The ties that bind: a holiday quilting party

If you are spending a significant amount of time with family this holiday season, consider creating a family quilt by which to remember the occasion. Cut a neutral-colored quilting fabric into 4-inch squares, and provide a variety of decorations (like fabric-friendly markers, buttons, iron-on or sew-on embellishments, embroidery threads, ribbon, lace and so on). Make each family member responsible for decorating one of the squares (or more, if time and interest allows). When all the squares are done, stitch the squares together on a sewing machine. Add a layer of batting for the middle, then, right sides together, sew a solid piece of fabric the same size as the quilted project to the quilted piece, leaving 2 to 4 inches open, for turning. Turn the quilt right side out, and slip stitch the opening. (Kids can do the same project, using squares of paper, decorations, tape and glue.)