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[Edited 1/6/26] Congratulations to Sharon H. She won the Pixie Faire gift card and has been notified by email!
Christmas is one of my favorite times of year â a season of creativity, generosity, and reflection. This year I wanted to continue to celebrate in a way thatâs meaningful, fun, and deeply connected to what we love most:Â design, sewing, and growing together as makers.

So today, Iâm excited to announce the 15th annual 12 Days of Christmas Celebration, inspired by the 15th anniversary of the Design Academy-12 Principles of Design.
For the next 12 days, weâll be sharing:
âď¸ One Design Academy Principle per day
đĄ A practical Design Tip you can use immediately
đŹ A daily blog comment prompt for you to earn entries in our giveaway
đ A $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card giveaway â 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 thereâs more....
These 12 principles are also the foundation of something very special coming in 2026âŚ

Twelve principles. Twelve months. One unforgettable year of growth.
In 2026, Cinnamon Miles is opening the vault and teaching the Design Academy like never beforeâfifteen years after she first published the landmark series that inspired thousands of sewists worldwide. This is a complete, modernized re-imagining, blending Liberty Janeâs iconic design principles with Sewing With Cinnamonâs 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, thereâs 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 havenât 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 whatâs coming â and a great way to jump back into thinking like a designer and getting the most out of your Pixie Faire pattern collection.
Letâs celebrate creativity, learning, and sewing together this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas,
Cinnamon & Team Pixie Faire
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đ Winner announced 1/6/26!
Today (12/25) we kick things off with Principle #1: Proportion, and your first entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip - Proportion: Scale is invisible when it's right and noticeable when it's wrong!
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt:
Whatâs your best tip for determining scale in relation to the doll you're sewing for?
Today (12/26) we kick things off with Principle #2: Focal Point, and your second entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip - Focal Point: Choose ONE star of the show. Whether itâs a bold fabric, a special embellishment, a unique neckline, or a pop of contrast â one clear focal point will always outperform several competing ones.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: Whatâs your favorite way to create a focal point â color, embellishment, trim, or fabric choice?
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Today (12/27) we kick things off with Principle #3: Rhythm & Repetition, and your third entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: âWhat do you enjoy repeating most in your sewing â shapes, colors, stitching, or patterns?â
Today (12/28) we kick things off with Principle #4: Harmony & Unity, and your fourth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Choose one unifying idea and let it guide every decision.
That unifying idea might be:
If every choice supports the same idea, harmony follows naturally.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: âWhen you start a project, what helps you keep everything feeling cohesive?â (color, mood, fabric types, themes, etc)
Today (12/29) we kick things off with Principle #5: Color, and your fifth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Successful Color Blocking:Â Highlight the pattern design lines with fabric by color blocking! Keep in mind the design principles mentioned earlier - rule of thirds, repetition, and harmony - Let one color dominate about 70%, repeat colors with added elements like buttons and trims, and pick a color palette that pleases the eye!
Bonus BOGO Promotion happening today too! https://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/trend-watch-color-block
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: âWhat color combination do you find yourself reaching for again and againâand why?"
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Today (12/30) we kick things off with Principle #6: Fabric Matters, and your sixth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Fabric Choice: Match the fabric personality to the design's intent. Choosing the right fabric often matters more than choosing the perfect color or embellishment. Maybe it's time to venture out of your comfort zone and try out a new type of fabric?
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: âWhatâs one fabric you love sewing withâand one you tend to avoid?â
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Today (12/31) we kick things off with Principle #7: Fabric Matters, and your seventh entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Surprise is what turns a nice design into a memorable one. Itâs the small, unexpected detail that makes someone stop and look twice. Add one unexpected detail that only appears once. It could be: A contrasting lining, A hidden pocket, An unexpected trim or button, A pop of color on the inside rather than the outside. One surprise is charming. Too many dilute the effect.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: â Whatâs the most fun or surprising detail youâve ever added to a sewing project?â
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Today (1/01) we kick things off with Principle #8: Waistlines, and your eighth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Where the waistline sits can completely change a silhouette. A small shift up or down can make a design feel youthful, classic, elegant, or modern.
The higher (Empire) waistline was prominent in the early 1800s Regency era, the natural waistline popular in the 1930s-1950s, and the lower dropped waistline emerged in the 1920s and reappeared in the 1960s/70s.
Waistlines arenât just structuralâtheyâre visual cues.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: â Do you tend to prefer high, natural, or dropped waistlines in your designs?â
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Today (1/02) we kick things off with Principle #9: Homage, and your eighth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Homage is about honoring inspiration without copying it. Great designers study what they love, identify why it works, and then reinterpret it in their own voice.
Homage connects design to history, culture, and personal storyâand itâs one of the most meaningful ways to create!
