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As we are slowly melting this summer in Florida, I’m going to try and cool you off with a Christmas in July new pattern release!
We were posted in Frankfurt, Germany, for three years. In late November and December, Christmas markets are open around the area (not just in Germany, we visited some in France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Austria). Given it is cold during Christmas market season, there are many warm drinks to enjoy: Glühwein (mulled spice wine), Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic Christmas punch), and Heiße Schokolade (German hot chocolate). The hot drinks are served in mugs. In Germany, you pay a 1€ or 2€ deposit for a mug. If you return the mug you get your deposit back, but you can also keep the mug as a souvenir.
Each market has their own mug, so you can quickly get a colorful collection. Over our three years, we amassed quite a little collection (this is just a few of our mugs).
The markets are known as Christkindlmarkt in some parts of Germany. They typically open mid day (with sunset around 4:30 that time of year). So in addition to beautiful trees, the markets are decorated with lights and sparkling Herrnhuter Sterns (also called Moravian stars in the US). My sister-in-law got this great shot!
Most markets are located in plazas in the center of towns (large and small). Frankfurt actually has about ten different markets all interconnected but in different plazas around downtown. Some markets are more remote, my favorite being the Ravenna Gorge market in the Black Forest. Trains running overhead on the bridge, water babbling in a small creek around the market, and surrounded by tall evergreen trees.
The mugs, the stars, and the trees all inspired my Christkindlmarkt Quilt!
The pattern uses Foundation Paper Piecing to make the stars, the trees, and the mugs. The mugs are perfect for using all those cute holiday fabrics! A dark or light background would work great with this quilt also.
The Christkindlmarkt Quilt pattern can be found in my Etsy shop and use code BLOG10 for 10% off! I finished quilting and binding my sample on December 25th last year..lol! I can’t wait to use it this holiday season!
