Sian Riley: December 2022

Remembering Vivienne Westwood

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio)

Christmas Table Settings

Anyone who knows me knows i'm big on Christmas table settings.

I don't know when i started to 'up' my table setting game but its become more extravagant as the years have progressed...probably when my consumption of Kirstie's Handmade Christmas and Escape to the Chateau episodes reached new levels!

This year (if you follow me on instagram you will know all about the burgundy placemat saga!), burgundy, navy and gold became the colour scheme with green accents. Its all Dunelms fault...they had a fabulous navy and burgundy place setting in their store and that was it...i could not be swayed so out came the sewing machine and the rest as they say is history.

To help bring a variation in colour to the table, i layered up lots of tonal colours and textures with some eucalyptus foliage (fake so it can be reused), some gold ornaments, lots of candles (LEDs for safety!) and hand made paper christmas trees with stars cut out. I found a great star holepunch in The Works and I placed an LED candle underneath them; they gave a lovely soft glow. Everything will be reused next year in a different colour setting and i try and use things that i already have rather than buy new.

If you're looking to lift your table settings, look at these handy tips for inspiration...

Consider how many people will be at your table and how much space you will need. We usually have between 8-10 people so i try and keep my settings to a long and thin shape to allow for placemats and extra dishes that usually appear at Christmas. You can always go high, but not too high as it can disrupt conversation over the table.
Look at 2-3 colours that go together and combining different objects in those colours in the table arrangement. If you have a themed christmas tree in your house, you can always start with this but if your tree is a bit random in colour (like ours!) then picks something you like or colours that go together.

For example; try red, gold and green or blue and silver. These can always be swapped to different combinations for following years so nothing gets wasted.

If you have any ornaments that could work with your colours or table setting, do use them. It adds a personal touch to the table.

Or any handmade crafts from kids as these always look lovely. Kirstie Allsopp had some great crafts on this years Handmade Christmas series that were quick and could be made from items already in the house.

Think about candles to change the tone of light or mood of the tree. We use LED ones as there are small children (safety first!) but these are great to put inside jars, hide amongst leaves and place in different candle/ tea light holders that you may have lying around.
Greenery! If you watch the lovely Angel Strawbridge, you will have seen her stunning table centre pieces that have foraged ivy or pine cones from her garden. Sadly, i dont have access to a forest and the garden doesnt provide this type of foliage, so this eucalyptus length was found on Amazon instead and can be draped and twisted in a variety of ways to suit any arrangement. It can also be reused each year.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio)

...and they're done!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio)

Christmas Eve Sewing Project

So...its Christmas Eve, and you realise that no one sells burgundy placemats for the table setting tomorrow.

Cue last minute sewing project for 8 people...I do love a Challenge! 😁

More Me-Made Decorations on my 'Me-Making Christmas' Page!

What more me-made decorations to add to your tree?

Why not take a look at the 'Me-Making Christmas' section on my Learn to Sew page for more shapes to add alongside the Gingerbread decoration.

You will find FREE pattern downloads and instructions for the Christmas Stockings, Present, Snowman, Bauble and Christmas Pudding decorations.

Christmas Stocking Decoration

Christmas Present Decoration

Bauble Decoration

Snowman Decoration

Christmas Pudding Decoration

Handmade Christmas: Make a Gingerbread Decoration

Its the last Maker Monday before Christmas...

As something special, why not make this me-made Gingerbread decoration to add to your Christmas Tree?

A free pattern and instructions are below for you to follow.

You can also take a look at the other Christmas Decorations that I've released over the years in my 'Me-Making Christmas' section on my Learn to Sew page.

How to make:

1: Using the free pattern below, cut out the gingerbread body shape, bow tie and button shapes.

2: Using felt or any leftover fabric, cut out 2 body shapes, 1 bow tie and 2 buttons in any colours you wish. *If you wish to make the gingerbread double sided, please also cut out double the amounts for the bow tie and buttons for the other body shape.

3: Arrange 2 of the button shapes and 1 bow tie on one side of the gingerbread body shape. Pin in place and sew them to the body shape with a few running or back stitches. Make sure to tie a knot in the thread before you start and finishing sewing.

*If you would like the decoration double sided, repeat the same process on the other body shape. Make sure you have each side of the decoration mirroring each other, otherwise both sides will be the same and they won't be able to be sewn together.

4: Decorative back stitches can be added to the arms and legs of each body piece if you wish to replicate 'icing', and sew 2 eyes and a mouth with back stitches on the body shape. Repeat this on both sides if you would like it double sided.
5: Place both sides of the gingerbread together with the decoration facing outwards. Pin the two body pieces in place. Starting at the top of the gingerbread at the head, sew the 2 sides of the gingerbread body together with a slip stitch or running stitch. Remember to tie a knot in your thread at the start and the end so your stitches don't come loose!
6: Lastly, cut 20cm of thin ribbon. Join the 2 ends of the ribbon together and sew the ends to the top of the gingerbread to form a loop.

To make your own gingerbread decoration, download the free pattern below.