Back on John Scott's Sewing World

It's been such a busy month, yet most of my sewing has been secret so I haven't been able to share much. A couple of projects are my new Diamond Star and Hexy EPP Cushion Kits which I demoed on John Scott's return show after lockdown. We were all happy to be back in the studio, but it felt very weird not being able to hug anyone - it is lovely to realise how much hugging is done in the sewing world though. 

Anyway, we managed ok, if you missed the show you can watch the show on YouTube here - I'm on in the second hour where I show how to hand piece the diamonds and hexagon shapes together using two EPP techniques. The Cushion Kits are also still available to purchase on the Crafter's Companion website here and include all the Alison Glass Sun Prints fabrics you need for the front, plus the grey background fat quarter, pre-cut paper pieces and full instructions.

I have also been keeping my Newsletter subscribers busy with my free lockdown mystery quilt, Hope in the Stars. You can see some of the latest blocks below, aren't they beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing (clockwise from top left) Bev, Carol, Helen T, Ruth, Helen L, Andrea, Elaine, Jayne and Gracie.

If you would like to learn more about this hand sewing block-of-the-fortnight quilt, free to my Newsletter subscribers, sign up now by clicking here for the latest block, the Le Moyne Star, plus links to all past blocks.

As we are now in July, although it feels more like October here, I think we're now allowed to mention the C word, us makers have permission to start Christmas projects early don't you think!? I have a long list of projects and kits to get on with, including a new Christmas Wreath Table Mat kit, to be featured and demoed on my next appearance on John Scott's Sewing World on 14th July. Kit production is in full swing, which included cutting 600 2.5" fabric strips, ahhh!! 

So, I best get back to it, I really hope you are all keeping well, managing to stay safe and sane during the madness, hopefully through sewing, and hope that we can soon look forward to better days. Best wishes to you all xx

Linking up with Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

New Quantum Bygg Cushion Kits

When I first saw this Quantum Bygg collection from Andover fabrics, I just knew I had to have it! Designed by Giuseppe Ribaudo, otherwise know as Giucy Giuce on social media, this collection of geometric and abstract prints come in a more subtle or even sombre array of rainbow colours - the perfect opposite of those girly flowery prints that have featured in many of my quilt and cushion kits up to now.

Having already made up a 40pc strip set and 42pc Charm pack, both of which can be purchased in the Sewmotion Shop, I decided to make another set of matching cushions (the previous matching set in Pink Bloom proved very popular).

This time I wanted to revamp my Hexy Cushion kit, and used eight colours from Quantum and backed them onto a larger square of Linen Texture in Storm. I also used this in the matching Diamond Star cushion kit - I think this warm grey makes the colours shine! Both of these EPP designs are based on the traditional shapes of the hexagon and diamond, so no curved edges in sight! 

Each kit includes all the fabric, pre-cut papers and easy-to-follow instructions to make up each cushion front - you will need a Sewline glue pen, thread, wadding and backing. You can find out more and make a purchase here.

What would you make in these luscious fabrics? Quilts for the boys maybe? Or what about a huge wall hanging for that  minimalist loft apartment?? ;) 

Wishing you all a happy and creative week, and linking up with Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

New Kits and New WIPs

Firstly, I would like to thank Patricia for getting in touch and telling me about this great new gadget to enable Audio on my blog. Patricia has been enjoying my ramblings for a few months now, but with failing eyesight, she prefers to listen than to read and wondered if I had ever thought of adding an audio facility on my blog, she also very helpfully sent me a couple of websites that provided this service. So I am happy to say that yes, I do now have a choice of Audio on here, just click on the orange icon at the top of each post to hear it being read aloud, though not by me I hasten to add! I do hope this helps Patricia and thank you so much for getting in touch!

This week I have working hard on trying to get ahead of my work for a change, in particular on my free patterns to my Newsletter subscribers - more on that next month. I have also finally got round to uploading a couple of new EPP kits to the Sewmotion shop - the Kitty Hoop Art kit, and a new EPP Pincushion kit in Bloom. Both projects include curved English paper-piecing and are a great way of stretching your EPP skills or just feeding you EPP addiction! You can find out more about each one by clicking on the links above.

As well as designing and making a new quilt for Sewing Quarter - to be revealed soon, I've been playing with these gorgeous Quantum Bygg fabrics to make a new set of matching cushions... I just have to finish the backs and amend the instructions and these will be available as kits soon. 

With so much to do, I best get on, wishing you all a happy and creative week, linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday