I am so excited to share the newest pattern in the Cotton and Joy family - Joyful Holidays!
This pattern is a little different from my previous patterns in that it's five different patterns in one booklet.
I love using small decor items to bring in some cheer in the home – it's why I've shared some free quilted pillow covers before and so when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped on the chance to design five table runner patterns!
These patterns are part of my Essence fabric collection and the table runners on the cover showcase each of the fabrics included in the collection beautifully! I envisioned someone purchasing a FQ bundle and then working on the table runners throughout the year–how fun would that be?!
Essence ships in August 2025 so for now, let's go through each table runner included in Joyful Holidays!
Valentine's Checkers
Valentine's Checkers is a design I've had in my drafts for a couple of years now! It was first designed as a pillow cover, so it was just the one block. But when I began working on Joyful Holidays, I loved how the blocks looked repeated and how they showcased the various pinks included in Essence.
I also made a second sample of this table runner using fabrics from my Between the Pages collection – I grabbed all of the pinks for the squares and the low volume text print for the background and I LOVE how it came out!
This pattern is for sure one of my favorites in the collection and I'm honestly tempted to release it as a full size pattern.
Spring Flutter
For spring, I wanted something springy, without it being a) easter-ish or b) flowers. Both of those themes are closely tied for spring, and thus those table runners exist out there already. I wanted something new, something with movement, so I went with one of my favorite motifs – butterflies!
Initially, I had the butterflies all in a line, but I off-set them so add some movement to the overall design. I love how simple and modern these butterflies are. Just perfect for spring!
For my Essence sample, I used five color families, one for each butterfly, to showcase the range of colors in the Essence fabric collection. However, for my second sample made using Between the Pages fabric, I decided to go with an almost ombre effect from left to right. I love both samples and how different each one looks!
Summer Pops
The table runner for summer was a little tricky to design! I wanted something summery, but I very much wanted to avoid a patriotic theme. I know here in the States summer and stars/red-white-and-blue go hand in hand, but I wanted a more universal summer theme. And what's more universal than popsicles!
When I decided on a theme, I came up with three difference popsicles options and since I couldn't decide on one for the summer table runner, I decided to include all three in the final design!
For the Essence sample, I stuck with the pinks and purples in the collection for a modern look However, for my second sample, I decided to go a little more traditional with orange fabric for a callback to orange popsicles and red/white/blue for the smaller popsicles for a firecracker popsicle look!
Autumn Harvest
For the fall table runner, I debated for quite a while on a design! I'm a huge Halloween fan, so something spooky was definitely on the table, but ultimate I went with something a little more universally fall - pumpkins!
This is also a design that has been in my drafts for years and I love how depending on your fabric choices it can be classic fall, modern / farmhouse fall, or even spooky!
My Essence sample is classic fall, making use of the oranges and butterscotch in the collection. Meanwhile, my second sample leans more modern / farmhouse fall using low-volume fabrics and a pale mint for the background. I'm tempted to make a third sample with some halloween fabrics in blacks or purples for a more spooky halloween look!
Deck the Halls
Last, but definitely not least, we have Deck the Halls! This design is a re-work of my first Quiltmas block from 2019. I've been wanting to rework this block for years, and I'm so excited I was finally able to! I upsized the block and included both options–patchwork and solid ornaments in the pattern. I love the contrast between the patchwork and solid ornaments and the movement that comes from their offset.
For my Essence sample, I used a mix of pinks and lighter blues for a modern look, so I went full traditional for my second sample using a selection of greens and reds. I love how easily you can customize this one to match your Christmas decor!
I love, love each of the Joyful Holidays table runner patterns and I hope you do too! Each one presents an opportunity for a quick and easy project for when you need a quick win! Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite and happy sewing!