Send someone a hug in a mug rug - Free Pattern!

As I type we have a bright sunshine glistening on the snow that fell yesterday. It's also bitterly cold out there which is why I'm having a day at home sewing rather than going to the freezing cold unit :) 

Having said this, it is lovely to see the sunshine, it's been a dark and dull year so far, which doesn't really help when you need a lift during these difficult times. So while we can't hug people in person to lift their spirits, why not send some love in the post instead - and what better way than with a lovely quilted heart? 

This Mini Heart Quilt pattern is free to my Newsletter Subscribers and can be anything you want, a mini quilt for someone to hang on the wall, a large mug rug for a steaming hot cuppa and biccie, or maybe a block to add to a larger quilt. Once made you can then send this virtual hug to someone to let them know they are in your thoughts and you'll see them again very soon.

To receive this free pattern, plus exclusive offers and the latest product news, click here to sign up to the Newsletter today.

In other exciting news, I have extended the places on my Mystery Pieces Subscription Program. Every other month, subscribers will receive a mystery box of quilting goodies from Sewmotion, including a pattern designed by myself, gorgeous fabric pre-cuts, full size templates relevant to the pattern, and quality haberdashery items, all for £30 every other month (this includes UK postage, if you are outside of the UK, contact me through the website). You can find out more and reserve your space by clicking here - the next Mystery Box is due out in March, so sign up now so you don't miss out.

Wishing you all a peaceful and warm week, stay safe xx

We have a winner!

Huge congratulations to Helen who won last week's Makers' Gallery Prize draw which happened on a very brief Facebook Live - you can still catch it on the Sewmotion Facebook page.

Helen entered her beautiful Hope in the Stars quilt, my lockdown mystery quilt-along that I ran free to my Newsletter subscribers during the first lockdown. Here is her gorgeous version, mostly made from her stash, and she also named each block to mean something special to remind her of this time in histor, such as 'Keyworkers' and 'Listen to the Birds'.

This quilt series is still available to my Newsletter subscribers. Although no longer quite the mystery, it's still a great hand sewing project to help us through these difficult times, especially as we enter yet another lockdown. Not much soothes the soul and blocks out the world like a couple hours of hand sewing. If you would like to find out more and get the links for this quilt's PDF instructions and templates, sign up to the Newsletter here. You will also hear about the latest product and events news, plus exclusive subscriber-only offers.

Recent Makes & New Kits

Gosh, it has been a while since my last post, but I haven't gone anywhere, just been busier than ever trying my best to get some of the millions of ideas that run around my head down on paper or made into new projects. I really could do with another me I think!

For starters, I have been so pleased and overwhelmed by the response to my Hope in the Star Quilt. This series of free blocks was free to my Newsletter Subscribers in an effort to help them, and myself, through lockdown. Starting out as a mystery quilt, each fortnight I sent out the pattern for each of the nine main star blocks, followed by the choice of layout for the final project. It could be a wall hanging with some simple sashing and corner stones, as above, or you could go big and on-point with this beautiful finished quilt below. As you can see,  the two projects are so different, and what's more, it's all hand sewn! Like me, so many people are discovering the amazing health benefits of some quiet meditative hand sewing, and this project has proved to be so helpful through these unprecedented times.

If you would like to join us in this hand sewing project, there is still time. I am planning on sharing my tips on hand and machine quilting these two different quilts soon, so until then, the Hope in the Stars Quilt is still free to my Newsletter subscribers - you can sign up here.

Another new kit has been this ever so cute Square Dance in the Rain quilt. This great pattern is based on the 5" charm square, and the kits include all the pre-cut 5" squares, borders and binding, plus full instructions. What's more, this kit now comes in two sizes, the Cot (41" x 48") and the Bed (57" x 61") - you can find out more about these here.

Last, but definitely not least, is the latest version of my Curved EPP Flower Cushion kit, this time using this gorgeous Adlington Hall print from Liberty's Flower Show collection. As soon as I saw this print, I knew it would be perfect for this pattern - you can find out more about this kit here, and if you sign up to the Newsletter before October 9th, you can get 10% off!

I have so many new kits coming out soon, which will probably mean another long break between blogs, so if you would like to hear the latest news from Sewmotion, please sign up to the Newsletter.

Wishing you all a creative and peaceful week, xx

Linking up with Mid Week Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

Progress on the Hope in the Stars Mystery Quilt

After such a warm and sunny spring, this sudden change in the weather has been a bit of a shock to the system to say the least! Still, I suppose it gives us an excuse to let Mother Nature do her thang in the garden and for us to get back indoors to our sewing. And if you're looking for a hand sewing project to immerse yourself in, why not join us on my block-of-the-fortnight Hope in the Stars Mystery Quilt. 

