advent – Faith and Fabric

Quilting: Advent Table Runner (block design)

November 29, 2015 by faithandfabric 2 Comments

I learn something with every quilt I make. Every single one. Whether it’s as big as a completely new technique, or as small as trying out a new thread line, there’s always a chance to learn something new.

Sometimes, it’s completely by accident.

Like most quilters, I have a laundry list of family projects I want to make to give out as Christmas gifts. Now, four weeks before Christmas, I’m finally getting started. Can you say rush job? I can.

I created two projects with a similar style, which made things easy: an Advent table runner for my parents, and a pink baby quilt for an expecting family member. They came together beautifully; the points were all there (which was a beautiful thing in and of itself and quite unlike the Yuma quilt), the colors blended better than I had hoped…both quilt tops came together at the same time without a hitch.

For this Advent table runner quilt top, I wanted it to follow the color palette of the Advent wreath: 1/4 purple, 1/4 purple, 1/4 rose, 1/4 purple (each 1/4 represents one week of Advent with four weeks in total). I used a jelly roll in purples as a base, and then mixed in a few other shades of purple as well as on-hand rose tones to make it blend. Achieving the blend was a trial and error process…I originally broke the quilt top into strict 1/4 pieces, but didn’t like how abruptly one section ended as the next started. To fix this, I added an extra two columns – one at either end of the rose blocks – that was a mix of rose and purple. This gave me the smooth transition I was looking for.

Once this and the pink baby quilt top were done, I selected backing for each quilt, spray basted batting beneath the quilt top, pinned, and quilted. Loving the mix of the striped HSTs, I stitched diagonally and between the lines so they would remain the focal point. Love! It was when I was about 80% finished when I noticed something wasn’t quite right…

…in putting my two quilt sandwiches together – a blanket and a table runner – side by side, I had
inadvertently swapped the batting. So, I ended up with this extra fluffy Adven table runner and flat baby blanket – which of course then became a textured Advent table runner and a summertime baby blanket. It’s all perspective, no?

Thankfully, my parents really liked it – that’s the runner on their table in the picture at top. It’s fun seeing a project of mine in their home!

Just for fun…this Jesse Tree Ornaments post links up at these great Catholic and quilting sites!

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Silent Night Christmas Nativity Quilt Pattern

Faith and Fabric - Christian Easter Sunday Risen Quilt 4

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Join Us for our Advent Fabric Jesse Tree

November 20, 2015 by faithandfabric Leave a Comment

Can you believe Advent starts next weekend? As a family, we’ll be celebrating with our Jesse Tree. Online, we’ll be celebrating with our Fabric Jesse Tree – a daily journey from creation through Christ’s birth paired with some of the most beautiful fabrics to tell this joyful, hope-filled story.

The story begins on the 1st Day of Advent with creation, and walks its way chronologically through the Old Testament with stories from Genesis, Exodus, Ruth, Kings, and Daniel (to name a few). It moves into the New Testament, ending on Christmas Day with the birth of Christ. A gorgeous fabric will be paired with each day’s reading, helping to share the message.

I invite you to join in the journey beginning the first Sunday of Advent on Instagram.

Fabric: Kanvas Cosmos Earth Metallic Blue by Maria Kalinowski for Benartex, Kanvas

Fabric: Apple Hill Farm Apple Hill Red by Christine Sharp, Rachael Wright for RJR Fashion Fabrics

Just for fun…this Advent fabric post links up at these great Catholic and quilting sites!

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Tutorial: Wooden Advent Calendar Blocks

November 19, 2015 by faithandfabric 7 Comments

It’s no secret that Advent is one of my favorite times of year. Much like January is the start of the new calendar year, Advent marks the start of the church’s new year. It’s a time to start over, set new faith-inspired goals, and prepare for 12 amazing days of Christmas celebrations. What’s not to love??

These past few years we’ve slowly been creating Advent decorations throughout the home. It’s been a lot of fun adding the purple and rose hues throughout the main living areas, and it’s really brought an entirely different sense to the season as distinct and separate from Christmas.

