Innholdsfortegnelse for 39 i Today's Quilter

Long summer days have turned into long summer weeks over the last month, bringing much joy and fun days out. However, the warmth is not so conducive for quilting. But we never let a little thing like the weather stop us doing what we love, so I was delighted when Anna Marie Galvin’s stunning Starflowers quilt (our cover star for this issue) arrived at the office. Not only are its bold colours and prints the epitome of summer, it’s all hand pieced. This means that no matter where you are, you can still take some quilting with you – bonus! With this issue comes some change too (this time not related to the weather), and we are sadly saying goodbye to Lynne Edwards. She’s brought smiles to our faces and…

“One of my favourite things about patchwork is looking through books full of blocks, and thinking of all of the possibilities they hold." – Carolyn Forster, designer, teacher and author ONE OF THE joys of quilting is discovering a block you absolutely love, and then planning out the perfect design to show it off to its absolute best. But what if the block you’ve found only has instructions for one size, and you really want to make it larger or smaller? We’ve all been there, the frustration of searching online for alternatives, or getting the calculator out and your brain in order as you try to figure out the maths involved for up-scaling or down-scaling the design... including each fabric piece that is required! That’s why we decided to…

Homespun First of all, I just received my second issue of Today’s Quilter. I just had to subscribe after seeing all of my friends’ issues and the goodies that come with them. The tutorials in the magazine are so detailed and easy to understand, and it’s lovely seeing what other quilters are doing, especially in other parts of the world. I am very impressed with the work that the British quilters are doing, being an American quilter. I attend a group up here in the North Georgia mountains that I sew with regularly. Here is a picture of a four-part, year-long project that I recently completed. It’s called Village Square and is a combination of appliqué and piecing. Cathy Pilvinsky, Georgia, USA No wonder this quilt took a year to…

Anna Marie Galvin began sewing in 2010 after visiting and being inspired by the V&A exhibition, Quilts 1700-2010. She became fascinated by the multi-faceted nature of quilts: as reflections of an individual’s personality, as practical homewares and as objects of familial meaning and memory. Anna runs The Modern Quilter’s Box, a bi-monthly quilting subscription box (www.modernquiltersbox.com), and can be found regularly quilting on Instagram. annamariegalvin…

You will need Whitebackgroundfabric 3½yds Navy fabric – 2yds Mixed fabric scraps – 1¾yds Backing fabric – 4¼yds Batting – 74in square Binding – ½yd Templates (see Templates section) Finished size 64½in square Fabric Used ElephantsGarden by Printfresh Studio for Clothworks. Cutting out 1 From the background fabric, cut as follows: • Sixty-four (64) pieces using Template A. • Sixty-four (64) pieces using Template A reversed (AR). • Sixty-four (64) pieces using Template D. 2 From the navy fabric, cut as follows: • Sixty-four (64) pieces using Template C. • Sixteen (16) pieces using Template E. 3 From the mixed scraps, cut as follows: • One-hundred-and-twenty-eight (128) pieces using Template B. • Sixty-four (64) pieces using Template C. 4 Cut the backing fabric into two (2) equal lengths.…

The year 2018 is turning out to be quite special at the Kaffe Fassett Studio. In April, it was announced that Kaffe had been awarded an MBE in recognition of his “outstanding achievement or service to the community”. We are thrilled for him and for the positive impact this will have on raising awareness of the many talented artists and designers who enrich our daily lives. For quilters worldwide, it’s certainly cause for celebration. Another milestone, and one that we can actively share in, is the 20th anniversary of Kaffe’s long-established patchwork and quilting book series. Instead of being presented with the traditional anniversary gift of fine bone china, Kaffe and his team are presenting us with a set of 20 new quilt designs inspired by the quilt collection at…

Drawing and painting were favourite childhood pastimes of textile artist Stephanie Crawford. But a careless remark from an art teacher shattered her confidence and it would be a few decades before she once again picked up her pencils and paint brushes. In the intervening years, Stephanie took up stitching as an outlet for her creativity, an activity which continues to give her enormous pleasure. But, when retirement approached, Stephanie decided it was time to reconnect with her love of art. So, combining her two passions, she studied the City & Guilds Design and Craft Certificate course in Patchwork and Quilting, followed by the Diploma-level qualification. “I’m so glad I did the City & Guilds courses as I learnt such a lot about art and design and textile techniques,” Stephanie enthuses.…

