My friend Laura calls panel quilts cheater quilts. I call them quickie quilts. I use them to balance out my masterpiece quilts that often take two years to make. Since I try to add to my Christmas quilt collection each year, panel quilts help to keep me on track.
Santa's Joy is one of my 2024 Christmas quilts. I fell in love with the center panel the first time I saw it on the EQuilter web site. Happiness jumps out of the quilt and grabs your heart.
With such a beautiful panel, it did not take much to make the quilt special. I added three borders and a beautiful quilt was born.
My friend Maxine Moore quilted Santa's Joy on her long arm. She carried out the theme of the quilt with a snowflake quilting pattern. I added sparkle to the quilt by adding crystals to the background.
The back of the quilt is a red white and black plaid. There is a hanging sleeve on the back for easy display and a label that documents the quilt.
I signed it on the front and added a charm that reads "Believe."
I enjoy believing in Santa. Do you still believe?