I hope you are having fun with this year’s Autumn Jubilee Quilt Along. Now that we have all the blocks made, layout of the top is next.

If you are making the same size as I am showing, please note that in the photos, the pumpkin blocks should be switched. This will separate the pumpkins from the flying geese on the lower left, and keep the other ones from forming a diagonal line with the apples. If you making more blocks for a larger quilt, lay them out and take a photo so you can see where there might ...

It may be Friday the 13th, but it is a lucky day for free patterns. The rest of the Quilt Along blocks will be on today’s sewing agenda. Did you make progress on the first blocks this past week?

Once again, lets take a look at the design in concept. Details will be just a bit different with the flying geese / leaf block configurations. The quilt shown will finish at 40-inches square with 12-inch blocks set 3×3 and 2-inch borders. If you want a larger quilt, just make more of the blocks, and arrange as you like.

Today ...

We had a nice drive recently with some friends. We wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway when the weather cleared and cooled off, so we emailed our buddies and got a group to go. We met at a parking lot, then drove up to the parkway together. The scenery is lush and green everywhere, with cascades of bright yellow flowers here and there. Rock walls like this one are so interesting, some with water coming down.

This section of the parkway, between Hwy 191 and 276 has the most tunnels. I blurred out the SUV in front of us ...

My lovely friend, Pat has designed a new collection and I am so grateful Pat has asked me to be part of the tour. Join me today to showcase Pat Sloan’s new collection Bird Song for Benartex ( @benartex_fabrics ). A delightful collection of birds, florals, dots and strips. Imagine a spring garden, heavily scented...

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Today begins a new, long term series Quilted Features, this will cover all the interesting things I would have covered at Quilt Market. I’m slowly reaching out to companies who were going to vend at Quilt Market for an opportunity to show off their wares, new fabric lines, notions, patterns, or the quilt/sewing related things… Continue reading Quilted Features: Quilt Basket & Cutie Patterns

Design challenge alert!! I’ve partnered with Electric Quilt and Benartex, LLC. to bring you a fun design contest. Download swatches of my Good Vibes fabric, design an original quilt using EQ, and enter to win a bundle of my fabric. This is a great way to stretch your creativity and you don’t even have to make the quilt.

You DO have to use Electric Quilt to enter this contest, but you DO NOT have to make the quilt! 2 lucky winners will each win a Bundle of my Good Vibes fabric.

The exciting part about this design challenge ...

You all know I love to see what you create using the fabrics I’ve designed for Benartex. Well every now and then a quilt comes along that really makes my heart sing! So today I wanted to share more about this fabulous quilt called Hypnotica by my talented friend Nancy Messuri who is a relatively new quilt pattern designer.Click here to get Nancy’s Hypnotica Quilt Pattern PDF

I’ve invited Nancy to come on the blog to tell you more about this fabulous quilt in her own words…..

From Nancy Messuri:

I am honored Christa gave me ...

It’s a new month, so let’s have a fabric sale!! As our minds turn toward cooler temps and we start thinking about new snuggly projects to sew, I want to make that easier for you! So I’ve reduced the price on all of my Abstract Garden fabrics by the yard, while supplies last. Stock up on these bright, cheerful fabrics for borders, backings and more. And the best part is – there’s no coupon required!

How great would these fabrics look as the backing for your Modern Logs quilt?
Get Abstract Garden on sale here for just ...

Have you been enjoying following along to make Bling? Scroll to the end for links to the entire quilt along. This week we will be binding our Bling to finish it up!

Roundup of binding tutorials

Because I pretty much bind my quilts all the same way (either by hand or machine), I have a LOT of binding tutorials that I’ve shared over the years. So here are 3 for you to try – use whichever method you like best!

• My basic binding tutorial (shown on Modern x)
• Binding by machine – straight stitch (shown on ColorWeave)
• Binding by machine video ...

I’m so excited that my 6th fabric line, Good Vibes is now out in the world. Be sure  to check out the post I wrote about the inspiration behind each of the fabrics. I’m thrilled to announce that the precuts are now available too!

I always recommend finding my fabrics at your favorite independent quilt shop first. With lots of fabric and stores out there, the best way to get your favorite shop to carry my fabrics is to ask them to do so – they LOVE listening to their customers!

But if you aren’t able to visit ...

Debut day is here!

This is my sixth fabric line for Benartex Contempo Studio and I’m thrilled with it! There’s nothing more exciting than seeing your name on the selvage!!

Good Vibes consists of 10 colorful, saturated prints and 10 low-volume prints, all with a geometric theme. The fresh citrus colors of orange, lemon, lime, and turquoise are going to look great in so many kinds of projects!

And of course there are a few neutrals thrown in to make the line super useful as ...

This spring, Lisa Ruble, editor of Benartex’s e-zine Modern by the Yard, invited me to participate in her Modern with a Twist column.

This column features modern quilter’s interpretations of traditional quilt blocks. As most of you know, I love manipulating traditional quilt blocks.

The fabulous Pinwheel is featured in Issue #14 which came out today. Can you spot my block?

Coincidentally, I had been thinking about the pinwheel block. I wanted to combine some of my favorite things-

Solid fabrics—My pinwheel block features some of solids from the Benartex’s Superior Solids Collection.

Stripes—My pinwheel ...

I am so excited about my two newest patterns, Charming Chevrons and Modern Logs. I’ll be doing quilt alongs for both later this year, and I can’t wait!!

Lap-size Charming Chevrons in Good Vibes fabric by Christa Watson for Benartex Contempo Studio

The lap and throw sizes of Charming Chevrons are made from 5″ charm packs. (The thinking is done—so you just relax and sew!) This design has a lot of movement for great visual interest.

Twin-size Charming Chevrons in Good Vibes fabric by Christa Watson for Benartex Contempo Studio

The larger sizes of Charming Chevrons (twin ...

In one of my early Ask Me Anything episodes in the Christa Quilts Group on Facebook, lots of folks were interested in my fabric design process. So I’ve put together some images and files to share a peek into how the process works for me, and my experience in designing fabrics for Benartex.

GRIDWORK at Quilt Market Fall 2019

My Gridwork fabric line, shown at fall market last year.

About five years ago, I decided to get serious about designing fabric. As part of that goal, in 2016 I went to an industry event sponsored by Sara Lawson @sewsweetness ...

I’ve been working hard over the last few weeks, creating 11 gorgeous color bundles spanning all of my fabric lines for Benartex. A few weeks ago I got a request from some followers in my Facebook Group to create these custom color bundles, and I’m pleased to say they are now finally ready!

So let’s take a look at these beauties:

Reds: 12 Fat Quarters

• Click here to get the Red bundle

This custom color bundle includes 12 fat quarters in pretty reds and pinks with a touch of other colors for added sparkle. Each fat quarter ...

I’m excited to be a part of Virtual Quilt Market June 2–4, a brand new event from Quilts Inc. Traditional quilt market has been reimagined in light of current events and it’s going to be so interesting to see everyone’s creativity come shining through!

I’ll debuting my 6th fabric line for Benartex called Good Vibes which is a nod to good vibes and happy times of my childhood as a kid growing up in the 80s!

There are 10 low volume prints and 10 saturated colors, all featuring my signature, colorful geometrics. Here’s a ...

Are you ready to join me for the adventure of a lifetime? Or at least a fun sewing escapade over the next several weeks? I’m excited to guide you as we make my Optical Illusion quilt from start to finish.  All you need is a copy of the Optical Illusion quilt pattern and a can-do attitude!

Optical Illusion made from Geo Pop, 67″ x 88″
Scroll this image to see the lines move!

My original version was sewn up in bold black, white and gray from my Geo Pop fabric line. I had requests to see how it would ...

During these crazy times, sewing is such great therapy! Nothing warms my heart like seeing so many of you sewing masks (especially from my fabrics), making beautiful quilts, and sharing and encouraging each other! I’m currently working behind the scenes on quilts made from my next fabric collection coming later this summer. (See the sneak peek below!)

My next fabric line is called Good Vibes and will be available in July 2020!

So naturally, this means it’s time to clear off some shelf space to make room for the new arrivals! I’ve just reduced the yardage price ...

Use Code SHIP at Shop.Christaquilts.com for Free US Shipping

We are living in uncertain times right now and as many of you know, quilting is my full time job that supports my entire family. To help us all feel better about being home bound, I want to do my part to help keep the quilting industry alive and well!

Therefore, starting today, and until further notice, I’m offering FREE US shipping on all orders, and reduced shipping on all international purchases. Enter code SHIP in the coupon box at shop.ChristaQuilts.com and click the + symbol to ...

Do you love working with precuts as much as I do? Well, I’m excited that my fabric company Benartex has decided to host a precut project hop to help you decide what to make with your collection of charm squares, strip-pies, 10x10s and fat quarter bundles. And the best part is, most (if not all) of the projects featured will include a free pattern or tutorial. How cool is that??

Designer Schedule

Below is the schedule of fabric and pattern designers who have cooked up some fantastic ideas for you. Of course, we prefer to use Benartex precuts which ...