The 2026 12 Days Of Christmas Start Now!

🎄 The 15th annual 12 Days of Christmas at Pixie Faire!

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year — a season of creativity, generosity, and reflection. This year I wanted to continue to celebrate in a way that’s meaningful, fun, and deeply connected to what we love most: design, sewing, and growing together as makers.

So today, I’m excited to announce the 15th annual 12 Days of Christmas Celebration, inspired by the 15th anniversary of the Design Academy-12 Principles of Design.

Here’s how it works:

For the next 12 days, we’ll be sharing:

  • ✂️ One Design Academy Principle per day

  • 💡 A practical Design Tip you can use immediately

  • 💬 A daily blog comment prompt for you to earn entries in our giveaway

  • 🎁 A $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card giveaway — announced on January 6th

Each day we'll jump back to this blog post to highlight one of the twelve design principles and invite you to join the conversation by leaving a comment. Every comment is an entry to win the $100 gift card. The more you participate, the more entries you earn!

And there’s more....

These 12 principles are also the foundation of something very special coming in 2026…

✨ Sewing With Cinnamon & Friends 2026 Theme

Design Academy Reimagined: A Year-Long Sewing Masterclass

Twelve principles. Twelve months. One unforgettable year of growth.

In 2026, Cinnamon Miles is opening the vault and teaching the Design Academy like never before—fifteen years after she first published the landmark series that inspired thousands of sewists worldwide. This is a complete, modernized re-imagining, blending Liberty Jane’s iconic design principles with Sewing With Cinnamon’s techniques, challenges, and creative opportunities.

We're bringing the Design Academy into Sewing With Cinnamon in 2026 using the core principles to guide our 2026 topics and this year, there’s even more:
Historical fashion deep dives with guest instructor Shari Fuller. Designer spotlight showcases. Sew Powerful Purse crossover projects. And a brand-new challenge every month.

If you loved the original Design Academy, you haven’t seen anything yet!

Read all the detail of the 2026 overview HERE. Existing SWC members are already in! If you're not a member yet, we invite you to join us, it all starts on January 6, 2026.

The 12 Days of Christmas is your preview of what’s coming — and a great way to jump back into thinking like a designer and getting the most out of your Pixie Faire pattern collection.

Let’s celebrate creativity, learning, and sewing together this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas,
Cinnamon & Team Pixie Faire

 

🎁 12 Day's of Christmas Giveaway 

👉 Winner announced 1/6/26!


🎁 Day 1

Today (12/25) we kick things off with Principle #1: Proportion, and your first entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip - Proportion: Scale is invisible when it's right and noticeable when it's wrong!

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt:
What’s your best tip for determining scale in relation to the doll you're sewing for?


🎁 Day 2

Today (12/26) we kick things off with Principle #1: Focal Point, and your second entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip - Focal Point: Choose ONE star of the show. Whether it’s a bold fabric, a special embellishment, a unique neckline, or a pop of contrast — one clear focal point will always outperform several competing ones.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: What’s your favorite way to create a focal point — color, embellishment, trim, or fabric choice?

(Check back each day for the next comment prompt for additional entries!)

🎁 Day 3

🎁 Day 4

🎁 Day 5

🎁 Day 6

🎁 Day 7

🎁 Day 8

🎁 Day 9

🎁 Day 10

🎁 Day 11

🎁 Day 12

 


100 Comments

Phil C
Phil C

December 26, 2025

Fabric and ruffles

NancyB
NancyB

December 26, 2025

I typically go for color for focal point, and build on that with complementary notions and accessories.

candy
candy

December 26, 2025

i am having trouble accessing the material even after i sign in help

Beth P
Beth P

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to create a focal point is to use an embellishment such as English smocking near the yoke.

