I am a huge fan of Christmas!  I love the lights, music, goodies and gift giving.  However, I am not a fan of how commercialized it has become.  I love being with family, laughing and sharing the simple gift of love for one another!  I even like snow!!  In the past, I have spent hours (many times wee into the night) sewing and quilting gifts.  This year, I have refrained in making homemade gifts.  Even though I had something picked out months ago!

I’m teaching the “Four” Dinner placemats to the Blackstone Valley Heritage Guild on Saturday.  They are a quick, easy project if you are looking for a last minute (better start a day ahead!) gift.  The pattern can be found on my website.  “Four” Dinner…or any other meal!

“Four” Dinner D.W.

I am getting ready to teach some friends how to sew, A mom and daughter team.  When talking about what their first project would be, we decided on pillowcases.  This has been a favorite to make over the years and for several charities.  American Patchwork and Quilting continues to collect pillow cases and the Quilts of Valor is another.  So, if you want some holiday sewing without a deadline please keep these organizations in mind!  My “Hot Dog” Pillow case is a free pattern on my website.  Check it out!  I was not the first with the idea, but I wrote down the process that worked for me and you can find it HERE!

Link to American Patchwork and Quilting – Pillowcase Project  –

Quilts of Valor – presentation case – presentation case

I pulled one of my favorite Christmas fabrics from my stash to make one for…ME!  I need a sample to sew along with my students and it is a wonderful excuse to finally cut into the fabric.  My selection is below!

Christmas favorites

This is a great week to decide to make a last minute gift!  There is still many hours left before Christmas!!

#1 –  Pick SIMPLE projects for last minute gifts!

#2 – And more importantly…LOVE what you pick!!  There is nothing worse than being under a deadline and not enjoying what you are making.

in quilting,

Debbie