Christmas Row Quilt Pattern

By Janet Wickell

Quilting Expert

1 of 8

Make a Christmas Row Quilt

Use to navigate.

Christmas Row Quilt Pattern - Janet Wickell

Christmas Row Quilt. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Show All

2 of 8

Sew Friendship Star Blocks for the Christmas Quilt

Use to navigate.

Friendship Star Quilt Block for Christmas Quilt Pattern - © Janet Wickell

Sew the Friendship Star quilt block for the Christmas row quilt. Photo Credit: © Janet Wickell

Friendship Star Fabrics

Red: (20) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares (1/3 yard)
Background: (20) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares (1/4 yard)
Background: (40) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares (1/4 yard - may need leftovers from above squares)
Very dark red or maroon: (10) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares (can cut from one 2-1/2" x 26" strip)

Alter cutting instructions if you prefer to use a different method to make half square triangle units than the technique linked below.

Units finish at 2" square. One option is the Magic 8 Half Square Triangle tutorial, a technique that lets you sew eight identical units at one time.

Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse side of each background square. Use my quick pieced half square triangle units method to sew a background square to a red square of the same size. Scant (slightly narrower) seam allowances may provide the best accuracy.
Cut apart and trim as directed. You should have two half square triangle units that measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2".
Repeat to combine all background squares with 2-7/8" red squares (80 triangle units total).
Arrange four half square triangle units, four 2-1/2" squares one 2-1/2" darker square into three rows as shown, bottom left. Sew components of each row together. Press seam allowances towards the plain squares.
Join the rows and press. The quilt block should measure 6-1/2" x 6-1/2". If it does not, press again and recheck.
Make a total of ten Friendship Star quilt blocks.

Show All

3 of 8

Eccentric Star Quilt Block Pattern for the Christmas Quilt

Use to navigate.

Christmas Eccentric Star Quilt Block Pattern - © Janet Wickell

Make mirror image Christmas Eccentric Star quilt blocks. Photo Credit: © Janet Wickell

Eccentric Star Fabrics

Dark red: (40) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares (1/3 yard)
Background: (40) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" squares (1/3 yard)
Lighter red: (10) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares (one 2-1/2" x 26" strip should do it)

Alter cutting instructions to use a different method to make half square triangle units.

Row 5 of the Christmas quilt is made by sewing ten Eccentric Star quilt blocks side by side. The catch... they are mirror image blocks.

Five are sewn in one configuration and the remaining five flip that layout.

Draw a line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse side of each background square. Pair a background square with a dark red square of the same size. Use the same quick pieced half square triangle unit method as you used for Friendship Star blocks to make two half square triangle units from the pair. Each unit should measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2". If they are too small, sew the next pair with a scant seam allowance.
Make a total of (80) half square triangle units.
Arrange eight half square triangle units and one 2-1/2" lighter red center into three rows as shown, middle illustration, block A. Sew components of each row together. Press seam allowances in adjoining rows in opposite directions. Sew rows together and press. The quilt block should measure 6-1/2" x 6-1/2". If it is too small, press again.
Make four more type A quilt blocks.
Make a mirror image B block by arranging the same components used in A blocks, but placing them in the mirror image orientation shown in the bottom image. Create five B blocks.

Sew the A and B blocks together into a row. Begin with an A block and alternate blocks along the row. The final block will be a B layout. See the quilt layout on page 1.

Show All

4 of 8

Oak Leaf Quilt Block Pattern for the Christmas Row Quilt

Use to navigate.

Oak Leaf and Reel Quilt Block Pattern - © Janet Wickell

Oak Leaf and Reel Quilt Block Pattern. Photo Credit: © Janet Wickell

Fabrics for the Oak Leaf and Reel Quilt Blocks

Background: (5) 14" x 14" squares (1 yard)
Red: 3/4 yard (or enough scraps to cut 'leaves' from (20) pieces that are about 5" x 6"
Green: 1/3 yard should be plenty
Gold: 1/4 yard should be plenty, maybe a bit more if you'd prefer to make yo yos for block centers

Sew the Oak Leaf and Reel Quilt Blocks

Choose any appliqué method to sew the 12" Oak Leaf and Reel quilt blocks.

Download the block templates here and remember that appliqué templates do not include seam allowances. Create rigid templates or templates from another material, such as freezer paper.

Your background fabric should be about 14" x 14" square. Trim the square back to 12-1/2" x 12-1/2" after all pieces are appliquéd, taking care to center the motif.

The Oak Leaf and Reel quilt block finishes at 12" x 12", so it isn't possible to include a schematic of the entire layout, but you can download a diagram of 1/4 of the block to use as a guide. The layout is pretty simple, so you might not even need the schematic.

The green 'stems' are fairly narrow, and the 'buds' at their ends have sharp points. If you like, make those edges a bit more softly curved for easier appliqué.

Overlap is easy for this appliqué quilt block. Position the leaves and stems first, and then allow the circles to stretch across their bases as illustrated in this drawing. Make five Oak Leaf and Reel quilt blocks.

