There’s something about the holiday season that makes my sewing table feel extra magical — like I’m stitching inside a little winter cabin with twinkle lights, snacks, and a mug of something warm. This month’s Aurifil Artisan Challenge was the perfect spark to keep that cozy momentum going.

For November, we were asked to showcase the City Streets curated thread collection by Jemima Flendt of Tied With a Ribbon. It’s a bright, happy, city-meets-modern sampler of 10 small spools of 50wt Aurifil, and honestly… these colors just sing. Think bold shop-front awnings, cheerful block-printed tiles, and the vibrant energy of strolling through a lively downtown.

But here’s where things get extra fun: Four of the City Streets colors pair perfectly with Art Gallery Fabrics’ “Christmas in the Cabin” collection. Like, a match-made-in-quilty-heaven kind of perfect.

The four colors I used are:

• 1148 — Light Jade

• 2835 — Medium Mint

• 5002 — Medium Red

• 2405 — Oyster

These shades slip right into the palette of cozy reds, snowy aquas, vintage mints, and soft neutrals that make Christmas in the Cabin feel both nostalgic and fresh.

And because this is the season for tiny projects and handmade cheer, I used these threads in three small-but-mighty makes that will be featured in the Quilt Scouts Digital Advent Calendar starting December 1st.

Let’s take a quick peek!

1. Fabric Gift Card Holder

These little gift card pockets are my go-to December quick sew, and this year’s version turned out extra charming thanks to the Season of Gifting print from the Christmas in the Cabin collection. I paired it with Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Solids in Evergreen for a pop of contrast that feels equal parts festive and modern.

For the topstitching, I reached for Aurifil 50wt in Medium Mint (2835) — and wow, it was the perfect choice. The minty stitching adds just the right whisper of color without overwhelming the print, and it ties in beautifully with the softer greens in the fabric palette. Crisp lines, cheerful color, and the sweetest little finish for a tiny-but-mighty handmade gift.

2. Quilted Hexagon Mug Rug

Once I started playing with the Mugfuls of Joy and Checkered Charm prints from the Christmas in the Cabin collection, I knew a classic rectangle mug rug wasn’t going to cut it. This project needed hexagon energy. So I drafted a 7″ hexagon template and let the cozy chaos begin.

For quilting, I paired two colors from the Aurifil City Streets collection that hit exactly the right vibe:

• Oyster (2405) for clean, subtle topstitching
• Medium Red (5002) to bring just enough holiday pop

Light, crisp Oyster kept the focus on the adorable print details, while Medium Red added a festive little zing around the edges. The combo feels cheerful, modern, and very “holiday cocoa moment.”

It’s small, sweet, and the perfect size for a mug + cookie situation — which, let’s be real, is a core December activity.

3. Quilted Bowl Cozies

Okay, these might just be my new winter love language. I stitched up a whole set of bowl cozies using Festive Twinkle from the Christmas in the Cabin collection as the star print, then paired each one with a different coordinating solid:

• Aurora Red
• Marmalade
• Ocean Fog
• Eucalyptus

Each cozy has its own personality, but they all feel like they belong together — like a little family of quilty sweaters for your bowls.

For quilting and topstitching, I leaned into the Aurifil City Streets palette with:

• Oyster (2405) — crisp, clean, and perfect for blending
• Medium Red (5002) — bright, festive, and full of cheer

I also pulled in two additional Aurifil shades to match the non-holiday solids:

• Medium Juniper
• Medium Orange
  (Not part of the City Streets collection, but too good not to use.)

All quilting was done with 50wt Aurifil, which gave the cozies that smooth, flexible drape without adding bulk. The result? Practical, adorable, and extremely ready for chili season.

Want All These Patterns?

They’re coming soon… in the most festive way possible.

All three of these mini-projects are part of the Quilt Scouts Digital Advent Calendar, a free daily surprise delivered to your inbox from December 1–24. Think patterns, recipes, printables, surprise downloads, Scout-themed goodies, and plenty of holiday cheer for quilters.

It’s totally free and open to everyone — Quilt Scouts member or not. Sign up here and join the fun →

Final Thoughts

Aurifil’s City Streets collection is joyful, bright, and versatile — but it also surprised me with how beautifully it leaned into a holiday palette. Pairing it with Art Gallery Fabrics’ Christmas in the Cabin felt effortless, and these four spools in particular will definitely stay at the front of my thread drawer long after the holidays are over.

If you’re stitching your way through the season too, I hope you grab this collection, crack open a new project, and maybe join us for 24 days of quilty surprises. ’Tis the season for tiny makes and colorful threads.