Vintage Halloween Quilts Over the Years

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN 2017

Each year we create a curated bundle of what we envision "vintage Halloween" to be. Since 2012 when we first started this tradition, we have collected and compiled soft orange, warm black, various greys and creams throughout the year in order to put together the best Vintage Halloween bundles we can come up with. All of the fabrics are MODA, all of them contain a little Fig Tree but are mixed with so many different designers and collections that we couldn't possibly name them or tell you what's in each bundle. Since we have received so many questions and emails about past projects, we thought we would reminisce a little and see all of the patterns we have done.

You can work on any of these vintage Halloween quilts with this years bundles, just like you can use past year's bundles for any of the other patterns. You might have to add a few fabrics from your stash here or there, or add more background or sashing for a particular pattern, but all of the bundles have had 12 or more 1/2 yard cuts and all the blocks would be easily made with any of them.

So if you don't have a vintage Halloween collection of your own yet.... well it might just be time to start creating one with a whole lot of choices.

To get started, nab one of this year's bundles that we still have available and pick which one of these fun patterns you want to get started with. Remember that this year's bundle comes with the Fresh Laundry pattern but you can also buy any of the other patterns featured throughout the years too to start your collection. Its never too late to start!

 

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN 2015

Introducing Halloween Faire, a vintage Halloween version of our popular County Fair pattern.

And a link HERE to the PDF that gives you the info to make the County Fair pattern in this Halloween version.

 

 

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN 2014

Fall is in the air around here! Finally the weather seems to be turning a little bit toward my absolute favorite season of the year! Almost time for all my favorite sweaters to come out!!

 

 

But ofcourse we had way too many good leftovers and so we created a second quilt with what we stil had in the bundle....

And as promised to those of you who purchased the kit [we are making up more this week for those of you still interested], here is the info on the HALLOWEEN CHECKERBOARDS quilt, the second quilt from the bundle...

CLICK HERE for the Checkerboard Instructions in a PDF. The fnished size can be up to 58" x 66"... a perfect lap throw that can be whipped up so fast you could have it done this season!

 

 

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN 2013

The new pattern is called "Spools Quartet" and this version is "Halloween Spools" and it is made with 12 different warm blacks, soft greys and our signature butterscotch oranges. It is the kind of quilt that comes together in a weekend with simple cutting and construction. Whip one out this week just in time to display for Halloween... really and truly! These blocks are crazy simple with no triangles, using the square, sew and flip method that most of you are probably familiar with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:  Spools Quarter or Halloween Spools

Size: 68" x 68"

Fabric: Can be made with a jelly roll or in this case (12) 1/4 yds. oranges, blacks and greys.

 

VINTAGE HALLOWEEN 2012

Introducing, the Lollipops pattern in our Halloween Pops version. We are in love with this quilt and can't wait for it to come home and enjoy some time on our couch.  

 

 

 

 Believe it or not but all of these blocks are made with 2 1/2" strips and no templates to sew! If you are familiar with our Papillon pattern or the Dresden Plate pattern in our Fresh Vintage #16, this uses the same method but even simplified. We even figured out a way to get a perfectly flat "plate" each and every time with a little hint. You gotta love that.

SO THAT'S ALL THE VINTAGE HALLOWEEN INFO I CAN DIG UP FROM THE PAST YEARS. We have several of the patterns with the halloween variations up in our SHOP right now if you want to check them out. And this year's bundles are available in 2 different styles.

 

Happy Vintage Halloweening!

 

 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: DAY 1

 

OUR 4TH ANNUAL...

 

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. But since he knew that I was a somewhat obsessed Christmas home decorator, he also gave me something a bit more sewing related!

TODAY'S KIT:

My true love gave to me a lovely vintage inspired CHRISTMAS STOCKING KIT.

 

Each kit has enough to make 2 complete stockings! Kit contains the red cross-stitch fabric, cream Snuggle fabric for the cuff, fusible fleece for the inside, cream fabric for the lining, green wool and green ribbon for the accent and hanging loop. Kit also includes pattern. Absolutely everything you will need to finish 2 stockings!

 

 

Look at some of the cute sayings in this fabric!  Whip up these little lovelies in time to fill them up for Christmas!

 

TODAY'S NOTION:

My true love also gave to me a lovely VINTAGE REPRODUCTION WOODEN FOLDABLE RULER.

We fell in love with the vintage feel of this classic notion the moment we saw it and knew we had to offer it to you. And we knew that anything that came from the classy folks at Merchant and Mills would be of the highest quality! As Merchant & Mills describes, "Superb quality folding rule marked in both imperial (inches) and metrc (cm).

Imported from Sweden the ruler measures a bit over a yard when extended. A traditional carpenter's rule that we find very useful for fabrics!" Not to mention the fact that we just love the feel of it as a decoration in our studio!

 

TODAY'S SPECIAL:

Any 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS purchase made today will include one of our JUMPING JACKS patterns.

CLICK HERE for more info on today's goodies.

Happy shopping,

Joanna and Eric

 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FINE PRINT

 

* The Fig Tree 12 Days of Christmas sale starts on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and lasts for 12 days [usually with a Sunday off here or there].  

 

* Each day a different kit, stocking stuffer and/or home dec goodie will be advertised- on some days several of each! Each day a special offer will be made as well.  

 

* Each special offer will only become available on that one day. Each goodie will only be available while stock lasts. Most of the items offered will sell out on that day, some will last a few days. Please believe us that some items will sell out crazy fast [in minutes] and some will last all day based on popularity and stock. Although we try and have and anticipate the demand, we are often surprised by your enthusiasm.  

 

* We never know which ones will sell out the fastest! If we are able to get more in stock of any popular product, we will try but we can't guarantee that anything that sells out will come back in stock. If they can, it will not be a part of the sale but something that we offer after Christmas for a separate January delivery. 

 

* For those of you who want to continue to purchase items throughout the 12 days of the sale but want us to hold your purchases for one shipment, YOU NEED TO BUY-A-BOX. THIS IS NEW AND DIFFERENT THIS YEAR!! The box is an actual product available on our homepage.  You only need to purchase it once either before the sale starts or on the first day that you purchase a 12DAYS item- but you need to purchase it as an actual product once. Then for all the remaining purchases you make, you will simply choose the "I BOUGHT  A BOX" option in the shipping directions during the checkout process. If you buy more products than fit in the box.... WE WILL PAY FOR THE REMAINING SHIPPING!! If you do not fill up that amount by the end of the sale, we will let you know how much of a credit you have and you can choose patterns for the difference [we will only charge a partial price on the patterns so you will get a deal]. There is no way to lose in this exchange!!  

  

BUY-A-BOX NOW. CLICK HERE. 

 

 If you do not BUY-A-BOX, your items will not be accumulated but will be shipped to you each day that you purchase them.  We know that some of you love that feeling of getting something in the mail each and every day and look forward to the "presents" arriving to you every mail day!!

 

JOY: Fig Tree Style

We just did this post over on the MODA CUTTING TABLE blog but wanted to add it here too...

When I heard about the JOY posts over there at the mothership [what we lovingly like to call MODA whenever we get the chance] I thought to myself... now why didn't I think of that. To take a break from all the crazy, stressful days, all the shopping, all the everything and write and read stories of JOY. It's perfect.

For me joy is something that is most often found in the most unexpected places in the most unexpected times. Sometimes, though, I feel like joy is something that I have had to choose in order to find it.

 

FABRIC JOY
I have to tell you that cutting fabric is one of those unexpected joys for me. What seems like in another lifetime, I used to work in a fabric store and that is where I learned to cut fabric and where I fell in love with it. To this day if I am overwhelmed or just feel like I have been working on the computer for too long, I go and cut bundles. It is almost therapeutic for me. Sewing of course does this too but cutting fabric is one of those tiny unexpected joys in my life.

KID JOY
One of the things that has been bringing me a lot of joy lately is watching the friendship between my youngest who is 9 and my middle who is 13. They are both still so innocent and total goofballs and they play so well together that it makes me stop and watch. Especially in a time when most of their friends are "too cool" for stuff like this, the two of them are concocting silly games to entertain themselves. They clearly enjoy each other and watching them or their goofy expressions brings me a deep joy.

HUBBY JOY
For those of you who know me personally, you will know that I literally could not do any of what I do without my husband Eric. You would also know that despite the fact that we work so closely together, we are quite different from one another and many think it is quite a wonder that we are such good partners. He makes me laugh every day. He makes me crazy too. He makes me breakfast :-). He is my best friend and although there are many days when the fact that we are so different makes us both crazy, he still brings me joy.

