Christmas in July

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Merry Christmas - in July!

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex


I'm so excited to share the quilt I made for Benartex's Christmas in July project hop! 



If you're new here, hello! I'm Laura! I design quilt patterns, and I'm a self-proclaimed deal hunter! Be sure to join the popular Quilting & Sewing Deals Facebook group where I post sales, deals, and coupon codes from all around the web!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


The Christmas in July project hop features eleven new Christmas fabric collections from Benartex and eleven pattern designers too!

Christmas in July blog hop with Benartex


I was thrilled to receive the First Frost collection designed by Amanda Murphy! I always love everything Amanda designs, and this was no exception! (I made several things from her Free Motion Fantasy collection! See those HERE!) I picked Superior Solids Mint for the background. It's a perfect complement!

First Frost by Amanda Murphy for Benartex


I wanted to make sure the beautiful fabrics were the star of the show, so I chose my Rockslide pattern. It's perfect for showing off prints that you don't want to cut up into tiny pieces!

Using an AccuQuilt to make the Rockslide pattern


Another bonus of this pattern is that it works great with the AccuQuilt GO! I have all the needed dies in my 8" Qube set.

HST triangles cut with an AccuQuilt GO


The AccuQuilt made such quick work of the cutting! I actually cut enough pieces for TWO throw sized quilts at the same time! (I'm giving away the second set! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post to enter to win!)

Sewing HSTs


I pieced the whole quilt using Aurifil 50wt #2605 Grey. I always have a cone of it on hand.

Making half square triangles HSTs


I used my very expensive design wall flannel-backed vinyl table cloth to lay out all the pieces. It works great!

Using a flannel-backed vinyl table cloth as a design wall


Another thing I use is numbered pins. They are perfect for helping me keep rows in order!

Using numbered pins


With the top done, it was time for quilting. I had such a hard time deciding how to quilt it! A pantograph over the whole thing? Simple straight line quilting? A combination of the two?

Pin basting my Rockslide quilt


And then what thread color? Go bold with Aurifil's 50wt Red #2250? Or play it safe with Aurifil's 50wt Shining Green #5017?

Choosing between two Aurifil thread colors


In the end, I chose straight line quilting with red thread.

Walking foot quilting


It worked like an outline to the fabrics without taking any attention away.

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex


However, I'm not so sure that's the final answer.

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex


After machine binding the quilt (tutorial here) with Superior Solids Tomato Red, which is normally the cue for celebration, I was still questioning my quilting decision!

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex


I'm letting it simmer so I don't do anything rash. But I'm really leaning towards adding some swirls or loops or meandering into the mint sections with the green thread now!

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex


Have you ever added quilting once a quilt was "finished"? 

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex


The backing fabric is so gorgeous! It's one of the main prints from the collection!

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex

I love that I have a new Christmas quilt to use this winter!

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see if I add more quilting!

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex

Check out all the other amazing fabric collections and designers being featured during the hop too!

Monday, July 20th – Nancy Scott, Winterberry Masterpiece Quilting
Tuesday, July 21st – Heidi Pridemore, Rejoice The Whimsical Workshop
Wednesday, July 22nd – Laura Piland, First Frost Slice of Pi Quilts <--- That's me!
Thursday, July 23rd – Lisa Ruble, Camp Joy Love to Color My World
Friday, July 24th – Debby Kratovil, Festive Chickadees Debby Kratovil Quilts
Saturday, July 25th – Wendy Sheppard, Ode to Joy Ivory Spring
Sunday, July 26th – Debby Brown, River’s End Debby Brown Quilts
Monday, July 27th – Charisma Horton, Deer Festival Charisma's Corner
Tuesday, July 28th – Sandra Walker, Better Not Pout Mmm Quilts
Wednesday, July 29th – Kate Colleran, Joy Seams Like a Dream
Thursday, July 30th – Tammy Silvers, Snow Village & Rustic Village Christmas Tamarinis

Rockslide quilt made with First Frost and Superior Solids from Benartex


Now for the giveaway! Giveaway closed. Congratulations, Cecilia!

Want to win that extra set of pieces I cut with my AccuQuilt? You'll get the Rockslide pattern and all the pieces you need to make the throw size quilt top! I'll include enough red fabric for binding too! 


To enter: Comment on this post telling me if I should add more quilting or call it done! 

For a bonus entry: Join the Quilting & Sewing Deals group! Then leave another comment telling me you joined!

