Looking for a cheerful quilting project to brighten up your holiday décor? The Merry & Bright Table Topper by Carol Moellers Designs is a stunning seasonal pattern created for the 2016 All Iowa Shop Hop. With bold colors, charming blocks, and an optional tree skirt variation, this project is perfect for confident beginners and experienced quilters alike.
🧵 About the Pattern
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Designer: Carol Moellers
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Size: 50″ x 50″
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Skill Level: Confident Beginner
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Techniques Used: Half-square triangles, piecing with templates, block assembly, curved piecing (optional)
The quilt combines basket blocks and elongated triangle units to create a visually dynamic design that resembles a holiday starburst. Whether you display it as a tabletop centerpiece or turn it into a tree skirt, this project brings handmade charm to any room.
✂️ Materials Needed
To complete the Merry & Bright Table Topper, you’ll need:
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1¼ yd Black Print (Q1862-67551-973)
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¼ yd Red Tone-on-Tone (Q1862-67552-331)
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¾ yd Cream Tone-on-Tone (Q1862-67552-221)
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½ yd Light Green Print (Q1080-31588-771)
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¼ yd Green Floral Tone-on-Tone (Q1402-26035-797)
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Backing and batting as desired
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Binding fabric (cut from black print)
💡 Optional: Use festive prints with metallic accents for a little extra sparkle!
🧺 Block Construction Overview
🧩 Basket Blocks
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Make 8 blocks, each measuring 10½” square.
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Constructed using multiple half-square triangles (HSTs) and rectangles.
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Uses precise cutting and piecing instructions with pressing guidance for accurate alignment.
🔺 Elongated Triangle Blocks
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Created using template pieces A–D provided in the pattern.
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Each block consists of 3 segments: a center triangle and two angled side pieces.
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You’ll make 8 elongated triangle blocks, combining greens, reds, blacks, and light prints.
🔄 Final Assembly
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Combine the basket blocks with the elongated triangle units to form star-shaped pairs.
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Carefully align and sew pieces using marked dots and a ¼” seam for accurate angles.
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Join all units into a circular layout for the table topper design.
🎄 Tree Skirt Option
Want to turn your topper into a Christmas tree skirt?
The pattern includes an easy modification:
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Mark and cut a 5″ center circle.
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Add a single straight cut to open the topper into a wraparound skirt.
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Bind the raw edges as usual for a clean finish.
📥 Download the Pattern
You can download the complete Merry & Bright Table Topper PDF, which includes:
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Step-by-step instructions
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Diagrams and pressing tips
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Full-size templates A–D
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Tree skirt variation instructions
💬 Final Thoughts
The Merry & Bright Table Topper is a joyful holiday project that brings classic piecing together with fresh seasonal design. Whether you use traditional red and green or go modern with winter blues and golds, this quilt is sure to become a holiday favorite year after year.
Grab the pattern, your favorite fabrics, and bring handmade warmth to your holiday table!