Jackie
Jackie

December 26, 2025

Sometimes the fabric is itself a good focus. You will know. A little hand embroidery is my choice. For Wee Patsy [who is about 4" tall] a real handworked cutwork hem and sleeve edges and neck do not take that long and bring out the flower-like beauty of the doll. For bigger dolls such as Sasha and her kin, for a little cap sleeve blouse in a tiny cotton print , a neckline finished with hand worked loops just like button loops takes very little time and looks nice. It focuses your eyes on Dolly’s face and can be done in any color in embroidery thread. Embroidery thread can also be used to sew on tiny rickrack in a number of decorative ways.. This is also historically correct for early 20th century. Besides, my dolls like it.

Bridgette Shippy
Bridgette Shippy

December 26, 2025

Maybe fabric.

Barbara
Barbara

December 26, 2025

I like to find just the right trim/lace. I think it can make all the difference in the look of the outfit.

Cynthia
Cynthia

December 26, 2025

I use embellishment mostly as my focal point. I often add embroidery, beads or buttons to make a garment really pop.

Barbara
Barbara

December 26, 2025

I use my dolls hands as a guide. I compare the pattern to the size in the fabric with the dolls hand and imagine if in “human form/size” would this pattern be a realistic scale. Sometimes I get it wrong, but that’s ok. I’m doing it because it brings me joy.

Dotti G.
Dotti G.

December 26, 2025

I like to use embellishment as a focal point – buttons, appliques, special trim. I also like pintucks, pleats, and contrasting colors.

Sally F
Sally F

December 26, 2025

The focal point usually evolves for me as I’m working on a garment. I initially get a visual in my mind of what I’m going for and it definitely develops as I go along. Sometimes I have removed or added details once garment is ready to try on for final fit.

Kathy W.
Kathy W.

December 26, 2025

Fabric choice first, then color. I just want to sew and try patterns. I leave the designing to others. I am not a designer of anything, so I have misgivings about the 2026 program.

Kat
Kat

December 26, 2025

Since I primarily make historical fashions, fabric is a must. I prefer finding vintage pieces that are unique.

Nancy S.
Nancy S.

December 26, 2025

I think my focal point is usually the fabric. I like to choose just the perfect print to make the outfit special!

Janet
Janet

December 26, 2025

Focal point depends on what the fabric is. Sometimes the fabric is the focal point, but if it is quite plain then trim may be the focal point.

Janet
Janet

December 26, 2025

Either holding the fabric up to the doll or laying the pattern pieces on the fabric to get an idea if I can manipulate it to work.

Donna B
Donna B

December 26, 2025

I use color as a focal point. It might be an accessory or an embellishment. It could be a contrasting fabric. So much fun!!

k
k

December 26, 2025

Day 1 (probably too late, but I’ll do it anyway)
What’s your best tip for determining scale in relation to the doll you’re sewing for?
— For fabric choice, I usually put the fabric next to (or drape around) the doll to see if the print seems too large or a good size.

MaryC
MaryC

December 26, 2025

Most often, my focal point is part of the garment design. Pintucks, pleats, textured stitches if crocheting etc. Buttons and trims help, but they are just helpers in my mind.

Alice G.
Alice G.

December 26, 2025

Height and width matters when looking at fabric designs. As a eight year old, I had an 18" Miss Revlon doll and a new 11 1/2" Barbie doll. My mother had some leftover fabric that had a floral (cabbage roses) design on it. I thought it would make dandy dresses for my two dolls. My Mom took that as an opportunity to teach me about Scale. The flowers looked fine on the Miss Revlon, but swallowed up Barbie! She did have a Calico withTiny little rosebuds about 1/8" to 1/4"in size that worked fine for Barbie. Now I’m teaching my Granddaughter about scale. Only instead of Miss Revlon, it’s American Girl and Barbie!

Karyn
Karyn

December 26, 2025

I learned early, when sewing for myself, that ONE focal point looked great, but two or more look “fussy,” at best. The more elaborate the fabric, the simpler the style; The “edgier” the design, the simpler the fabric, especially when trim is used to accentuate pattern design elements.

