Today's Quilter 58

As we put the finishing touches to this issue, we’re in the depths of winter gloom – rain is tapping away at the window and on the streets below I see figures clutching umbrellas rushing to stay dry. Oh, how I’m longing for the first signs of Springtime as the days grow longer and nature seems to reawaken all around us. Nature is a never-ending source of inspiration for us quilters – whether we’re replicating a scene or landscape, creating stylised versions of motifs in the wild or picking colour palettes based on the bounty of the world outside our windows. The magazine showcases a range of designs with their origins firmly rooted in nature. With a simple rotation, Sally Ablett’s snail trail blocks become the centrepiece for her medallion…

Nicola Dodd TWIST ON A CLASSIC Sew our glorious cover quilt featuring a variant of the Rolling Star, inspired by the late Winter bloom, the Lenten Rose. Turn to page 22. Karen Lewis ONE-BLOCK-WONDER Stitched in Jennifer Sampou’s gorgeous Sky collection, this tropical Pineapple quilt will have you dreaming of summer already! See page 56. Jo Avery MINDFUL APPLIQUÉ Turn to page 77 to give your favourite armchair a freshen up with Jo’s delightful cushion project. Perfect for a weekend of stitching!…

THE BOOK SISTERHOOD OF SCRAPS Famed quilt designer Lissa Alexander, author of books such as All In A Row, Scraps Made Simple and Lucky Charm Quilts invites six quilting friends to sew scrap quilts, each capturing their signature style. With designs from Susan Ache, Kim Brackett, Barbara Brackman, Sheryl Johnson, Laurie Simpson and Sandy Klop, each is a homage to much-loved fabric scraps and celebrates your stash. Join the Sisterhood of Scraps and sew along. THE SHOP ANTHROPOLOGIE Featuring a tufted diamond-shaped motif and delicate tasselled trim, this exclusive range of Tufted Amora bedding offers a modern twist on classic white bedding, which is always great for giving a clean, airy feeling. The soft texture, neutral tones and minimalist hygge style of these pieces provide the perfect backdrop for a…

PINBOARD QUILTS Wall art Much-loved quilter Katharine Guerrier is making and selling one-of-a-kind collectable mini quilts by combining traditional patchwork blocks, such as pinwheels, Log Cabin and nine-patch, with a variety of improv techniques. “Having made many large quilts over the decades, drawing on tradition and adding my own interpretations, I am experimenting with small-scale pieces that draw from a number of techniques in a similar way,” said Katharine. Each piece is unique and can be displayed on a pinboard, mounted on a canvas or framed to add a flash of colour to a small space. This is a rare chance to purchase a quilt from a highly regarded quilt-maker and teacher, who has contributed much to our enjoyment and the development of quilting here in the UK. A limited…

Spring Quilt Festival 24th-26th January, Ardingly Quilt displays from well-known quilters and textile artists, a variety of exhibitors selling patchwork and quilting supplies. Disabled access available. 10:00-16:00 / Ticket prices vary – see website for details South of England Showground, Norfolk Pavilion, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TL www.grosvenorshows.co.uk Quiltfest 2020 5th-14th February, Llangollen Exhibits will include “Song of the Celts” from Celtic Fringe, “Forty Years And Still Stitching” challenge quilts, a selection from the Traditional Quilt Group: A retrospective from Ten Plus Textiles and more. See website for all other information, including opening times and tickets. The International Pavillion, Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8SW www.quiltfest.org.uk Montague Patchers’ 15th Biennial Exhibition 14th-15th February, Manchester Exhibition including traders, a tombola, a quilt raffle and homemade refreshments. All proceeds will be going to…

Historically, pineapples were considered a symbol of hospitality and friendship. They have appeared in many traditional quilt designs, as appliqué, pieced motifs or as more abstract blocks, such as this one, which represents the spiky leaves and texture of the fruit’s skin. The Pineapple block is a variation of the Log Cabin block. Similar to making a Courthouse Steps block, the Pineapple block is usually assembled using strips that are added to opposite sides of a square, then trimmed after each round. For your gift this month, we’ve designed two sets of different-sized Pineapple block templates so you can make this dazzling block accurately and with no fabric wastage – just use scraps or strips! We love this block for its varied effects, created by the careful placement of contrasting…