Can you believe it is already July 17th? While the summer sun is blazing outside and the beach towels are on regular rotation, in the quilting world, we have our eyes on a completely different season.
We’ve all been there: December 1st rolls around, and you suddenly decide you’re going to make three holiday quilts, four quilted table runners, and a dozen stockings for family gifts. Fast forward to Christmas Eve, and you’re stressed out, surrounded by half-trimmed half-square triangles, with a sewing machine that’s working overtime.
Let’s change the narrative this year. The secret to a cozy, stress-free holiday season is starting right now, in the middle of summer. Welcome to Christmas in July!
To get your festive sewing mojo flowing, we’ve rounded up 12 incredible holiday quilt projects you can start this week. Whether you want to dive into a massive heirloom quilt or whip up a few quick weekend gifts, there is something on this list for you.
🎄 The "Main Event" Heirloom Quilts
If you want a full-sized quilt ready to drape over your couch the minute Thanksgiving ends, you need to start cutting now. These patterns are worth every single stitch.
1. Modern Christmas Tree Quilt
Skip the traditional, stiff holiday trees. Look for a pattern that utilizes modern, minimalist geometric triangles or offset blocks. Using a mix of monochromatic forest greens, sage, and mint gives it a contemporary vibe that stays stylish all winter long. The Arboreal quilt pattern would look so great with a little Christmas flare. Add some applique ornaments, stars and even some embroidered or beaded garland and it is sure to be the main event.
2. The Oversized Holiday Star
Star quilts scream festive comfort. Look for an oversized Lone Star or a chunky Sawtooth Star pattern. Because the blocks are large, the quilt top comes together quickly, leaving you plenty of time to get it to your longarmer before the autumn rush.
3. A Cozy Flannel Plaid Quilt
Nothing says winter comfort like a classic buffalo check or tartan plaid. You can piece a gorgeous plaid quilt top using simple squares and rectangles. Pro tip: Start sourcing high-quality cotton flannels now so you can sew a quilt that is as warm as it is beautiful.
🌟 Quick & Scrappy Block Projects
Have a stash of holiday fabric scraps from previous years that you’ve been hoarding? These projects are perfect for diving into your scrap bin and using up what you already have.
4. The Classic Peppermint Pinwheel
Use bright reds and crisp, unbleached whites to create dynamic pinwheel blocks. Set against a neutral background, these blocks look just like vintage peppermint candies spinning across your quilt top.
5. Festive Log Cabins with a Twist
The Log Cabin block is incredibly versatile. For a holiday version, use a bright gold or red for the center square (the “hearth”) and build out with scrappy reds on one side and scrappy low-volume holiday prints on the other.
6. Scrappy Patchwork Stockings
You don’t need a massive time commitment to make something beautiful. Spend an afternoon chain-piecing your smallest holiday scraps into a colorful slab of patchwork, then use a basic stocking template to cut out custom, quilted footwear for the mantle.
🍽️ Festive Decor & Table Settings
If you’re short on time but still want to add handmade warmth to your home, smaller quilted accents are the perfect solution.
7. The Quilted Tree Skirt
A beautiful tree skirt is an heirloom that gets noticed every single year. Look for a pattern that features a classic hexagon or repeating wedge layout. It’s a fantastic project for practicing precise, angular piecing.
8. An Elegant Holiday Table Runner
Whip up a quick table runner using leftover holiday fat quarters. A simple flying geese or chevron layout down the center of your table instantly sets a festive mood for holiday dinners. The Arboreal table runner is perfect for this.
9. Quilted Holiday Coasters (Perfect Gifts!)
Need a quick assembly-line project? Make a stack of quilted coasters. You can quilt a simple grid on small squares of festive fabric, back them with linen, and tie them with a piece of twine for the ultimate handmade neighbor or teacher gift.
🎁 Modern, Quick-Pieced Weekend Wins
For the quilter who wants maximum visual impact with minimum fuss, these modern layouts are incredibly fast to assemble.
10. The Giant Buffalo Plaid Throw
Using large 6-inch or 8-inch squares of red, black, and a coordinating dark red print, you can stitch together a bold, rustic throw quilt over a single weekend. It’s a crowd-pleaser that looks great in any living room.
11. Minimalist Flying Geese Forest
Arrange rows of monochromatic green flying geese pointing upward on a crisp white background. It creates a stunning, abstract forest effect that feels deeply modern and artistic.
12. The “Holiday Cheer” Sew-Along Project
Pick a versatile pattern you love—like the Study of Stars pattern—and commit to making just one block a week from now until October. By the time the weather turns crisp, your blocks will be ready to put together without a hint of holiday stress.
💡 A Quilter’s Summer Survival Tip: Fabric Pulls
The best part of starting in July? You get to play with winter colors while staying cool indoors! When pulling your fabrics this summer, consider mixing deep evergreen, rich cranberry, and warm oatmeal tones rather than standard bright commercial prints. This gives your projects a timeless, high-end look that carries through the entire winter season.
So, pour yourself an iced coffee, crank up the AC, put on some festive music (we won’t tell!), and let’s get a head start on our holiday stitching.
Which project are you going to cast on first? Let me know in the comments below!