Kim
Kim

December 26, 2025

What’s your favorite way to create a focal point — color, embellishment, trim, or fabric choice?
— It would depend on the project. Sometimes it’s a specific fabric choice, sometimes it’s embellishment. With the stuff I made my nearly 4-year-old niece, it was mostly fabric choice since I didn’t use too much embellishment since she’s still quite young.

Danielle
Danielle

December 26, 2025

I love youing embellishments to create a focal point. Like beads or trim

Barb E
Barb E

December 26, 2025

Those tiny buttons that are in the shape of a butterfly or frog or turtle etc. make great focal points as well.

Cindy
Cindy

December 26, 2025

I love different textures of fabric to start and then use trim for the focal point.

Sandi
Sandi

December 26, 2025

I like to use something with a different colour whether it’s with fabric, buttons, etc

Alita Shaver
Alita Shaver

December 26, 2025

I tend to prefer letting the fabric (or the yarn) do the talking, with simple, clean lines – especially since texture seems proportionally more noticeable on a doll. I’m obsessed with fabric. If the pattern has a wonderful design detail though, I’ll choose something plain. I also love piping or embroidery that accentuates seam lines. It can really elevate the super-simple. And I enjoy making art buttons and embellishments out of Sculpey when something turns out sort of ordinary. I guess “ordinary” means I looked at it and couldn’t find a focal point! The smaller the doll, the more I feel like details overwhelm them, and the simpler I want the pattern, and the fancier the fabric.

Marcy Mahle
Marcy Mahle

December 26, 2025

I find it is fun sometimes to pick out a tiny color on a fabric design and bring that color out by adding trim, buttons or etc that is the same color somewhere else on the item I am sewing.

Sue
Sue

December 26, 2025

To create a focal point on a plain coloured skirt I like to add a thin ribbon or sewing machine fancy stitch about an inch above the hem on all but the smallest dolls where I add the trim proportionally lower.

Sherry
Sherry

December 26, 2025

I guess it would be an occasional trim or buttons. Sometimes a a contrasting fabric. I’m not overly big on embellishments though.

Lynn Gallager-Vallejo
Lynn Gallager-Vallejo

December 26, 2025

My desciption of a focal point echoes Coco Chanel’s famous mantra: Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory! (That’s paraphrasing…)

Catherine Peterson
Catherine Peterson

December 26, 2025

My focal point will depend on the pattern I am working on, certain fabrics look better to me than others or certain colors, most of my buttons and trim accent the fabric I will have chosen and sometimes nothing works together and I have to start all over!

Caroline
Caroline

December 26, 2025

I like to use trim as a focal point — for example, lace around the neck of a dress.

Niki
Niki

December 26, 2025

If I really want to catch the eye, it’s a trim that I will use.

Bettie
Bettie

December 26, 2025

I like to use color to bring out something about the outfit that one may overlook otherwise. Like making pockets a different color, or the collar.

Lorraine
Lorraine

December 26, 2025

I try to scale the print on the fabric to the doll size

Lorraine
Lorraine

December 26, 2025

I love to start with a fabric and browse for embellishments that please my eye

Bettie
Bettie

December 26, 2025

when designing a new outfit, make a draft of the outfit to see if any proportions are off before you make the actual outfit.

LISA G.
LISA G.

December 26, 2025

I like to use them all. It depends on the fabric, pattern and what I have in my stash that I can use.

Barbara
Barbara

December 26, 2025

I tend to use contrast as part of my focal point. I try mirroring the contrast I see between hair and skin tone.

Jane Parks
Jane Parks

December 26, 2025

I like to create focal points with fabric, color, trims or embellishments depending on the outfit.

Patti
Patti

December 26, 2025

I typically find a fabric that appeals to me as with a specific pattern in mind. Then I look for a few ways to embellish the outfit with either lace trims or buttons.

Sharon M
Sharon M

December 26, 2025

What’s your favorite way to create a focal point — color, embellishment, trim, or fabric choice?
My answer is color, then I can add extras based on that.

