THE LAST WORD

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? Kate Basti is well and truly in the seasonal spirit as she pulls a fun bundle inspired by the Christmases of her childhood

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? Kate Basti is well and truly in the seasonal spirit as she pulls a fun fabric bundle inspired by the music-filled Christmases of her childhood

If ever there was a happiest time of year in my childhood, it was Christmas time. The cares and worries of everyday life simply melted away with the smells of cookies baking in the oven. Christmas was a time of reflection, celebration and, perhaps best of all, tradition.

One of my very favourite childhood Christmas traditions fell after the New Year. Epiphany or, as we called it, Old Christmas is celebrated on January 6th, and it was our annual ritual to hold a party. My parents would invite dozens of friends, many of whom had children. There were party games, folk music played by my parents’ band and more food than could feed a small army. The house would fill with laughter and music until the wee hours of the night, and I always considered it one of the best days of the year.

I wanted to pull a bundle that reminded me of this family tradition. The first holiday print that comes to mind is Christmas Mice in Aqua from Heather Ross’ Sugarplum line for Windham Fabrics. This adorable print features a band of tiny mice playing music. My father played the fiddle and my mother played the double bass, so this “mousical” trio is just about as perfect and cute as it gets!

I want this bundle to have a few holiday prints, but not so many that it screams Christmas. This seasonal pull should work for more than just December 25th. Basing my choices on the tones in the hero print, I begin with the reds. I’m immediately drawn to Flurry in Red by Cotton+Steel with its delicate snowflakes. I then pull Flame from the Reef collection by Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman and Wink in Tomato by Birch Fabrics, both of which make me think of the magic of the Christmas season.

Moving on to the greens, I pull my favourite coordinating print from Heather Ross’ Sugarplum line, Peppermints in Green. Not only does it add another Christmas print, but the touch of nostalgia it brings to the bundle is just so sweet. I round it out with Carolina Gingham 1" in Kelly by Robert Kaufman and Sprinkle in Summercamp by Cotton+Steel, which reminds of snow falling on pines.

Next, I decide to add a colour that I don’t typically use much when sewing: brown. A few warm, tan prints will complement the tree stumps in my hero print nicely. I decide on Wave in Earthenware by Annie Brady for Moda before glitzing up my bundle with the glittering, golden Manchester in Bronze Metallic by Robert Kaufman. The touch of shine adds a little something special. And finally, I choose two low volume prints. The first, Circle Time in Natural by Gingiber for Moda reminds me of swirling snow, while the second, Add It Up in Lollipop by Cotton+Steel, provides just a tiny touch of green with its petite pluses.

And there we have it! A modern bundle with a seasonal, traditional colour palette, perfectly reminiscent of beloved childhood memories.