New Pre-cut Kits and Big Show News!!

I have finally finished this gorgeous version of my Hexy Cushion Kit, this time in a couple of fabrics from Dashwood Studio’s Cotton Candy together with Robert Kaufman’s Grey Essex Linen. If you haven’t see my Hexy Kits before, they are both a great introduction to the patchwork technique of English paper-piecing, and for the more initiated, these kits make great portable projects, perfect for taking along to your quilt group, or even on holiday. 

Each of these kits include all the fabric strips, paper hexies, a Sewline glue pen and thread you need to complete the cushion panel. There are also full colour instructions, though if you prefer to learn visually, you can check out my  YouTube video. One day I’ll get round to making more of these films!

My second kit this week has been another long finish… talk about getting distracted! This version of my All Squared Up Quilt Kit features fabrics from a lovely soft and subtle collection from P&B Textiles called American Patch. These gorgeous pinks, creams and browns remind me of old fashioned American quilts but with a modern twist. This kit is based on a strip set, (jelly roll) and includes all the fabric, including borders and binding strips, you need to complete the top.

Upcoming Craft Fair…

Saturday 16th July, Pickering Memorial Hall,
YO18 1AA 10am-4pm

So for the Big Show News…

Sewmotion is going to be at this year’s Great Northern Quilt Show at Harrogate on 2^nd – 4^th September – I’m so exicted!!!! Sorry, far too many exclamation marks. As you can imagine I’m a little manic in trying to design the stand, make more quilts and kits, think about props etc, and if I’ve got enough fabric!!! And breathe…

As this almighty push is taking hold, I just wanted to share a wonderful website I came across the other day (can’t remember how). Being Boss is a podcast for creative entrepreneurs, run by two amazing ladies Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson. 

Both successful business owners in their own right, they know how it is… from getting the work done, to remembering to look after yourself, and everything in between. There are currently about 80 podcasts to listen to, as well as minisodes and articles to help, encourage and entertain, and they are definitely entertaining! I love their passion, their ‘just get it done’ attitude and their no-nonsense language – so if you’re like me, working from home, alone and growing your dream business slowly but surely, I suggest you have a listen to these two and their guests, remember to breathe, and just get sh*t done!

Today we're linking up with;

Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

NTT at My Quilt Infatuation

Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts 

Folksy Friday!

A couple of posts ago I talked about Folksy - the UK's online marketplace for modern British craft. As a longtime seller on this great website, I have seen it grow over the years, and there are now more makers and crafters on there than ever before. So as sellers, we think we need to share more of our wonderful items with the world. Etsy has #TreasuryTuesday, so we're having #FolksyFriday!

My aim is to share a collection of items with your every Friday, roughly based on a theme, or maybe goodies that I have just caught my eye. If anything tempts you, then please click on their link and go explore their shop... if you like or share, this would be greatly appreciate.. you never know, you may just find the perfect gift you wouldn't find anywhere else...

Let's start with squirrels.... My mum has this very pesky squirrel living in her garden, if he's not eating all the bird food, (yes, I'm calling it a 'him') then he's digging up mum's freshly sown plants! That's not to mention the things she finds buried all round the garden.. last year she caught him burying a Cadbury's Creme Egg in a window box! So I thought I'd dedicate my first #FolksyFriday to this little critter, as even though he does drive her mad, I think mum would miss him if he wasn't there!

1. Squirrel with Acorn Papercut - The Tartan Boston, £22.50 

2. Squirrel Bunting - The Owlery , £15.00

3. Squirrel Clock -  Dancing Mole, £30.00

4. Pair of Red Squirrel Brooches - Jessie Growden Design, £25.00

5. Edge of the Woods Tiny Squirrel Necklace - Claire Gent, £29.95

6. Squirrel in the Hawthorn Handpulled Linocut - LittleRamStudio, £38.00

7. Squirrel Dress -  There’s Only One Amy Laws, £60.00

8. Grey Squirrel Wool Socks - Fir Tree Knitwear, £25.00

9. Red Squirrel Photographic Print - PM Photography, £4.50

What can I do with a charm??

Last weekend saw a double whammy of Doughty’s Roadshows, and I can safely say, fun was had by all!! This was their first visit to my local quilt group, The Village Quilters in Middlesbrough, and I think my fellow quilters were knocked out by the amount and choice of fabric that Doughty’s bring with them! Rest assured, Doughty's will be back next year for all you fabric addicts who were unable to make it. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to those lovelies from my group who helped so much, bought loads and were just a joy to work with! 

Meanwhile, back at Sewmotion, I’ve just taken delivery of some real beauties from Riley Blake’s Backyard Roses. As you may know by now, rather than buying full ranges, I buy a selection from a collection, mix them with some co-ordinating solids or blenders, and then make them up into pre-cut strip sets, FQ bundles and charm packs. I then go on to design quilts for patterns and pre-cut quilt kits using these sets – this is the dream bit of my work… but leaves me ever so busy!!

Well, as you can imagine, I couldn’t wait to get stuck into these gems, and soon decided to use this charm pack to make a larger version of my Square Dance quilt for a new kit. I do love this disappearing four-patch block and enjoyed a mammoth day yesterday sewing, cutting and resewing to my heart’s content. I now can’t wait to get them all sewn up and bordered…

Then my mind started wandering… we all know how versatile the jelly roll/stripper set is, but what else can be done with a 5” charm square? Well, quite a lot actually… 

You could start off with some simple snowballing, such as my Snowballs In Spring pattern, or what about this cute Road To Tennessee block – this tutorial by Andie Johnson Sews is excellent, and shows you the different effects simple variations can create.

Or maybe just go for the half snowball with this gorgeous Charming Stars pattern from Moda BakeShop - as ever this is a great tutorial with lots of pics. 

Then there's always the half-square triangle (HSTs) - this Fresh Diamonds quilt by Samelia's Mum is beautiful, clever placement creates such a pretty design.

Then there's the disappearing nine-patch block - like the four patch above, I love this method of sewing a block and then recutting it to create a whole new block. This pattern tutorial, complete with a great little movie, from Sewn Up is fantastic, just imagine those blocks in solids, or even tones of the same colour... 

Finally, you could go really simple and just use the squares with sashing, for this Contact Print Pillow Amanda of Crazy Mom Quilts has quartered the charm squares and added a simple white that makes those scrappy squares just pop! I would love to make a whole quilt like this, maybe with my Backyard Roses... mmmm....

I would like to thank these very generous quilters who have offered these beautiful patterns for free - please go and explore their blogs and say hello.

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Today we're linking up with;

Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

NTT at My Quilt Infatuation

Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts