During the month of December, I like to have my Christmas everyday dishes on the table for use all month. A few years ago, I found these stoneware salad plates in a design called Vintage Christmas and was just enchanted with them. I love the motifs and the black background. I looked back at previous Christmas tablescape posts, and the best I can remember, I got the plates in 2014. I think I found them at a thrift store. I use the set in different ways each year. For about 5 years, I only had the plates, and didn’t ...
read moreYesterday's food projects were fudge and pink Spritz cookies. I forgot to take a photo of the cookies.
I chose the backing (the light print) and the binding (red print) to finish the Christmas table runner. I also found a piece of batting the exact size I needed. Maybe I'll get it layered and quilted today.
In the box with the squares (that were used for the table runner) was a group of 1.5" strips. I don't remember cutting them so maybe they were cut to use up the ends of some of the Christmas fabrics ... read more
There were enough squares for one more row but one of them would have been repeated 6 times in a row of 24 so I decided not to add it.
This is an interesting combination of colors in this dishcloth. I think I knitted some from this color of yarn when I first started doing them. It is named Violet Stripes by the Lily brand.
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…or holy cow, it’s December! Keeping it real…
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| Lighter decorating happened this year for Christmas |
The quilting wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. The story behind this is that the 4 star blocks were a little too large for the flying geese strips added around them. That means I did a lot of easing and stretching and the center didn't lay as flat as most of my quilts. I tamed it pretty well with only one little tuck. I named this one Game Board.
I'm glad I used the fun fish fabric on the back. The fabrics are Kaffe collective. It is 39" square and was quilted on my ... read more
Learn how to sew a festive hexagon Christmas wreath wall quilt using your stash of holiday fabric and a simple raw-edge applique technique (or go for trying out the EPP technique if you’d like too!)
This project is quick to sew, easy to customize with your favorite prints, and makes a charming seasonal decoration. Inside the Make & Take Monthly membership, you’ll find the full printable pattern and step-by-step video tutorial to guide you through each part of the process—from cutting hexagons to stitching them in place.
It’s a great weekend project and a fun way to ...
read moreNow that we are fully into the holidays, I like to read sweet stories with happy endings set during the yuletide season. I began reading holiday books a bit early this year so I would have some reviews to share with you now. Most of these are quick reads, light stories in easy prose, with enjoyable endings.
A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen – Set during the Regency period of the early 1800s, Sarah lives a routine life of running the bed and breakfast that her family estate has become to make ends meet. Scottish widower Callum visits, but goes ...
read moreDownload the pattern, get the fabrics, and make a quick, beautiful panel quilt for children on your Christmas list. You will make many!
My Town – Click here to go to the Etsy store PiecedBrain
Are you ready for a fast finish? My Town, the quilt I designed for the Mini Metropolis collection by Figo Fabrics, is a breeze to make! It measures 39″ x 59″, with blocks finishing at 5″. The Mini Metropolis collection features vibrant fabrics with prints that will keep babies and toddlers busy as they hunt for their favorite motifs.
I kept the design simple so our ...
read moreIt’s here! The most festive, cozy, joy-sparking week of the year—our Holiday Shop is officially open, filled with cheerful patterns, seasonal supplies, and handmade-worthy goodies that make holiday stitching such a delight.
Whether you’re planning gifts, decorating your home, or simply giving yourself a little creative break during this busy season, you’ll find beautiful inspiration waiting for you.
CLICK HERE FOR THE HOLIDAY SHOP!
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I took both daylight and night photos of the front porch.
My front porch lights are motion activated so there is no way for me to take a photo of the porch without them unless I turn off the switch inside. Then it would be too dangerous for me to walk out there in the dark. If you click on the photo and enlarge it you can see the lights on the greenery are on.
Even though some of the other cactus plants had buds before the red one, red was the winner in this spot by the east window ... read more
I'm working on the border blocks for the purple Rosy and I can't press them until I know where they will end up on the quilt. That is, if I want seams to nest, which I do. There are 4 of each of these as well as 4 of the one I showed previously.
This is how they fit along the center of the quilt. I have the larger squares all up on the wall and need to piece more of the sections of 6 smaller squares and sew them to the large square sections. It is the ... read more
It is definitely starting to get busy. Have you noticed? I think I was trying to ignore it, but it happened anyway. So in the middle of all that I did get some finishes. Two were UFOs. Hooray!
The two hoop projects were embroideries designed by Kasia Jacquot. The first one is named Rebecca and was started a year or so back. Definitely time to have it finished.

It is quite large and is sitting in a 14in hoop. Most of the stitching is done using six strands of DMC. I found it took me a while to get used ...
read moreLearn how to make quilt-as-you-go holiday mug rugs with this fun and festive sewing tutorial. These little quilts are the perfect quick project to brighten up your coffee table, gift to friends, or add a handmade touch to your holiday decor.
The best part? You’ll sew the quilting and piecing at the same time—no separate quilting step required! Quilt-as-you-go projects are fast, forgiving, and a great way to use up your fabric scraps, especially all those cute holiday prints you’ve been saving.
Whether you make a set for yourself or stitch up a few for gifts, these ...
read moreLearn how to sew a fabric gift bag with this easy step-by-step tutorial. These reusable bags are a great way to wrap gifts in something that’s both beautiful and eco-friendly. They sew up quickly, can be made in any size, and are the perfect stash-busting project when you need a last-minute gift wrap idea.
No need for paper, tape, or bows—just pop your gift inside, tie it up, and you’re done! Whether you’re sewing for birthdays, holidays, or handmade gifts, these fabric bags add an extra personal touch that your friends and family will love.
Learn ...
read moreThis meandering freemotion design Mistletoe is open, airy and whimsical. It resembles a mistletoe plant but not exactly, making this design more versatile than just a Christmas quilting design.
The design consists of a series of two leaf shapes, two feathers and one or more small circles. The circles on sticks will help you travel to a new spot for the next sequence.
Pattern Tutorial
This design is built on a sequence with three design elements: leaf shapes, feathers and a circle on a stick.



Move into the area you want to fill with your design and try to use ...
read moreI sometimes think that when October begins we have a starter calling out Ready, Set, Go!. Everything gets busy all of a sudden. Lots of things are happening and there is always something to do.
The obvious one for us is Daylight Saving coming in. And Spring seems to have found its feet and the garden is booming. I really enjoy seeing the trees blossom.

The ground always looks like we have confetti everywhere.

With all that is happening it is easier to work on small items as well as UFOs.
This is a small embroidery of a flowering gum ...
read moreOur October Collection for The Art of Home Club is here—and it’s just about the cutest thing ever! Say hello to Little Cuddle Friends, a set of projects designed to bring smiles, snuggles, and sweetness to your home.
This Collection includes instructions for three different projects:
✨ A Quilt – perfect for a crib, play mat, or cozy cuddle time.
✨ A Fabric Basket with Pocket – super handy for storing toys, books, or craft supplies (and that extra pocket is just right for keeping a favorite friend close by!).
✨ A Personalized Wall Hanging – make it extra special by adding a child ...
IT IS HERE!! I’m so excited to share the launch of the 2025 Mini Quilt Advent! This is the 5th year I’ve
The post 2025 Mini Quilt Advent Launch! appeared first on Always Expect Moore.
read moreEven though the air is still warm, it’s the perfect time to get a head start on your holiday stitching!
Our newest Club Collection — Winter Birdie Baubles — is filled with festive cheer and plenty of cozy details. This collection includes a quilt, table runner, and wall hanging, all featuring cheerful little winter birds bundled up in scarves and tucked inside Christmas ornament balls. How cute is that?!

These playful designs combine hand embroidery and applique in the sweetest way. The birds’ perky little scarves add an extra touch of whimsy that makes these projects perfect for holiday decorating — or ...
read moreIf you love quilting and advent calendars, you’ve come to the right place! I design a custom Advent Calendar every year, and
The post All About Advent 2025 appeared first on Always Expect Moore.
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