2016 Review and 2017 Plans

2016 has been a year of learning, from blogging and website construction, to pattern writing and kit building. And this has been the intention. At the beginning of the year, I had some idea of where I wanted Sewmotion to go, but didn’t really know how to start getting there, but now I do. My quilt and cushion kits have had some great feedback with happy repeat customers, the couple of quilt shows I’ve done have been a great success (though still much to learn) and my recent foray into magazine submissions has been a lot of fun! So all in all, I think 2016 has been pretty good, if a little skint!

So what may 2017 have in store? From this year’s experience, I know I have to be more proactive, be it booking myself into quilt shows, submitting my work to magazines, or even running the odd workshop.

I also want to take the guilt out of reading blogs… there are so many great reads out there, but I never seem to find the time to stop ‘working on the business’ and just sit back, relax and indulge. I miss out on so much! I love joining in Linky Parties on blogs from around the world, which is why I'm linking up with Quilting Jet Girl's 2017 Planning Linky Party - I'm loving reading other creatives' plans for the coming year...

 

As far as work goes, I obviously have a very long list of things to do, but here are a few;

- continue my free Pre-Cut Party patterns (available to my Newsletter Subscribers) – and launch a Linky Party of my own to work alongside, for those of us who love a good pre-cut!

- write more patterns, and develop some into kits, this would also help to use some of the scarily growing shelves of fabric I seem to be buying!

- exhibit at more shows, I’m booked in at Harrogate, Duxford and Malvern so far…

- Learn more about and practice curved piecing, in particular developing my curved hexy block. I also want to do more fabric weaving using the Wefty Needle, my first try was a lot of fun!

In my non-work life this year, we've got a new house to settle into, a much-missed bath to install, exercise to contemplate (and try to keep to) and maybe a little yoga... 

To keep up with Sewmotion's news and events, you can subscribe to my Newsletter, you'll also receive a free pattern every month, plus subscriber-only offers in the Sewmotion shop. Click below to subscribe.

I'm also linking up with;
Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts  
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
 

Merry Christmas from Sewmotion

Wow, what a year 2016 has been! This year was all about developing my collection of kits and patterns, experimenting with sales and finding my market. This started with working on my range of quilt and cushions kits, which now include eight quilt and five cushion kits, one table runner, as well as seven quilt patterns!

I’ve also loved playing around with gorgeous new fabrics to make up my quilting pre-cuts, then coming up with designs and patterns to use those fabrics. This led to me launching Sewmotion’s Pre-Cut Party, offering free patterns to my Newsletter subscribers - you can see some of the patterns below. If you haven’t done already, you can join for free and get a free pattern every month, straight to your inbox, the Newsletter also includes subscriber-only offers, plus Sewmotion’s latest product news and events.

And here's a sneaky peak at next month's free pattern, this time based on the good old 2.5" strip. 

In the second half of the year, after a couple of disastrous craft fairs, I decided to try exhibiting at quilt shows, and did Harrogate in September, then Duxford in October - I loved every minute! Not only were these my kind of people, we could ‘talk quilting’, but my kits and fabrics seemed very popular, and I met some really lovely people!

So I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me and Sewmotion over the past year. I know how very fortunate I am to be able work in this craft I love so much and to get up and design or sew every day. This is partly down to my wonderful Justin who works hard to pay the bills and never complains, and also to my amazing mum who is forever supportive and encouraging. But all of this couldn’t be possible without my lovely customers and newsletter subscribers, from those who have taken the plunge to learn a new craft and bought my beginner’s kit – I love seeing your progress – to the more experienced quilters looking for their next projects. Thank you all so very much. 

And as a thank you and a festive gift to you all, I would like to offer you a 20% discount on everything in my Sewmotion shop, simply use the code above at checkout, though please note, I am now taking a much needed break over the Christmas period, traveling to see family and friends, so won’t be posting anything out until 3^rd January. This offer will run until the 31^st December, so plenty of time to browse, and hopefully get inspired!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful creative New Year.

Linking up with;

Main Crush Monday on Cooking up Quilts
Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication 

Christmas Gift Sale & Folksy Gift Guide

A few weeks ago I remember promising a round-up of my favourite handmade gift ideas to be found in online marketplaces, and I seem to have got as far as Etsy… and then we moved house. I completed underestimated how much time this was going to take out of my month, and now I fear I’ve missed the Christmas shopping bubble. Hopefully there is still time for last minute purchases, and where better to look in the UK than Folksy.