Inspired by beautiful landscapes with patterns that evoke cloudless skies, rippling water and earthy tones, the Landscape Batiks collection from Sew Simple has been used to create this delightful duo of cushions. The colourful pair will brighten up any corner of your home with rich jewel tones and daring geometric designs. If you too are dreaming of adorning your home with this matching set, turn to page 36 to subscribe today and receive the Landscape Batiks collection!…

“One of my favourite things about patchwork is looking through books full of blocks, and thinking of all of the possibilities they hold. There are too many blocks for each to be made into an entire quilt, so a sampler quilt is a great solution to try them all. I love that the different blocks sit next to each other, without any sashing or setting solutions to get in the way. And each block stands out due to the fabrics. It’s a great way to showcase a collection of fabrics, and as each block doesn’t use much, you’ll have some left for future quilts. The great thing about these quilts is how different they’ll look, even though all the same blocks are stitched. It really is easy to put your…

Sally Ablett BEAUTIFUL BATIKS Sally has taken this issue’s fabulous subscription bundle of fabrics (pg 36) and created two gorgeous cushion covers for you to make (page 79). Fi Bowman A PLACE TO NEST With large blocks and relatively simple piecing, you can sew up Fi’s charming design quicker than you think. Find out more on page 44. Carolyn Forster REGAL DESIGNS Turn to page 39 to find Carolyn’s stunning Caesar’s Crown block. With clever fabric placement, she’s designed a quilt fit for royalty.…

NEW QUILTS FROM AN OLD FAVOURITE International competition Each year this international contest organised by The National Quilt Museum in America challenges quilt-makers around the world to create an innovative quilt based on a traditional pattern. Quilts are selected for their excellence in design and techniques, innovation, and their contributions to an exhibition, showing the wide range of designs and styles the selected pattern can inspire. Quilters around the world are invited to enter outstanding quilts in the 2019 competition and this year’s chosen pattern is the traditional Oak Leaf & Reel. This competition gives quilters an excellent opportunity to share their work with people across the country. The quilts selected as finalists will receive awards and make up a travelling exhibition. The exhibit will open at The National Quilt…

This is a momentous occasion for me, as this will be my last regular contribution to Today’s Quilter (deafening cries of indifference from the readers). After three years and thirty-nine issues, I think I am running out of subjects to address. And being of a certain age, there is always a high risk of repeating stuff without remembering that I’ve said it before… But luckily for you all, the wondrous Jo Colwill from Cowslip in Cornwall will be taking over the space and using it to give her own view of life and quilting, so how lucky are you? There’s an edge of pain in this, and not just because this is the final missive from my desk, but also because last Sunday I managed to trip in my garden…

“The block used in this quilt has gone by many names over the years, as there is so much opportunity for creative design with the fabric placement, which leads quilters to continue to love the challenge of stitching it. It contains set-in piecing as well as curves, and if you don’t want to machine piece it, then feel free to work by hand. It’s a block I’ve always enjoyed stitching and it features in my book The Handmade Quilt, which covers everything you need to know about hand-piecing a quilt. “The choice of fabrics in this block and their placement mean that when the blocks go together there is a secondary design created, which to me always looks like large white flowers. This emphasizes the garden theme in the fabric…

“For this quilt, I had a couple of design goals in mind; I wanted to echo the fabric collection’s name in the design, and so I created a shape that’s reminiscent of a nest full of eggs. I also wanted a layout that left plenty of open, airy space around the blocks to keep it feeling fresh and light. Keen observers of my quilt designs will notice that I’m fascinated by the secondary patterns and negative spaces that are created when diverse blocks combine and interact. I think one of the most interesting aspects of using repeated blocks is the way they can be brought together and then tweaked to create a pleasing whole that is greater than the sum of its parts! And this quilt is another exercise in…

HELP! I’ve made a pieced border of Four-patch blocks but my quilt centre isn’t quite square and is slightly shorter across the width, so two of the border strips are about 1/4in too long. What can I do about this? Try this… To begin with you could try pressing the sides of the quilt that are a bit short, using steam to carefully extend the length. If this doesn’t help then ¾in isn’t much so I would re-sew a few of the seams so the allowance is slightly wider. Even adjusting seams by only about 1/16in or a needle’s width will make a difference over many seams (see blue dashed line in Fig 10). The eye won’t notice that some of the units are a tiny fraction narrower. You can…