This quilt is made up of nine different star blocks, which are sewn together using a traditional hand piecing technique. There will then be a choice of final layout revealed at the end. This SAL is free to my Newsletter Subscribers - you can sign up here and it's totally free!

I am making two versions, one in Alison Glass Sun Prints, and the other in Edyta Sitar's Super Bloom, both fat quarter bundles are available in the Sewmotion Shop. We are on Block Three now, the Kaleidoscope Star, but there are links in the current newsletter to previous blocks, so you can always catch up. Each pattern is released every fortnight and includes instructions and templates for that block. However, I am also selling a set of pre-cut card templates for the whole quilt, proceeds of which will be donated to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal.

Here are some of the blocks that have been shared on social media so far... thank you Helen, Jacqui, Susan, Annette, Barbara, Anna, Ruth, Andrea and Gracie, they look wonderful!

So if you would like to join in the fun, sign up to the Newsletter today! Wishing you all a peaceful and safe week, xx

Linking up with Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday.

The Hope in the Stars Mystery Quilt

For my latest free pattern to my Newsletter Subscribers, which is totally free to join, I have decided to host a block-of-the-fortnight mystery quilt. I know our world is on the verge of slowly getting back to some sort of normality, but I think it's going to take a long time, and is also going to be quite a stressful time for us all. And my best cure for stress? Hand sewing of course! Many of us will still be remaining at home as much as possible with time on our hands, so I'm releasing a block a fortnight to see us through the summer, hopefully sat in the sunny garden.

My Lockdown Sewdown quilt, otherwise known as Hope in the Stars, is made up of nine different blocks made using the traditional hand-piecing method - I know, not EPP!! What is wrong with me?!! I have recently fallen back in love with this technique and wanted to feature it in this glorious stars quilt. I have made two versions, one in Alison Glass's Sun Prints and the second in Edyta Sitar's Super Bloom, both fat quarter bundles are available on the website. I also have a set of pre-cut card templates to make life even easier, also available on the website.

Here is a pic of the first block, the Blazing Star, I love the 3D effect created by careful fabric placement. Once all blocks are made up, you will then have a few options of layout, all to be revealed at the end, so if you would like to join us in this hand sewing mystery adventure, why not sign up now? 

I hope you are all keeping well and have this glorious sunshine, even if it is a little nippy. Stay safe and best wishes to you all xx

Linking up with Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday.

My Latest Free Pattern & Christmas Wishes

For December's free pattern to my Newsletter Subscribers I have returned to my favourite EPP to make these adorable Star Pincushions. I made one for myself years ago which you may have seen on my video tutorials. This is also when I first discovered crushed walnut shells, not only does using this as stuffing give them added weight, but the shells are also a great abrasive so they keep your pins nice and sharp.

You can subscribe to the Newsletter here to receive this free pattern and you can also purchase 200g bags of crushed walnut shells in the online shop here.

I have also put together three kits to make these star pincushions, each includes the fabric, pre-cut paper templates, two buttons and full instructions. You can find out more here.

So we're coming to the end of yet another year... I have no idea where this one has gone, yet a lot seems to have happened, my TV appearances on Sewing Quarter for one. As you may have seen on social media posts and the TV Channel, Sewing Quarter is sadly closing at the end of the year. It was been a wonderful opportunity to work on such an inspiring project with a team of amazing people, and I'm sure this will be the start of many creative ventures and collaborations to come, so watch this space - you can also follow my fellow guest designers' latest news on the new Facebook group SQ Designers Chat 

This year has also seen many new pattern and kit releases, my Curved Motion Medallion BOM is still going strong - you can join this at any time by the way - not to mention the house and business move - and through it all I am still loving what I do. 

I still wake up with amazing plans for each day, and can't wait to get up and get on with making. I know I am very lucky, but I also know this takes damn hard work as well as the love and support from my loved ones and my wonderful customers. So thank you so much, thank you if you have bought something from Sewmotion this year, if you have subscribed to the Newsletter, if you have left a lovely comment on social media, or even if you have just read my (ir)regular blog posts, every one of these is so much appreciated and I know I couldn't be living my best life without you.

I wish you all a very happy and loving Christmas and a peaceful and creative New Year. xxx

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

Avoid Black Friday and Shop Small Instead

This year, I have decided not to hold Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales. For me, this has been a difficult decision having had a successful weekend in the past. Well, I say successful, the orders have come in, but when I dare to look at my profit margins a week later and find out if it was worth it, I have found I have more or less given some products away for free!