Nancy
Nancy

December 26, 2025

I love to use my embroidery designs for focal points.

Nancy Hartley
Nancy Hartley

December 26, 2025

Great ideas. I love the personality I can leave with the sweet outfits I create

Kay
Kay

December 26, 2025

I enjoy all the help that your blogs give.

Kimberly Chidsey
Kimberly Chidsey

December 26, 2025

I love adding little design features like special stitches or unique buttons or even handmade flowers.

Connie
Connie

December 26, 2025

I love special trims. My latest interest is hand embroidered garment edges.

Julia
Julia

December 26, 2025

I like fabric, especially different textures. They lend themselves to building a core wardrobe that offers many pairings options!

Bev
Bev

December 26, 2025

Focal point pulls everything together like a magician. My favorite focal point is a unique color that creates interest.

Sandy (Sharon)
Sandy (Sharon)

December 26, 2025

Depends on the size of the doll. For a small doll, less is best. If the fabric is a bit busy perhaps the design of the pattern such as a cross-over bodice, a fancy sleeve or a contrasting solid color for the collar. For a larger doll repeats can be made such as a strip of vertical lace on the bodice with added lace on the hem. When a finish dress needs something, it might be just the simple trick of buttons add to the bodice front.

Sharon B.
Sharon B.

December 26, 2025

I like to use the fabric as the focal point, but it depends on the design as many others have said as well. Using a variety of things, such as ribbons, lace, buttons, etc. if you need an additional umph to an outfit is what makes sewing for dolls so fun!

Barb
Barb

December 26, 2025

When I make a T-shirt for a doll out of a solid fabric, I often make a little bow out of 1/4" satin ribbon and sew it to the center front just under the neckline. I make the bow out of a contrasting color. For example, if the shirt is pink, I make the bow white.

Karen
Karen

December 26, 2025

Thank you for the information.

Laura
Laura

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to create a focal point is through the embellishments. A touch of embroidery really brings the outfit to life

Linda Novakovich
Linda Novakovich

December 26, 2025

I love choosing fabrics that pop. I love contrasting colors and textures for variety. That is usually my focal point.

Mollie Bradford
Mollie Bradford

December 26, 2025

I like to use fabric and trim as my focal point generally. Often I’ll do some embroidery instead of trim. I mostly do historic fashions, so fabric/trim choice is always important!

Emily
Emily

December 26, 2025

I think the extra touches like tiny buttons, lace, and trim are my favorite ways to create or emphasize a focal point. They just elevate a piece so much and make it look finished and professional.

KatieE
KatieE

December 26, 2025

When sewing for dolls, I usually gather my fabric pieces to use in coordinating with the pattern I’m using. With such variety of options such as trims and buttons, each garment becomes one of a kind. I really enjoy making all types of clothing for my dolls. When I create a custom order, the need to make the customer happy is my main focus.

Patti Brinnon
Patti Brinnon

December 26, 2025

One of my favorite ways to create a focal point is through a design feature. I love designing and creating a unique twist in the design is so fun.

Patti Brinnon
Patti Brinnon

December 26, 2025

Wow, this sounds exciting! A more in dept exploration of fashion and design. I’m especially excited about the historical fashions!. I teach sewing at our local community College and this will help brush up my skills and knowledge to better help my students. Thanks Pixie Faire!

Janice
Janice

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to have a focal point is thru fabric choice. Sometimes a solid with a coordinating print will create a great focal point.

Mandona Wilson
Mandona Wilson

December 26, 2025

I gravitate toward creating a focal point using fun embellishments. Buttons, bows, embroidery, and other trims are so fun to really make a garment “pop”!

Julie C
Julie C

December 26, 2025

Generally, I like to add an embellishment for the focal point. But a busy print fabric doesn’t need much added or the outfit becomes too busy looking. Sometime a contrasting color stitching or solid color button is all that is needed.