Forget about the rules – whatever it takes to achieve your idea is fine. You don’t have to be able to draw. Use photos, magazines, books, travel brochures, etc. Trace the picture onto your fabric using a light box or window. Don’t be too precious if you want to depict a scene. Move items around or add or remove objects to make it your own. Make a point of really observing things. Just because your head tells you the sea is blue or grass is green, it doesn’t mean it is – it may be many colours. If in doubt, sample your colours before you start. When painting larger areas, such as sky, try using your hands to blend the colours as this can give a better result. In order…

Sally Ablett has been quilt-making for nearly 30 years. Within this time, patchwork has developed from a hobby into a full-time job. She has extensive experience teaching courses and day workshops, as well as giving regular talks using her own collection of quilts to demonstrate patchwork techniques and pass on tips that she has learnt throughout the years. Sally does freelance design work, as well as working with Lewis & Irene to design quilts and produce patterns that are used to showcase new fabric collections.…

In the communityof quiltingthe conversationcan last forever.The common threadthat holds pieces together,from micro to macro,individual, sharedand worldwide, is a palpable passionfor pattern,a craving for colour,and the feel of fabric.Their kaleidoscopecombinationsinduce addictive,hallucinogenicrainbows that make eyes dancewith the thrillof a sale stall.An adrenalin rushturns a walking footinto a free motion,long-armed,uncontrolled dashto increase the stash. From these greedygem hoardscottons, silks, veloursare deconstructed,reconstructedto emergeas newly cut,tacetedtreasures. Quilted three-layeredlandscapesare thrown overJelly Roll hillstheir Fat Quartersneatly incisedby vivid valleysof appliquéwoodlands. Patchwork patternspiece a snail trailof geometry,a storm at seaslashescrewel cliffsacross a fusible webof broderiewater. Arts and craftsshadow stitchstylised natural forms,beauty and pleasureof a true lover’s knot,free-motion loopsof sunbursts, warmthfrom the dawningof a new day. Through the weft and weaveof world politicscontentmentis complete,each quilt craftedwith care for another. Comfort in companionship,comfort in creatingcomfort.…

What to see and do now QUILTING Summer Showcase at The Bramble Patch Until 28th August, Northampton Showcasing quilts from the 2018 Mystery Club project “Jewel Box”. Spectacular pieces from Bramble Patch clubs, including monthly blocks “Tiddly Om Pom Pom” and Christmas-themed. Includes pieces from The Contemporary Quilt Group of The Quilters’ Guild 2018 Members’ Challenge. The Bramble Patch, West Street, Weedon Bec, Northampton, NN7 4QU Admission: £2 www.bramblepatchonline.com A Creative Journey – Edinburgh Festival Fringe Exhibition 6th-31st August, Edinburgh Art quilts by Pat Archibald’s students, inspired by their creative journeys. St Bride’s Community Centre, Orwell Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11 2DZ (Please contact the community centre to check on opening times, 0131 346 1405) Free entry, disabled access St Cynwyd’s Quilt Festival with Crafts 9th-11th August, Wales Refreshments and raffle. St…

“As soon as I heard that Cathi Bessell-Browne (the genius behind Gertrude Made) was bringing out a second Outback Wife fabric collection, I knew I had to design a quilt that featured her stunning, large-scale floral designs. I wanted the quilt to have a vintage feel to match the fabrics, which were in turn inspired by floral barkcloths of the 1940s and 1950s. When I stumbled upon a traditional but little-known quilt block called the ‘Starflower’ block, I knew it would be perfect. This traditional 12in block comprises eight curved petal pieces and triangular intersections surrounding a central appliquéd circle. I took the traditional design and upscaled it to 20in so that the Outback Wife fabrics could take centre stage as the appliquéd circles, with bold and colourful petals surrounding…

So, musing on the quilting journey since I began this column, it’s interesting to see just how many changes I’ve made in the way I work in this short time. Not major life-changing things but small tweaks in techniques and an increased choice in how I do things has made tasks easier and hopefully enriched the final design. Being the compulsive teacher that I am, I’ve hastened to document each little idea or tip through this column, in the hope that one or two might be helpful or possibly spark a fresh idea for an element of a quilt. Of course, if you are like me, not only do you forget these little offerings but if you do recall one, you have to trawl through endless back issues of the…

Carolyn Forster has been sewing, making patchwork and quilting for well over 20 years, and teaching for many of those years. You can find her quilts in a range of books published by Landauer Publishing (USA), and Search Press (UK). She blogs at www.carolynforster.co.uk or you can follow her stitching inspiration on Instagram. To get in touch with Carolyn about her classes and talks, you can email her at: carolynforster@hotmail.co.uk www.carolynforster.co.uk Carolyn Forster Quiltingonthego…