I know these annual sale events are great for some items, TVs, furniture and the like, and for huge shops with even bigger profit margins, it works very well, though even that's questionable sometimes when you look at the mark downs. 

However, when it comes to small businesses, and especially craft businesses when the mark ups are very low indeed, this just doesn't make sense. I try my best to keep my products' prices as low as possible for my customers all year round in the hope of encouraging them to take up this amazing craft, or to feed their pre-existing sewing addiction. This makes it harder for me to offer such huge discounts.

As you know if you subscribe to my Newsletter, I do offer introductory discounts on kits and other products nearly every week. I also hold a couple of sales through the year and often offer free postage weekends. I would much rather offer my customers discounts throughout the year, rather than trying to compete with large organisations' ridiculous discounts over this one weekend. 

So this year, instead of offering knock down prices my business is unable to sustain, I am going to celebrate Small Business Saturday on the weekend of December 7th - 8th. I feel this event does much more for us small businesses, encourages customers to think before they buy and to support small and local shops. We do live in uncertain times at the moment, and while the big firms are doing their 'thing', I believe it will be the small independent businesses that will shine through all this mess. 

While a growing amount of people are thinking more carefully about what to spend their money on, I encourage you to also think about where your money is going... to a huge multi-national who cares very little about their customer or the quality of their product? Or to a small company who carry their passion for their business all the way through to their customer service and final product. We care what about our customers think, what they feel and appreciate every penny spent with us!

So when you think about your gift shopping this year, please help support your local shops and those small online businesses who, while they can't compete with the big corporations of this world, can instead offer you a much more genuine, friendly and caring service while being thoughtful in what they offer to their customer. 

During this weekend, I would like to offer, a much more sustainable discount of £5.00 off when you spend £35 or more on the Sewmotion website. This offer will run over the weekend of Saturday 7th until midnight on Sunday 8th December. Simply use the code SmallBizSat at checkout.

There will also be some extra offers available to my Newsletter subscribers over the weekend - so why not click below to sign up now and not miss out.

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

My latest free pattern - Strippy Circles Table Runner

Well, I think we're finally settled into our new home and my new workshop. There are obviously things we'd like to do to the house, but nothing's urgent, although the boiler does make some very loud bangs now and again! We've also had fun with some very cute mice who decided to bed down in a house plant my in-laws were looking after during the move, they got the shock of their lives when they were moved into our kitchen and given a good water - the mice that is, not the in-laws... Thankfully we've moved them into the warmth and safety of the garage now.

After a mad month, I am now back on track with my free Newsletter patterns - if you are new to Sewmotion, I send out a free pattern every month to my subscribers, generally based on the use of fabric pre-cuts, but to be honest, it is anything that inspires me at the time! You can find out more and sign up here.

This month, I have returned to the jelly roll strip to make up this very easy and fast table runner project, in which I have used strips from my Royal Blue strip set, an Edyta Sitar favourite.

I have also being frantic trying to get my projects done for my next shows on Sewing Quarter, this Monday (7th Oct), which include this improv-ish Strong Ties quilt. You can catch these shows on Sewing Quarter channel in the UK on Freeview 73, Sky 687, and worldwide online and on their YouTube channel.

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

Playing on my Sewing Machine

Well, a week back and our holiday in glorious Kefalonia already seems like months ago! We had a very relaxing time, if a little too hot at times, still the town of Skala was as beautiful as ever, and one day we may even retire there... 

Meanwhile, back to reality - the next few months look crazy! With Harrogate Quilt show next week, then hopefully a house move, Duxford Autumn Quilt show at the end of October, my first Knitting & Stitching show in Harrogate in November, not to mention a few Sewing Quarter shows slotted in, I think I'll be sleeping through Christmas :)

It is good to be back in the swing of things though, I definitely needed a break after Festival of Quilts, and now I'm full of ideas again, the first of which is my monthly free pattern to my Newsletter subscribers, I know it's a little late, but better late than never right? For this month, I have gone back to an old favourite that I used to make as finished gifts back when I used to sell at craft fairs - the Patchwork Glasses Case. 

This is a great little project with some simple machine sewing, but the best thing is I get to play with some of the bazillion stitches on my sewing machine that I just never get the time to explore. As you can see, I needed to add an embroidered accent down both sides of the case, so I had a little play to find the appropriate stitch, noting down the stitch number and size as I went, so when I came to make a decision I knew what to program into the machine. I also found that unplugging my foot and using the start/stop button when sewing the embroidery stitches made it so much happier tension-wise.

