Today's Quilter 81

Here at Today’s Quilter HQ, we have truly embraced the Christmas spirit, and hopefully can share some with you in this issue (there is no escaping it now, the shops are starting to sell festive treats and the carols will be playing soon). From the gold and red cover star beauty, using the classic Log Cabin block to great effect, to the sweetest scene of a brother and sister mouse opening presents on Christmas morning, we just love this magical time of year. We have also packed in this issue three mini quilts to make. Although not technically following the definition of a mini quilt, these designs are the perfect way to learn or practise techniques and create something gorgeous in less time and with less fabric than a full-sized…

WE LOVE HOW versatile quilts truly are; they’re perfect for snuggling up under, make the most gorgeous runners for the end of your bed or add a soft touch to a reading nook or alcove. But, they are also a fantastic way to decorate! Hanging your quilts not only adds a splash of colour and a focal point to a room in your home, but it’s also a lovely way to give your work the limelight it deserves. So why not show off your work in style with issue 81’s exclusive wooden quilt hanger in a handy 12in size, that promises to look delightful alongside any project? Of course we are fans of large quilts, but sometimes, you want to try something new, practise a technique... or just don’t have…

THE BOOK A SEASON IN BLUE As we head into the winter months, immerse yourself in the warmth of quilts. Reveling in classic blue and white, acclaimed author and designer, Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts, shares an inspiring gallery of quilts photographed in a cabin nestled on a snow-capped mountain. Each of the 16 patterns in the book captures Edyta’s signature style, and with her guidance, you too can create these stunning two-colour quilts. A Season in Blue by Edyta Sitar ($32.99) is available from 15 November 2021. To find out more or buy a copy, visit www.shopmartingale.com THE FABRIC BOOKISH If, like us, you love books as much as you love fabrics, then this is the collection for you. The new fabric collection by Sharon Holland, Bookish, encapsulates…

Windy Days Inspired by the gentle breezes and falling leaves twirling in the atmosphere of hazy autumn days, Tilda’s new Windy Days fabric collection is a quaint fabric family of beautiful prints in blues, corals, reds, pinks, neutrals, teals and yellows. The stunning floral designs across the collection are loosely inspired by Indian block prints and all members have names aptly associated with the wind. Also available are a sweet selection of coordinating buttons! groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk Stocking fillers SEAMS hand cream We think it’s fair to say that, after a year of constant hand sanitiser usage, our hands are in need of a little TLC, especially when we’re using them every day to sew and quilt! We adore SEAMS Beauty’s collection of goodies that are all oh-so giftable! From couturier’s hand…

Friendship and festivities Two big birthdays have given North Devon quilting group, From a Distance, something to work on during the lockdown of 2021. Members have really missed the company and friendship as well as the motivation and inspiration attending these sessions provide. So, when two members of the group were reaching milestone birthdays, they decided to do something about it while still honouring government guidelines. Jo reached her milestone 70th birthday and was presented with a voucher for Doughty’s Fabric Warehouse, while Judith celebrated her 60th birthday and was presented with a quilt designed and produced in secret by the group members, with blocks representing areas of Judith’s life. Making the quilt under the restrictions of lockdown proved to be logistically challenging but provided a welcome focus during a…

You will need ■ Dark fabric (block centres) – ⅓yd ■ Red fabrics (dark logs) – Approx. 5⅓yds in total ■ Gold/cream fabrics (light logs) – Approx. 4⅓yds in total ■ Backing – 2½yds x 108in extra wide backing fabric or 6yds x 44in ■ Binding – ⅔yd ■ Batting – 96in x 108in Finished size ■ Quilt: 74in x 95in ■ Block size: 5¼in finished (the ‘logs’ finish at ¾in wide) Notes ■ Use a ¼in seam allowance throughout and press seams in the direction indicated in the instructions. ■ RS = right side(s). ■ WS = wrong side(s). ■ WOF = width of fabric. ■ Fabrics are 44in wide. ■ Press all fabrics well before cutting. ■ As this is a scrappy, stashbuster quilt, it is likely that…