Courgettes this time!

So yesterday I was dangling metaphorical carrots in front of you, with some sneaky peeks on what I've been working on this week.

Well tonight I give you courgettes!

Real veggies this time!  These are growing in my city garden!  Cool eh!

We've also enjoyed some peas and strawberries.  Still waiting for the toms to ripen, and the raspberries are starting to fruit!  Ah the good life!

And if you follow me on Instagram, you will know that I got a particular quilt top & back finished!  Phew!  It was a struggle and a whole other blog post. But it can now go off to the long arm quilter for some magic quilting!

Tomorrow I think I'll take a wee break from the sewing machine!  It's to rain here, so school shoes shopping it is then!

Jude xo

Dangling Carrots!

There's been sewing going on this week, but I can't show you full reveals just yet, sorry!

I'm furiously working on Mum and Dad's Golden wedding anniversary quilt, because I don't want to be handing it over at their 51st wedding anniversary!

At the risk of mum seeing too much, I'm just going to show you a rubbish sneak peek, and leave it at that!

I'm now at the border stage, needing to get those on, the back made and left into the Long Arm quilter by tomorrow!  Ha ha!  Yes, I said tomorrow because my local long-armer is going away next week!  Trying hard not to panic!

The other sneak peek is for a friend's birthday this weekend (another '0' birthday, wink, wink!). 

Will be able to show you more after Saturday!

And check out Shannon's amazing EPP cushion here.  I think she's just created a new class project for me!

Jude xo

From Down Under!

It was the hottest day of the year so far here!  And the hot temperatures were a welcome home coming for the lovely visitor I had to class this morning!

Marie started following my blog 2 years ago, and while she lives in Oz most of the year, we had the privilege of meeting for the first time a year ago.  She creates the most beautiful quilts, which you can see here on her blog.

It was so lovely getting Aussie hugs from Marie again (even though she's a fellow Irish woman!), and just look at the goodies she brought!

This is such a beautiful Jen Kingwell pattern that I definitely want to have a go at! And I already have a wee project in mind for those gorgeous fabrics.

Thank you Marie for taking precious time out to come see me.  2 summer meet ups means we've definitely established an annual tradition, right?!

Jude xo

New Fabrics!

Well we've been enjoying some wonderfully hot weather here this week!

Having fun at our local beach, Seapark, Holywood

And the good weather is set to continue! Makes it jolly hard to stay inside working!!

But here are some lovelies which may tempt you towards your sewing machine!

These Tilda fabrics are now in stock in my classroom, £12 per metre, £3 per fat quarter.

Aren't they lovely! I'm trying very hard not to waste all my time stroking them!!

So if you fancy bagging some for yourself, just pop down to class Monday or Wednesday evening, or Friday morning.

Have a fabulous day!

Jude xo

Fabric Buckets!

In August I will be showing people how to make fabric buckets.

You know how much I love to recycle fabrics, so I chopped up some denim to make these 'child friendly' stacking buckets.

Children who know how to use a sewing machine are welcome to the workshop!

And for the adults, something a little more detailed.

These are piped, rounded buckets, with some pretty applique on the fronts.  A little bit of fun for all your stuff and nonsense!!

These are great for bathrooms, bedrooms and even keeping sewing spaces organised!

There are still spaces available, so if you fancy having a go at some piping and applique, get in touch!

Fabric Buckets Workshop - Saturday 16th August, 10am - 4pm

And yesterday was my Picnic Carry Cushions workshop!  No pics sorry!  But everyone seemed to enjoy making their own bias binding and cushion covers. 

If you want to have a go at making your own patio/picnic cushions, you can find the pattern here in my Etsy shop!

Jude xo

Pinwheels and Prairies!

Another little quilt I'll be teaching next term is this cot quilt, called Pinwheels and Prairies!

Finished Size 44" x 54"

I was gifted some '30's Playtime' fabrics (by Chloe's Closet) and thought they would make a cute baby quilt.

Pinwheels are fun and popular to make, and so are prairie points.  Sometimes quilt borders can be a bit boring - I love how the prairie points add interest to this little quilt.

I had a bit of fun with the quilting too!  You can see it more clearly on the back.  The central section is quilted like a diamond, with lines in the outer sections running in the opposite direction.

When I write up the pattern for this quilt, there will be the option to make a single bed size too.

So that's one happy Ted!  (Really must paint my props ladder!)

Hope you've been enjoying some lovely sunshine this week!

Jude xo

Hexies and Stars!

Now that my new programme of classes is out, I can finally tell you about all the stuff I've been working on.

Today I'll show you my hexie quilts.

Finished size 56" x 60"

You may remember seeing this one during construction.

I used the Missouri Star Quilting company half hexie ruler and chopped up a whole layer cake (Kate Spain - Sunnyside).

This was quilt no.2 using this ruler (you can see no.1 here).  I used a donated vintage sheet on the back, which goes perfectly with the soft sunny tones of the fabrics on the front.

This is a really simple quilt to make.  So for those who like a little more of a challenge in their quilts, I present the hexie stars quilt.

Finished size: 56" x 52"

Still using the half hexie ruler, but this time the layer cake squares (Noteworthy, Sweetwater) are kept whole, with navy triangles added to the corners to create a starry secondary pattern.

Both of these quilts could be easily enlarged with the addition of borders.

Hexies of all shapes and sizes are a particular favourite of mine, and lend themselves to lots of fun quilting designs.  I hope you like them too!

Jude xo

Autumn/Winter Programme!

The new programme of 'In Stitches' sewing & quilting classes is out now!

This programme covers the semester September to December '14, and I'm excited to have a return of some guest tutors, bringing their talents and diversity.

It's always a big event in the Hollies' household when I publish the next semester of classes!  I've recently likened it to giving birth, except the labour lasts for weeks and weeks!

Now that the programme is finally out and registrations are coming in, I'm feeling much lighter!!

I hope you enjoy reading through the variety of classes on offer.  If you fancy signing up for one of them, or a summer class, just drop me an email.

justjudedesigns@hotmail.co.uk

Jude xo

Table Runners!

A while a go I made this table runner, using a Christmas charm pack!

This Pinwheel version is for a Saturday workshop I'm running next month.  But I always like to give my ladies some creative alternatives, so I made this one too!

Approx. 19" x 47"

I'm calling it 'Economy Stars'!  I had some '30's Playtime' fabrics leftover from a recent quilt, and I love the freshness they give to my dining table.

Small quilting projects always lend themselves to some fun, experimental quilting!

I'll be publishing the pattern for this table runner after the workshop.

I still have some spaces available, so if you fancy dressing your table, topping your sideboard or getting a head start on Christmas projects, then drop me a line!

Jude xo

Table Runner Workshop - Saturday 2nd August, 10am - 4pm

Catching Up!

I was away over the 'first of the month mosaic ritual', but I thought I'd show you what I made in June anyway!

A good lot of these makes are class samples for my new Autumn programme, which I hope to publish next week.  Then I'll be able to tell you all about them!

Hope you are getting some sunshine in your part of the world!

Jude xo

Cooo-eee!

Hello everyone! 

Thought it was about time I touched base with you all, after our fabulous holiday in Majorca!

We had a wonderful week in Puerto Pollensa, enjoying 32 degrees everyday, and the odd evening cocktail (or two!).

We came home on Saturday to 16 degrees, thunder, lightning, hail stones and torrential rain! 

Welcome home!

So it's back to porridge here!  The kids are off, but I'm back to work! 

Hoping to have some new reveals for you all very soon!

Jude xo