Holiday Quilt Inspiration: A State Avenue Quilt!

Holiday Quilt Inspiration: A State Avenue Quilt!

Some quilts come together in a weekend. Others take a little longer. And then there are the ones that sit in the closet, tucked away, waiting for the right season of life to be picked back up again.

This quilt belongs to that last category. My holiday State Avenue Quilt began its journey in 2021!  This quilt was the holiday quilt kit curated for the 2021 holiday season.  I cut the fabric, made a few blocks, and then life swept me up in other projects. You know how it goes - one new pattern leads to another, deadlines creep in, and suddenly the quilt you meant to finish gets put in the closet for later.

Well, “later” finally arrived in 2024. I pulled the blocks back out, determined to turn this work-in-progress into a finished quilt. Instead of rushing, I made a plan: one block per week. That little rhythm, slow and steady, gave me space to enjoy the process while still moving forward on other projects. And wouldn’t you know it? By 2025, this quilt was quilted, bound, labeled, and ready to snuggle under just in time for this holiday season.

Why State Avenue for the Holidays?

The State Avenue pattern has a special place in my heart. It’s built on the maple star quilt block.  It’s classic, timeless, and just begging for a little mix-and-match fun with fabric. When I pulled the fabric for this quilt, I wanted something that felt festive but not over-the-top.

The palette leans into holiday tradition—reds and greens—but softens them with pinks, mints, and touches of gold. The effect is warm, cozy, and quietly seasonal. It’s the kind of quilt that says “holidays” without screaming it. One of my favorite blocks is a pink floral that feels just a little unexpected for this time of year, but adds so much charm.

Picking Up Where I Left Off

You’d think the hardest part of finishing a long-term project would be figuring out where you left off. But in this case, everything came together seamlessly. I stuck with my original fabric pull and layout, and once I got back into the rhythm of sewing, it felt like this quilt had just been patiently waiting for me to return.

Honestly, there’s nothing more satisfying than finally giving new life to a project that’s been stuck in limbo.

Finishing Touches

For the quilting, I turned to one of my favorite pantographs, Gingersnap. It’s a simple design with curves that balance beautifully against the sharp, straight lines of State Avenue. I love the drape of a quilt that’s quilted a little looser, and this one turned out absolutely gorgeous!

To finish it off, I added a green binding to stay in the holiday spirit and, of course, finished off with my 2025 quilt label. Every quilt deserves a little marker of its journey, and this one especially—four years in the making!

From WIP to Winter Tradition

I love exploring different Christmas quilt ideas each year, but this State Avenue version has quickly become a favorite for its timeless maple star blocks.  This quilt has already claimed its role in our home: the one we’ll pull out for movie nights and quiet evenings during the winter months. I picture it draped over the couch, ready for whoever wants to snuggle under it with a cup of cocoa or a bowl of popcorn.

And that’s the beauty of quilts like this. They’re not just fabric and thread. They’re tradition. They’re memory. They’re proof that even if a project takes years to finish, it can still become a piece of your everyday life.

Lessons From a Long-Term WIP

If you’ve got a quilt (or three) tucked away in a closet, waiting for the “right time,” let me encourage you: it’s never too late. One of my biggest quilting tips for finishing WIPs is to set small, realistic goals!  Here are a few things I learned from finishing this one:

• Set small goals. I stitched one block per week. Slow progress is still progress.
• Stick with what you love. I didn’t overthink the plan.  I just trusted my original fabric pull and went with it.
• Enjoy the process. Even if you’re not big on holidays (hi, it’s me), lean into what the quilt means for you. For me, this quilt was about creating something warm and usable, not perfection.

And remember—late is always better than never.

Why State Avenue Makes a Great Holiday Quilt

If you’re considering making your own holiday quilt this season, the State Avenue pattern is a perfect choice. It balances tradition and modernity, giving you space to experiment with color and fabric. You can go classic with reds and greens, try a wintery palette of blues and silvers, or even throw in some unexpected pops like pink or gold.

It’s versatile, beginner-friendly, and works beautifully whether you’re sewing from a holiday fabric line or pulling together fabrics from your stash.

More of a visual person?  Check out the video walk through on YouTube!

Share Your Holiday Quilt or WIP Project

Now that my State Avenue holiday quilt has finally crossed the finish line, I’d love to hear from you. Do you have any WIPs waiting in your sewing space? What’s holding you back from finishing them—and how can you set a small, steady goal to bring them to life?

Because here’s the truth: quilts don’t care how long they’ve waited. They just want to be finished, loved, and used. And that’s what makes them magic.