It's so nice to be back to normal after the madness of Sale week, I really need to start making some new stock! So I've started with these two new EPP cushion kits - a few of my customers often buy two identical kits as they want a matching set for their sofa, then I thought, well they don't need to be identical, just in matching fabrics, so these new releases are both in Makower's gorgeous Bloom fabrics.
The first is a variation on my Wreath design and uses curved English paper-piecing to make this beautiful ring. You then appliqué it onto your background square, add borders and then hand quilt big-stitch style. The second cushion is another take on my Diamond Star cushion design, which again looks very striking on that dark grey background. Both kits include all the fabric, pre-cut papers, embroidery thread and full instructions, you just need a square of wadding and backing. You can see my full collection of cushion kits here.
I've had quite a few new fabrics arrive lately which I'm just desperate to start working with, I've added some new fat quarter bundles to the shop including Makower's Woodland and Dashwood Studios' Nesting Birds, but I'm keeping Quantum to myself for a little while longer... I have so many plans for this beautiful range, I just love the masculinity of it and can see some great 'man' quilt kits on the horizon!
I have recently added a couple of new items to the shop, including this luscious wadding I came across a few months ago. Matilda's Own 80/20 wadding is sooo soft, easy to quilt, both machine and hand, and comes in at 94" wide, a little wider than your normal wadding, and as we all know, that 4" can make all the difference! Click here to find out more.
My second new stock item is something I now use religiously in all my EPP work - Mary Ellen's Best Press. Once I have pieced all my shapes, and BEFORE taking the papers out, I spray my work with this gentle fabric starch and press. Not only does this flatten out the odd lump, but it also helps maintain those sharp folded edges to help with the needle-turn appliqué. Find out more here.
If you're an avid reader of the wonderful Love Patchwork & Quilting mag, you'll find my lovely set of cushions in the latest issue - this curved EPP project uses larger shapes making them a great introduction to this technique, and who could resist those gorgeous Dovestone fabrics from Dashwood! This is a fantastic bumper issue with projects from Kate Webber, Yvonne Fuchs, Karen Lewis and Lynne Goldsworthy - what amazing company I'm keeping!
Wishing you all an amazing creative week.
Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday
Over the years my Beginner's / Quick & Easy Quilt kits have been instrumental in helping many of my lovely customers embark on their quilting adventure. As you may know this is how Sewmotion came into being, while working in a fabric shop who didn't run classes, someone would come in near enough every day wanting to learn how to quilt. So I designed and wrote this Beginner's Quilt tutorial to help them along, and of course, once I started Sewmotion, it just had to be the first kit I released!
These kits are ideal for those who maybe haven't bought the rotary cutter, ruler and mat as yet, and just want to have a go, for those who aren't too confident in their cutting, or even for those looking for a quick project.
Each kit comes with all 36 pre-cut squares, borders, binding and thread and full instructions, which also include links to my very thorough online tutorials for even more help. Each kit is £30 and would make a great Christmas gift for someone wanting take up this wonderful craft, you can see my whole collection of quilt kits here.
TeesCreatives workshops start this weekend, Laura will be teaching the Tilly and the Buttons Cleo dress on Saturday, Jen will be teaching the Linden Sweatshirt on Sunday, while I will be holding a Sewmotion pop-up shop in Creative Room 2. So if you're in need of beautiful fabric, sewing inspiration or just on the hunt for sewing gifts for special friends, why not pop along? I'll be there this Saturday 10-4pm.
For a full list of TeesCreatives workshops, including my Diamond Star Cushion and Flower Hoop Art classes next week, click here. We are also currently meeting up with lots more tutors who want to work with us in the New Year, so it would be a good idea to sign up to TC's Newsletter to be kept up to date with new classes and workshops!
Wishing you all a happy and creative week!
Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday.
Gosh, what another busy week! I had a good time at last weekend's quilt show at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, always a fascinating venue, if a little cold to the bones... someone said the aircraft in the other half of the hangar has to be kept at a certain temperate.. they're not kidding!
Anyway, it was lovely to meet existing as well as new subscribers to my Newsletter, all of which have just received this month's free Pre-cut Party pattern... my Friendship Star Wall Hanging.
I recently rediscovered this lovely block which is made using a pretty clever piecing technique that uses very little fabric and is really quick. To get your own free PDF pattern, you can subscribe to the Newsletter here, not only will you get a free monthly pattern, but I also send out exclusive subscriber-only offers on my kits and pre-cuts, what's not to love! I made my version into a Christmas hanging using Makower's bright and funky Joyeux fabrics, which is available as a kit - click here to find out more.
I've also had a happy dance this week when I saw my Modern Stars baby quilt had made it to the front cover of the latest issue of Love Patchwork & Quilting - another great curved EPP project to get stuck into this winter.
Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday
