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11 Ideas for Quilted Holiday Decor (Including Quick and Scrappy Options!)

table set for Thanksgiving with a quilted table runner, and text overlay "11 ideas for Quilty holiday decor"

The fall and winter holidays are right around the corner, and I’m already getting excited about pulling out some of my favorite decorations! I have heirloom favorites that have been passed down over the years along with items I’ve carefully curated myself…plus a lovely collection of quilted decor I’ve made! 

Believe it or not, it took me a few years to get to this point (I only sewed some of my favorite holiday projects last year!), but I absolutely love adding a handmade touch to our holidays…especially because it makes our home feel so much like me (and Peter too!).

Fortunately, there are all kinds of holiday items you can sew and quilt yourself…and today, I’m sharing nine of my favorites!

11 FAVORITE IDEAS FOR QUILTED HOLIDAY DECOR

  • Pillows
  • Table runner/placemats
  • Coasters
  • Tree skirt
  • Ornaments
  • Stockings
  • Quilted bow
  • Wall hanging
  • A quilt!

1. Pillows

One of my favorite ways to add a quilted touch to any holiday is with an accent pillow or two (or three or four…😉). They can look good with any style of decor, and they’re a surprisingly quick sew (especially if you already have an orphan quilt block lying around). Even if you need to make a block or two (maybe using one of our recommended patterns below), you can have a finished project in just a couple of hours!

quilted patchwork pumpkin pillow

   Mini Patchwork Pumpkin quilt blocks

Plus, it only takes a few seconds to switch up your quilted pillow covers between holidays…which makes them perfect for creating a new look with not a lot of effort!

2. Table runner and placemats

If you’re looking to put your quilting a little more front and center, consider making a quilted table runner! Aside from giving your table a little more protection from spills, scratches, and burns, a runner can really take a table setting to the next level (for those Insta-worthy pictures!). Plus, it will give everyone the chance to enjoy your quilting…whether you keep the table runner out all season long or just for special feasts.

(I made my first quilted table runner last year, and I love it! I’m already looking forward to pulling it out again for this Thanksgiving.)

   Petite Plaid quilt - the Nutmeg table runner

Just like a table runner, quilted placemats can bring extra joy to your holiday table. In fact, placemats give you some extra room to play with colors and patterns. You can make a fully matched set, or you can sew up coordinating-but-unique placemats for everyone at your holiday table! 

If you plan for your table runner and/or placemats to be functional (instead of just decorative), I do recommend adding dense quilting to help them stand up to wash after wash. That way, you can enjoy your handiwork for many holiday seasons to come!

3. Coasters

Okay, y’all know I can’t resist mentioning one of my favorite kinds of quilted decor…coasters! I love quilted coasters all year ‘round, but they’re especially fun for the holidays. Whether you’re piecing a pumpkin or simply using some holiday colors, quilted coasters bring such a fun pop of festivity to any room!

two scrappy quilted coasters, made with red, green, and white fabric, on a table

Plus, quilted coasters are one of the quickest projects on this list, so you can whip up a whole batch before the next holiday…and maybe another batch for the holiday after that! 

4. Tree skirt

Whether you prefer the smell of a fresh Christmas tree or the convenience of your favorite artificial tree, there’s no better finishing touch than a quilted tree skirt! 

quilted Petite Plaid tree skirt with a decorated Christmas tree and wrapped gifts

   Petite Plaid quilt pattern - the Spiceberry tree skirt

With the tutorial below, you can turn any holiday quilt into a tree skirt…all you need is a little bravery for cutting it into the right shape. It can definitely be nerve-wracking the first time, but the end result is so worth it. It’s sure to be a showstopping piece of holiday decor!

5. Ornaments

You don’t have to stop with a quilted tree skirt…the rest of your tree makes the perfect canvas for quilted ornaments! 

Mini Christmas Joy quilt block hanging as an ornament in a Christmas tree

There are lots of ideas for quilt-inspired ornaments out there, but I really love the idea of making tiny quilt blocks. Not only do they make super cute ornaments, but they just so happen to be great scrap busters too! You can use scraps from other projects on this list to make ornaments that perfectly coordinate with the rest of your decor.