 

CHRISTMAS JOY

Christmas time is one of my absolute favorite times of the year as I am sure it is for so many of you. There is something so wonderful about creating that Christmas feel in my home, it makes it all so much more than decorating. I think my favorite moments are when the kids open up a box of decorations [that they have first complained about having to take out] that they remember from years past and the "do you remember whens...." begin. That brings me joy.
Watching the house lights get turned on each evening and the smell of my favorite apple cider candle, that brings me joy.
Laying by the Christmas tree and reading Christmas stories... even to the teenagers... makes me happy. It brings me joy that they humor me!

 

GIVING
 
As others have already said before me, there is unbelievable joy in the giving. We have had some hard family times around the Fig home in the last couple of years and sometimes the only joy that there was to have was the joy of watching others receive. Something that Fig Tree is sponsoring in the year to come, in February to be exact, is a RED & WHITE CHARITY QUILT SHOW for our local children's hospice home. More on that on my blog later, but i just wanted to throw it out there. MODA and several of the other designers have joined in and are donating goodies and quilts to the auction. Thank you! If you are reading this and have a red and white quilt or would be happy to make one by February, please email me at [email protected]  We would be so happy to have you join us!
 
 
Whether it is this time of the year or any other, what is true for me is that joy happens in the little moments. Some of them are unmistakeable and some of them you have to choose to see.
 
I hope this season is filled with moments of joy for you. Any kind of joy!
 
Merry Christmas,  Joanna

Christmas in July

 

We thought we would send a few Christmas ideas out there for those of you crazy organized quilters who actually sew for Christmas in July... you know who you are!

Personally anyone who knows me would never put me in that category [the category of an organized pre-planner] but I really do appreciate seeing all the wonderful progress that the rest of you make when you plan ahead like you do!

 

So... we put a bunch of our Christmas feeling patterns on sale this week and we have made up a couple Christmas in July bundles that would work beautifully for several of the patterns that we have on sale. Or get you started on any other Christmas project that you might have in mind. The bundles all have (9) 1/2 yd. cuts in them.

For those of you retro types, we even added in a Retro Christmas in July bundle. I am sure you can figure out which one that is!

 

 

To check out the Christmas in July goodies, click HERE.

 

P.S. If we run out of bundles quickly, we will make up some more that are similiar so do not panic, just check back a bit later.

Have a great day!

 

On the 9th Day of Christmas

 

On the  9th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, nine Ladies Dancing.

I've always wanted an entourage, one that didn't involve my children or pets so perhaps nine Ladies Dancing would do it. I wonder what the neighbors would think if everywhere I went, there were nine Ladies Dancing around me? It might make going to the store a bit difficult but it sure woiuld be entertaining to walk down to our local coffee shop. Can you imagine the entrance we'd make? 

But since we didn't have nearly enough dancing ladies around here to share with you all, we thought we'd share our popular MILKY WAY: CHRISTMAS STARS kit. We offered this one in our red and taupe version at a recent show and many of our customers asked if we would be making it up in more Christmas colors. We thought that was a grand idea! We have it in two slightly different combinations shown below.

 

MILKY WAY: CHRISTMAS STARS #1

 

... the backgrounds are a mix of creams and the stars are reds, greens and a solid taupe color for a bit of pop.

 

 ... these are the fabrics in this kit.

 

MILKY WAY: CHRISTMAS STARS #2

This version uses a red print [instead of the larger floral] for the border and a few different prints within the stars but is almost identical in everything else. Making 2 versions just gives us the opportunity to offer you more kits. Not sure which one is my favorite... I guess it doesn't really matter. Love them both!

 

 

 ... these are the fabrics in this kit.

 

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And the goodie for today is our WHIMSY FRESH pattern....

 

 

 

For more info on any of the projects above, CLICK HERE.

See you tomorrow!

 

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12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FINE PRINT

 

*** Please note that if the 12 Days of Christmas website space is blank, that means that the item for the day has sold out. Nothing is wrong with the site, the item has just been sold out.

• The Fig Tree 12 Days of Christmas sale starts on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and lasts for 12 days.

• Each day a different kit, stocking stuffer or home dec goodie will be advertised. Each day a special offer will be made as well.

• Each special offer will only be available on that day. Each goodie will only be available while stock lasts. Many of the items offered will sell out on that day.

• For those of you who want to continue to purchase items throughout the 12 days of the sale but want us to hold your purchases for one shipment, you need to note that in the comments section of your order. If there is no note, we will ship the items as they are ordered.

• For those of you who have your items held for one shipment at the end, your orders will continue to accrue shipping charges for each order throughout the sale. We will calculate the actual shipping at the end and then refund any necessary shipping charges then. 