Isolate one defining element of your inspiration and build from there.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: âIs there a designer, era, or style that inspires your sewing the most?â
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Today (1/03) we kick things off with Principle #10: Minimalism, and your tenth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Minimalism isnât about making designs boringâitâs about making intentional choices.
When fewer elements compete for attention, the most important ones shine.
Minimalist designs often look confident, modern, and timeless.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: âDo you lean more toward simple designs or detailed onesâand why?â
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Today (1/04) we kick things off with Principle #11: Distressing & Embellishment, and your eleventh entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Todayâs design principle is all about adding depth, texture, and personality. Distressing and embellishment bring a design to lifeâbut only when theyâre intentional.
The goal isnât to add more, but to add meaning.
Well-placed texture can elevate even the simplest design.
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: âDo you enjoy embellishing your projects with fabric manipulation or added details like buttons, beads, or trims?â
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Today (1/05) we kick things off with Principle #12: Sewing Technique, and your final entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.
đĄDesign Tip:Â
Most projects look âhandmadeâ not because of design choices, but because of rushed finishing. Taking extra time on the last 10% of a project makes the biggest visual difference.
Focus on:
Accurate seam allowances
Pressing after every seam
Clean edges and consistent topstitching
Secure closures and neatly finished hems
đ To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt:
âWhat sewing technique do you most want to improve or master in the coming yearâand why?â
Thank you for being part of this community and for sharing your creativity with me.
Warmly,
Cinnamon
P.S. Donât forget â today is the final day to comment for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card drawing!
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Since most shades of blue are my favorite, I use those a lot. I like to pair darker hues with white and lighter shades with pastels.
I love blue, but when sewing for dolls I am often doing historical outfits so I try to use historical colors. As for color blocking, I really donât use it. I prefer analogous colors rather than contrasting ones, so Iâm not naturally drawn to color blocking.
I donât seem to have a particular color combo, it depends on the pattern. I usually have a fabric I want to use and coordinate the second color with it.
I like to use pink â if I can find coordinating fabrics that are shades of pink that is my first choice.
Lots of blues and greens!
Color and dash of creativity can make all the difference!!
I tend to use blues and purples, either together or various blues or various purples/lavenders. These have been my favorite colors for a long time.
I like turquoise shades for dolls, but use several colors depending on the child that I am making the doll clothes for.
In my personal life, I love the combination of purple and pink. But when I am sewing, I am attracted to blue and white together. There is a sharpness and clean feeling that I enjoy
I love all colors but probably lean toward black and white most.
I gravitate towards anything pink because it is my favorite color.
I loved Madisonâs hint about sketching the pattern out for best effects. A darker color placed strategically can make your doll look like it has a more natural waist or bust.
Day 5 Color Combo Use â I love yellow and pink together. Have used many variations. It feels happy to me.
I tend toward the cooler colors (tints to jewel tones). My least favorite color is orange (but love the tints of peach).
Turquoise and rust. because they complement my skin tone.
It depends on what Iâm making. I love the effect of black with brights like hot pink, turquoise, purple, and so forth.
The color combinations I go with the most are pinks (various shades) and blues (also in various shades). I also love pinks and blacks/
My favorite color combination is sage green and peach.
Day 5: I tend to use a lot of blues and purples, but it really depends on what I happen to be sewing at that time!
Day 4: Color is always what I always consider first, based on the feel that Iâm going for and what works best with the pattern. But often, Iâm making a set of coordinating outfits, so I have to consider multiple dolls (hair and skin color) and the theme that Iâm working with.
I tend to use blue a lot.
I love color blockingâŚ.my favorite colors are blues in varying shades, mixed with aqua or a hint of lime green or navyâŚdepending on the fabric print.
Iâm drawn to browns and oranges then maybe add in greens
Anything with yellow. It is such a bright and happy color!! I actually have to remind myself to try other colors sometimes!
PinkâŚ.with blue is always my favorite. But pink with anything is always my starting point. It just makes me happy.
I have been watching âEmily in Parisâ on Netflix. The colors, prints, and styles of the clothing she wears are so weird. They defy everything I ever thought about colors.
What color combination do you find yourself reaching for again and againâand why
There is really no specific colors or combination of colors that I reach for. I choose a pattern that I want to make then it depends on the season/holiday/my mood when it comes to color choices.
Color combinations, hmm! I guess my go to is pink and white or pink and purple since I sewing for little girls. I love many combinations though: blue and yellow, green and pink or yellow, black, white, and red, on and on.
Color combination? Periwinkle and whatever colors go with itâŚ.my favorite color
I love red white and blue. Always works. I also love sewing doll clothes with pink tiny florals and a coordinating trim.
I love the idea of color blocking outfits. Great tutorial on how to design it!