As well as the free pattern - you can get yours by subscribing to the Newsletter here - I have put together three kits that contain fabric, wadding, elastic and button, plus full instructions. These are priced at £8.50, and if you're a subscriber you can get 10% off before next Wednesday.

I will be at Harrogate Autumn Quilt Show next week - Friday 30th Aug - Sunday 1st September, at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Hall 1, Harrogate, HG2 8NZ - 10am - 4.30pm. I hope to see you there!

Wishing you all a happy and creative week, linking up with Midweek Makers 

Wonky Hexies Free Pattern

Did you know my Newsletter subscribers receive a free PDF pattern every month? So far this year, we have been enjoying my block-of-the-month Mystery quilt which came to an end in June. So we are now returning to my beloved pre-cuts and stash-busting patterns, starting with a variation on a theme... 

My Wonky Squares Wall Hanging pattern proved very popular, especially when I made it on Sewing Quarter, so I started to wonder which other shapes would work - and of course, I had to have a go with the good ol' hexy! I also returned to my partially-seamed hexies, a tutorial for which can be seen here. Add in the freezer paper technique used for the wonky blocks, and hey presto, I have a new pattern.

Now, I have to admit, I think there is a little too much white/negative space in the wall hanging for me - you may love the space to create beautiful free motion quilting designs, or maybe embroidered motifs. If it's not for you, then you can simply decrease the size of the sashings and borders as below, just taking an 1" off the width of the strips makes such a difference.

As the wonky blocks finish at a 9" square, there are so many possible layouts - I have had a play with a few below... 

In this one I have bordered the 9" blocks with blue strips to add a little more interest, then added white sashings and borders.

Who says the wall hanging has to be square, or this would make a gorgeous table runner. Add light blue sashings and inner border and then a wider white border.

Finally, my favourite, which I think I will just have to make into a quilt when I get a minute! I have added the layout below so you can see the white strips that offset the blocks to create this circle. 

You can obviously also play around with the colours - what about using all black and whites for a monotone quilt? Maybe different tones of the same colour? If you would like to receive this free pattern, subscribe to the Newsletter today - these patterns are free to my subscribers for a month before going on general sale.

On to something completely different - Sewing Quarter have been holding their Christmas In July event and I appeared last Thursday to make my EPP Snowflake cushion and a gorgeous Scandi quilt by Lynne Goldsworthy - you can watch these shows and catch up on my past appearances here.

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

Quilting Concentric Circles Tutorial

As many of you know, I send out free monthly patterns to my Newsletter subscribers, and for the last few months we have been working on a mystery block-of-the-month, the Birds of a Feather quilt. 

Well, last month saw the grand reveal, and then I thought I would add a bonus email with instructions for a pieced backing, and then ideas for quilting. 

I then one step further and made up a quick video on how quilted my own version in a concentric circles design using my walking foot on my home machine.

Even though this design does take a while, especially on a domestic sewing machine, it is still possible (though I strongly recommend an extension table and quilting gloves) and the time and patience is well worth the effort! I love the texture this design creates and I think it accentuates the idea of the birds flying out of the centre nest. I'm hoping to put this quilt together as a kit soon, so watch this space!

Elsewhere at Sewmotion, I'm in the middle of Festival of Quilt prep madness, surrounded by kits, papers and patterns that all need sorting into boxes! I also came across some tickets for this year's show, so I'm holding a little competition on my Instagram page for a chance to win not only two show tickets, but also one of my new Hoop Art kits - visit my page for more details here.

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

Completed Mystery Quilts & New Hoop Kits

After last week's grand reveal of my Birds of a Feather Mystery quilt, I've seen some lovely completed tops - I have a few prompt quilters who have religiously kept up with my monthly posts, one of which had saved them until the end and then made it during her last five weekly quilt group meetings!

The first of these quilts is by Justine, who had actually got ahead of me and finished the quilt before the grand reveal, clever girl!! ;) I was so happy to see the quilt made up in the luscious grey and purple fabric bundle - doesn't it look so rich and sumptuous! Justine tells me she plans to add a couple more borders to increase the size, which will look amazing!

You can see the close up centre of this colourway in Ann's quilt - made over five weeks in her quilt class, she also loves how the purples and greys work so well together.

Ruth was wonderful throughout this process and more or less made up each block on the same day she received the pattern, which was why she was the first to tell me of any hiccups! Thanks again Ruth :) In her version she used the Flora Pop fabrics, similar to my own, however, if memory serves, I think she bought two or three of the curated fabric bundles, so I can see her making at least one more quilt!