6. Stocking

This idea is such a classic that there’s a good chance you already have a row of quilted stockings on your mantel. If you don’t, though, some custom stockings would be a perfect addition to this Christmas season! Your handmade versions are the perfect showcase for your quilty personality.

Like other ideas on this list, stockings can get used year after year…and if you have a tradition of stuffing stockings, all that hands-on time on Christmas morning means they’re sure to become treasured heirlooms.

7. Quilted bow

I’ve been seeing a lot of quilted bows pop up on social media, and they’d make a lovely add-on to your current holiday decor! One nice thing about quilted bows is how versatile they are. You can use them on a tree, as part of a centerpiece, on your front door…even in your hair! 

Plus, while some of these ideas are a little more Christmas-centered, you can use your quilted bow pattern all year ‘round. I’ve seen gorgeous quilted bows for Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Christmas, and everything in between! All you have to do is swap out different fabrics to make a darling bow for any holiday…and these are a quick enough sew that you can make a whole holiday collection!

8. Quilted garland

Put those smaller scraps to work with a quilted garland! Tiny quilted stars, trees, diamonds, or simple patchwork shapes can be strung together for a cute handmade decoration that works on a mantel, staircase, doorway, or Christmas tree.

If you have an old, damaged quilt on hand, you can cut out shapes to turn it into a garland. Otherwise, just sew up some cute little garland shapes using your scraps!

9. Quilted gift bag

Make the wrapping part of the gift! Quilted gift bags are a fun way to use leftover fabric or orphan quilt blocks, and unlike wrapping paper, they can be reused year after year.

We love this Easy Lined Drawstring Bag tutorial that (depending on your fabric choices) could really be used for gifts year-round. You can follow the tutorial as written, or quilt your panels before you sew them together!

10. Wall hanging

Maybe you already have ornaments, a tree skirt, and a table runner, and you don’t need quilted versions…or maybe you don’t have room to store a bunch of items. In that case, a quilted wall hanging is an easy way to add some extra holiday vibes without replacing any of your existing decor and without taking up too much space!

Brittany holding up a single-block Knitted Star quilted wall hanging

   Knitted Star quilt - wall hanging size

A small wall hanging is also a great place to experiment with quilting techniques, like hand quilting, to add an extra dose of texture to your holidays.

11. A quilt!

As much as I love all the other ideas on this list, I’m not sure there’s anything better than a classic quilt. Whether it’s draped over a couch or hung on a quilt ladder, a holiday quilt brings maximum coziness to your holidays…and maximum impact too!

Cover Upscale Plaid quilt draped over a couch

   Upscale Plaid quilt - the Cover version

The only downside? A quilt takes a little more time and planning. Fortunately, there’s still time to make a quilt for this year’s holidays! 

These are some of my favorite patterns for Thanksgiving and Christmas quilts:

OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY QUILT PATTERNS

Speaking of which...next week we're releasing the completely revised Retro Ornaments 2.0! It's the perfect holiday quilt pattern, great for showing off prints or solids, and written with beginners in mind.

It's coming October 1st...in time for your holiday sewing this year!

The bottom line

Whether you go for something big, like a throw quilt, or something small, like a quilted ornament, your quilted decor will bring an extra special touch to this holiday season…and to your holidays for many years to come!

Happy holiday quilting!

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Frequently asked questions about quilted holiday decor

WHAT IS A GOOD FREE HOLIDAY QUILT PATTERN?

Something like our free Patchwork Squares quilt pattern makes a classic holiday quilt. It works with prints or solids, so you can get just the festive look you want! Any of our free scrappy quilt block patterns would also look lovely in holiday hues.

WHAT IS THE BEST FABRIC FOR A CHRISTMAS QUILT?

Any good quality quilting cotton can make a great Christmas quilt! Personally, I mostly use solids to create a slightly unexpected Christmas color palette (think pinks instead of reds, or a surprising shade of green), but there are tons of sweet Christmas print fabrics out there too!


Holiday Knitted Blooms quilt

   Knitted Blooms quilt - the Holiday version

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR QUILTERS?

Great Christmas gift ideas for quilters include handy tools (like specialized rulers), fabric (like our curated quilt kits), and quilty merch! We’ve been rounding up our favorite gift ideas for quilters for several years now, and you can find all our favorites in the gift ideas category on the blog.

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