August 31, 2026

TDITM 26 September Challenge: Drummer Drumming

September is the start of cozy crafting season (yay!) and our new TDITM challenge. If you are participating in my Twelve Days in Twelve Months sewing challenge to complete one Twelve Days ornament a month, it’s time to make Drummer Drumming!

You might be saying to yourself, um no, Larissa, the drummer is not next, the drummer is last. And you are correct! In the modern version of the song, that is. But not in the original 1780 English carol, which is what my series is based on. In the original, the order of the last four days is different and drummer is number nine. The instruments come first, so that Lady Dancing and Lord a-Leaping have some percussion and a lively tune they can dance and leap to.

But hey, 1780 may not be how you roll. If you prefer the modern song, you can easily renumber the Drummer using my Modern Numbering supplement. (It’s included if you purchase the 1-12 bundle, but you can also buy it singly in my shop.) But: I recommend you still make them in the 1780 order, since Lord a-Leaping is the most complex and should be made last. OK?

*Shown: Drummer Drumming: Left drummer color guide is **here**, right is **here**.*

*This is the drummer I made for **TDITM 25**!*

Hey, you’ve already tackled the first people ornament with the milkmaid, so now you are an old hand! Besides the usual wood bead head and felt embroidery, you’ll be using either toothpicks or pipe cleaners to make the drumsticks. You’ll also learn how to sew a fez, and how to roll up a strip of felt to form a ball.

I’ll sew my TDITM drummer using the aqua/green end of my Benzie color palette. The drum will be an excellent way to use the silver metallic felt. If I have time, I still need to make an extra drummer or two for my sample stash. I don’t have many drummers. I meant to do that last year. Not super optimistic for this year either. ha!

SHARE YOURS: Add a photo of your completed ornaments in the comments of this month’s pinned Facebook post, or tag your Instagram post with @mmmcrafts and #twelvedaysin12months to share your progress! (Please, no photos of my pattern pages.)

Buy the Drummer Drumming pattern if you don’t have it yet, and grab the Modern Numbering supplement if you need to. (Or if you need the whole series, the 1-12 bundle is the best discounted price and contains bonus materials!)