Bobbles Picnic Quilt

Happy Friday to you all!

We had gorgeous blue skies today!

Donaghadee Lighthouse

The perfect day for a picnic perhaps?

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

Fabric is 'Linen Cupboard' by Emma Jean Jansen for Ella Blue

This is my Retro Beach Bag in the August issue of Pretty Patches.

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.

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).

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

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!).

view from Castle Ward

Bangor Walled Gardens

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

And of course, a great scrap buster project too!

Wishing you all some fun in the sun!

Jude xo

Mori Girl Travel Pouch

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!! 

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

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.

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

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!)

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).

Finished size 62" x 62"

Perfect for long summer evenings in the garden! (still dreaming!)

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.

I hope you are enjoying some sunshine wherever you are!

Happy sunning!

Jude xo