clear Sky Quilt Along

 Hey friends! Want to sew along with me? Let's make a Clear Sky quilt together! Starting August 2nd (Monday) I will be hosting a Clear Sky Quilt Along.

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

The quilt along will run for eight weeks:

August 2 - Sept 28, 2021

All of the information will be sent out directly to participants in a weekly email - including exclusive content and plenty of helpful tips for piecing your blocks, finishing your quilt, and keeping organized along the way.  

Ready to join us? 

It's free to join, no subscription or membership required. All you'll need is a copy of the Clear Sky pattern (find both PDF and paper copies here). 

Clear Sky is on sale for $8 until Aug 2!

Clear Sky is a modern style sampler quilt, made up of eight of my most favorite star blocks. It looks great in prints or solids, and in the pattern there are extra details to make it easy for you to create a scrappy version of Clear Sky if you'd prefer. I'll be making my own scrappy Clear Sky for the QAL!

Clear Sky finishes at 59" x 81" but if you're interested in making a different size I'll be including the details to make a crib size and twin size Clear Sky as a part of the bonus content in the quilt along. 

The email with those details will be sent out shortly but you'll only have access to that through the QAL so be sure to sign up!

The quilt along runs for 8 weeks, and each week we'll be making just a few blocks. I know summertime can be crazy and I don't want this to be a stressful thing so we'll be taking it easy.

The schedule and details will be conveniently delivered to your inbox each Monday and all downloadable files and bonus content will be contained in those weekly emails as well. 

If you're sewing along with us feel free to share your progress on Instagram using the hashtags:

#ClearSkyQAL

#ClearSkyQuilt

And if you're not on Instagram no worries - it's not mandatory. It's just a great way for all of us to see each other's work and cheer one another on!

Be sure to get your copy of Clear Sky here

And sign up for the quilt along here

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

Want to start planning? Here is the list of fabric requirements for the 59" x 81" size Clear Sky quilt:

And the fabric requirements for the crib and twin sizes will be sent out in the quilt along newsletter soon-- along with the coloring sheets so you can start planning!

Want more details about the Clear Sky quilt? See this post here.

Clear Sky Quilt Pattern

You know I'm a sucker for pretty much every star quilt block out there. I don't know what it is...I just really love star blocks. So I decided to gather some of my favorites and put them all into one quilt. 

Today I get to introduce the Clear Sky pattern - a sampler-style star quilt made up of 8 of my favorite star quilt blocks. 

Find Clear Sky patterns in my pattern shop

Use Yardage or Scraps

Clear Sky was originally written to use 10 different prints, with the prints paired up in groups of two. But in the process of testing the pattern I had a suspicion that Clear Sky would also make a fabulous scrap quilt. So I included extra details into the block instructions to make it super easy for you to make a scrappy Clear Sky.

I've already started my own scrappy red/white/blue Clear Sky quilt and I'm hoping to get it done in time to use this July!

Winterland Fabrics

I've made a couple of versions of Clear Sky so far (including one done with Kona solids) and I'll be sharing those soon. This version on the cover of the pattern is made with Winterland fabrics designed by Amanda Castor (Material Girl Quilts) for Riley Blake Designs. 

 I love this Winterland fabric line- there are 21 total prints (I've only used 10 of them in the quilt). The cool blues and grays are so beautifully contrasted by the warm reds. It was fun to pair up the prints for each block. I wanted each pairing to have some great contrast so the blocks could really shine.

Another great thing about Winterland is that it's not attached to any one particular holiday - so any project using Winterland can be used throughout the entire Winter season.  

(want to make a Clear Sky quilt in Winterland prints like the cover quilt? I've listed the specific fabric requirements later in this post)

Get your copy of Clear Sky here

both paper copies and PDF (instant download) available

Just as a note: Clear Sky patterns will be on sale for only $8 for a limited time!

Clear Sky Tips

I know my first reaction to most sampler quilts is usually something having to do with how complicated it looks and how long it will take me to finish. But let me tell you... Clear Sky is not nearly as complex as it may appear. 

There are 8 blocks, and there are 3 or 4 of each style of block. My first tip for you, is that I suggest making ALL of one block before moving to the next block. For example, make all three of block #1, then make all three of block #2, etc. With chain piecing techniques you'll find that you can get each set of 3 blocks done in no time. 

A second tip is that I highly recommend you label your prints as soon as you cut them. I keep all the pieces for each print together in one stack with a piece of paper on top that tells me which fabric/print it is: "fabric A", "fabric B", "fabric C", etc. 

Prints are paired together in the blocks and stay that way through the entire pattern: A & B will always be together, C & D will be together, and so on. 

Clear Sky quilt along

I also have an announcement to share with you! There's a Clear Sky quilt along starting on August 2 (that's the first Monday in August). It will run for 8 weeks and along the way I'll share plenty of bonus extras  and exclusive content with the QAL participants. 

The quilt along is free to join- you'll just need a copy of the pattern and you'll be ready to go. 

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

Longarm Quilting

The quilting on this Winterland version is a computerized edge to edge design called Loopy Loops. I love how the little bit of curve in the stitching helps to soften all the angles in the quilt top while still keeping the clean, modern look of the quilt. 

For the backing I used a coordinating gray solid I found at my local quilt shop. 

I look forward to seeing your version of Clear Sky! What fabrics will you use? Maybe all solids? How about a super scrappy fall-colored one? Or maybe a version with a charcoal gray background - wouldn't that be stunning? 

Grab a copy of Clear Sky and start digging through your scraps to see what you can come up with. 

Quilt Details:

59" x 81"

Pattern: Clear Sky (find it here in my shop)

Fabric: Winterland by Amanda Castor for Riley Blake Designs

Quilting: Loopy Loops (edge to edge computerized longarm design)

Pieced on a Juki TL-2010Q using Aurifil Thread (50 wt color 2021)

Want to make a version like this one? Here are the fabric requirements for the specific Winterland prints:

Fabric A (1/3 yard): Winterland Hexi Holly Colonial

Fabric B (1/3 yard): Winterland Spruce Sky

Fabric C (1/2 yard): Winterland Snowflakes Colonial

Fabric D (1/3 yard): Winterland Flurries Sky

Fabric E (1/2 yard): Winterland Spruce Midnight

Fabric F (1/2 yard): Winterland Gingham Gray

Fabric G (1/2 yard): Winterland Cut Crystal Colonial

Fabric H (1/4 yard): Winterland Snowflakes Red

Fabric I (1/2 yard): Winterland Gingham Red

Fabric J (1/3 yard): Winterland Snowflakes Gray

Pin these images to save to your favorite quilting board!

Holiday Celebrations Book + Midnight Magic 2 Fabric

Hello everyone! Today I get to share a new project with you, as well as a brand new book from Pat Sloan and a soon-to-be-released fabric line by April Rosenthal. Lots of new things coming your way! And there's a few giveaways as well so be sure to read through to the end for all the details. 

This has been kind of a strange month for me....Christmas projects and a Halloween project all in the same month and it's just barely June. What should I sew next? A Valentine's quilt? :)

(You're going to want to see the Christmas projects I've been cooking up...be sure you're signed up for my newsletter so you don't miss out. We also have two fun quilt alongs planned for later this year!)

Here's what I've been working on this week:

I made this 42" x 42" quilted wall hanging using a pattern called Liberty Hill, from the new book, Holiday Celebrations by Pat Sloan**.