I am very happy to share my block design with you all for the Splendid Sampler 2 - Sailor Collar on page 42 in the book. This is the first time I have been part of a worldwide sew-along and it has been a really interesting journey so far. I feel more confident in different quilting skills and watching my quilt grow is exciting. I also love watching everyone else's projects develop, and seeing how each person can put their unique spin on each block. The block represents a sailor collar and that is because I am working on a quilt project using the remnants of one that belonged to my Grandpa Stanley when he served in the Navy in...
I was very happy to be asked to contribute to the Be Creative with Workbox Magazine series, and to write about my experience of blogging.
Here is the article, out in this month's issue (170) - it's a really lovely publication you can find out more about here.
I loved being involved with the development of Liberty's latest quilt range The Orchard Garden. I had my first preview back in January when the head designer Mary-Ann came up to visit my Ilkley studio. I instantly fell for a couple of the signature prints including Pheasant Forest. The design is similar to Jess & Jean on Tana Lawn with delicate details perfect for piecing into a quilt. The first strike-offs arrived in the Spring, and we designed the Orchard Star Quilt as a free project to accompany the collection. This pattern can be downloaded from Alice Caroline's website here, where you can also buy fabrics. I made the quilt in time for Festival of Quilts in August and...
Happy World Quilting Day 2018! We have been very busy behind the scenes producing our first studio quilt pattern. Introducing Morris Mouse. A dapper young chap, inspired by Liberty's Cottage Garden range. He loves relaxing amongst the cosmos flowers and bluebells, which surround his cosy thatched cottage. How is he made? Morris is a foundation pieced sewing pattern. This means that you sew through the paper templates on your sewing machine and then remove the paper afterwards. It's a technique that allows you to make very accurate lines and we love it! When can I buy him? Morris is making his debut on Sewing Quarter TV on Sunday March 25th at 10am. He will also be available on our website...
It's fair to say that if it wasn't for some of the female population of West Yorkshire I wouldn't have a business! So today, on International Women's Day I am celebrating everyone who supports me by coming to classes at the studio. Back in 2011, a small group took a chance that I might be able to help them to sew when I offered quilting classes in the Promises Auction at my children's school. It was in my home, with quilt templates cut from cereal packets and the chaos of family life surrounding us. I tried my best, we cracked on together and it gave me the confidence to teach a few more people. Three years later I rented...
