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WEEKLY RECAP: CHRISTMAS IN JULY – WEEK FOUR

posted on : July 27, 2025

In case this is your first time hearing about our Christmas in July festivities, you can visit THIS BLOG POST for a great overview of what’s in store for the rest of this month.

Again, we will be breaking down all of our goodies into these three categories each week… SEWING, STITCHING and CRAFTING so that everyone can figure out what exactly it is they would like to do.

And with that…please enjoy our WEEK 4 RECAP!

And in case you missed it:

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CATEGORY: SEWING

RIBBON FABRIC BASKETS

From Susan [@thefeltedpear]:

A few Christmases ago, I made fabric baskets to hold gifts for friends and neighbors. I filled a few of them with stationery goodies, some with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate, and the rest with Christmas cacti and poinsettias. They were a huge hit! My friends not only loved the gift inside but enjoyed using their baskets throughout the entire holiday season.

When my Renaissance Ribbons arrived, I started brainstorming projects that would let the ribbons be highlighted and quickly came up with a series of throw pillows. I wanted to add a coordinating project to my Christmas décor, and thought that the fabric baskets I made from Joanna’s LITTLE BOXY CATCH-ALL PATTERN would be the perfect pattern to highlight their craftsmanship and detail. I think they will be great on my front entry way to hold a set a keys, as a place to hold Christmas cards when they arrive or even for some sewing room organizational cuteness!

I used the modifications noted in the DECEMBER 2023 GIFT WEEK BLOG POST to make the medium and large sized baskets. I opted for a linen woven fabric for the outside of my basket/accent and lined them with EYELET in Cherry on Ivory and Holly. I positioned my Renaissance Ribbon trim about a ¼” from the [c/d] seam and added it prior to sewing the lining into a “box”.

PRO TIP: Be sure to check the direction of your ribbon prior to sewing! You are flipping your accent band down, and your ribbon will need to be stitched down “upside down”.

Be sure to check out THE RIBBON SHOP to grab some of your favorites from our Buon Natale collaboration!

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BENCH PILLOWS

Be sure to check out THIS BLOG POST for a simple tutorial and materials list to make your own set of bench pillows!

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HOLIDAY SCARF

From Lacey [@laceypoirier]:

The SCARFLETTS pattern [available as a downloadable PDF from Joanna’s shop] includes directions for 6 different styles, 4 different finishes, 3 different ways to tie them off, 2 different ways to embellish them… and a partridge in a pear tree. Ok, kidding. I was just on a roll there.

I made the long patchwork version, but opted for a red snuggle fabric or “minky” as the backing. For that reason, I decided against adding batting to avoid it being too thick.

I’ll admit, this was my first time playing with snuggle fabric – and this was a perfect project to practice with. Rather than fuss with binding, I followed the finishing instructions for flannel & corduroy fabrics [detailed in the SCARFLETTS pattern]. Again…there are so many options and customizations!

For quilting, I am going to add a simple 1/4” stitch in from the edge all the way around. I debated leaving as is, but I think it will help it look and feel more finished. Of course, you could always add more quilting if you prefer.

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CHRISTMAS PATTERNS

In addition to all the wonderful BUON NATALE-INSPIRED CHRISTMAS PATTERNS, we also have plenty of past patterns that are equally as sweet. Check out a few of our all-time favorites:

OH CHRISTMAS TREE