 

Pattern Showcase #2

Whereas Lollipops might have been my favorite yesterday... and maybe for another 2 weeks or so... the moment that I start to decorate for winter, this will surely be my absolute FAVORITE, as fickle as I am :-)!

Introducing.... MILKY WAY.

This classic star pattern was our answer to a twinkling night sky or one exploding with fireworks. We loved the idea of creating different size stars of the exact same blocks, simply by using different sizes of strips with which to make them. The result is a sparkling quilt full of movement while it is actually a basic, straight forward block set in a giant nine-patch. We love how it turned out!!

 

This is the TAPESTRY version...

 

... by choosing the taupes and reds with a background of several different cream prints, the pattern feels even more classic and timeless.

... those nice open spaces are a perfect occasion to show off some quilting like these wonderful wreaths that Diana made. 

 

... pieced by the amazing Cheryl and quilted by you-know-who! 

 

 

This is the AVALON version...

In case you are in a more patriotic or Americana mood, this sample made up out of our Spring '13 line, AVALON, will surely fit the bill. We absolutely loved the twinkle that the royal blue added to this version!

 

... again, the mixed cream backgrounds with a variety of different feeling prints that are still light/mellow enough to not detract from the stars, makes for a sparkly, twinkly effect we think.

 

.... ooopps, that left hand side binding didn't quite get finished before the photo shoot!

 

...pieced by the lovely Sherri.

 

 

And in case you were hoping for a more holiday version of this pattern....

Here is the red and green version of the quilt. This one is absolutely perfect for the holidays and will literally light up any room that its in, whether on the wall or on the couch. Can't wait to finish ours! 

 

 

PATTERN INFO

NAME: Milky Way

SIZE: 78" x 78", 3 different sizes of stars. 

FABRIC: Shown in both our current, TAPESTRY, collection as well as our upcoming spring line, AVALON. We are also making a Christmas version as seen above from a mix of reds, greens and creams. The sample shown above is made from AVALON, which is due out in stores in Spring, 2013.

MORE INFO: A wonderful way to practice sewing strips together and using the 45 degree angle on your ruler for a fast and simple method of making these kinds of stars. Not out of anyone's reach! Click HERE to purchase the pattern. Some limited kits will be available later this month. Feel free to let us know if you are interested.

Postage Stamps

Sometimes I want to work on something big and simple and a bit more modern. On those days I crave clean lines and brighter colors. I want to see a lot of white space and love to play with pattern. I love looking at shapes and positive and negative space to see what kinds of patterns will emerge. I feel expansive on those days :-)!

Other days I retreat to little treats of handwork and sweet vintage images. I have a collection of vintage ephemera that includes fruit crate labels, postcards, stamps, ads, travel posters, school booklets and the list goes on and on. Some days all I need to do is immerse myself in those vintage images for inspiration.

On those days I am very detailed oriented and love to focus in on the minutia of those vintage pieces of paper and the colors and images that they chose to work with so long ago.

I go between the two on a regular basis, never sure which one I will be more drawn to that day. Today seems to be one of my traditionalist days and right before Easter, I just wanted to share with you our little collection of Vintage Postage Stamp quilts. Each one inspired by a combination of vintage postage stamps and postcard images. 

 

Today this is what is making me happy...

Not sure that I have a favorite on these. But if you made me choose... I think I would pick the little birds under the umbrella and the winter skate. Love those a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter to everyone!

 

Click here for more info on these.

Any orders for these will start shipping next wed. due to a few spring break activities around these parts!

And a little insider information... we have 2 more coming soon for Market. Maybe a little something patriotic and a little something "autumny"!

Goodbye December... maybe

Since I did such a non existent job of sharing our holiday decorations with you as they went up, I thought I might share them with you as they go down [actually... saying that they are going down is my way of hoping that I manage to actually get them down this week! What are the odds of that actually happening?]

Question for you? What is the longest you have ever kept up your decorations?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy "Holiday Decoration Take Down" Day. Now THAT should be a holiday!

 

 

 

December....

December has seriously flown by around here at both Fig Tree and at home. Our kids vacations have been staggered this year and we have thoroughly enjoyed some great one on one time, cousin time skating in the city, chocolate covered pretzel making time, cookie eating and even some neighborhood caroling! You gotta love the looks on the neighbor's faces that have never been "caroled" before!

Since we have spent most of our family time off line, I just realized yesterday that I did't even share any pictures of our house decorated for Christmas!  

