Quilted Comfort & Joy: Holiday Mini Quilt Swap & Stocking Stuffer Exchange 2025
Hey Quilty Community!
I thought this would be such a fun way to kick off the holiday season — a chance to get creative, connect with other makers, and celebrate the spirit of giving with like-minded quilters. So often we’re the ones doing the quilt gifting, and this swap is a sweet opportunity to be on the receiving end too!
Please read through this post in its entirety because I've laid out all the specifics and details.
This swap has two parts:
✨ Mini Quilt Swap – You’ll be paired with another quilter to make and send a mini quilt (12–24” in any shape you like). Minis don’t need to be holiday-themed, but if you’d love to make or receive something seasonal, you can let me know in the sign-up form and I’ll do my best to match you accordingly.
✨ Stocking Stuffer Exchange – Along with your quilt, you’ll tuck in a little extra surprise — think a favorite notion, handmade treat, or other small goodie.
How It Works
- Mini Quilt Swap: You’ll make and ship a finished mini quilt for your assigned partner, while another participant secretly makes one for you. Minis should measure between 12″ and 24″ (any shape, squares, rectangles, circles, etc.).
- Stocking Stuffer Exchange: Alongside your mini quilt, you’ll include thoughtful stocking stuffers with a budget of $15 minimum and $30 maximum. Think small quilting notions, stickers, labels, claw clips, sweets, or anything fun and thoughtful.
✨ Note: Minis do not need to be holiday-themed, but if you would like to make or receive something holiday-specific, there’s a spot on the sign-up form to let me know. I’ll do my best to match you accordingly.
Important Dates
- Sign Ups Open: September 3rd – September 12th
- Partner Assignments Sent: Week of September 15th
- Drop-out deadline: Please let me know no later than October 1 if you’re unable to participate so I can adjust partners.
- Mailing Deadline: November 21st (packages must be in the mail by this date!)
Fabric & Style Guidelines
To make sure everyone is receiving the same quality of work:
- Use premium quilting cottons (this excludes most fabrics from craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Michaels).
- Please avoid novelty prints.
- The overall swap style will lean modern in patterns, fabrics, and colors.
- Minis must include a quilt top, batting, backing, quilting (machine or hand), and finished edges (binding or invisible binding).
On the sign-up form, you’ll indicate your style preferences and skill level. I’ll make every effort to pair partners accordingly.
Community & Progress Sharing
This swap is built on community! This will be a Secret Santa, so please do not tag your partner. Throughout the swap, you’ll be expected to:
- Share inspiration and progress on Instagram (this helps your partner learn your style and helps keep everyone accountable).
- Use the swap hashtag (will be provided in your welcome email) and tag your partner when posting.
- Engage with others by liking, commenting, and encouraging your fellow swappers.
Check-In Schedule
Check-ins help keep everyone on track and make the swap fun by letting your partner see your inspiration and progress.
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Week 1 (Sept 23–29): Inspiration Board
Post a grid or carousel with 9+ images of your style inspiration (fabrics, minis, colors, seasonal vibes, etc.). Tag the makers whose photos you share. -
Week 2 (Sept 30–Oct 6): Fabric Pull
Post your chosen fabric pull or the pattern you’ll be making for your partner. -
Week 3 (Oct 7–13): First Progress Post
Share your first sewing progress: cutting, first blocks, or piecing. -
Week 4 (Oct 14–20): Catch-Up Week
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Week 5 (Oct 21–27): Mid-Project Progress
Post a progress photo of your mini in the works: piecing, quilting, or layout shots. -
Week 6 (Oct 28–Nov 3): Binding & Finishing Touches
Share a photo of your mini nearly complete: quilting, binding, or finishing details. -
Working Week
No required prompt: finalize your stocking stuffer(s) and keep making progress on your mini. -
Week 8 (Nov 11–17): Finished Mini Reveal
Post your finished quilt - either the whole mini or a creative sneak peek to keep it a surprise. -
Week 9 (Nov 18–21): Mailing Week
Ship by Nov 21 and confirm with Mrs. Claus (aka me) that your package is on its way.
📦 Packages will start arriving late November into early December, the perfect kickoff to holiday season!
When your package arrives, don’t forget to thank your Secret Santa! A quick message of thanks goes a long way in letting your partner know their time and effort were appreciated.
It’s optional to post your received gift, but if you do, please tag the maker so they know it arrived safely.
Reasons This Swap May Not Be Right for You
This swap is designed to be fun and uplifting, but it isn’t for everyone. Please do not sign up if:
- You don’t want to participate in the stocking stuffer exchange (it is required).
- Your style is primarily traditional or batik fabrics, this will be a modern-leaning swap.
- You don’t have a public Instagram account where you regularly share quilting or sewing content.
- You cannot commit to the check-ins, deadlines, or mailing date.
- You aren’t confident in your quilting skills and can’t deliver a polished, thoughtful mini that matches the effort others are putting in.
Why Join?
- Connect with the quilting community during the holiday season.
- Stretch your creativity while making something in another person’s style.
- Receive a handmade quilt and thoughtful stocking stuffers that reflect your own preferences.
- Enjoy the excitement of swapping, sharing progress, and celebrating with makers all over the world.
How to Sign Up
Sign-ups are open from September 3rd through September 12th.
The form will collect:
- Your name & Instagram handle
- Your mailing address
- Style preferences & skill level
- Whether you’d like to make/receive a holiday-themed quilt
After sign-ups close, I’ll review responses, assign partners, and email you the details you’ll need to get started.
💌 Ready to join in the holiday fun? Sign up below between September 3–12 and start planning your quilt + stocking stuffers!
Join the Quilted Comfort & Joy Mini Quilt Swap and Stocking Stuffer Exchange
Modern Mini Quilt examples - does not need to be foundation paper piecing.
Kindred Quilt co Sunshine Cabin
Modern Quilt Guild describes modern quilts as:
Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. “Modern traditionalism” or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.
