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

Pre-cuts for the Boys & Merry Christmas!

I have recently taken delivery of two new fabulous collections that I ordered with the boys in mind. I know I have many fabrics and kits which are far too floral and pretty for the men in our lives, so these new sets of pre-cuts are for them!

The first is the Quantum Bygg collection from Andover Fabrics, designed by Giuseppe Ribaudo, also known as Giucy Giuce in the social media world. These richly coloured fabrics feature geometric prints inspired by quantum physics diagrams, with no flowers in sight! The 40pc strip set (aka jelly roll) includes two strips each of twenty designs, while the 42pc charm pack has two 5" squares in each of 19 designs and four squares in another. 

This second new collection is from the company Dear Stella and features the cutest seagulls dressed in wooly jumpers and hats, ditsy fish and crabs, mermaids and lighthouses and even the odd shark!

In bright and modern blues and orange, this is another great collection for quilts for the often neglected men in the family - or what about a quilt for that seaside getaway or for a day at the beach? The 42pc Charm pack contains six 5" squares in seven different designs, while the fat quarter bundle is made up of seven fat quarters - more than enough to make a baby or even lap quilt - add a blender and you could make a single or even double bed quilt.
Click here to see my whole Pre-Cut Collection. 

I had a lovely email from a regular customer this month who sent me pics of her latest creation. Gillian bought one of the Connewarra Red Strip sets along with the last fat quarter bundle and took inspiration from my Fox in the Nine Patch free pattern to make this glorious quilt. She used the jelly roll for the front - isn't that pieced border wonderful! And then used the fat quarters for a great pieced backing, this really is two quilts in one! Thank you so much for sharing your quilt Gillian, I look forward to seeing your next one ;)

Meanwhile, I've actually found some time to sew this week - here is a new Hexy cushion kit in progress, and I also had this commissioned quilt back from the longarmers, North Star Quilting, who as ever did a wonderful job. 

I'm taking a break over the festive period and looking forward to getting down to my mum's and helping her to enjoy my husband's amazing cooking as well as the odd bottle of red. So for now, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Creative New Year! 
Louisa x

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

New EPP Cushion Kits and a Love P&Q block

Are you a lover of hand sewing? Are you as addicted to English paper-piecing as I am? Everywhere you read these days, we're been told to take time out and do something mindful and relaxing, forget the busy mad world around us, just for a little while, and concentrate the mind on something meditative.

Well, my answer to this is to always have a hand-piecing project on the go, wherever I go - you may have seen me stitching away at a recent quilt show. And as you know, I like to share my addictions, which is why I'm releasing two new Cushion Kits, just in time for the summer hols!

This Hexy Cushion kit comes in subtle shades of grey, pink and green from P&B Textiles' Bear Essentials collection. As a huge fan of the humble hexagon, I love playing around with different layouts, and these rows are a firm favourite. Fast glue basting and a clever piecing technique makes this a quick project to come together. If you would rather use your own fabrics, I have also released this as a pattern, though you will still need the pre-cut 1" paper pieces, which you can get here. You can also download this pattern as a PDF in my Etsy shop.

My second new kit is one of my Diamond Cushions, made with Alison Glass' Sun Prints fabrics in gorgeous modern monochromes. This cushion design features a full star layout, and I have used a pink 12wt Aurifil thread to hand quilt each diamond. Both of these kits come with all the fabric you need to complete the cushion panel, including binding, plus a Sewline glue pen, paper templates, wadding and thread, and of course full colour instructions, perfect for that portable holiday project.

Elsewhere, today is my day on Instagram to share my block for Love Patchwork & Quilting's sew along featuring the booklet of 32 fabulous blocks free with the current issue. I chose to make this cross design using Michael Miller's Sweet Everlasting fabrics - wouldn't this make a gorgeous quilt, maybe with alternating fabrics?? If only I had the time... There are some beautiful blocks being made and shared on IG - why not join in with #lpq32blocksSAL

Talking of time... where does it go?? I'm making steady progress on my EPP Block of the Month design for next year... might be a tall order to get it done for Harrogate though. Still, I'm loving how these rounds are coming together. If you would like to hear more about this BOM, subscribe to my Newsletter to hear regular updates and how to sign up.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

Relaxing EPP and Quilts UK

There's little else I find as relaxing as hand sewing, in particular some good old English paper piecing. I became slightly, well very, addicted to EPP hexagons and diamonds a while ago and have been known to sew at airports and on trains while listening to a gripping audible book.

Many visitors have caught me stitching up a new cushion design while on the stand at quilt shows - this new diamond cushion was half made at last week's event in Harrogate, and will no doubt be finished at Malvern this weekend.

And it seems I'm not alone, talking to fellow quilters and show visitors, there are so many of us moving towards this quieter, more contemplative type of sewing.

Great to do in front of the tele, but also to take on holiday or on long drives, or just to sit quietly curled up in a favourite armchair. Don't get me wrong, I still love knocking up a quilt on my Janome, and adore machine quilting, but I feel that EPP slows me down, relaxes me and turns off the outside world for just a while. In conversation at shows you may have heard me say this is my free therapy, and it's true! I have also heard people say "they don't have the patience for hand sewing", which makes me sad. I have actually found that it gives me patience, I have to slow down and take one stitch at a time, which really can't be a bad thing!

So why not have a go yourself? My EPP Diamond and Hexy Cushion Kits are designed to be small undaunting projects that you may actually finish ;) Each kit contains all the fabric you need to complete the top, including binding and wadding, plus a Sewline glue pen, thread, paper templates and full instructions. What's more, if you subscribe to my Newsletter before the end of May, you can get 20% off each kit, just in time for those summer holidays.

This week we're off to Quilts UK at the Three Counties Showground in the beautiful town of Malvern. This four-day event is the UK"s second largest quilt show of the year, and fingers crossed, promises to be a great weekend. The shows runs from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st May, 10am - 5pm (4.30pm on Sunday). If you're in or around the area, it would be great to see you.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers & Needle & Thread Thursday