Sew Sampler Box December 2020
2020 was a challenging year, and 2021 hasn't started much better, but getting the December 2020 Sew Sampler Box from Fat Quarter Shop feels like a bonus treat. I know that some people aren't thrilled with the idea of receiving two boxes in one month, though I understand that January will also be late. If the last almost year has taught us anything, we need to roll with the punches.
I was fortunate to receive all of the items I ordered online for Christmas before Christmas. Things I've ordered recently haven't been so speedy, but we're also dealing with a global pandemic, among other things, so if things come a little slower, so be it. I can still remember the days before Amazon, or even the internet, when I'd pick items from a catalog, my mom would order them, and it would feel like they would never arrive. And we didn't get email tracking as soon as it shipped either. I currently have one package that is coming from Brooklyn. It has taken a detour to Boston for several days. I hope it's having a good time. I know it stinks to have to wait for the items we want, but I don't blame the company I've ordered from. It does neither of us any good for me to get upset or complain to them until a decent amount of time has passed.
Anyway, after all of that, I received my Sew Sampler Box a day before I was expecting it. So, that was a nice treat today. Want to know what came inside the December 2020 box? Let's get into it.
The box is Lori Holt-themed with fabric, pattern, and an additional item designed by Lori. Her aesthetic is not always my aesthetic, and that's okay. I certainly appreciate her creative genius! And, this fabric line is definitely my favorite Lori Holt line yet.
The fabric included in this month's box is a Petite Flea Market 10" Stacker by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. I do like this fabric a lot. I like the vibrant colors paired with the fabric design inspired by vintage linens, old wallpaper, and dinnerwear.
A new item included in the box is 6" Sparkle Star Quilt Block Foundation Paper by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet from It's Sew Emma. It's Sew Emma has been knocking it out of the park with foundation papers lately, and this one looks fun. It's shown with the solid as the stars, but it might be fun to play with that and have a quilt with many tiny, colorful stars on a solid, neutral background.
Designed by Lori Holt, the exclusive pattern uses both the 10" Stacker and the 6" Sparkle Star Quilt Block Foundation Paper. It is called the Twinkle Toes Table Runner Pattern. It's a scrappy pattern that has a bright, fun look, and it would be great to use not only with Flea Market fabric but also stash!
Another new item that Sew Sampler subscribers received first is the Stay Sharp Navy Magnetic Needle Case. This feels like one of those things you didn't know you needed until you have it. I have A LOT of needles. Being a Sew Sampler subscriber, a quilter/sewer for many years, and a cross stitcher, I have many different needles hanging around, and sticking out of projects, spools of thread, and hanging in packages on my pegboard. I know what I'm going to use this one for. My favorite cross stitch needles are Pat's Favorite Needle, and they come in a tiny envelope. Every time I open the package to grab a new one, I'm afraid I'm going to re-enact the tire change scene from A Christmas Story, and needles will fly across the room. Since there is a magnet inside this case, I won't have to worry about the needles having a mind of their own.
The final product included in the box is a duo of small 50wt Aurafil spools. The colors are 2220 and 2134, and they coordinate well with Flea Market. I'm never going to turn my nose up at Aurafil thread. It is my preferred brand. My aunt introduced Aurafil to me when I was trying to finish my first quilt back in 2011, and the sewing machine I had then died. She is a fantastic quilter and has several machines and kindly allowed me to borrow hers. I can't remember the model, but it was a Janome. It helped me solidify my decision to go with Janome when I replaced the no-name machine I was working with.
Overall, this is a nice, bright box that is very welcome here in January in New England. We're not quite utterly devoid of color since the foot of snow we received in mid-December was washed away by rain at Christmas, but I'm already ready for spring!
