Radio silence

Well my plans for regular blogging really haven't gone all that well. I have been busy sewing and sharing progress on Instagram but that hasn't translated into blog posts. To those of you who still frequent these parts I'm sorry that you've been neglected. I will try harder, honestly.
I stepped in as an "Angel" for the Pillow Talk Swap Instagram edition so I've had a few fun days stitching up this cushion. I resized the templates from my Kaleidoscopic quilt to create this 18" square cushion. I used Aurifil to echo quilt in the diamonds for a subtle look, there was already plenty going on with all the different fabrics.

 It was slightly painful sending this one off today, I really hope it will be loved by the recipient. I couldn't resist taking a shot of it with the original Kaleidoscopic quilt.

I will be releasing the pattern for this quilt and a stand alone foundation template version very soon so please do keep an eye out for news shortly if you're interested. Catch you soon x

Nellie's Knots - revisited

Slowly but surely I'm revisiting our old patterns and templates in an attempt to bring them up to date. First up on the make-over list was Nellie's Knots.

I've put together a step-by-step pictorial guide to go with the 6" templates. You can access it for free in our Payhip store and on our website.

I've assumed that users of the guide will have a basic knowledge of foundation piecing so it is light on words.

If you haven't checked the free templates out before maybe now is the time :) Enjoy!
Catch you soon x

Mixed up and muddled up

Some time last year I bought myself a copy of EQ7 in the hope that it would help me to design quilts in a bit more detail than I managed to achieve with TouchDraw. It sat untended for a very long time because I just couldn't wrap my head around all the learning that was needed to get to grips with it. Last week I pulled up my big girl pants and started reading the manual. I have only just scratched the surface of what can be achieved with the programme so far but I'm really enjoying the creative freedom that it delivers! You know how much I love a tessellating design, well I've come up with a really versatile one this time. I'd like to introduce - Mixed up and muddled up.

This foundation pieced block contains 26 pieces which fit together in 7 sections. I had some happy mail from Pink Castle Fabrics this week in the shape of the new Cotton and Steel range and I wasted no time in chopping into it to try out this block. I've used fabrics from Tokyo Train Ride, Playful, Cookie Book, Mesa and Mochi along with a print from one of last year's collections, Mustang.

It looks pretty as it is but when you put multiples of four blocks together,well, that's when the real magic happens! I've made four blocks so far and I can't decide which layout I want to stick with. The beauty of EQ7 is that I was able to scan the finished block and tessellate it so that I can see the potential layouts in advance :) Here are just a few of the options:

option 1

 I just love all the secondary patterns that spring out!

option 2

option 3

option 4

It is my intention to make a full-sized quilt with this design when Jen Kingwell's first fabric collection, Gardenvale, hits the stores in April (I think). I'd really appreciate some help deciding which layout to opt for!

I've uploaded the templates and a colouring sheet to Payhip in case any of you are interested in trying out your own version.

I'll look forward to seeing your thoughts on which layout option I should go for. Catch you soon x 

Nellie's Knots - Free PDF foundation piecing templates

Please allow me to formally introduce you to Nellie's Knots. I designed this block for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway and it was given this fab name by Sarah. I promised that I'd make the templates available to anyone that was interested, so here I am. I'm not giving a full on tutorial but I will give some very basic instructions. I was slightly miffed by the asymmetry in this original block and that's down to me changing my mind about how I was going to piece it after I'd drawn up the templates! Don't get me wrong I still think it's pretty but my OCD nature was bothered. 

If you also have issues with the need for symmetry you might want to make sure you layout all your paper pieces correctly before starting :) You can use this second mini block that I made for reference.

I found it very useful to layout all the fabric before I started chopping so that I could get the fabric placement straight in my mind. I also numbered each block so that I would be able to match things up after sewing.

 There are two parts to each paper pieced template, you need to cut the template in half horizontally to give an a and b section. Seam allowances are not included so you need to make sure that add a 1/4" around each section as below.

I've prepared templates in two different sizes: 3" and 6". The examples shown here are around 12" and 24" finished, both use 16 templates. You will need to print off Templates A and B (which is just a mirror image of the A template) in your chosen size. Obviously you can add as many blocks as you like :)

As you can see I've played around with fabric placement to give you another perspective on the design. I don't think I've got any more pearls of wisdom. If you have any questions about the blocks feel free to leave a comment and I'll answer in the replies so that everyone benefits from the answer.

You'll find the PDF templates are here.

If you make your own version we'd love to see it! Please use the #NelliesKnots on Instagram or add a picture to our flickr group.
That's all for now folks. I'm off to enjoy the sunshine :) Catch you soon x

Edited to add: You will find a free PDF pictorial guide for Nellie's Knots in our Payhip store and in the Freebies section of our website.

Don't worry, bee happy!

It's a bit stressful round here at the moment. We've finally accepted an offer on our house......eeeek! As a welcome distraction from all the paperwork I set to work on the rather delicious Denyse Schmidt fabrics that arrived on my doormat this morning. October is Jan's month in the HipBee and she was good enough to send the fabrics to me early so I could get on with the block before I have to pack up my sewing room. I'm trying not to think too much about packing about up the sewing room and I'm reminding myself that I will have a lovely shiny new sewing room in the new house!

Anyway, back to Denyse Schmidt, I used this pattern to make this star block for Jan. I love it! I hope Jan does too :)  Denyse Schmidt rocks!

If it's quiet around here you'll know why. I'll pop in whenever I get chance between boxes :) Catch you soon x

Hmmm

So today I was hoping to show you my finished Brit Quilt Swap mini quilt but this little chap had other ideas. 

Benji 

Benji decided to bung himself up with fur so we spent the day trying to get him to eat when I should have been sewing! After a quick trip to the vets he seems to be feeling better so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll get the mini finished tomorrow. It really wouldn't be good for a swap mama to be late sending out her swap!! This is as far as I managed to get today. If my partner doesn't like purple I'm stuffed! I used this pattern to piece the sewing machine. I ad-libbed the rest of the design but I think it all works together. The "Sew wall-hanging" is cross-stitched and the borders were originally intended to be flying geese but I had total brain-fade and ended up with these envelope type things instead. I'll be doing some very basic quilting on this one as I don't want to overcrowd it. 

Brit Quilt mini ready for quilting

 In other news, I bought these gorgeous screen-printed fabrics from Brit Designer Leanne at The Little House Martin. They are absolutely gorgeous and so intricate! You  might want to haul your backsides over there and order some of your very own if you haven't already ;) Leanne threw in some buttons and scraps as a thank you, how lovely is that?! I envisage lots of lovely makes from these and they'd play really nicely with Karen's fabrics too....

The little house martin fabrics

Catch you soon x

ET calling

Every once in a while a block comes along that screams "make me now". Lynne's new ET phone home block is one of those! I've spent the afternoon playing with Oakshotts and this lovely print from Basic Grey. Coincidentally the film, ET, was on the tv this afternoon.....(do-de-do-do twilight zone). The photo doesn't really do this justice but those of you who know what Oakshotts are like will know that the colours are way more gorgeous in real life. I cracked open my Colourbox for the first time in honour of this block ;)

I think I'll sash this block and turn it into a cushion or something similar. This is a really addictive block so I foresee more of these in my future!
Just before I go I'll point out that the Brit Quilt Swap has started sign-ups for the next round. We're back to making mini quilts this round :) It's good to see lots of familiar names in there!

Hope you're all having a good weekend so far. Catch you soon x