This year, we’ll have our Advent wreath out on the dining table atop the Advent table runner, which pretty much is a wreath in and of itself! New this year will be this set of Advent calendar blocks, which can be assembled one at a time for each week of Advent (similar to a traditional Advent calendar) or all at once. You decide!

My amazing hubby is a general contractor, so scrap wood is something we *always* have laying around. With just a few simple cuts, you can turn scrap wood into this fun set! Here’s how:

WHAT YOU NEED

2×4 wood cut into three blocks: 8″, 7″, and 3.5″
4×4 wood cut into two blocks: 6.5″ and 5″
three tubes of paint in white, rose, and dark purple
mixing tray for the paint
paint brush
Advent week word template (downloadable…click link)
sharp scissors
Modge Podge

HOW TO MAKE

(A) Painting Your Blocks

Cut your blocks to the dimensions above. Using sand paper, lightly sand over the blocks, paying special attention to the corners and edges. If the wood is moist, let it dry in a warm area.
Cover the painting area with old newspaper or disposable plastic table cloth.
Set your blocks out in order from 1-5 on the covered area.
OPTIONAL: You can either buy three shades of purple, or mix your own. If you want to mix your own, buy one dark purple paint and lighten 1/3 of the bottle to a medium purple (using the white to lighten) and 1/3 of the bottle to a medium-light purple (using the white to lighten).
Using the white paint, paint block 1 on all sides except the bottom (longest & widest side). Set to the side to dry. Wash your brush.
Using the pink paint, paint block 2 on all sides except the bottom (longest & widest side). Set to the side to dry. Wash your brush.
Using the lightest purple paint, paint block 3 on all sides except the bottom (longest & widest side). Set to the side to dry. Wash your brush.
Using the medium purple paint, paint block 4 on all sides except the bottom (longest & widest side). Set to the side to dry. Wash your brush.
Using the dark purple paint, paint block 5 on all sides except the bottom (longest & widest side). Set to the side to dry.

(B) Adding Your Words

TIP: When you print out the words, you’ll need to print the first page (with the word FAITH) on a dark purple sheet of paper. The words JOY, PEACE, HOPE, and LOVE should be printed on white paper. You’ll notice when you print out the letters that they print in reverse; this is so that the side of the paper with the ink will not be visible and will be the side that is glued onto your blocks, thereby giving you some wiggle room (i.e. room for error) when cutting the letters out.
Cut out the word FAITH. Using the modge podge, squirt some on the front of your white block (block 1). Place the letters onto the sticky Modge Podge, pressing down to remove all air bubbles. Set aside to dry.
Cut out the word JOY, and – using the same steps as above – Modge Podge it onto your pink block (block 2).
Cut out the word PEACE, and – using the same steps as above – Modge Podge it onto your lightest purple block (block 3).
Cut out the word HOPE, and – using the same steps as above – Modge Podge it onto your medium purple block (block 4).
Cut out the word LOVE, and – using the same steps as above – Modge Podge it onto your dark purple block (block 5).
Return to block 1. Apply a layer of Modge Podge GENTLY over the word FAITH to ensure it sticks down to the block. You will be painting directly over the word and sealing it to the block. Repeat with the other blocks, going in order (from blocks 2 through 5). This ensures each block has some time to dry between applications.
Allow to fully dry and enjoy!

Just for fun…this Advent Calendar post links up at these great Catholic and quilting sites!

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Blogger’s Quilt Festival: Advent Wreaths Quilt

October 22, 2015 by faithandfabric 8 Comments

I’m excited to participate in the 2015 Blogger’s Quilt Festival hosted by Amy Ellis of Amy’s Creative Side – my very first time! Very excited about the opportunity to not just share what I’ve done but see the *gorgeous* work that others have done. I’m always inspired by the talented quilters out there!

I’m entering two quilts this year: Advent Wreaths and Give Thanks and Praise. This Advent quilt is being entered into the Original Design Quilt category since, well, it’s an original design 🙂 The Advent Wreaths quilt is one of my favorites; it was designed to bring the beauty of Advent into the home. It’s special to me, as Advent is one of my family’s favorite seasons.

