Christmas in July

I realise that some people are very prepared for the festive season and there are beautiful homes that are seasonally decorated throughout the year. As much as I admire that preparedness and seasonal living, it isn't something I've done much of. We have banners for certain celebrations, I made pretty spring bunting (free tutorial here) and, of course, we have Christmas decorations. Part of the reason I haven't taken the plunge into changing up the quilts and cushions we use depending on the season is because we don't have a lot of storage space! Despite that though I think it is lovely to be able to celebrate at different times of the year and to have things around the house that represent those special days or changes in season. Today I'm sharing some makes I created for 'Christmas in July' on Sewing Quarter. What I really like about these projects is that they could all be used throughout the year (with maybe a tweak or two!).

I made the Snow Crystals quilt pattern by Pam and Nicky Lintott. It's 72" square and is made up of a lot of HSTs. It's one of those quilts that the more you look, the more different sections stand out and the play of colour value results in a cool 3D appearance.

The pattern it creates is really striking and I like how the corner sections really frame the quilt well. It almost looks like staggered cubes and blocks.

Blue and white is such a classic combination (a close second to red and white in quilts I think?) and, while it has an icy snowflake look, it certainly doesn't scream Christmas! It would go perfectly with blue and silver decorations when it's that time of year though.

Next is a Bargello Christmas tree skirt, designed by Sally Stevens. I managed to get a picture of the back as I was making it but not the finished item - then I got a brilliant shot of Vicki wearing it so there's that below too! I wanted to show the back because that swirl looks so good. It could easily become a table cover if you covered the hole in the middle with an appliquéd circle of fabric. And if it were made with various shades of red, you could create a lovely ombre swirl and then again it could be used year round.

It now occurs to me that I sound lazy not wanting to change up the home decor (that might have something to do with it!) but for those of us with already full houses it makes sense not to have to pack everything away! 

The final Christmas make I'm sharing uses a favourite, traditional Dresden Plate cushion. This pattern is by Kristyne Czepuryk and cleverly uses extra wadding to give the Dresden centre and outer sections more dimension. 

The fabric is the Joyeux collection by Makower and I like that they've used bright pink and lime in a Christmas range, just look how fun these reindeers are with different coloured noses!

If I were to make this as a 'permanent but could be festive' cushion I would make it with neutral colours that had touches of metallics (like Modern Background Luster by Zen Chic). That way it could live happily looking chic throughout the year and then more Christmassy when surrounded by glittery tinsel!

While one day I might have more space to get creative with makes for every occasion, for now I will make do with bunting, flowers, candles and sewn projects that suddenly look festive in combination with those smaller decorative touches!