Nadine
Nadine

December 26, 2025

I rely on fabric and/or contrast for focal point most of the time.I sew for a charity that specializes in AG 18"dolls and Bitty Babies. About 85%-90% of my contributions are for boy dolls. I have no idea how old the children are who will receive them, nor do I know their developmental age/skills. I do make some “dress” shirts. I always use hook & loop closures, but do add a few buttons on those. They are sewed on over the hook & loop closure, then I use either glue or fray check on the threads to hopefully keep them from coming off. For girls clothes I do sometimes trim with ribbon or other trims that can be securely sewed to the garment. I treat buttons the same as for boys.

Linda Davis
Linda Davis

December 26, 2025

I like to use laces, buttons and Ribbon to accent the fabric choice.

Linda Davis
Linda Davis

December 26, 2025

I like to use laces, buttons and Ribbon to accent the fabric choice.

Pam
Pam

December 26, 2025

I like using a trim as a focal point, or a contrasting fabric/

Dawn
Dawn

December 26, 2025

I like to spend time at fabric store search for coordinating fabrics that help make a focal point. Lately I have been fascinated by fabric manipulation techniques that can help make a outfit unique and provide a focal point

Karin
Karin

December 26, 2025

I like simple design lines and the focal point in my creations is usually trim or embroidery. Sometimes I use fabric that becomes the focal point. It also depends on the age of the child I am donating the doll and wardrobe to.

Martha
Martha

December 26, 2025

To create a focal point I like to use fabric that is the same but opposite. Like blue stars on white background, or white stars on a blue background.

J.J. Goody
J.J. Goody

December 26, 2025

For my latest design (https://pin.it/5uSZG5k13), the doll had pink earrings, so I chose pink rick rack and lace binding ruffle to contrast with the blue & white flounce dress. She was fun!

June
June

December 26, 2025

I use all 4 ways based on the fabric I choose and the pattern. I used a cute flowered fabric and where the ruffle was sewn on the sleeve and skirt, I used piping for a focal point. On “fancy” dresses I use a shiny embellishment around hem and the waistline. Sometimes I use a ribbon at the waist with a pretty shiny button. Sometimes I’ll add a contrasting fabric band at the hem or cuffs. I also like to use lace, ric rac, buttons but lots of times it’s just the fabric that is the focal point.

Kitty
Kitty

December 26, 2025

Ouch, one focal point! I’m a major embellisher and I add a LOT of different trims, buttons and laces to a single outfit. That’s probably why I like sewing doll clothing; I certainly wouldn’t add multiple embellishments to clothing for an adult. However, I do color coordinate all the different embellishments with the fabric print, so they look like they all belong together with the colors of the fabric.

KathyS
KathyS

December 26, 2025

I love to add a trim or some other piece ( buttons, beads or an appliquĂŠ, etc) to add a little unique pop of color.

Connie
Connie

December 26, 2025

I usually use some type of embellishment as a focal point. However, I also like to use different and unusal fabrics.

Maggie
Maggie

December 26, 2025

Usually it’s the fabric/colour choice, but if I’m making something special trim would be the focal point.

Priscilla Witwer
Priscilla Witwer

December 26, 2025

I tend to lean more to a simple but elegant style. Adding a decorative bling of sparkle or pearls at a focal point compliments the simple, elegant look.

Cheryl McArtor
Cheryl McArtor

December 26, 2025

I love to create one of a kind garnishments including embroidery.

Kathy m
Kathy m

December 26, 2025

Focal point depends on the pattern the fabric colors and era of fashion of the pattern contrast thread or contrast fabric different machine stitching and trim lace it creative processes to achieve the focal so pattern fabric help to choose

Sparkle
Sparkle

December 26, 2025

I love colors.

Beverley
Beverley

December 26, 2025

I choose color or trim for a focal point.

Hannah
Hannah

December 26, 2025

I tend to gravitate toward unusual fabric

Mary
Mary

December 26, 2025

Even small things like bags for dolls need a focal point, like a pretty closure or an interesting fabric.

