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
Well, so far 2018 hasn't been very healthy! Having managed to get through a wonderful family Christmas at my mum's, then a lovely laughter-filled New Year with dear friends in Germany without so much as a sniffle, we've both come home to the so-called 'hot bed' of Aussie flu! Great! Admittedly Justin seems to have had the worse of it, at least I've managed to get out of bed and do the odd bit of work.
All of which explains why my Happy New Year wishes are rather late, as is my first free Pre-cut Party pattern for my Newsletter Subscribers. While browsing through my 500 Quilt Blocks book (Goldsworthy & Green) I came across this cute HST Shoo Fly block and thought it would make a lovely little project. Having promised myself one for ages, I decided to make a much-needed needle case - you would not believe how many needles I found buried in my pin cushion... or maybe you would!
If you are new to Sewmotion, I send out a free pattern based on quilting pre-cuts every month to my Newsletter subscribers. You will also hear news of my latest products and events, plus subscriber-only offers. You can sign up here.
This lurgy has also meant we haven't been able to get outside to take some decent photos of my Curve Motion Medallion quilt - this one was taken in our half-finished dining room - hopefully by the weekend we can get out of the house! This block-of-the-month quilt is over 16 months and is one for lovers of hand-sewing, with English paper-pieced blocks, hand appliqué and even hand quilting is desired. You can learn more about this BOM here, you can start whenever you wish - the first shipments go out on Monday - but you must commit to the whole 16 months.
I also used this curved EPP technique in my Sun Spell mini quilt featured in this month's Love Patchwork & Quilting, so if you would like a taster before embarking on my BOM, why not give this a try - even better, Sun Spell is actually being demonstrated on the UK's Sewing Quarter Freeview channel (78) on Wednesday 17th January, so tune in to see this wonderful technique in action!
I wish you all a creative and colour-filled 2018!
Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday
There seems to be a few videos floating around cyberspace at the moment showing different ways of layering and basting a quilt, one of which is this great method using long boards and a large table.
However, if you don't have a large enough table, and I don't, I thought I'd share the method I have used for years, well, forever actually, and its never let me down yet! I use my bed... admittedly I have a king size bed now, but even if your bed isn't big enough to hold your whole quilt at once, you can baste it in sections, click below for my full tutorial.
Did you notice the new All Squared Up quilt above? This version features Michael Miller's Sandpiper collection by Sarah Campbell - I can see myself wrapped up in it sitting on a pebbly beach looking out to sea. This easy quilt kit includes all the fabric strips you need to complete the top, plus borders, binding and thread, and of course full, easy-to-follow instructions. Click here to find out more.
Are you looking for some summer sewing inspiration? Why not dig into this month's issue (48) of Love Patchwork & Quilting, full of bright and modern loveliness, great projects and beautiful fabrics, you could also try my Curved Hexy cushions for some relaxing English paper piecing.
Linking up with Let's Bee Social and Midweek Makers.