I have a pretty wide variety of colors in the fabrics I choose, and thatâs intentional, because I love color. If I have to choose a favorite color combo, I would say I like any color print on a white, black, or navy background, because then I donât have to work so hard to color match the thread, because I always have white, black, and navy thread.
I have an extensive collection of satin, fleece, and cotton from being the costumer for my high school and middle school for 15 years. I kept 1/2 yard and over at school. I had two garbage cans labeled 18 inch doll size and Barbie doll size scraps at schoolâothers besides me took scraps home. I have them grouped in clear tubs with matching trims, so I can pick what I want to use quickly.
âWhat color combination do you find yourself reaching for again and againâand why?"
I adore peacocks so I find myself using those colors VERY often!
My favorite color combination is royal blue and sunshine yellow.
Blue is my favorite color, all shades of blue. I pair it with white many times. I also use blue and pink together. Blue fabric with pink flowers print is a favorite of mine.
For some reason I gravitate to pink and purple. I like to use a print fabric for the main body then add a ruffle, or band at the hem and cuffs on sleeves with a coordinating fabric or a solid color.
I tend to pick dark reds and black. I feel itâs totally unexpected and looks so rich together.
Day 2: My favorite way to make a focal point is by using bias trims from contrasting fabrics to embellish the outfit.
I am adamant that everything I sew be ironed, ironed, and ironed again! If ironed properly, I donât feel thereâs a need to top-stitch everything.
And speaking of top-stitching, hereâs a handy tip: If you find your top-stitching doesnât look straight, in spite of believing you sewed a straight line, change your sewing machine needle! I am from the generation that never changed needles unless they broke. When someone shared that tip with me, it was a âhard sellââŚbut seeing was believing! A fresh needle makes a world of difference!!!
I like to use a solid color to compliment a floral or print fabric. Sometimes it can even be a contrasting color to add that pop to the outfit.
I love blues and my granddaughter loves purple so it is the best combination in my book.
Iâm late seeing this blog, but Iâll make a few comments regarding past daysâ questions in separate posts:
Day 1: I am pretty picky about the scale of a pattern on fabrics that I use. I sew for dolls as small as 3-1/2" tallâŚall the way up to 24" tall. My rule of thumb is to use no print larger than the dollâs eye. And regarding embroidery on bodices, I think about the size Iâd put on my own bodice if I was sewing for myself, which is about 15% (or 1/6) of the bodice size.
Pink & Purple! Girls love that combo!
As a quilter I always have plenty of fabrics and colors to choose from. I tend to be drawn to warmer colors rather than pastels.
With color blocking I would probably start with a blue, then use a green or purple, or maybe even a lighter blue depending on the look I was going for.
DAY 5 â (âWhat color combination do you find yourself reaching for again and againâand why? )
Red/white/blue. Typically I choose navy and white with an accent of red. Red always draws attention in photos.
Just love all the patterns I have purchased from you. They have all been easy to follow and are just great looking.
Navy blue and bright white
I love brown and pink together. But I donât really have a favorite color combination.
I prefer contracting colors.
Day 5: Color
I often use blues. So calm. I try to use a compliment color with it to spice up the pattern.
My stash of fabrics include a variety of colors and prints. I love a dot fabric with a stripe fabric. My favorite is pinks.
Pink or purple and grayâŚthey just go together.
I like to use red and black, or school colours.
Blue and white is a favourite combo as it is so classic.
I donât have a favorite color combo, I look for prints that catch my eye.
I start with what goes well with the dollâs coloring, just as I do with sewing for humans! If I happen to meet the little girl who will ultimately be gifted the doll, I manage to find out what her favorite color is and take that into consideration as well. Everything I make on a particular outfit highlights the main color.
I usually start small and enlarge if it looks wonky.
I most often reach for a small floral print. Then, I add a coordinating solid or two (depending upon the design) to help the florals shine, usually, itâs a navy, lavender or rose, because those are my favorites.
Of course, project and recipientâs preferences are always the deciding factors.
I reach for true red, pink, white and black! This cheery pop of color makes me happy!
Colors, colors â it has to be! Itâs like the 60s all over again. I like coordinating colors, and multiple hues of the same color.
For me, itâs theme. Itâs fun to plan for the outfit!
I hadnât thought of color-blocking before. Iâll have to try to incorporate that! Thanks!
Black and white is always a good bet however using the 3 primary colors (red, blue, yellow) always pops too.
My go to choice is black and white. The colors are clean, bright. Can be used in a sporting outfit to a stunning evening attire. Availability of combo designs like pin fits, stripes, floral. Love it for itâs versatility and availability and works accepts a third color easily!
In regard to colorblocking; I lean toward blues and peach colors.
Blue, whether it is denim blue or navy, is a favorite of mine, and it goes with so many other colorsâbasically a neutral but with more interest than beige or gray.
