Every year I tell myself I’m just going to decorate a wreath like a normal human being. And every year, apparently, I lie to myself.

This year for the Capitol Theatre’s Festival of Lights & Trees, I decided to “keep it simple,” which — in my world — somehow turned into: what if I embroidered an entire light-up sewing machine and built the wreath around that?

If you’re new here: yes, this is the kind of nonsense I do for fun.

Why the Capitol Theatre Matters to Me

Long, long, before Sewing Machine Magic existed, I went to theatre school. I was the stage manager, the production manager, the person quietly holding the whole circus together with tape, lists, and whatever sanity I had left. And because I like to do all the things, I also did a ton of sewing and costuming. 

That’s also where I met Ted. He asked me out for coffee one day and I, being me, responded with, “I don’t drink coffee,” and instantly made everything weird. Somehow he still stuck around.

A lot of our friends still work at the Capitol (one we even went to theatre school with!), and supporting local theatre has always mattered to us. It’s a community space and a creative hub — the kind of place that pulls creative people together and keeps the arts alive in town. So when the Festival of Lights & Trees rolls around every year, I always want to make something that feels a little… special. A little magical. 

The Idea (If You Can Even Call It That)

This year I thought: “Let’s lean into the Sewing Machine Magic vibe.” Simple enough, right?

Except then my brain said: “Okay but picture this: a full 3D embroidered sewing machine that actually lights up, and it’s sewing rainbow ribbon that explodes through the wreath like someone cast a colour spell.”

And then I couldn’t not make it.

I’ve included a video of the little glowing machine because words don’t do it justice. It looks like something you’d find in a slightly mischievous craft fairy’s workshop — not that I believe in those, of course. (Except a few of my bobbins have absolutely disappeared.)

Making the Machine

The machine is entirely embroidered — every panel, every detail — all stitched on my PFAFF Expression 750 embroidery machine, then assembled like the world’s weirdest 3D puzzle. It wasn’t hard, but it was a lot more time than I expected. One of those projects where you start strong, hit hour seven, and think, “Well, I can't turn back now!”

Once it came together, though? Worth every stitch.

The Ribbon Explosion

We wanted it to feel alive, like the sewing machine had just decided to start making something joyful and chaotic all on its own. So we fed rainbow ribbon through the 'needle' area and wove it through the wreath until it looked like a colour burst.

If machines had moods (and they do!), an unexpected burst would mean trouble. But this ribbon explosion? For once, the chaos is decorative.

A Wreath with a Little Heart

This project isn’t just about the wreath. It’s about theatre, community, and making something that will hopefully make someone smile every time they walk by. The Capitol Theatre fundraiser is truly wonderful — dozens of trees and wreaths decorated by local businesses, artists, and community members, all raising money for a space that has meant a lot to so many of us.

And yes, I fully hope someone falls in love with this ridiculous, magical creation and brings it home. I’m making one for myself because I think the shop needs one!

Final Thoughts

This wreath is a mix of theatre nostalgia, sewing magic, and pure creative chaos, and I’m so glad I made it. It was a lot of work, but it filled more than a week with colour and joy — and honestly, that’s kind of the point of making things.

If you see it at the Festival of Lights and Trees, let me know what you think. And if you happen to be the one who brings it home… take good care of her. She may look cute and glowy, but she has opinions.