Love Patchwork & Quilting

colour it in!

This issue is an ode to your stash – a celebration of scraps, if you will! I have to confess that I’ve got quite a modest stash. In the final months of my first pregnancy, at home and itching with that nesting instinct, it suddenly felt of vital importance to organise my fabric. The result was a somewhat ruthless clear out, with a view to keeping only prints that I truly loved. As I’ve returned to quilting I realise that I might have been a bit overzealous, so the only option is to invest in some restorative fabric shopping, right? It’s quite daunting to try to build a stash from scratch, and I wonder: if you had to begin again, where would you start? A stash is always evolving as…

modern medallion

The humble medallion: a round-by-round piecing party that starts from the centre and grows before your very eyes. We decided to put a modern twist on this traditional technique to make a quilt and two coordinating cushions using bold shapes, easy piecing and fun, fresh fabrics. Start with the 67in Moonbeam Medallion quilt to practise piecing stars, chevrons and stylish cross blocks, and then transfer your skills onto the accompanying Cosmic Cushions. Lynne talks you through using templates to make the striking zigzag border and paper piecing to achieve perfectly crisp Half-square Triangles every time (once you've tried them, there's no turning back!) You're sure to pick up new tips and tricks along the way. A mix of solids and prints leaves plenty of room to let your favourite fabrics shine.…

out there

Buffalo flats Silky textures, bandana prints and quilt patterns with impact – Violet Craft's new collection for Robert Kaufman has it all! Buffalo Flats is a homage to Violet's Midwest roots, think rodeos and sunflowers, bumblebees and bison, all tied up in a sun-soaked palette of irresistible pastels. Alongside the classic 100% cotton prints, the collection also includes a range of velveteen fabrics, perfect to add an extra touchable texture to your quilts. She's even given her Unicorn Abstractions pattern a Midwest twist with this majestic stallion (pictured above). See more at robertkaufman.com TO THE LAKES The mountains are calling us with Donna of XOXSEW's Mammoth Lakes pattern. HSTs and simple curves combine to make a treetop scene that'll help you bring the great outdoors straight into your home. Designed for advanced beginners…

scrap happy

YOU WILL NEED Assorted rainbow scraps in desired colour families: approx 4–7yds total White fabric: 3¼yds Binding fabric: 5/ 8 yd Batting: 82in x 104in Backing fabric: 6yds FINISHED SIZE 74in x 96in NOTES Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. Press seams to one side, unless otherwise instructed. RST = right sides together. WOF = width of fabric. HST = Half-square Triangle. Quilted by Melissa Kelley (sewshabbyquilting.com). YOU CAN USE STRIPS AS NARROW AS 1/ IN TO CREATE THIS STASH-BUSTING DESIGN FABRICS USED White background fabric is Riley White Confetti Cotton by Riley Blake Designs. Print fabrics are from Amy’s stash. CUTTING OUT 1 From the scraps cut: Approx four hundred and eighty (480) rectangles at least 8½in x 1½in. The rectangles can be wider than 1½in, and you may need less depending on width.…

cute clamshells

YOU WILL NEED Two hundred and five (205) print 5in squares (consider print placement if fussy cutting) Background fabric: 1¼yds Batting: 52in x 62in Backing fabric: 3›/ 8 yds Binding fabric: ½yd Two hundred and fifty three (253) copies of the 4in Clamshell Paper template One (1) copy of the Clamshell Fabric template FINISHED SIZE 44in x 54in NOTES Seam allowance is ¼in, unless otherwise noted. Fabric template includes a ›/ 8 in seam allowance. For templates see p86. RST = right sides together. WOF = width of fabric. Quilted by Ileana at The Quilt Room (quiltroom.co.uk) FABRICS USED Background fabric is Kona Cotton Solid in Snow by Robert Kaufman. Print fabrics are from Sarah’s stash. Backing fabric is from the Lily collection by Penny Rose Fabrics. CUTTING OUT 1 From the white fabric cut:…

a stitch in time

It’s a bit ironic that I find myself writing on the topic of finding time to sew when I’m currently experiencing, perhaps, the busiest season of my adult life, and, yes, struggling to find time to sew. In the last 15 months, my little family and I have moved into a new home, my husband and I have launched a small business, I’ve taken up volunteer roles as a Girl Scout leader and a civic association co-president and my daughter has taken up so many extracurricular activities that my real job title should be that of Chauffeur. Gone are the days of being a stay-at-home mom, when I could sew for hours as my little one napped (and, boy, was she a champion napper!). No one else is going to make…