We rarely have snow in Shropshire, but this month it arrived right on cue as I joined the Moda Bakeshop chefs in their Countdown to Christmas. Each day in the run up to Christmas we have been posting a fun festive block, to be used together in a sampler quilt or individually in smaller projects. Sort of like an advent calendar without chocolate...which is slightly disappointing but it does involve fabric, so that’s OK then ;-)
My design was inspired by a sprig of Holly and I made a quartet of blocks to turn into a Christmas cushion cover - using my Festival Cushion tutorial, here - which will be adorning the window seat this December.
But if you’ve just finished a Christmas project and find, by happy chance, that the garden is dusted with snow, then it’s entirely normal to don your wellingtons and coat over your pyjamas and have a quick photo shoot...yes?!
Moda sent me a fat quarter of V & Co’s metallic Ombré Confetti to use for my block which meant I could cut both light and dark shades of green from one fat quarter - genius - and this gorgeous fabric is just begging to be turned into every kind of leaf block.
I was also sent a fat quarter of red fabric by the lovely Bonnie & Camille, from their new Christmas fabric range called Vintage Holiday. It’s not out until next spring, but when it arrives I have big plans for it: I’m looking forward to creating a few new projects to mix with our old Christmas favourites.
{photo posted by Camille on Instagram}
The asymmetrical design of the Holly Sprig lends itself well to borders and sashings and there’s a delicious Christmas ornament print in the range that’s crying out to be used in a classic strippy quilt. Or how about re-imagining my Gothic Gatehouse as a Gingerbread Cottage to make a Christmas table topper? You can find the tutorial for the little Christmas Trees here.
I’ve never been organised enough to start my Christmas sewing before mid-November, but maybe next year. Why, that’s practically a New Year’s resolution and there may well be a few new designs to test by then: there’s nothing like snow to inspire Christmas sewing.
Whether you have a white Christmas or not - you can always watch the film - have a wonderful one and I'll see you in the New Year.
Nicola xx