In writing the pattern for this quilt, I created four panels – each represents one of the four weeks of Advent. Each panel has an Advent wreath with the candle corresponding to that week, with the pink candle of joy added during the third week. The candle flames were paper pieced (ten in total!), and the words and leaves appliqued.

The quilt is special, too, as the pattern itself can be made three different ways: as the table runner (my favorite!), a banner, or a wall hanging. (the banner and wall hanging are mocked up below)

It’s an honor to participate in the quilt festival this year!

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Pattern: Advent Quilt – Advent Wreaths

October 3, 2015 by faithandfabric 42 Comments

So excited to share our second Advent quilt pattern– one that can be designed in three different ways! (See our first Advent quilt here.) This pattern, Advent Wreaths, shares the beauty of the Advent wreath. Each panel represents one week during advent, and each week a new candle is added to the Advent wreath. The focus of each week – faith, hope, joy, love – appear above each wreath.

This quilt is a wonderful way to bring the spirit of Advent into your home. The rich purples and pink hint at the excitement of Christmas to come, while the subdued images keep our hearts in a time of preparation for Christ’s birth.

The versatility of this pattern allows you to make it in three different ways: lay the panels end-to-end to make a banner for the wall; stack two panels on top of each other to make a wall hanging; set the panels side-by-side to make a table runner.

This pattern has also been tested by some amazingly talented quilters – scroll down to see their interpretations of this Advent quilt pattern with varying fabrics in all three styles.

Bring a bit of the Advent spirit into your home this season with all our Advent projects!

Below are some of the Advent quilts made by our pattern testers, a wonderful group of quilters of all experience levels who help ensure that the pattern you download is as perfect as it can be. Click on those who have a blog address in their photo; it’ll take you to their site!

I’d love to share any photos you make of the Advent quilt, so be sure to send me a photo or two of your final project and I’ll add it to our photo library below (in alpha order by quilter); there are some great ideas in how you all have put the blocks together, spruced up binding, and added pizzazz to the applique. Happy quilting!

Just for fun…this post links up some of these great Catholic, sewing, and quilting blogs!

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Activity: Wooden Holy Family Craft / Nativity Project

November 29, 2014 by faithandfabric 9 Comments

Sometimes, a scrap of wood is so much more than just a scrap. Our back yard has a ton of scrap wood – with a general contractor for a husband (and a great one at that), pieces of 2×2, 2×4, and 4×4 wood fill bins on the side of our house. It’s a bit of a wood graveyard and, while the scraps come in great as kindling in our fire pit, I was so excited to come up with a fun way to use some of those 2x2s in the creation of our new Holy Family craft! I really wanted a rustic, abstract look, so I didn’t sand the wood, used rough burlap over soft fabric, and didn’t paint the wooden knobs (heads). Love the way they turned out!

This Nativity scene works wonderful for Advent with its simple reminder of what’s to come…and it makes an even better gift. Cut a few extra pieces of wood, and use the extra burlap, twine, and knobs for a no-cost present – it will be one your friends and family will love!

WHAT YOU NEED

2×2 wood cut into three lengths: (1) Joseph: 5.5″ long, (2) Mary: 4.5″ long, (3) Baby Jesus: 2.0″ long
3 pieces of brown (neutral) twine cut 9″ long
1 piece of brown (neutral) burlap cut to size: 2.75″ x 8.0″
1 piece of blue burlap cut to size: 6″ x 7″
paint in blue, white, and tan
wooden knobs in three sizes: (1) Joseph: 1.5“, (2) Mary: 1.25″, (3) Baby Jesus: 0.75″
paint brushes

HOW TO MAKE

Prep the materials as noted in the list above
Paint each of the 2×2 pieces: Joseph in tan, Mary in blue, and Baby Jesus in gray
Wait for the paint to dry. Fun stuff, I know.
JOSEPH: stand the “body” of Joseph up. Glue the largest knob onto the top, right in the center. Tie the twine around the center, where his waist would be.
MARY: stand the “body” of Mary up. Glue the medium knob onto the top, right in the center. Wrap the blue burlap around her like a cloak. I found it easiest to do this by first folding the burlap in half, and laying it over her head, then sliding it back just a bit and tying it off. Play around until it lays the way you like. Tie the twine towards the top…think A-line dress here.
JESUS: stand the “body” of Baby Jesus up. Glue the smallest knob onto the top, towards the front of the body. Wrap the brown burlap around Baby Jesus, again centering it at the top and adjusting it until you find a position you like. Tie the twine around the center.
Enjoy your beautiful and unique nativity!