For those of you who are new Folksy, this online marketplace is very similar to Etsy, but only sells hand crafted or designed work from UK designer-makers. This is a great opportunity to support British makers, and also handy for last-minute gifts! Folksy provides handy Gift Guides  which have been curated by some of the talented makers over the past year. These include ‘British Printmakers’, ‘Gifts for Makers’ ‘Eco Friendly Gifts’ and ‘Gifts for Music Lovers’ – there really is something for everyone! Here are just a few of my favourites...

Going clockwise from top left: Mouse Bookmark, Earth & Air Jewellery, £18; Sycamore Yarn Bowl, Bluebell Woodturning, £31; Thread Storage Wall Organiser, Laura ter Kulle, £34.99; Lampshade in Forest Green, Justine Ellis, £46; Wooden Heart Stud Earrings, Ivy Lace London, £6.50; Felt Coin Pouch, Song of the Seam, £6.

If you're still stuck for last minute gift ideas, why not check out my own sale in both the Sewmotion shop, and my Folksy shop - with up to 30% off selected gifts and cushions.

Folksy is also running a great campaign to celebrate everything handmade – use the hashtag #celebrate_handmade on social media to find some beautiful items. They also have a wonderful article on their blog by Tash Goswami who explains why buying and giving handmade is so much better - why it's more sustainable than mass production, how handmade is forever, not just for now, and how, by buying handmade, we are supporting local businesses and keeping craft skills alive.

I think the last point Tash makes about keeping craft skills alive, which also demands education in these skills, is something I feel very strongly about. I could go one for days about how wonderful, relaxing, therapeutic, and just so good for you, crafting is, whether you are sitting at your sewing machine all day sewing endless half-square triangles, or in front of a roaring fire with an EPP project on the go, the repetitive action of crafts like patchwork and quilting is what slow craft is all about. Being able to unplug, for even just an hour, and concentrate on one thing, is as beneficial for many as a good night’s sleep. This is why through Sewmotion, I aim to introduce as many people as I can to my wonderful craft, be it through my free online tutorials such as the Beginner’s Quilt series, or through one of my Quick and Easy Quilt Kits. These would also make great Christmas gifts!  

I hope this blog has helped you out with any last-minute gifts, before I go I just wanted to share this fantastic video. As you may know by now, I’m a great fan of star quilter Angela Walters, and I was so happy to discover she’s just started a new quilting channel on YouTube for Craftsy called the Midnight Quilter. In the first episode Angela makes this gorgeous Variable Star Quilt and shares some great tips along the way, at the same time raising a glass of red wine – she is my kinda girl!

This week I'm linking up with Let's Bee Social on Sew Fresh Quilts and Midweek Makers on Quilt Fabrication. If anyone knows of any UK linky parties out there, please let me know - otherwise, I'm thinking of starting my own in 2017...


 

Moving house means Sale time!

After five long months we're finally moving into our new house! I'd be lying if I said it's been an easy process, I always forget how long these things take! Anyway, we're moving into a 1930s 3-bed semi in the lovely area of Linthorpe Village in Middlesbrough - complete with wood chip wallpaper and the most expressive artex I have even seen. It's strangely growing on me, much to Justin's annoyance! One thing we do agree on though is the beautiful log burner in the front room and these wonderful door knobs - aren't they cute!

With no time or budget to tackle the wood chip, for now I've decided to just whitewash the second bedroom which is to be my studio, I'm sure once I've got shelves of fabric adorning the walls and some pictures and hangings up, I'll forget all about what's lurking underneath.

While packing up my room, which seems to be taking forever, I've realised how much stock of handmade items I actually have... and I really need to make room for 2017's creations. So I'm having a little pre-Christmas sale, it is now December after all. I've reduced my Teessider Cushion Collection by 30%, this is a great opportunity to grab a one-off gift for someone from, or maybe living away from, the North-East. Maybe you've got a homesick student who would like to be reminded of home now and again. Click below to see the whole range.

Amazingly moving house has made us get ahead with our gift shopping just to get it out of the way, and I know I'm not alone! So I've taken 20% off selected smaller gift items in the Sewmotion shop, including coin purses, pencil cases and make-up pouches, perfect stocking fillers, gifts for school friends, or secret santas. Click below to see the collection.

This month's free Pre-Cut Party pattern is for this cute Bargello Make-up Pouch which uses 2.5" strips and a clever tube technique to create this staggered squares pattern. I also show you how to make up your quilted panel into this pouch to hold all your everyday essentials - also great for last minute gifts!

For this free pattern, just subscribe to the Newsletter for the link to this and past patterns based on quilting pre-cuts.

For more quilty fun and inspiration, why not pop along to these linky parties
and say Hi!

Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation  
Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication