Making a holiday quilt in May felt pretty weird… but I am thrilled to get to share it with you today in time for you to create for this holiday season! Mod Star Tree can be found in Issue 53 of Love, Patchwork & Quilting, which released in the UK yesterday (Wednesday, October 11th) and will be available in the US in another 4-6 weeks.

Mod Star Tree in Issue 53 of Love, Patchwork & Quilting
The Mod Star Tree design was inspired by a desire to create a modern holiday quilt, but with a heavy nod to tradition: the result is a whimsical tree made of traditional star blocks in a large, graphic layout. The blocks can be pieced using fabric in your stash or a grouping of specially curated fat quarters.
I used a wide variety of Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton solids from my stash for the stars. The greens are Kelly, Clover, Fern, Grasshopper, Holly, Jungle, Leprechaun, and Willow. The reds are Wine, Ruby, Cardinal, Chinese Red, Lipstick, Poppy, Rich Red, and Red. The yellows are Curry, Corn Yellow, and Buttercup. Many thanks to Robert Kaufman for providing the background yardage, Silver, and a few of the colors to fill in gaps in my stash.
At the top of the star tree, a keen observer might notice my block design, Radiating Star. Then again, if you’re like me, you would have to search my blog to remember the name of the block. 🙂
I used different 50wt Aurifil thread colors for the quilt to help define the topper, tree, and background. I also alternated the direction of the quilting to help create definition. The variegated thread I used to quilt the “tree” is #4650 (Leaves).
The quilt finishes at 60-inches wide by 80-inches long. If you are interested in making your own version of Mod Star Tree, you can find the pattern in Issue 53 of Love, Patchwork & Quilting. The magazine is also available for purchase as a digital download.
I can envision this in other colors: bolder background and lighter stars, or a blue/white/silver combination… and I really look forward to seeing others versions of the design. Do you have plans to make a quilt before the holidays?
Linking up with Finish it Friday.
love it !!!
I can not begin to say how refreshing it is to see this quilt Yvonne . So many Christmas quilts are very staid and traditional. I love this
Very creative. Wow, that was a lot of quilting!
I love Christmas quilts….I LOVE Christmas Tree Quilts. I love your fresh modern take on this traditional symbol of the Christmas holiday! Congrats on this new pattern. I’ll be keeping my eye on the shelves at the store 🙂
Gorgeous!
Very fun and modern Christmas quilt, I love the quilting you added and how it adds to the design of the quilt.
I received my digital magazine yesterday and just love your quilt! That is my kind of Christmas quilt!
Gorgeous quilt! Love the quilting you did too.
You are so talented! Congratulations on having your creation in this magazine!
Very nice Yvonne! I don’t usually make holiday quilts although I have been toying with the idea of making a quilt that looks like a tree to hang on the wall and dress things up a bit. This one would do quite nicely. I like the combination of tree shape and stars.
I love this design! It’s so fresh and modern and just so perfectly, um, perfect! The quilting is fantastic. Great job Yvonne!
Oh Yvonne, this is perfect. I love the design and colors. Perfect all the way around.
How beautiful! Well, done and congratulations. I can only imagine how weird christmas in may was!
I got tangled up in the pictures and didn’t know it was a tree centered in the middle until I got to the last picture. I liked the stars cascading off the side of the bed and thought what a creative adventure that was. And now, I also like the centered tree. This is beautiful. I love it.
I love it, Yvonne! Really pretty and crisp.
The stars are so striking on the white background! What a fantastic Christmas tree!
I got my copy yesterday. I love this quilt, it’s so simple but so impressive all at the same time.
I love, love, love this Christmas quilt. The colors are gorgeous and the quilting is fantastic. It definitely goes on the list. Now to get the magazine. I like paper so will have to watch the newsstands to pick up my own copy. Congratulations on another success!!
Very nice — love the special star block used to decorate the top of the tree. I suspect you will see many renditions of this quilt popping up for the holidays..
Congrats!!! This is a lovely quilt and that star top pretty!
Lovely – with all the minimalism it’s not overpoweringly Christmas for a summer make but i can see how it was a bit too early too. Love the effect and could see this in our spare bedroom for when mum comes to stay!
I love your “christmas tree”!!!
How wonderful I got back f on a 4 day trip and my latest copy of love patchwork and quilting was waiting for me and when I had a quick look through found you lovely quilt. Such a fun design and fabulous quilting well done on another winner Yvonne xxx
What a fun modern design! Perfect project for the upcoming holidays!!
Now that is about the freshest Christmas tree quilt I’ve seen in a long time! I LOVE this, Yvonne!
Clever idea! And excellent execution of course.
I like the fresh modern feel of this quilt and a tree built out of star blocks – clever! Perfect decoration for an Aussie summer Christmas!
What a wonderful modern (yet tradition!) design!
I really don’t need another project, but, I really want to make that one for Christmas!
This is a great modern take on a tree quilt! Love the use of the variegated thread too.
I’ve been looking for a modern Christmas quilt pattern, and I think I might have to make yours next year. I will definitely buy this issue. Take care, Mary
Hello Yvonne! I love, love, love your modern Christmas Tree Star quilt! Yvonne, once again you have designed a spectacular quilt pattern. I usually do not like just all solids in quilts (for myself) but this one is just so lovely the way it is I would certainly make one with solids and then one with a mixture of prints. I have really fallen in love with making Christmas Quilts. LOL. So I will be watching for the magazine. Thank you for designing such a brilliant pattern and sharing it with all of us! Have a great day!
What a beautiful design! I really enjoyed seeing how you quilted it. I actually have a big tree quilt pieced by my sister-in-law years ago that I want to finish this year. The negative space has intimidated me for years, but I’m finally ready to try it. It is wonderful to see how straight lines can fill that space so well. I love your quilt!
I love the idea of making a tree from stars – CHristmassy but a bit unusual and striking. I also really like your quilting in this one.
I’ve already been to a local bookstore in search of this magazine issue. Unfortunately, I need to wait a few more weeks. What a beautiful quilt!
I love this!!!!! No way could I get it done for this year, but this may end up on my 2018 list. Amazing pattern, Yvonne!
This is such a fun, fresh take on a Christmas tree, Yvonne! It really would be fun to see it made it a few different colour palettes 🙂
I can only say WOW! This is a beautiful execution and refreshing in the colour choices you made … Congratulations on another stunning pattern
This is lovely. MUST finish some quilts so I can get one made for this Christmas.