I don't think I can finish December without sharing some of it even if it is a bit on the tardy side....

 

As a part of slowing down and enjoying each day this month, I have sat with a cup of tea in front of my Christmas tree. Now I know its just a tree and not even close to the real meaning of this season, but there is something so magical about sitting in my living room with the only lights those on the tree, the smell of pine in the house and maybe even a bit of Christmas Carols playing in the background. Preferably Bing or Ella. Cheeseball... I know. 

 

And so I have spent a part of each evening, in front of my tree, having some quality quiet time. I love this time of the year. And I am officially cheeseball.

 

Here are just a few of my favorites....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Merry end of December.

Day #12: The 12 Days of Christmas

Welcome to Day #12 of the 12 Days of Christmas: Fig Tree Style! Each day we will have a different kit, a different sale and even a few giveaways along the way. Join us each day so that you don't miss out on a single thing. We are so excited to share all of our goodies with you!

 

Day #12

GIVEAWAY WINNER...

Thanks again to all of you who played. I really did enjoy reading each and every one of your comments! 

The winner is Leslie from lesquilts.gmail.com . Commented on 12/6/11 at 5.54 am:

Leslie said:

Hi! What a lovely post! My favorite song is Silver Bells. When we would visit our maternal grandmother, in the evening she would play the piano, by ear! Never had any lessons, couldn't read music. She did a special ditty with the upper keys to sound like silver bell tinkling, oh, it still makes my heart melt when I hear the song! Thanks for the great fabric bundles, I'll be adding some to my order! Thanks for the giveaway! Take care, Leslie

 Please email us with your address Leslie so we can send off your package! Congratulations!

 

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Its the last day of goodies here today on the 12 Days of Christmas sale so hopefully we have a little something for everyone. It has been so much fun to bring you something new and unique every day!

 

Up first....

Today I wanted to share with you some fun little canvas labels that I discovered recently. They are printed directly onto canvas and range in size from approximately 1/2" x 2" to 3" x 4". They are perfect for attaching to purses, satchels, jean jackets, t-shirts... basically anything you can embellish with fabric, you can embellish with these fabulous vintage feeling, French and English words and phrases. I can't decide what I want to embellish first....

... just yummy.

 

Label Set #1

Click here for more info.

 

Label Set #2

Click here for more info. 

 

Up Second today...

We searched and dug around the studio and everyone stayed late and stuffed and we managed to come up with a couple more dozen scrap bags- well maybe a few more than a couple dozen even- for all those of you who were so sad to miss out yesterday.... So be sure to nab some today while they're here!

 Click here for more info.

 

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Up Last, but Certainly not least, today...

The Boardwalk Quilt Kit

We would like to introduce the Boardwalk Quilt featuring our brand new upcoming collection, California Girl. A wonderful combination of light, beachy prints with an ivory background for a wonderful Spring feel.

It sure would be a wonderful way to welcome in the upcoming Spring and work on this quilt when it arrives in March, 2012. 

In this collection we have introduced some wonderful french blues as well some light sky blues that will just sing to you... I think. This quilt uses a little of most of the prints in the entire collection and features both the sky blue in the settings as well as the wonderful solid grey in the sawtooth border.

These blocks have so much movement that they look like they are spinning and yet they are one of the most simple blocks I have worked on in quite some time.

... corals, golden yellow, blues, greens and greys. Makes me think of an afternoon at the beach! Can't you just imagine those stripes on one of those retro bathing suits?

 

 

... almost makes me wish for Spring. Not quite yet but I sure will be ready for it by March!

 

 

Click here for more kit info.

 

Second option...

The Beach Boardwalk Version

For those of you who prefer to stick entirely to our lovely new french blues and corals... The Beach Boardwalk Kit focuses on the blues, both light and medium, as well as the beautiful coral tones in this collection. It is a beautiful version.

Click here for more info on this kit.

 

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12 Days of Christmas Special Day #12: 

1. French Canvas Label Sets are 12% off.

2. Boardwalk Kit Pre-orders are 12% off

3. Extra Scrap Bags are 12% off.

4. Stems Kits are 15% off [just several left in stock so we thought we would move them out. Super simple method!]

 

Thanks so much for joining us for these crazy 12 Days of Sales. The sales are done for now but we do have a couple of wonderful other things to share with you this coming up week so be sure to check back soon. It's been a pleasure to "be with you" each day.

Talk to you soon, Joanna.