Quilts and More - USA (2020 Winter)

AllPeopleQuilt.com 1

When I first started as editor of Quilts & More™ magazine, a

coworker told me “Welcome to magazine publishing, where every

month is Christmas except December.” We shared a good chuckle,

but I didn’t think much of it until the holiday projects and photo

props started appearing around the office in the middle of spring.

Our staff works so far ahead that I was planning next year’s projects

as soon as the holidays ended. I’m not complaining; I love the most

wonderful time of the year. Who doesn’t want more peace, hope,

and joy—and presents—in their daily lives?

Handmade presents are my favorites. There’s something so

intentional about each gift—about how the person who made it

dedicated that much thought and time into crafting something

special just for the recipient.

Each year I try to make little gifts for my coworkers and friends. One year I drafted a pattern

for simple zippered pouches and created dozens in handpicked novelty prints (bugs for the

entomologist, Nintendo characters for the video game nerd, cats for the self-proclaimed crazy

cat lady, etc.). Last year I dug into my overflowing stash of holiday fat quarters to sew multiple

versions of the Tiny Treats pattern (available for free at AllPeopleQuilt.com/782). I filled each one

with chocolate before handing them out.

For this issue, our staff curated a collection of small gifts, called our Gift Guide

(page 14), that are easy to whip up in multiples. I hope it inspires your gift-

giving as it inspired mine—I now know what small gifts I’m planning on making

and giving this holiday season! (I sure hope my coworkers aren’t reading this,

or I just spoiled the surprise.) However, just because something isn’t in the Gift

Guide doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a great present. Both the Joyful Gathering

table runner (page 50) and Take Charge wallet (page 82) are also on my gift-

giving list for this year. It’s a good thing that it’s always Christmas around here...

it means I can get a head start on sewing!

I hope your winter days are merry and bright and that all the gifts you give

(and get) are heartfelt.

Joanna Burgarino

Editor

from the

EDITOR

search: American

Patchwork & Quilting

@allpeoplequilt