Home for the Holidays: Ro Gregg's Peace on Earth fabrics

The Christmas carols have been playing on the radio 24-7 since the day after Thanksgiving...it's officially the holiday season! This week we've been showcasing our holiday collections, and then starting next week we'll be sharing some quick and easy decor tutorials.

Here is Ro Gregg's holiday collection, Peace on Earth:

And the coordinating panel:

The collection also includes an apron panel:

We asked Ro to tell us about the inspiration behind her beautiful Peace on Earth collection.

Q. Tell us about the panel. Why did you choose to feature a reindeer? 

Ro: Reindeers are Santa's helpers too.  They pull the sleigh and deliver the gifts all over the world. Deer are one of my favorite animals; as a child we nursed a baby fawn that lost its Mother.  I designed the deer to be festive with metallic scroll antlers, and I think the filigree in the borders emulates that feeling.

Q. Can you tell us about some of the prints? 

Ro: Festive Christmas balls and Rosewood poinsettias are showcased on a background of Harlequin damask.

Symbols of peace is a signature piece. The doves contain designs from Marblehead prints and other coordinates. 

Miniature metallic reindeer with festive medallions—such a perfect symbol of Santa's helpers. This is my favorite print from the collection. The doves and reindeer are flying around the night sky with the full moon and medallion-like planets. It just feels like Christmas Eve. 

Q. How would you describe the style of this collection? 

Ro: Traditional decorative christmas with an ornamental flair.

Q. Why do you like adding the metallic gold to the holiday collections?

Ro: I think metallic gold goes well with holiday celebrating.  It makes the patterns festive with its shimmer.

Q. How did the collection get its name?

Ro: I first came up with the theme "Peace On Earth" as a reflection of what we all wish for around the globe and how it is affecting all of humanity. Christmas is a peaceful, joyous season. The dove fabric actually has the word "peace" and musical notes inside some of the doves.

Q. What else makes the Peace of Earth collection special?

Ro: It works beautifully with the Glistening Christmas prints, many of which are included here, such as the winter wonderland of metallic trees and the North star shining bright. The colors work flawlessly together for holiday projects.

"Celebrate" by Mara Quilt Designs, the free quilt pattern available on our website, surrounds the panel with pieced ornaments and stars.

Download the free pattern here.

See the entire Peace on Earth collection by Ro Gregg here.

12 Days of Christmas: Day 4

Christmas is only 75 days away!

We're back with more Christmas inspiration! Today it's Ro Gregg's two holiday lines, Tis the Season and Marblehead Glistening Christmas 3. Over twelve days, we'll be sharing our holiday fabrics as well as ideas we love on how to use them. Be sure to stop by every day for Christmas fabric and project inspiration!

On the fourth day of Christmas, we have:

Tis the Season by Ro Gregg

Rich reds and greens enhanced with metallic gold--use the panel from this sophisticated collection for a door banner or wall quilt; the coordinates would make a beautiful table setting for a candlelit Christmas dinner party. And don't forget the apron!

The panel:

The apron:

Tammy Silvers designed the Season of Joy quilt using the Tis the Season panel and coordinating prints.

Download the free pattern pdf here.

Marblehead Glistening Christmas 3 by Ro Gregg

The marblehead texture you love in holiday colors! Select prints--patterned Christmas trees, scrolls, poinsettias, and pinecones--add holiday splendor to the reds, greens, and golds. Try a patchwork tree skirt for some added sparkle under the tree!

The panel:

The apron:

Tammy Silvers designed Oh Tannenbaum using the Marblehead Glistening Christmas 3 panel and coordinating prints.

Download the free pattern pdf here.

The 12 Days of Christmas:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Day 4
Day 5

Day 6

Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

Day 11
Day 12

Friends of Fabri-Quilt Gallery

Wouldn't baking cookies be three times as fun with these adorable kitchen helpers? 