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Pattern: Advent Table Runner & Placemats

November 21, 2014 by faithandfabric 11 Comments

Advent Quilt Pattern Table Runner Placemats

Like many of you, we’re really trying – each year – to hold off Christmas until Christmas and celebrate the season of Advent. A component of celebrating, for us, is in the way we decorate our home. We’re fortunate to have the ability to sit down to dinner each night together (notice I said sit down…actually eating with a three year old – and getting him to eat – is a whole other matter), and it’s something we don’t take for granted.

As the kitchen table is such a part of our family, we wanted it to serve as a reminder that we were celebrating Advent. Somehow, having our Advent Wreath on a “Merry Christmas!” table runner just didn’t cut it. So…off to Joann Fabrics! Wandering the aisles here, dreaming up projects, is seriously therapeutic, no? (BTW – if you like Advent wreaths, you’ll love our Advent Wreath Quilt!

I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to make, but that’s sometimes half the fun. I knew I wanted an quilted Advent table runner, so headed to the batiks. I found some great purple- and rose-toned dyed fabric which matched the colors of our Advent candles. The colors were too bold side-by-side, though, but a few aisles over was this great purple/rose ombre sparkly tulle, which worked great as an overlay. Love the way they turned out! The size of the purple and rose in the Advent table runner and placemats are pieced in quarters, just like the four candles of the Advent wreath. The first section of purple is equivalent to two purple candles, the next section is equivalent to one rose candle, and the final section is equivalent to one purple candle. It’s subtle, but ties in nicely with the four weeks of Advent. Be sure to pick up some fusible web for applique as you’ll need it for the lettering.

You’ll end up with a bit of extra fabric from this Advent quilt, which you can use to create a mat for your Jesse Tree! Now if only blue and yellow were liturgical colors…

Download a copy of this Advent Table Runner and Placemat pattern from Craftsy – be sure to let me know how it goes, and send a photo of your final product!

Just for fun…this post links up at these great Catholic & Quilting sites, plus Catholic Carnival, Arma Dei, & CBN.

Also, this post contains an affiliate link or two. Thanks for supporting my site!

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Info: Symbols of Christmas and Their Origins

December 16, 2013 by faithandfabric Leave a Comment

A few months ago we looked at all the symbols of Easter and where they came from…so let’s take a look at symbols of Christmas in the Catholic Church. Ever wonder why we chop down a tree and put it up in our living room, covered in lights? Or why Santa flies through the sky? Me too! Below are some of the first things I think of when I think of Christmas…what’s missing from the list?

