Merry Humbug! 2026 Sewing Challenge

Not joining my TDITM 26 challenge this year? May I suggest this impromptu challenge to sew one of my intermediate sewing patterns each month in 2026? You can focus on both series (one pattern per month) or on one series (one pattern every two months)! Now listen, I can’t sew along with you for this one. I have a huge backlog on my desk, and I’m already doing the TDITM 26, but I will be cheering you on with timely reminders and inspo throughout the year. Love to see what you make! The challenge:

The ‘Twas the Night and Ebenezer series shown above are both still in progress! (I hope to release new patterns for both in 2026.) But I noticed both series currently have six patterns and six + six = Twelve! haha. The perfect month-by-month challenge to keep you motivated, so you’ll have the sparkly ornaments of your dreams in time for Christmas!

JUST JOINING? Catch up with the latest blog posts. Lots of helpful info!

HOW DO I JOIN? No formal membership needed! Just purchase the patterns if you don’t have them, and sign up for my newsletter for reminders straight to your inbox. You can also watch my Instagram, Facebook, and blog feeds to get monthly reminders and inspiration posts!

SHARE YOURS: Starting in January of 2026, add a photo of your makes in the comments of the monthly pinned posts on my Facebook page, or tag your instagram posts with @mmmcrafts and #merryhumbugchallenge to share your progress! Yay!

(REMINDER: Please, do not share photos/videos of my pattern pages.)

NOTE: SKILL LEVEL FOR THESE PATTERNS IS INTERMEDIATE!
If you have completed my Twelve Days series, you are ready! (If you are a beginner, visit Get Started for more info.) To sew this challenge you’ll be working with very small pieces, embroidery stitches, hand sewing, beads, sequins, wire, findings, card stock, glues, and of course, wool felt. My intermediate patterns have more steps, but if you follow each one carefully you’ll end up with a beautiful heirloom ornament!

Q: WHAT IF I DON’T START IN JANUARY? WILL IT BE TOO LATE? 
A: 100% not too late! One pattern per month is actually a pretty sedate pace. Each of these ornaments takes three or four crafternoons to complete, so you can sew more than one per month, if you like. It’s easy to catch up.

Q: DO YOU HAVE KITS? 
A: No, I only sell the digital patterns, but Benzie Design has you covered with felt, floss, and most of what you need for either series. Have a look here for my detailed color guides and links to their kits:
KITS AND COLOR GUIDES

PLAN YOUR COLORS
Here’s a free PDF download Color Planner so you can keep track of your color schemes for each series. Print it on letter-sized card stock. Trace, cut, and glue on swatches of your felt. Note the color names, and be sure to write the name of the felt vendor down too.

TO BUY PATTERNS: Pattern downloads sold exclusively via my Etsy shop, mmmcrafts.etsy.com
SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE (these are not beginner projects!)

SEE MORE:
View the Instagram highlights
Read all Merry Humbug blog posts from most recent to oldest.