Every comment is an entry in the giveaway!

(And PLEASE leave your email address in your comment if you are a no-reply commenter. Otherwise I won't be able to contact you if you win!) (Giveaway is US only and ends 8/1/2020.)



Disclaimer: Giveaway is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Blogger. By entering, entrants confirm they are 18+ years of age, release Blogger of responsibility, and agree to Blogger's terms of use. No purchase necessary to win. Open to legal residents in the contiguous US only that are 18+ years of age. Giveaway starts at 12:00am CST July 22, 2020 and ends at 11:59pm CST on August 1, 2020. One winner will receive a Rockslide pattern and precut kit of First Frost and Superior Solids fabrics with a retail value of approximately $30. Odds of winning determined by number of eligible entries received. How to enter: leave a comment on this blog post. One comment per person. Duplicate comments will be deleted. Winner will be chosen by random.org on August 1, 2020 from all eligible entries and notified by email. If winner can not be reached via email or prize is unclaimed after three days, a new winner will be chosen by random.org. Winner is responsible for paying any taxes related to the prize. By entering this giveaway, you release Slice of Pi Quilts from any liability whatsoever. Void where prohibited by law.

82 comments:

  1. Totally your decision. If you are happy then leave it the way it is. Sometimes people who love the quilting go a little crazy.

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  2. I love a quilt with lots of quilting in it because I love that quilt even more once I take it out of the dryer in all its crinkly softness!! Lol! Besides I love a quilt with some weight to it an lots of thread just makes that quilt warmer to me. cakilliany at hotmail dot com.

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  3. I would like more quilting...I think the green would add more texture

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  4. I like it as it is, (done is better than perfect), but, I could see it with some extra quilting in the green. Maybe some wavy lines, keep it simple. I often second guess my quilting.

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  5. I would add more quilting in the mint green. It is a beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing! odiane 79 @ yahoo.com

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  6. I just joined the Sewing and Quilting Deals Group. Thanks. odiane 79 @ yahoo. com

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  7. Kathy R. The quilt looks great. Anything else you quilt in the green space will only add to it. Let it sit for a couple days until the you say to yourself "I know what I'm going to do." Maybe some holly leaves in the green or another seasonal design. petuniakr@aol.com

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  8. I haven't added quilting after a quilt was bound, so I don't know how hard that would be. I would probably add more to the green area, though. I'll be watching to see what you do!
    Sandy A

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  9. I would add more quilting, adds more texture to a lovely quilt!!

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  10. Listen to that inner voice of yours. Me, well the red thread was a bold move! But because of that, some quilting in the green might give it an interesting border effect.

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  11. I love the quilt as is, but think it wod look totally awesome with some swirls also!!
    ctopp@richhill.k12.mo.us

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  12. Love your quilt, if you ad more quilting maybe some Christmas Lights or Holly in the gren

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  13. I am already a member of the Facebook group

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. I love the way you quilted it.... yet what really matters is if you love it or not.

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  16. I've never known anyone to add quilting once the quilt is finished, but if anyone can, it's you! Love seeing all of your creations! jentelks@gmail.com

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  17. I think more quilting in the green would add some texture to your quilt. That said, I would add a lot of quilting since the print blocks are not quilted. I can’t wait to see what you do!

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  18. Lovely quilt! I like that you used the red! I would do a little green on the green but totally is ok without! Thank you for the lovely giveaway - I love that pattern!

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  19. It looks great, but if you are questioning it... then it may need more. Your quilt!

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  20. I think it looks great - nice and simple, as is. However, if you are not 100% happy, I think a few swirls in the mint green would look extra special. Yes, I have added quilting before after binding.

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  21. Add more.🤪

    Mhimmel917@gmail.com

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  22. I joined the deals group. Listed as Madeline Valenti Himmel

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  23. I would add more straight line quilting following the pattern you have established, but maybe there is room for a small amount of some circular quilting in between the lines as they get near each other. Love the pattern!

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  24. I'm a minimalist when it comes to quilting, so I say, no more!

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  25. Less is more! The quilting is perfect as it appears!

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  26. Yes, I think more quilting In the green would be super enhancing to the quilt!

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  27. I joined the Deals Group! Excited for that one!

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  28. Stop while you’re ahead is sometimes a god rule. But the solid needs something....

