EIGHT.  8. eight.

That is how many weeks until Christmas.  Can you believe it?  This year, I’m going to make a real effort to get off the hyper-consumerism bandwagon and try to craft a Maker’s Christmas.  (Pardon the pun!).  So, I’ve been searching the internet and prodding my sewing friends for ideas.  I’ve been rewarded with amazing ideas and projects…. I can see what I’ll be doing the next 8 weeks!  Just look at the fabrics that are in the shop ready for the Holidays!!  Zoom in to see just how fabulous is the range of fabrics!!                                                                                                        Decor:

The funnest of the holiday season are the festive decorations people festoon their homes with… and there is nothing like BUNTING to add colour and movement to your home.  Making bunting is also a quick project that you can whip up in a matter of hours.  They can be as simple as a piece of fabric cut with pinking shears and attached to washi tape for a no-sew option… Frankly, though, I like the finished look of two sided bunting.  And, we’re all sewists here, aren’t we?

The more traditional way, rather straightforward is just to sew two triangles right sides together, turn, use a pokey thingy to get the corner nice and sew onto bias tape or fabric webbing.   Gerri stocks such an amazing range of bias tapes that will help give your bunting that extra WOW!____________________________________

Annette made this bunting that is hanging in the shop with a variety of Christmas Fabrics.  Her technique is to sandwich batting between two fabric triangles cut with pinking shears.  One stitch-line around the perimeter and VIOLA done!  I like these because they have a bit more substance to them.

I found this project for making Advent bunting.  Imagine little envelopes hanging across the mantle, each with a little advent treat tucked away!  You can find the instructions and pattern here: How to make Fabric Advent Bunting If you are into paper piecing—or just have a few extra diamonds around, you can make your own ornaments. I really like these three dimensional ornaments that were featured in Connecting Threads and have a free pattern to down load here https://www.connectingthreads.com/english-paper-piecing-ornament-pattern/p/991417Can you say “Table Runner”? there are so many ideas on the internet from whimsical, to traditional, to modern.

There is a nice tutorial from the SULKY blog that features a modern table runner that has more of a summery feel for Christmases down under. Link: http//blog.sulky.com/Christmas-july-series-bonus-projects-christmas-tree-skirt-fabric-scraps/Another fun tree theme that I really like is this one from Addy Lou Creates (link: addyloucreates.com/handmade-christmas-cheer-tree-table-runner-tutorial) She offers very detailed instructions and the runner just looks great.Jen Daly Quilts at the Moda Bake Shop offers a pattern and tutorial for this delightful “Boxes and Bows” (link: http://www.modabakeshop.com/2016/06/boxes-and-bows-table-runner.html) table runner that features gift box blocks and paper pieced bows—these should be a walk in the park for those of you that did Annette’s “Pointless” class!!GIFTS:

With all the Christmas Cheer(s), why not bring your bottle of bubbles in a lovely handmade wine bag? I made this one in about 25 minutes using this pattern (link: https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/article/how-to-make-a-wine-bag/)You can also sew in thermal lining so the bottle is still nice and refreshingly chilled when you arrive!  Gerri keeps thermal lining in the shop, and it is “sew” easy to use ;).

Do you have a friend (we all have at least one) who keeps on complaining that she forgot her shopping bags now that the big stores have gone plastic free-ish?

Who could leave one of these handy origami bags at home?  They are super quick and easy to make. The tutorial is super easy to follow, too. (link: https://wwww.alandacraft.com/2018/04/21/origami-bag-tutorial-easy-to-make-market-tote-bag/)For those special friends who are certainly worth the extra bit of time, my favorite zip bag is by Sew Miriam.   If you haven’t taken one of her classes yet,  you still have one more chance before Christmas! She’ll be teaching on 17 November in the shop!Got a little reader? These pillows designed by Sandy include a pocket you’re your little one’s book or pjs for that matter.   Gerri has plenty of pompoms and ricra to add a special pizzazz to delight young readers.

With only eight weeks to go, time to start crafting!!  There are so many possibilities for all experience levels and ages!