October's Free Pattern, and Our Little Trip Away

I love Autumn, the colours of the trees, the smell of newly-lit wood burners, a chilly walk on a sunny day... to me it's always been a season of change, or rather a time to start new things, probably harking back to school and college days. 

So what better time to learn a new skill!! For this month's free pattern I wanted to share my new-found love of curved English paper-piecing. This technique is featuring quite heavily in current and future projects, including the Sun Prints block-of-the-month quilt starting next year. So as a taster I've designed this gorgeous, and quite substantial, pincushion using some very pretty 1930s vintage florals.

Admittedly the pieces used in the pincushion are a lot smaller than those for the BOM, but thanks to some wonderful glue-basting this project should be fine for the seasoned sewer.

This pattern is free to my Newsletter subscribers, so why not sign up now! Not only do you get a free pattern every month, but you'll also receive subscriber-only discounts in the Sewmotion shop, as well as the latest news and updates on upcoming events.

To accompany this pattern, I've also released two pincushion kits which include all the fabric you need, plus a square of wadding, instructions and full-size templates to cut out. These are priced at £8.00 and would make lovely Christmas gifts or Secret Santas for a crafty friend. Click here to find out more.

We recently returned to our favourite short-break destination, The Netherlands, for a week of great food, walks and even some cycling - I'd just like to say, this land isn't as flat as they say it is, I can still find a hill or two to struggle up! Still, it was lovely to cycle down beautiful tree-lined lanes and explore more of the Dutch countryside and of course, indulge in a drink or two on the seafront.

Staying at a Eurocamp park (Duinrell) in Wassenaar, just outside The Hague, meant we were only a short walk away from some fantastic restaurants - I recommend Pop's Diner for amazing steaks, Da Alfio Ristorante for sumptuous grilled prawns, and Luciano's for the best ice cream AND added running hot chocolate that goes hard!!!! On our last night we went at the Bistro Plein 14, which was just too amazing for words, the menu says it all!

Our break actually started with a few days in London visiting my mum, the mandatory visit to Liberty's and where I finally had time to show Justin around my favourite museum of all time, the glorious V&A in Kensington. The Chihuly sculpture just hits you as you walk in - in fact the building itself is worth a visit alone, with glorious ceilings and amazing floor mosaics. I was obviously so in awe, I didn't manage to take many pics, but here are a couple - there's something so inspiring about wrought iron designs - free motion quilting maybe...

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursdayhttp://www.myquiltinfatuation.com/2017/10/king-sized-difficulty-and-ntt.html