Finishes & More May Purchases

I don’t know about you, but when I have a holiday on the horizon, I either go into a complete panic and try and get everything done that I can before leaving my workroom for a week, thus completely stressing myself out. Or I start to wind down way too early, using my week off as an excuse for not getting things done.

Well, this week, thankfully I've gone somewhere in the middle – not only have I finished two quilts, but also indulged in a little planning for some me-sewing away from the computer screen.

My first finish is this cute baby quilt using Riley Blake’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic collection, together with some matching Konas and a white-on-white print.

Once I’ve finished writing up the pattern and had it checked by my trusty ‘testers’ – you know who you are – it’ll be available as a pre-cut kit.

Having realised that my Quick & Easy/Beginner’s Quilt Kits were quite girly, I decided to put together a more masculine version, though I do admit I quite
like it myself! 

This one features another Riley Blake design, Keep On Groovin’, with navy and orange Kona solids. Again, this will be added to my Kit collection once I’ve got back from my holiday.

I have to say, I’m totally loving this May is for Makers movement, it has really made me sit down to look at other designers’ patterns with the view of making something myself – I haven’t done this for years! It’s also given me the great excuse to make a couple more purchases!

First up is this funky Runaround Bag from Anna at Noodlehead, who I have admired for years on blogs and Instgram. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not really a ‘handbag’ sort of girl, but would much rather a big bag I can throw everything into - including the odd bit of handsewing - so this will be ideal, I just need to find the right fabric now…

And talking of handsewing, well English paper piecing to be exact, my third purchase this month is this gorgeous EPP design, Perpetual Spring from Flossie Teacakes. 

Florence is a self-confessed EPP addict, and I would say one of the pioneers of fussy-cut piecing. For those new to this wonderful craft, Florence has a great Beginner’s guide, plus a fantastic tutorial on how to fussy-cut your different shapes on her website. I have been catching curved paper-piecing all over Instagram during the last year, and felt I must have a go. I do love the yellows Florence has used, though looking at my stash of solids, I may go for a range of pinks with maybe a light grey… guess what I’ll be taking away with me next week!

So as you may have gathered by now, I will be on annual leave next week, enjoying more delights of the Netherlands – our second home! This means I will not be processing orders through my Sewmotion, Folksy or Etsy shops until Tuesday 31^st May (though my PDF pattern downloads will still be available through Etsy). Have a great week lovely people!

Why not pop over to these Linky Parties for more quilty fun and inspiration...

Let's Bee Social over at Sew Fresh Quilts

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation