Top 5 Must-Makes

for the New Year

In my top 5 must makes for 2025, I’ve included a variety of projects that speak to the trends we’ll see in the coming months (and beyond). If you missed our Trend Report that outlines some of these emerging trends for crafting and beyond, check out this post.

From home decor to garments and quilts, there’s something for everyone to make on this “top 5” list! Read on and add one (or more) of these projects to your must-make queue for 2025 and celebrate these fun trends with sewing.

MUST-MAKE 1: APPLIQUÉ SIDE-SEAM BOWS

Designs by Juju hopped on the “Cowgirl Chic” trend with a FREE Bow appliqué machine embroidery design. There’s also a full tutorial on their site so you can watch how it all comes together.

Create fun “Cowgirl Chic” sweatshirts and leggings using this design. It’s added to the side seam of the top or pants, and then the fabric underneath is cut away. Grab the design and try it out for yourself! You’ll also need: Sulky Perfect Appliqué Fusible Web and Sticky Fabri-Solvy Stabilizer. Note: In the tutorial, she uses a Sticky+ Tear-Away Stabilizer. I much prefer a wash-away Sticky Fabri-Solvy to prevent the stabilizer from peeking out around or behind the design. Choose your favorite Sulky Poly Deco Thread that matches the appliqué fabric, or base garment, you intend to use.

MUST-MAKE 2: FLORAL BOTANICALS

Organic florals are big on the trend forecast, with images of pressed flowers, pots of herbs and greenery topping the motif charts.

Use our Fall Botanicals Hand Embroidery Kit to create a set of florals to frame in your kitchen, bathroom or living room.

This design collection is also available for Machine Embroidery, as a Thread Palette, too!

MUST-MAKE 3: MEDITERRANEAN TILES QUILT

This Mediterranean Tiles Quilt Pattern by Kaffee Fassett is a free pattern that celebrates the Mediterranean theme that we’ll be seeing much more of in 2025 and beyond. His sample is very colorful, bringing in rich purples and reds.

To speak more to the trend Im seeing, you can choose more bright blues and whites in your design. Think “Greece” and you’ll be on track! (If you’re thinking “Greece” and want to come with me to this amazing country in 2025, check out our Greece tour and head there with Sulky!)

Be sure to use Sulky 50 wt. Cotton Thread for piecing your quilt, as the lightweight, yet strong, thread is what you need to ensure there’s no thread “bump” where your fabrics intersect. Quilt your finished creation using Sulky 30 wt. Blendables Thread in Ocean Blue. What a dreamy combination!

MUST-MAKE 4: BREAKFAST PAIR

Scrumptious breakfast motifs abound in 2025. You’ll see pancakes, waffles, cinnamon buns and bacon and eggs popping up on fabrics, greeting cards and even more in jewelry. This Eggs & Bacon Appliqué by Urban Threads is a fun take on this trend. It works on a onesie, T-shirt, hand towel and more. Don’t forget to grab the right Sulky Stabilizer for the job, and your favorite Poly Deco Threads. Use Sulky Felty for the appliqués for a fun, no-fray option.

If you’re always wondering what stabilizer to pair with what towel, check out our “All the Towels” Embroidery Session at sewingonline.sulky.com. Not only will you learn the recipes for success for lots of towel types, but you’ll also get a collection of towel-riffic designs with your registration!

MUST-MAKE 5: DISCO BALL PILLOW

Kara, from A Kailo Chic Life, figured out how to make a Disco Ball Pillow, which fits perfectly with the Disco Ball Trend we’re seeing right now. This trend is only going to grow, with mirror tiles filling the shelves at fabric and craft stores. You’ll also start to see more mermaid sequins and holographic costume fabrics, which you can use for this project in lieu of “Deco Foil.” (Admittedly, sequins doesn’t make for a very comfortable pillow, but it sure works for a decorative one!)

The quilting stitches really make this project speak to the theme. Without the quilty grid, this might look more like a beach ball! (Note to self: Make this for the summer with rainbow colorblocking!)

For your quilting, try using CRY Reflective Thread.

This thread has glass beads in it, making it reflective! Use it for light embroidery designs, clothing accents and more. Check out this post to learn how to use it.

Or, opt for Sliver Metallic Thread.

how to sew sliver metallic thread — Sliver Metallic

This thread is laminated with polyester, making it appear almost liquid-like. It’s a flat thread, so needs some special handling. But the end result makes the extra work totally worth it! Refer to this post to see the differences between flat and round threads, and learn how to sew them with ease.