christmas in july | Sewhooked

Sweet Sue Tops The Tree, free on Craftsy

Recently, my 15-year-old commented on the absurdly early signs of Christmas shopping that are popping up here and there. It’s usually fantastically hot here in Texas and Christmas is a long, long way from most people’s minds. I’ve come to think of these uber-early retail nudges as Christmas leakage, which in my mind is any Christmas showing up pre-Thanksgiving!

The only exception for me is, of course, crafting! I explained to him that for crafters, Christmas in July is about giving yourself enough time to finish projects that you want to give as gifts. Some of us start long, long before July, but I think the countdown to completed projects starts about now! That, he agreed, makes much more sense than red & green twinkle lights at the mall when it’s over 100 degrees outside!

So, we have this conversation, and then I find out Craftsy is having a Christmas in July event…and that one of my free patterns, Sweet Sue Tops the Tree (seen at the top of this post), is featured…well, how fun is that!?

Sweet Sue’s new-found fame inspired me to do my own BIG Christmas in July post and share some Christmas & winter-themed patterns that I myself have designed.

Hey, well, they’re doing it, so why not me, right? 😉

Holly Jolly (Paper Pieced Pattern Set), $6.50 on Craftsy

Holly Jolly is part of Sunbonnet Sue’s Magical Friends. If you’re new around here, I’m somewhat Sue obsessed. Just recently, I’ve been updating my older Sue patterns as part of the Summer Sue Makeover.

Holly Jolly was in the update queue. No time like the present!

Here they are, updated for 2013 and ready for Christmas in July! Each of these patterns is now also available individually. This update includes not one, but two bonuses! Wee Lil’ Penguin now includes two sizes when purchased separately and there’s a new pattern not included with the set, Santa & His Bag.

Wee Lil’ Penguin, now in two sizes! $2 on Craftsy

It all started with a penguin! He was the very first pattern designed for Holly Jolly all those years ago. I always imagined that this little guy was on the ground, motioning Santa’s sleigh in for a safe landing.

Lil’ St. Nick (paper pieced), $2 on Craftsy

Here he is, St. Nick, ready to climb in his sleigh and deliver presents all over the world!

Lil’ Mrs. Claus, $2 on Craftsy

Where would Santa be without the Mrs. keeping him on his toes?

Santa’s Helper (paper pieced), $2 on Craftsy

I tried to come up with a sweet name for this little guy, but imagination failed me. In the end, he (or she, it’s hard to tell with the present blocking the view!) became Santa’s Little Helper.

Wonky Lil’ Christmas Tree, $2 on Craftsy

Where would Santa be without a Christmas tree?

Bonus Pattern: Santa & His Bag (Paper Pieced), $2 on Craftsy

Santa & His bag are a bonus pattern designed at the same time as Holly Jolly. He’s not included in the original set and is available only as an individual pattern.

Holiday House (paper pieced), free on Craftsy

I always imagined Holiday House as a supplement to Holly Jolly! I can just see Santa’s Little Helper standing next to the tree ready to deposit his gift! This wee house was designed for a Quilting Gallery event.

Sweet Skating Sue (paper pieced), free on Craftsy

Sweet Skating Sue was designed for an event over on Quilting Gallery for 2012. Not only is she a free pattern (and one I’m very fond of!), but I wrote a full, detailed paper piecing tutorial to go along with the pattern. See it here!

Topsy-Turvy Trees! (Paper Pieced), $9 on Craftsy

Topsy Turvy Trees was one of those doodles that insisted on being in fabric. It was fun digging out every bright green in my stash for this project. I love the lightning shapes between the trees. Hmm, I think I want to make another in batiks…

Tree Trimming, $8 on Craftsy

Tree Trimming is the gift that keeps on giving. I share it last for two reasons. One, it one of the earliest patterns I made available for sale and two, it has been a joy to teach. It’s an excellent beginner project for a class for both free-form and pre-cut paper piecing. I’ve seen this sweet wall hanging in every variety of fabrics you can imagine and many, many of my students have grown their very own “happy little trees!”

Happy, happy July! I hope you enjoyed this very unseasonable post. Be sure to visit Craftsy and see my pattern featured for their event!

And, because I just can’t help myself, a giveaway! Win a free signed copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Vol 7. My very own design, Lemons Into Lemonade appears page 33. You can also see the quilt I designed around this block on page 10! To win, leave a comment and let me know know if you’re currently crafting for a holiday!