Finally, Jan went for her own choice of fabrics, and purchased some Linen Textures from the Sewmotion shop - I love these soft pastel shades, and it really does look like such a different quilt compared to the grey and purple. Next month I will be sharing quilting ideas and a free pieced backing design.

This free pattern will be available to my Newsletter subscribers until the end of June, sign up now and join in the fun - you will also receive subscriber-only offers, more free patterns and the latest Sewmotion news.

Meanwhile, in the Sewmotion shop, I have released two new EPP Flower Hoop Art Kits - these projects are mounted into 12" hoops and come in two designs. The first is in lovely 1930s-inspired vintage fabrics, while the second features Makower's Woodland range in soft blues and greys. Each of these kits include the fabric and wadding, embroidery thread, pre-cut papers, 12" wooden hoop and full instructions - the perfect holiday project! What's more, if you subscribe to the Newsletter, you can get 10% off these new kits today!

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

Month Four of the Mystery Quilt

Where is this year going!?!? I can't believe it's May and nearly time for Quilts UK at Malvern.  As you can imagine, I've being extremely busy cutting, folding and making up kits for this upcoming 4-day show - I'm also working on some new kits which will have their debut at the show.

Inbetween all this I have been on Sewing Quarter again, this time demoing a lovely summery quilt from the Big Book of Lap Quilts. This was a joy to make and the large flying geese blocks came together so quickly. In contrast, my second project was Lynne Edwards' Cathedral Windows table runner, which featured both machine and hand sewing, so it was nice to get back to some hand work.

You can catch these shows on Sewing Quarter's YouTube channel here, and you can see links to all my past SQ shows here.

The beginning of another month can only mean one thing, it's time for the next instalment of my block-of-the-month mystery quilt. This Birds of a Feather quilt is free to my Newsletter subscribers, and features half-square triangles, a little foundation piecing and some simple patchwork. If you would like to join us you can sign up here, and you will receive the latest Newsletter with links to previous months so you can catch up with the BOM.

Last week saw the release of a new EPP Flower Cushion kit, this time in this cute Red House Liberty print. This kit is a great introduction to curved English paper-piecing as the pieces are quite large and not too fiddly. And of course, you also have my four-part youTube tutorial to help you on your way. You can find out more about this new EPP kit here.

Wishing you all a fun and creative week, linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

Block Two of my Newsletter Mystery Quilt

It's time for the second block in my Birds of a Feather mystery quilt - for those who missed last month's blog and don't know about my Newsletter, every month I offer my Newsletter subscribers a free pattern, usually based on my love of Pre-Cuts. This year, I'm trying something a little different and running a five-month block-of-the-month mystery quilt called Birds of a Feather.

This machine-pieced quilt finishes at approx 62" square and features half-square triangles, a little foundation piecing and some simple patchwork. If you would like to join in the fun, you can sign up here to the Newsletter and receive this month's block as well as a link to block one.

I had a great time with John Scott on Monday's show at Sewing Quarter, inbetween the giggles and silliness, I managed to demo a lovely hand pieced Hexy bag and a beautiful Riley Blake quilt - if you missed the show or would like to see the demos again, you can catch it on Sewing Quarter's YouTube channel - I'm on in the second and fourth hours.

Wishing you all a happy and creative week, linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

Pre-Cut Party Time - with a difference

As many of you may know by now, I host a Pre-Cut Party in which subscribers to my Newsletter receive a free pattern every month straight to their inboxes. Well this year, I've decided on something a little different - over the next five months I will be hosting a mystery block-of-the-month quilt! The Birds of a Feather quilt is aimed at the skilled beginner and upwards, and features half-square triangles, a little foundation piecing and some simple patchwork. 

Each month I will share cutting and sewing instructions for each block, and then show how to put them all together into the finished quilt in June. I know it can be quite daunting not knowing what the finished quilt will look like, but that's all part of the fun! My Newsletter subscribers can also get 20% off a collection of fabric bundles I have curated especially for this quilt. 

If you would like to take part in this exciting new BOM, why not sign up to the Newsletter now and receive instructions for the Centre Nest Block. You will also receive a newsletter every week with special offers and the latest Sewmotion news.

In other exciting news, I have designed a beautiful quilt for Sewing Quarter using some very pretty Tilda fabrics, this will be on air on Saturday 9th Feb at 9am (GMT) while my next appearance on Sewing Qaurter is next Wednesday (13th Feb) where I will be showing off my favourite curved EPP technique to make my Curve Appeal cushion and then demoing a beautiful quilt by Elizabeth Hartman. You can watch Sewing Quarter on Sky 687, Freeview 73 (8am-12noon), online and on YouTube.

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