Instructions for a Few Types of Applique

Needleturn Applique

Easy Sew and Turn Applique (may be a bit bulky for the narrow stems -- increase their width if you like)
Fusible Web Applique

Take a look at the Oak Leaf and Reel quilt created by members of the Empire Quilters, a project for the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum.

Show All

5 of 8

Candy Cane Quilt Block Pattern for the Christmas Quilt

Use to navigate.

Candy Cane Quilt Block Pattern - © Janet Wickell

Sew the Candy Cane quilt blocks. Photo Credit: © Janet Wickell

Fabrics for Candy Cane Quilt Blocks

Background: (6) 12" x 12" squares
Red Candy Canes: 1/2 yard for most flexibility - can be a fabric assortment
Green (or another color) for bows: 1/4 yard (bow centers could be a different shade)

Download Candy Cane Quilt Block Templates

Candy Cane
Ribbon Templates
Top of Candy Cane for placement
Bottom of Candy Cane for placement

Choose any appliqué method to assemble the quilt blocks.

You'll find links to instructions for three choices of appliqué on page 4.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Be sure to print the templates at 100%.
Templates do not include seam allowances.
Each quilt block will be trimmed back to 10-1/2" x 10-1/2" after applique is complete.

Sew the Candy Cane Quilt Blocks

Print the top and bottom halves of the Candy Cane quilt block. Tape the two together, matching the gray pieces. Use as a guide to placement.
Use a light table or another method to transfer the guide to the front of a background square, centering the image. A light under a glass table works, or you can tape the drawing and square to a well-lit window. If your background is light, you can draw over the template lines with a dark marker to make them more visible under the fabric.
Make templates of the candy cane. Make mirror image templates, too, but keep the two sets separate. Use a rigid material or try freezer paper. The patch under the central portion of the ribbon needn't be cut twice.
Patches are not numbered -- add numbers or letters to help you keep track before you cut out templates. Transfer the markings to your more durable templates.
Option to avoid working with lots of little pieces… Use a pencil to connect the candy cane patches, and then cut each cane out as one large unit. Try a red and white striped fabric to mimic the look of a candy cane.

Arrange the candy cane patches, matching them to markings on your background fabric. Applique the patches to the background. Press.
Make working templates of the ribbon. Except for the center circle, patches must be reversed to create mirror images from side to side.
I've included an alternate, easier-to-sew ribbon shape. Switch to that version if you do not want to work with the original patches, which are divided in part by narrow slits. If you like, simplify the bottom edges of the ribbon's streamers by rounding their edges.
Note that the round shape overlaps the inner edges of other ribbon patches.
Applique the ribbon tops and the bottom streamers to the background block. Press.
Applique the center circle on top of the ribbon, covering those inner edges of other patches. Replace the circle with a button if you like, or even a small yo yo. Press the quilt block.
Trim the block to 10-1/2" x 10-1/2", taking care to center the appliqué within the square.
Repeat to make a total of six candy cane quilt blocks.

Show All

6 of 8

Gift Box Quilt Block Pattern for the Christmas Row Quilt

Use to navigate.

Christmas Gift Box Quilt Block Pattern - © Janet Wickell

Patchwork Option for the Gift Box Quilt Block. Photo Credit: © Janet Wickell

Gift Box Fabrics

Background: (5) 14" x 14" squares (1 yard)
Bows: 1/4 yard or a fat quarter
Middle Portion of Package: (5) red scraps, each about 2" x 7"
Outer Portions of Package: (10) orange scraps, each about 2" x 7"

Download PDF Files

Print at 100 percent. Do not allow the printer to scale images.

Also See: Image of Quilt Block

Two Ways to Make the Gift Box Quilt Block

The Gift Box quilt block pattern can be assembled in a couple of ways:

using a combination of patchwork and appliqué
using appliqué to sew all patches to a single large background square

Let's talk about the combination method first.

To use a combination of patchwork and appliqué, we can make a patchwork unit for the three strips that make up the base of the box. A plain (narrow) strip of fabric is sewn beneath that unit, and a wider piece of plain fabric is sewn to its top.

The bow is appliquéd as in the original quilt block.

The block has an extra seam allowance around its edges to allow for squaring up after the appliqué is added.

Let's look at the all applique option.

All pieces are appliquéd to a single background square.

Make the Combination Gift Box Quilt Block

Cut patches for one block and assemble a test block to make sure you like the technique.

Cut (10) 2" x 6-7/8" orange bars for outer gift box bars (2 per quilt block)