	Early Origins	Christian Origins	Applying it Today
Christmas Tree	The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens at the New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmastime; it survived further in the custom, also observed in Germany, of placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house during the midwinter holidays. (source)	While several theories exist, one of the most commonly accepted is the association with the “tree of paradise”. On December 24th, a medieval mystery play was held in celebration of Adam and Eve in various countries. In the play, a tree was decorated with apples (representing the forbidden fruit) and wafers (representing the Eucharist. This tree became a popular symbol and became tied to Christmas…the apples were replaced with colorful glass balls and lights were added to make the commonly-seen tree of today. (source)	The tree is a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas in your home. This year, as you put up your tree, talk about creation and how God created vegetation – including trees – on the third day. As you string the lights, talk about how Jesus is our light. Include red balls in your decorations and share the story of how the balls used to be apples, representing our original sin (better yet, include some apples!). As you top your tree with a glittering star, share the story of the Maji and how they followed the star to bring their gifts to the Messiah (Matthew 2:11).
Santa Claus	“During the Christianization of Germanic Europe, this figure may have absorbed elements of the god Odin, who was associated with the Germanic pagan midwinter event of Yule and led the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession through the sky.” (source)	Santa Claus, as he exists today, sees his origin in Saint Nicholas – the 4th century Christian bishop and gift giver. He would, in secret, leave gifts for the poor and coins in the shoes of families that left them outside their door.	This year, celebrate Saint Nicholas on December 6th (here’s an idea on how). Consider introducing Santa to young children as the fictional character he is, talking about how he represents Saint Nicholas and brings gifts just like Saint Nick did.
Advent Wreath	The circular shape has long been associated with the concept of “eternal / no beginning or end”. Early origins of pre-Christian Germanic groups used wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope and warmth. (source)	“Research by Prof. Haemig of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, points to Johann Hinrich Wichern (1808–1881), a Protestant pastor in Germany and a pioneer in urban mission work among the poor as the inventor of the modern Advent wreath. “To help his students keep track of the countdown to Christmas, he (in 1839) built a large wooden ring with 19 small red and 4 large white candles. A small candle was lit every weekday during Advent and, on Sundays, a large white candle was lit. (source)	Create an advent wreath with your family this Christmas season (see how to create your own & learn more about the colors of the candles here). Talk about the significance of the four candles as one is lit each Sunday. Consider lighting it each night during dinner, and making it a special part of your advent season.

Special thanks to CRS Rice Bowl for their tweet!

Faith and Fabric Catholic Quilts and Projects

Just for fun…this post links up at these great Catholic & Quilting sites!

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Advent: A Season for All Christians to Prepare

December 4, 2013 by faithandfabric Leave a Comment

I sit here as a Catholic, about to head to my weekly bible study at a Protestant church, and write to you about a Baptist church sharing our Jesse Tree. What an interreligious morning!

A special thank you to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Florida for sharing our Jesse Tree with your congregation as part of Advent! What an honor to be a common witnesses as we share the good news. I can’t help but sing the song, “…we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand…and they’ll know we are Christians by our love”. (Be thankful you can’t actually *hear* me sing the song. We were all given gifts…singing missed my list.)

I am reminded again that we are all Christians…believers and followers, sisters and brothers in Christ. We are all one family, together, as even Jesus tells us: “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:49) While it’s something we should do all year long, Christmas – especially – is a time to set aside our differences and realize how much we truly have in common.


Jesse Tree for Advent	The Advent Book	Operation Christmas Child

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Book Club: The Advent Book by Jack and Kathy Stockman

November 10, 2013 by faithandfabric 2 Comments

Can you believe Advent is just a few weeks away? I can’t…especially with temperatures still in the 80’s. Amazing.

With Advent being just a few weeks out, we had our annual sign-ups for our church’s “Advent Wreath Workshop”, where we’ll be making advent wreaths together as a parish family for use in our homes. I had prepared a table in the plaza for the sign-ups, and included a few Advent-related items on the table to dress it up a bit.

One of the items I included was our family’s copy of The Advent Book. This book – originally just intended to help decorate the table – ended up getting as much attention (if not more!) than the workshop signups! With it being such an unintential hit among our parish family, I wanted to share it with you all, too.

This book is truly a beautiful tableside book for the season of Advent. The book, “created by Jack & Kathy
Stockman and originally published by Crossway Books, was designed to be a family heirloom and the centerpiece of an annual Christmas worship tradition. The large full-color book with beautiful illustrations features 25 unique doors, each opening to reveal a picture and a segment of the Christmas story. The story is told in simple concise language so that even young children can be included in this Advent tradition. A new door is opened each day from Dec. 1st through Christmas in the manner of an Advent calendar. Because the doors are reopened and added to every day, family members enjoy the anticipation of remembering or revealing what is behind each door and learn by heart the Biblical story.” (c) Jack & Kathy StockmanWe are happy to share The Advent Book with you, and hope you’ll find as much enjoyment with it as we do!

Just for fun…this post links up at Equipping Catholic Families & Catholic & Living It.

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