Fabri-Quilt friend Judy Glover bought one Cook's Helper apron panel when Judy Hansen spoke at the Racing Fingers Quilt Guild in Ormond Beach, FL, this past fall. (The Guild's name comes from the group's proximity to the Daytona Speedway!)
A self-described "baby quilter" who has been quilting for just a few years, Judy then decided she needed to make aprons for two friends' little girls, in addition to her own granddaughter. So she bought two more panels. One of Judy's quilting friends recommended that she line the aprons, so she did. She gave the girls the aprons for Christmas.
Pictured are Judy's granddaughter Mia (in the middle) and her two little friends, Hayden and Ava. It looks like all three girls are aspiring cooks and hopefully sewers as well!
Judy says that now all of her friends with granddaughters are asking her to make aprons for them. She's willing to show them how, but will leave the sewing to them!

Have you made a project using Fabri-Quilt fabric? Send a photo and your contact information to fabriquiltblog (at) gmail.com and we may feature you on the blog!

Vintage-Style Apron

Today we're bringing you a free pattern for a double-sided Vintage-Style Apron, designed using the bright and cheery Peggy Sue collection.

Both the apron and the fabrics have such a 1950s look to them, don't they?! The front side of the apron is scrappy patchwork, embellished with topstitched detail. The back side is made up of four larger panels of fabric and accented with a cute rounded edge pocket.

YOU'LL NEED:

1/4 yard each of 10 bright floral prints

1/2 yard of a small print (for the apron tie)

Squares cut from the Peggy Sue fabrics

CUTTING:

From each of 3 bright floral prints:

(1) 8-1/2'' x 12-1/2'' pieces (for apron back)

(3) 4-1/2'' squares

From each of 5 different bright floral prints:

(3) 4-1/2'' squares

From the last bright floral print:

(1) 8-1/2'' x 12-1/2'' pieces (for apron back)

From one of the prints:

(2) 5'' x 6'' pieces (for pocket)

From the small print:

(2) 5'' x 42'' strips

(1) 5'' x 24-1/2'' strip

MAKING THE APRON FRONT

1. Lay out (24) 4-1/2'' bright floral squares in four rows of six squares each. (Extra squares are provided for layout options.) Sew the squares into rows and join the rows.

2. To create a vintage look, topstitch 1/4" on each side of the patchwork seams.

MAKING THE APRON BACK

1. Lay out the (4) 8-1/2'' x 12-1/2'' bright floral pieces in two rows of two. Sew the pieces into rows and join the rows.

2. To create a vintage look, topstitch 1/4" on each side of the patchwork seams.

3. Layer the (2) 5'' x 6'' pocket pieces right sides together. Using a round object, trace and cut curves on the two bottom corners. 

4. Sew around all four sides, leaving an opening for turning along the long side between curves. Clip seam allowance by curves.

5. Turn right side out and press raw edges in. Topstitch the top straight edge. Position the pocket on the pieced apron back, 6'' down from the top edge and centered on right panels. Pin in place. Topstitch the pocket in place along sides and bottom.

MAKING THE APRON TIE

1. Sew 5'' x 42'' small print strips to both short ends of the 5'' x 42'' small print strip to make a longer strip. Press in half lengthwise, right sides together.

2. Use the 60 degree line on the ruler to trim both ends of the strip, creating pointed ends.

3. Sew the raw edges of the strip from the pointed end in to 2'' from the center strip seam. Repeat on the opposite end.

4. Turn the apron tie right sides out. Press one long raw edge over 1/4'', wrong sides together.

ASSEMBLING THE APRON

1. Position the apron top and bottom right sides together, matching raw edges and lining up the patchwork seams. Using a bowl or plate, trace and cut curves along the two bottom corners.

2. Sew around all four sides, leaving an opening for turning along the long side opposite the curves. Clip seam allowance by curves. Turn right side out.

3. Position the unfolded side of the apron tie raw edge matching the top edge of the apron back as shown and pin in place. Stitch to secure the one side of the apron tie.

4. Press the tie up and position the second folded edge along the front side of the apron. Pin in place. Starting at the pointed end of the apron tie, topstitch along the bottom edge of the tie, closing the gap and securing the tie to the apron front.

 Enjoy your apron!