Desert Cove Quilt: The Rifle Paper Christmas One
Desert Cove Quilt: The Rifle Paper Christmas One
There’s something magical about making a Christmas quilt for someone special. The warm colors, cozy patterns, and that holiday cheer sewn right into the fabric. This time, I had the absolute joy of creating a Christmas quilt for my BFF, and it might be one of my favorite projects yet.
My friend is a huge fan of Rifle Paper Co., and the moment she laid eyes on their Christmas fabric collection, she fell in love. I mean, who wouldn’t? This collection has everything — from Nutcracker scenes to cozy houses, with colors that make you feel like you’re wrapped up in holiday lights. It’s festive, it’s whimsical, and it has that nostalgic charm we all crave this time of year.
We decided the Desert Cove Quilt Pattern would be the perfect match for these prints. If you’ve never sewn this pattern, it’s a lot of fun! It has a great flow to it, with plenty of movement, which is just what you need to show off the variety of prints in a collection like this one. What I love about Desert Cove is that it looks more complex than it is. There’s a lot of strip piecing, which makes it come together quickly, but the way the fabrics are mixed and matched gives the final quilt a layered, intricate look. Perfect for a project where you want the fabrics to shine!
Now, I have to admit, this quilt didn’t come together overnight. Life, as it does, got busy, and the blocks sat unfinished for a while. But as the holidays drew near, I knew I had to get it done in time for my friend to enjoy it this Christmas. Once I finished piecing the top, I delivered it to my step-mom for longarm quilting. We selected a quilting pantograph design called Bangkok. The quilting is gorgeous and the design adorably echoes the shape of Christmas lights — how perfect is that? The quilting really brought everything together, and it added that extra touch of texture that makes a quilt so inviting.
And speaking of finishing touches, let’s talk about the backing. We went with the cream Nutcracker fabric from the collection, which I think is the cherry on top. It’s playful, nostalgic, and just plain fun! My friend was over the moon when she saw it, and I can already picture her snuggled under it this season, with Christmas movies playing in the background.
This project reminded me how special it is to make something by hand for someone you care about. Quilts are more than just fabric and thread — they’re memories, warmth, and love all stitched together. And if you’re thinking about making a Christmas-themed quilt of your own, you don’t have to go all-in on a full fabric collection. You can pick a few of your favorite holiday prints and then pull in coordinating solids or simpler patterns to complement them. It’s all about following your inspiration and having fun with the process.
At the end of the day, I was just thrilled to get this quilt into my friend’s hands before the holidays. It’s going to be a staple in her home, and knowing that I was able to give her a little piece of Christmas coziness makes my heart so full.
