Presents finally given and plans for 2015

The problem with making presents for Christmas is that you can't show them off until they been opened by the recipient. Now we've arrived in Germany to spend New Year with our good friends in Hamburg, I can reveal the three quilts that have been keeping me busy over the last month.

 

 

I found these gorgeous floral prints buried in Doughty's dress fabric shop, and thought they'd be perfect for two little girls I know. The first quilt is a variation on my Chanteille design, made with strips sewn together then cut into triangles to make up half hexagons. These are sewn into rows, then sewn together to create full hexagons, avoiding any Y-seams. Bonus!

 

I started the second quilt as an EPP project in the summer, I do love my hexagons! In the past I've only made flowers, but decided to sew the hexagons into four-piece units, and then into rows to create a wave-like effect across the quilt, added to by my current favourite machine quilting technique.

 

As I made quilts for the girls, I thought I really should make one for their parents... Of course I decided this about 2 weeks before Christmas, as you do! I've been looking at half-rectangle triangles for a while so thought I'd have a go and make this zigzag quilt. I love how this has turned out, and plan to make more in the new year, with the pattern to go with it.

 

 

I've got a lot planned for 2015, including much more quilting of course, but also a collection of comprehensive patterns, both for the beginner and the more experienced, following on from my free online tutorials on sewmotion.

 

At the end of this year, I started designing and making a new cushion collection, currently available on Folksy. I hope to develop more designs, as well as a bespoke service to create personalised cushions to give as gifts.

There will be more on this in the New Year, plus in February I'm off to Quilt Con in Austin, Texas. So I'm sure to come back with millions more ideas and plans!

 

 

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Free Quilt Patterns

Wow, its been a while... I have been busy.. honest! Sewmotion now has three new quilt patterns and they're absolutely free!! As you hopefully know by now, my website is designed to help those wanting to learn the wonderful and highly addictive hobby of patchwork and quilting. My Beginner Quilt series is designed for those starting from scratch, while these new patterns are intended for those ready to move on and develop their newly learned skills.

Obviously the patterns are also for those more experienced quilters who love a new project to get stuck in to... my first pattern is All Squared Up.

This quilt involves simple cutting to create a 'square in a square' block, which you then sew into rows, then together into one unit, add a border, then quilt as you wish. As with all my patterns, there are clear, comprehensive instructions with great pictures to help you at every stage - even the quilting!

My second pattern, Fox in the Nine Patch, is based on one of the oldest blocks in quilting, the nine patch. When designing this quilt, I started with six quarters I had recently bought from Lewis and Irene's Fox and Friends range, I then approached by stash in the hope of finding the 14 more fabrics I needed, I can't tell you how happy and slightly overwhelmed I was by the wonders I found in my stash, I really can't remember buying half of it! I do think this has been the first quilt I have made from my actual stash, rather than going out and buying the whole lot new. This will be the first of many, I assure you!

My third pattern, Novelty Nine Patch, is actually one I designed when working at Doughty's, but I thought it would be an easy follow on from the Fox pattern. This one is based on a charm pack and really shows off the versatility of these pre-cuts.

There will be many more patterns to follow, and hopefully some kits in the New Year.

When not designing quilts, I am also creating items for sale on Folksy - purses, pencils cases, make-up bags... if you're looking for a special little pressie, or a stocking filler for a lovely little girl, why not have a browse :)

Introducing... Sewmotion

As some of you know, this has been in the works for quite a while now, but I feel I have developed the new website enough now to share it with the world!

Sewmotion is replacing Handmade By Louisa, and I intend for it to be a resource for those new to quilting, as well as the more experienced. While working at Doughty's in Hereford, I came across so many people wanting to learn to quilt, but who didn't find the American accents on YouTube very inspiring. So now I'm free to work on my own business, I want to be able to share the knowledge I seem to have picked up over the years... I still can't believe I wrote nearly 1,000 words on wadding the other day, where did that come from?!

So, on Sewmotion, you will find a breakdown on the basic equipment you will need to start you off on your quilting journey, as well as some tips on other products along the way. You will also find my Beginner's Quilt series, this is something I started in the shop, but I've developed it further and I hope it will encourage more people to pick up this amazing (and addictive) hobby.

In the near future there will be lots more free quilt patterns to help develop skills, sections on different techniques and lots of inspiration in my gallery section. There is a long way to go though, so please be patient with me!

In the meantime, as my walking foot decided to crumble in my hands yesterday, I have had the chance to complete some items to sell! Yeah! I have decided for now not to have a shop on my website, but to sell through Folksy - if you haven't visited this website, then you must. Similar to Etsy, they pride themselves on only selling handmade items, and some of the lovingly crafted items on sale are truly beautiful. Plus, its British and deserves our support just for that really!