Fi Bowman made her first quilt when she was 18 and has been playing with fabric, thread, dyes, paints and embroidery ever since. Initially self-taught, she discovered Bramble Patch in 1996 and proceeded to take workshops with every teacher she could over the next 16 years until, in 2012, they took pity on her and let her work for them! She now designs quilts, teaches patchwork and quilting, and makes her own textile work, too. www.fibowman.com @fibowman…

Pam and Nicky Lintott own the Quilt Room based in Dorking, Surrey, where they have a shop in a 15th-century inn, a studio where they operate an efficient mail order business, plus a longarm quilting service using their two Gammill Statler Stitches. They have written several books on Jelly Roll quilts and other pre-cuts published by David & Charles. www.quiltroom.co.uk thequiltroom @thequiltroom…

Linda Clements is a leading technical quilting expert, editor and writer who, for 25 years, has worked on many fabric and craft titles for David & Charles and other leading craft publishers. Among the many quilters who have trusted Linda to ensure their books are both accurate and reader-friendly, are Lynne Edwards MBE, Susan Briscoe, Pam and Nicky Lintott, Pauline Ineson, Mandy Shaw and Lynette Anderson. Linda’s own book, The Quilter’s Bible, is the must-have guide to patchwork, quilting and appliqué, and includes everything she has learnt working with the industry’s best designers. For Today’s Quilter, Linda is working with the team to select practical and creative techniques. She will then go in-depth, exploring the methods, taking them from the basic premise to their full technical and creative potential. You…

You will need Fabric1 One (1) Fat Quarter Fabric 2 – One (1) Fat Quarter Fabric 3 – One (1) Fat Quarter Fabric 4 – One (1) Fat Quarter Fabric 5 – One (1) Fat Quarter Fabric 6 – One (1) Fat Quarter Fabric 7 – One (1) Fat Quarter Fabric 8 – One (1) Fat Quarter Batting – 20in square Cushion pad – 18in square Fabric glue pen Drunkard’s Path template (see Templates section) Template plastic Finished size 18in square Fabric used “Landscape Batiks” by Sew Simple, Notes All measurements include 1/4in seam allowances. Preparing the templates 1 Trace the block templates from the pattern onto template plastic and cut out with a craft knife. Cutting out 2 From the assorted fabrics, cut out nine (9) L-shaped corners…

SHOPPING ACCESSORIES Quilter’s Date Keeper www.searchpress.com 0189 251 0850 Ultra Violet Paint www.diy.com 0333 014 3098 FABRIC COLLECTIONS Bumbleberries www.lewisandirene.com Elephant’s Garden www.clothworks.com Kona Cotton Solids www.quiltessential.co.uk 0162 982 5936 Landscape Batiks www.eqsuk.com 0116 271 0033 Little Sweetheart by Edyta Sitar www.makoweruk.com 0162 850 9640 Meriwether by Amy Gibson www.thecraftymastermind.co.uk 0787 164 8938 Outback Wife by Gertrude Made www.cottonreelstudio.co.uk BOOKS Indigo www.searchpress.com 0189 251 0850 Sewing Luna Lapin’s Friends www.sewandso.co.uk 0800 013 0150 Wildflowers; Hearty Good Wishes – Coastal Quilts; Freya and Fred; A Week Full of Quilts for a Girl and Her Dog www.eqsuk.com 0116 271…

Have you ever spent an afternoon simply browsing the web (and on this rare occasion I’m not talking about online shopping)? I mean spending the day exploring the abundance of quilt block options that are available to us quilters. There are traditional and modern blocks to choose from, not to mention the multitude in-between. And with some clever arrangements or an inspired fabric choice, you can adapt the whole look and feel of a block. So, I was very excited to get to work with Carolyn Forster to create this handy booklet, especially as it meant I could stare at pretty blocks for days on end... and it was even considered work! Carolyn has chosen 36 gorgeous designs for you to try and, even better, has done all the hard…

Carolyn Forster has been sewing and quilting for well over 20 years, as well as teaching for much of that time. You can find her quilts in a range of books published by Search Press (UK). She blogs at www.carolynforster.co.uk and you can follow her stitching inspiration on Instagram. Get in touch with Carolyn about her classes and talks at carolynforster@hotmail.co.uk www.carolynforster.co.uk Carolyn Forster Quiltingonthego…