Laura
Laura

December 26, 2025

It depends on the outfit I’m making. If it’s fancy like a gown but plain color fabric, pin tuck pleats in the bodice give it a nice focal point but they would be lost in a busy patterned fabric. A little sailor suit type outfit looks great with a red bold tie that would not work on a gown. Contrasting color can often be all you need like that bold red with a neutral. I really think the embellishments are driven by fabric and style. I do try to stick with one focal point per garment and keep it at waistline or above to draw the eyes up. Too many embellishments can overwhelm these small items and make them look too busy.

Linda Linzey
Linda Linzey

December 26, 2025

My focal point depends on mood. I will focus on a fabric if I start hunting through them. Sometimes a ribbon or button will catch my eye. I will focus on them to pick a fabric. I’m a mood crafter lol.

Mary Frances Hughes
Mary Frances Hughes

December 26, 2025

So many lovely ideas. There are so many ways to show off your focal point, I love historical fashions so sometimes the focal point needs to be subtle, depending on who is doing what. Don’t Felicity’s dress to detract from the situation.

Kathleen A
Kathleen A

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to add a focal point is by highlighting the thing I love most about the fabric I’m using. If it’s the color, I mirror it in different places. If it is the print, I center my favorite part.

Rita
Rita

December 26, 2025

For casual clothing, I use color as the focal point. For dressier creations, I use embellishments.

Susan Fritz
Susan Fritz

December 26, 2025

If the garment is more historical, I go for trim or a contracting color. If it is contemporary, I find
embellishment with buttons or bows easier.

Julie P.
Julie P.

December 26, 2025

I like to use pleats or pintucks on my doll clothes bodices and then add tiny buttons down the center. It brings the attention to not only to the bodice, but also to the doll’s face.

Heidi
Heidi

December 26, 2025

For an 18-inch doll dress, I like to sew a 1- to 1 1/2-inch strip of flat lace above the waist seam and add an embellishment, such as a silk flower, off center on the front.

Angela
Angela

December 26, 2025

I like to use fabric to make a focal point. I really like darker or more solid prints as a frame to make a brighter print stand out in specific spots.

Sue Gunther
Sue Gunther

December 26, 2025

I usually opt for color, my favorite option being jewel tones. If I am using a muted a neutral color then I would choose embellishments, unless the design of the outfit has its own focal point.

Lisa
Lisa

December 26, 2025

Proportion can totally throw off the look as you said. A recent example was a short sleeve on a blouse – it just didn’t look right until I made it shorter than the pattern said.
For focus I like to let the fabric speak for itself – whether it’s the fabric color combinations or print.
The simplest, but effective trim, I think, is Rick rack which comes in lots of sizes so you can always find the appropriate size for the doll for whom you are sewing.

marykay hymes
marykay hymes

December 26, 2025

I use design lines and selected color that don’t overshadow the focal point which is my dolls face. Too many embellishments and distracting prints can create opposing focal points.

Lois
Lois

December 26, 2025

Focal point: for me it’s all about the details! The top-stitching, pin-tucks, pleats, ruffles, buttons. Maybe a seam in a place you wouldn’t expect for a unique garment shape :)

Theresa
Theresa

December 26, 2025

For proportion, I make sure that the pattern on the fabric coordinates with size of the doll I am sewing for. If it’s too big, you don’t even see that and your eye wants to focus on what you don’t see. And to the focal point, if the fabric is too busy, your eye doesn’t know where to focus. A pop of color will direct your eye to what you want to focus on. It could be lace, or braid or even a contrasting thread color.

Susan
Susan

December 26, 2025

This is a skill I want to build. I am often a too much is never enough kind of sewist

Vicky Smith
Vicky Smith

December 26, 2025

My favorite focal point is the embellishment. I usually look at other designs and bounce my ideas off that. I’m always learning and love to see other people’s suggestions.

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