Friday 29 July 2016

Bobbles Picnic Quilt

Happy Friday to you all!

We had gorgeous blue skies today!

Lighthouse, Donaghadee
Donaghadee Lighthouse

The perfect day for a picnic perhaps?

Picnic Bobble Quilt (Popular Patchwork Aug16)

This is my Bobbles Picnic Quilt, currently featured in the August issue of Popular Patchwork.

Picnic Bobble Quilt (Popular Patchwork Aug16)

I love jumbo pompoms (these ones are 20mm, available from Frumble Fabrics). 

Picnic Bobble Quilt (Popular Patchwork Aug16)


This pattern starts off with 36 x 10" squares, so you could easily use a layer cake here. 

Picnic Bobble Quilt (Popular Patchwork Aug16)


I've quilted the quilt with a calico backing first, then added the pompom trim and a water resistant back (washable shower curtain) using the 'bagging out' method. A few extra stitches in the centre of the blocks keeps all the layers neatly together.

Picnic Bobble Quilt (Popular Patchwork Aug16)


I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get lots more 'blue sky' days so I can christen my picnic quilt!

Happy picnic-ing!

Jude xo

Sunday 24 July 2016

Retro Beach Bag!

I have a confession to make!

I'm a closet hippy!  Born a decade too late, I've been repressed ever since!!

So nothing delights me more than sewing with retro, funky fabric!

Beach Bag (Pretty Patches Aug16)
Fabric is 'Linen Cupboard' by Emma Jean Jansen for Ella Blue
This is my Retro Beach Bag in the August issue of Pretty Patches.

Beach Bag (Pretty Patches Aug16)

I love the simplicity of beach bags - roomy, sturdy and with 'make it easier' features like webbing for handles and mesh for outside pockets.


I also love projects that are functional and practical, so I've made the lining with wipeable Rip-Stop nylon, and a detachable 'wet bag' for your swimming costume and drippy sun lotions.

Beach Bag (Pretty Patches Aug16)

I know some of you have a 'zip phobia', but trust me when I say this is one of the easiest ways to insert a zipper.  The entire bag is made first, and then the zip is top stitched onto the top of the bag.

Simples!

Here's the same pattern done in Ikea 'deco' weight fabrics (unquilted).

Bethany's Beach Bag

So if you don't want an over-complicated, summer bag, have a go at this beginner friendly pattern and get in touch with your inner hippy!

Peace man!

Jude xo

Thursday 21 July 2016

Scrappy Summer Rail Fence

We've been experiencing something of a mini heatwave here in the UK this week!

Almost too hot to get out and enjoy some local delights (well, I did say almost!).

Castle Ward July16
view from Castle Ward
Castle Ward July16

Castle Ward July16

Bangor Walled Gardens July16
Bangor Walled Gardens

Bangor Walled Gardens July16

Bangor Walled Gardens July16


While my sewing room has been 'closed' for 2 weeks, it's the perfect time of year to show you my Summer Rail Fence quilt!

Summer Rail Fence Quilt (Pretty Patches Aug16)

This pattern is in the August issue of Pretty Patches (out now) and was the result of a fun weekend earlier in the year playing with scrappy strips!

Summer Rail Fence Quilt (Pretty Patches Aug16)

I love the summery combo of oranges, soft yellows, pinks and teals, combined with the earthy brown stripe. Just look at the lovely styling it gets on the coordinated orange front cover!

Summer Rail Fence Quilt (Pretty Patches Aug16)

The rail fence design is a classic, but there are many ways to give it a modern twist! And it is beginner friendly piecing too!

Summer Rail Fence Quilt (Pretty Patches Aug16)


This would be an easy quilt to make for other seasons (think fresh Spring greens and yellows, warm Autumnal plums and browns) or even a Christmas version!

Summer Rail Fence Quilt (Pretty Patches Aug16)

And of course, a great scrap buster project too!

Wishing you all some fun in the sun!

Jude xo


Monday 11 July 2016

Mori Girl Travel Pouch

Travel Washbag

If you are lucky enough to be heading off on your travels this summer, you might need a giant pouch to keep all those toiletries and suncreams in!! 

Travel Washbag

The lovely peeps at Quilt Now sent me the cutest fabrics by Dashwood Studios called Mori Girl!

Travel Washbag

As you can see, this pouch has stacks of room, with a zipper inserted along the top finished edge.

Additional features are a narrow piping trim on the outside and a detachable 'wet bag' for your toothbrush and cloth.

Travel Washbag

The 'wet bag' is lined with Rip-stop nylon, a sturdy wipeable and machine washable fabric. You could easily line the travel pouch with Rip-stop too and turn it into a wash bag.

The pattern for this travel pouch is in the July issue of Quilt Now, in the shops now!

Happy travels!

Jude xo

Monday 4 July 2016

Summer Soft!

Happy 4th of July to all my American friends!!

The weather here has been rubbish, so I'm just going to pretend it is summer, that it's 28 degrees outside, and that I'm still sitting in my garden with a cold pear cider in hand!! (indulge me!)

'Summer Soft' Quilt (British Patchwork & Quilting July16)
Photo by British Patchwork & Quilting
This is 'Summer Soft'.

She is made from the sumptuously soft 'feel the difference' fabrics by Art Gallery (Bazaar Style, Paradise & Dreaming in French collections).


Summer Soft Quilt (British Patchwork & Quilting July16)
Finished size 62" x 62"
Perfect for long summer evenings in the garden! (still dreaming!)


Summer Soft Quilt (British Patchwork & Quilting July16)

This is a great 'beginner friendly' project with simple piecing and repeating blocks, and you can find the pattern in the July issue of British Patchwork and Quilting magazine.
'Summer Soft' Quilt (British Patchwork & Quilting July16)
I hope you are enjoying some sunshine wherever you are!

Happy sunning!

Jude xo