The Nutcracker is the rare Christmas story with two fabric interpretations at Linda's, and they couldn't be more different: Riley Blake's Nutcracker Tradition tells it as a warm storybook, while Andover's The Nutcracker renders it in elegant cream-and-red toile style. Whichever ballet you're sewing, it's here.
Riley Blake Nutcracker Tradition ($12.99–$13.99/yd)
- Decorate the Tree Panel — the storybook scene, ready for a fast wall quilt
- Storybook, Midnight — vignettes from the tale on deep navy
- Christmas Magic in Berry and Snow
- Christmas Mice, Midnight — the Mouse King's army, adorably defanged
- 10" Stacker ($49.99) — the whole collection in precut squares
This line also has a sibling in felt: the Nutcracker Tradition Sew-a-Story felt panel we covered earlier — pair the felt project with cotton yardage for a matched set.
Andover The Nutcracker ($15.59/yd)
The grown-up interpretation — fine-lined illustrations in a cream, red and green palette that reads like a Victorian theatre program:
- Soldiers, Cream and Soldiers, Red — marching toy soldiers in formation
- Sugar Plum, Cream — the fairy herself
- Advent, Cream — countdown motifs
- Foliage, Cream — the botanical coordinate
Bonus for the Machine Embroiderers
The AccuQuilt GO! Nutcracker Die #55929 ($104.99) cuts perfect nutcracker applique shapes — pair it with either collection's yardage for applique stockings and banners.
How I'd Choose
Riley Blake for kids' quilts, stockings and anything the grandchildren will claim; Andover for the sophisticated runner on the piano and heirloom-style quilts. Or refuse to choose: both share a red-cream-green spine, and Andover's cream coordinates make surprisingly good low-volume rests between Riley Blake's saturated storybook prints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nutcracker collection is better for a child's quilt?
Riley Blake's Nutcracker Tradition — warmer illustration style, a story panel, mice, and a precut Stacker that makes a scrappy kids' quilt nearly automatic.
Do the two collections coordinate with each other?
Yes — both live in the classic red, cream and green Christmas triad. Andover's cream prints work as elegant low-volume counterparts to Riley Blake's saturated pieces.
What's the fastest Nutcracker project?
The Decorate the Tree panel: quilt around the printed elements, bind, add a hanging sleeve — an heirloom wall hanging in an evening.