When a well known fabric store went out of business last year, I bought the most amazing bolts of yellow and greens that are amazing laying with each other. I like yellow because it is so cheerful.
I pick the fabric I want to use and then match the fabric to a pattern I think might match the color.
I have enjoyed color blocking for years. As I look back I have used various shape of blues and yellows frequently. But many of my garments utilize complimentary colors, i.e. red and green, orange and blue, violet and yellow. Another combination I have utilized have been a tint of one of the colors and a shade of the other. That adds a bit of depth, such as a pale pink and a deeper gray. Even though gray is a neutral it acts more as a color in this situation.
My favorite thing to do with color blocking is to use pastel-colored fabrics, especially for spring themed outfits.
I tend towards greens â all shades of green. Green has always been my favorite color so I gravitate towards this color whenever I sew.
If my great niece is over â she chooses a fabric and then I will find several different colors to choose from for the 2nd color. Also teaches her the technique.
Day 5 Color
I have several color combos I like using.
Pale Pink and grey
Hot Pink and Turquoise
Purples and black.
I like something that has a black. A flower stem, an outline, someplace as an accent. If it more black then a bright color as the accent
Most times when I start a project I donât have a unifying idea.
Maybe thatâs what I need to working on more.
I enjoy repeating color when I sew. I think that is the only rythm for my sewing.
A lot of times I choose color as my focal point, or a main/ favourite fabric.
I tend to go for blues and pinks as those are my favorite colors. The blues can easily be used light to dark for any project from the heaviest materials to the lightest. If I am using the color blocking technique, I choose the most striking color or pattern as the focal point and every other part, from fabric to trims, as the accent. If done right, it can be striking. Iâm not always successful, but I keep trying.
Iâm always buying blues and greens. I look awful in most greens, but I canât help but try over and over to find a green that doesnât make me look yellow, unsuccessfully so far. My friend once lent me a shirt that was that perfect green but it was her favorite and offering to buy it from her didnât work. I know the color exists somewhere, and blue & green are my favorite colors⌠they make me happy. If I could just find that green again, I would solve a 60 year dilemma!
I love playing with colors so this particular class sounds like itâll be a lot of fun.
I find that I really tend to lean towards blues & pastels. Blue because itâs my favorite color & pastels for easily matched girly outfits for the age range I imagine my dolls to be
I find that I really tend to lean towards blues & pastels. Blue because itâs my favorite color & pastels for easily matched girly outfits for the age range I imagine my dolls to be
I like to look at different collections of fabric and then make my pick for the pattern I want to make.
I love blue the most, but for dolls, itâs more about shades of pink, blue, or white. It also depends on the pattern and the model I want to make.
Several matching colors can be used in an outfit. Denim is a great fabric for working with other colors.
Actually, the colors of doll clothes are not that important, as long as they match and make the whole look nice, but the most important thing is that children are happy with the clothes made for their doll !
For myself, black and white is the most common one I reach for. I am trying very hard to put more color into my personal wardrobe. For AG dolls I try and stick with what was common/popular at the time.
I like to pick my colors or prints before I start.
The fabrics depend on the pattern. I like purple and black or purple and a small print.
My favorite colors are purples and into the pinks (including magenta and fuchsia) so those are the ones I frequently choose, particularly for myself! When sewing for a doll, it depends on the doll. Kirsten (AG) is my pink and blue girl. Molly (AG) is my red girlâas long as itâs red, she loves it! My Asian AG doll (GT4 from about 20-some years ago) is gorgeous in brights combined with black.
Black and white, red and black and blue and white are my go to colors.
hard to pick a fav color combo cuz I love them all, except yellow in general. Pink/black, gray/black are fun, blue with nearly anything is great. I donât think as much about the color as the pattern/texture of the fabric I donât think.
Blue and silver, fave colors
Theme is it for me.
Theme is it for me.
I depend on color to make my projects cohesive.
I sew for a charity that provides dolls and handmade clothes for little girls that have been abused. We use donated fabrics, often scraps of quilting fabric. So I often need to use two or motels coordinating fabrics to complete an outfit. All so the fabrics need to be of same type and weight. Bright colors are important.
I have no talent. Usually look for ideas and try to copy something I see.
When I read todayâs subject, I knew exactly what you meant. In fact the first 3 subjects hit on this very topic. Any one of these things, when followed, can bring a whole ensemble together.
When I read todayâs subject, I knew exactly what you meant. In fact the first 3 subjects hit on this very topic. Any one of these things, when followed, can bring a whole ensemble together.
When I start a project i search my fabrics for just the right piece . Things fall into place eventually. Sometimes it takes a while. I try to choose fabrics suitable for the era of what Iâm working on. And color matters . Intensity of color matters too
Barb
December 29, 2025
I utilize color blocking a lot when doing quilts and doll clothing.