Cut (5) 1-3/4" x 6-7/8" red (shown) or green bars for inner gift box bar (1 per quilt block)
Cut (10) 3/4" x 6-7/8" strips of background fabric to sew between bars.
Cut (10) 5 " x 6-7/8" pieces of background fabric to sew to the side edges of the box base (2 per block)
Cut (5) 2" x 14-1/4" bars for the block's bottom (1 per block)
Cut (5) 6-3/8" x 14-1/4" pieces of backing fabric to sew above the box base (1 per block).
Set aside the 14-1/4" background units.
Sew a 3/4" wide background strip lengthwise to each side of a 1-3/4" wide box base strip. Press seam allowances towards the wider strip.
Sew a 2" wide box base strip lengthwise to each narrow background strip. Press seam allowances towards the wider strips.
Sew the 5" x 6-7/8" pieces of background fabric lengthwise to opposite sides of the box unit. Press seam allowances either direction.
Sew a 2" x 14-1/4" background strip to the bottom of the box unit. Press seam towards the long strip.
Sew a 6-3/8" x 14-1/4" background strip to the top of the box base and press the seam towards the background.
Print templates and cut out fabric as directed in the PDF file. Arrange appliqué patches on the quilt block, taking care to keep them within the block's 12" finished area. Lower ribbons are tucked under the upper ribbon.
Applique the ribbon to the block using the technique of your choice. Press.
Square up the quilt block to measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2", again remembering that 1/4" will become part of the seam allowance on each side of the block.
Make a total of five gift box quilt blocks.

Sew the Block Entirely with Applique

Print the templates and cut out patches as directed on the PDF file. Cut enough for one block first, in case you wish to change seam allowances. Templates do not include seam allowances.
Use the half-drawing to sketch the layout onto fabric (with a light table or another backlit source). The layout is pretty simple, so you might not need to sketch. Do take care to align patches in a very similar way from block to block, especially along their bottom edges (if you prefer more variety, that's absolutely fine).
Use a ruler to make sure that patches are within a 12" finished area of the quilt block.
Applique the patches to the block. Press. Square up the quilt block to measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2".
Make four more gift box quilt blocks.

Show All

7 of 8

Tree Quilt Block Pattern for the Christmas Quilt

Use to navigate.

Applique Christmas Tree Quilt Block Pattern - Janet Wickell

Christmas Tree Quilt Block. Photo Credit: Janet Wickell

Fabrics for Tree Blocks

Background: (6) 12" x 12" squares
Four Green Fabrics for Trees: 1/4 yards for each, or a group of scraps (lower tree areas should be scraps about 4" x 7" each, others somewhat smaller)
Gold for Stars: (6) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares, or forget the applique and sew on star-shaped buttons
Brown or Black for tree trunks: (6) 2" x 2" scraps

Tree Block Finished Size: 10" x 10"

Download PDF Files

Make the Tree Quilt Blocks

Create sturdy tree templates from the PDF file, and remember that templates do not include seam allowances. The tree bough pieces are nested in groups of two -- you'll need a template for each.
Cut out six of each piece. You may be able to eliminate some of the extra fabric that lies behind front boughs -- let your applique method guide the best choice of bulk along the edges that are tucked under other pieces.
Eliminate the star if you like, and replace it with a star shaped button or another motif.
Use the layout guide in the same was as previous applique blocks, to help position pieces for one tree at the center of a 12" background square. Begin building (and pinning) a tree from the bottom up, overlapping patches as you work.
Applique pieces to the background. Press. Trim block back to exactly 10-1/2" x 10-1/2" square, centering the tree in the square. It may be easier to create consistent blocks if you use the first block as a layout guide for the remaining five.

Show All

8 of 8

Finish Sewing the Christmas Row Quilt

Use to navigate.

Christmas Quilt Patterns - © Janet Wickell

Assemble Rows & Sashing for the Christmas Quilt

Read through the entire page before beginning. If you have been making the quilt as we go, please cut 30 more 2-1/2" sashing squares from remaining scraps. I'm sorry, but the number was initially incorrect on page 1. However, yardages were generous, and will provide enough scraps for the squares..

Refer to the illustration on this page and on page 1 as needed.

Pin rows together while sewing to keep fabrics from shifting.

If you haven't already done so, sew like-blocks into six rows. Press seam allowances between blocks in either direction. Each row should measure 60-1/2" in length. It's okay if yours are slightly different. If rows are significantly different, see instructions at the bottom of the page.
Sew the (150) 2-1/2" squares end to end into groups of five (you'll have (30) 5-square groups). Press seam allowances either direction, taking care not to stretch the groups. Set aside.
Assemble four 2-1/2" x 60-1/2" strips for the plain sashing (sashing illustrated is 1/2" narrower, use narrower strips if you prefer that look).
Arrange blocks into six rows as shown on a design wall or any flat surface. leave space between rows of blocks for sashing.
Place a 2-1/2" x 60-1/2" plain sashing strip under the top row and above the bottom row. Position another just above the row of candy canes and the last just under the row of trees.
Place six groups of 5-square sashing segments in remaining sashing slots as shown:
- along the top and bottom edges of the stars
- above the trees
- above and below the row of Eccentric Star quilt blocks

If Rows Are Significantly Shorter than 60-1/2"

You may have to adjust the sashing if rows are significantly shorter than 60-1/2". That can occur when seam allowances are slightly wider than the norm, 'shrinking' the quilt blocks.

Press the rows (carefully) again and remeasure to see if the rows have increased in length (it's more typical for rows that are 'off' to be too short than too long).

If rows are still off, measure the length of each and determine an average. Sew all sashing strips to match the length of the calculated average.

Sew sashing to the rows as explained above (and in the borders article), matching midpoints and ends first and then easing other areas to fit. Taking those steps will help square up the quilt, and prep it to receive borders.