There’s a new challah cover pattern in the shop: “Almond Blossoms.” Almond trees are the first trees of the year to blossom in Israel. They produce flowers even before the leaves appear. In late winter, as the days grow longer, the almond trees come into bloom, a welcome sign of renewal and a promise of the warm spring days to come.

The almond tree is a particularly fitting motif for the holiday of Tu b’Shevat, the Jewish New Year for Trees, which falls in January or February.

This challah cover sewing pattern features blossoming almond branches against a clear sky and the Hebrew words “Shabbat Shalom” for a peaceful Shabbat.

I love the look of almond trees in early bloom with the delicate flowers contrasting with the stark tree branches. I started working on this design last winter but had to put it aside before it was finished. Then a couple of weeks ago, when the brutal cold started in here in New York, my mind went back to this cover and I decided I needed to channel some of the almond tree’s winter beauty and the thoughts of warmer days ahead.

Techniques
The instructions cover machine applique for the branches, blossoms, and letters. If hand applique is your joy, the pattern is easily adapted to that technique. The centers of the blossoms are hand embroidered using the simple backstitch, and the instructions include an illustration on how to embroider that stitch.

Fabrics
This challah cover is made with two fat quarters plus additional fabric for the appliques. Use quilting fabrics or silk and silk-like fabrics.

You can buy the pattern in the shop.