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  29. Love it!! I might add a little more quilting...but another project might be calling me, so maybe I wouldn’t 😂😬

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  30. Already a member of FB group 👍🏻

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  31. It would give some more texture with quilting in the solid but I like it as is also.

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  32. I am already a member of deals Facebook group.

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  33. It would give some more texture with quilting in the solid but I like it as is also.

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  34. It would give some more texture with quilting in the solid but I like it as is also.

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  35. Knowing what you can do with beautiful quilting, I'd add more! It's very nice just as is, but it could look spectacular! Go for it!
    duchick at gmail dot com

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  36. I am a current member of the Quilting and Sewing Deals Group on FB!
    duchick at gmail dot com

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  37. Your choice, you made it! it’s a very nice looking quilt, looks like one you would want to wrap up in.

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  38. I think it needs some more quilting!

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  39. The green is a perfect background for some more quilting. Go for it!

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  40. I was not familiar with the Quilting & Sewing Deals page. I'm always looking for a good deal so I joined. Thanks for talking about it.

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  41. Nothing wrong with adding more quilting after binding. It looks great as is, but more quilting would give it an extra oomph.
    shades000 at gmail dot com

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  42. I'm a member of Quilting & Sewing Deals.
    shades000 at gmail dot com

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  43. I think a little more quilting would enhance it even further. The back has a loose feather design and one of your fabrics has a loopy design. Go with your gut feeling. It’s usually right. Scott_3508@netins.net

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  44. Love it just the way it is!

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  45. Love your quilt, so cute . I always love a lot of quilting .

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  46. I already belong to the Quilting and Sewing Deals group.

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  47. I'd be so tempted to add more quilting in those solid spaces, but it really looks great the way it is! LOVE the pattern.

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  48. I'd call it done as it looks great to me!

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  49. It's your decision, and it's beautiful as it is, but I would add more quilting in the mint green area.

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  50. It's your decision, and it's beautiful as it is, but I would add more quilting in the mint green area.

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  51. i love your quilt the way it is.

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  52. It's your quilt, so if you like it as is fine. I am fairly new to quilting, and was taught to quilt before adding the binding, so I don't know how that will work. I think it looks fine the way it is.

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  53. Call it done. Too many other projects require your attention! SheilaP52@yahoo.com

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  54. I love the pattern. Quilting is a very personal thing--me, I would add more in the green.
    Already a member on facebook as suziecofer35@gmail.com
    Thanks

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  55. Such a pretty quilt and the backing reminds me of Pennsylvania Dutch art. I think adding more quilting in the green would give it character as long as it is not too heavily quilted. Don't want it to lose the softness.

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  56. I'm already a member of your Facebook page.

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  57. I would add a little more swirls or hearts because I need the practice! lol

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  58. Hi, yes I like the idea of more quilting! Very pretty! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  59. Love your Blog! Following you on FB too!

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  60. I love it and new to quilting so it’s perfect to me!! Sheila.bays@yahoo.com

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  61. Love the quilt. Joined Quilting and Sewing deals. I like the green of this quilt and believe like Mother Nature that green is a neutral! Lots of quilting for texture is needed. Maybe a leafy pantograph.

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  62. I love the quilt just the way it is!!

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  63. I would add more quilting too. Especially the green thread but I'm new to quilting.

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  64. I would like to see quilting in the green where it would be more visible. I love the simplicity of your pattern. It lets the fabric shine.

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  65. I would like to see a bit more in the solid green areas but if you are happy with the project this way, I would call it done. ;) maryc76904 at yahoo dot com

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  66. Love the quilt! Totally up to you but adding a little quilting to the green would really pop. Pamh99@gmail.com

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  67. The quilt looks amazing. I haven't ever added to a finished quilt, and I know there are some tricky things about it. Even though it looks perfectly finished, I think swirling something in the green areas would be a great decision. Thanks for a chance to win the scraps.

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  68. Joined also!! Sheila.bays@yahoo.com

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  69. I agree with several others that its how you feel but if you were to add quilting I would do a light design in the same green thread for a tone on tone affect.

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  70. if it were mine, I'd call it done. But... you do beautiful quilting, sew some green swirls would be lovely, I'm sure.

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  71. already a member on FB. thanks for the chance. very nice giveaway.

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  72. I think more quilting might be nice--but it depends on how you feel about it!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  73. I am already a facebook member--I love your coverage of "Quilter's Deals"!!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  74. More quilting is always better!!

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