Christmas Carols are such a lovely idea for a rowalong. No matter where we are, there is something special about Christmas. For me, music was always such a big part of Christmas, and who could not feel that trill of excitement when the familiar music was brought out ready to practice for another season. Candles, Christmas eve, and music, that is the most magical feeling.

I've chosen 'the Angels and Shepherds' as my carol. However there is so much beautiful Christmas music about the angels and the shepherds, who can really choose? I wanted to evoke that Christmas night feeling of hope and expectation under the still starlit sky.

Download is available at Craftsy: Duck Creek Mountain Quilting Shop

While I am more than happy to share my pattern with you, it was a huge amount of work, and if you would like to share a little Christmas spirit, two of my favourite charities are Hamlin Fistula Fund and Days for Girls

Days for girls

Bags, shields and liners

Both of these charities support women. Days for Girls provides reusable Feminine hygiene products to keep girls in school when they have their period, and hence better their chances of a higher standard of living throughout their lives. Hamlin Fistula fund provides fistula operations for women suffering childbirth injuries. Dr Hamlin is an Australian doctor based in Ethiopia. They not only treat patients and provide follow up care, but they also have several colleges training midwives with the goal of eliminating obstetric fistula.

IMG_6752 copy.jpg — "Shepherds Oh hark ye, Glad tidings we bring...

This pattern is made with a pieced background and raw edge applique figures. If you want needle turn applique, I've done one set of templates with seam allowances, but I've chosen to go with raw edge applique anda small machine done blanket stitch so I've included a set of patterns without seam allowances but which ARE reversed.

IMG_6754 copy.jpg — "Peace and goodwill to the world now we sing"

The pdf gives you instructions and templates for all the background and applique pieces, a full size picture of the entire block to help with placement, and foundation piecing templates for the background if you want to foundation piece.
I've also (just) worked out how to make a great big pdf so you can print the foundation piecing template and block outline in one go at a print shop. I will set this as a second download. The entire pattern is in the first download but it prints out on A4 and some of the pages will need sticking together.

IMG_6753 copy.jpg — 'See in a manger Christ the annointed, whom God hath chosen to be our appointed, Alleluia.'

I do hope you enjoy my pattern and I would love to see it made up, so feel free to comment and share your work.
I've gotten really excited about Christmas Carols, and now I'm working on one about the coming of the magi: "On the march, we saw three monarchs proud, the fabled wisemen with their trappings gay and brilliant". I admit it's basically because I want to do camels with tassels and heaps of decoration against a desert dawn. So check back in a couple of weeks and see how far I've got.

Northcott fabrics are our major sponsor and they have let us have the excitement of choosing fabrics from their Christmas range to use, You can imagine the buzz. ....The fabric is lovely quality and the colour saturation is divine. I have chosen the following:

IMG_6751 (2) copy 2.jpg — Northcott Fabrics

Santa Claus is coming to town 9020-78 green
Silent night 21661-10 white and Silent night 21660-49 blue

Do have a look at the other blogs for today

The patterns are great and I wish I had time to make them all.
MaryMack’s Blog
Kathys Kwilts and More
Pamela Quilts
Heleen Pinkster

And do remember Thursday, the last and final day

Thursday, October 5, 2017
Seams To Be Sew
A Dream and A Stitch
Upstairs Hobby Room
Words & Stitches

There are three rafflecopter giveaways following, so do keep reading and good luck. Please thank the sponsors by liking their facebook pages and making a comment. It is so awesome to have such generous people running businesses. I really do appreciate it.

Northcott Fabric Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Owl Quilthanger

Thank you to the generosity of Ackfield Manufacturing for this extremely cute 12 inch quilt hanger. It's just the thing for your quilt room or as a special gift to accompany a cute wallhanging for a friend. You can find the rafflecopter link at the end of this post.