Hexie Stars Quilt

I'm one of hundreds of quilters who love hexies!

I've even got a Pinterest board dedicated to them!

And machine sewing hexies isn't as tricky as you might think (and no, I'm not talking about Y seams!).

One way to make machine sewing hexies easier is to use pre-cut fabric like a layer cake, and create star points in the spaces between the hexies.

The hexies and their star points are then sewn together in rows - Simples!

And there are great templates out there that make cutting the hexies super quick and easy.  I particularly like these ones from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Here are 2 Hexie Star Quilts I've made in the last 2 years ....

Autumn Hexies with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen (Flax)

Sweetwater's 'Noteworthy' with Navy solid (gifted)

... and here is the one in the current issue of British Patchwork & Quilting:

I made this one as a 'man quilt' with Sweetwater's 'Elementary' and Essex Yard Dyed Linen. And they put it on the front cover!!

So if you like hexies as much as me, why not have a go!

And if you are looking for a gift, both my Essex Linen Hexie Stars Quilts will soon be for sale (watch this space!).

Happy Hexing!

Jude xo

Scrappy Strips Quilt

I think it's time I said farewell to summer!

My first ever harvest of apples!

We have enjoyed an Indian summer here, but temperatures are starting to drop and I'm feeling the need for an extra layer!

So just enough time to show you my last 'summer' quilt.

Photo: British Patchwork & Quilting

This is imaginatively called the 'Scrappy Strips Quilt' ('it does exactly what it says on the tin!'). Scrappy quilts are my all time favourite, and I had so much fun one weekend delving into a pile of scrappy strips and sewing them together.

Photo: British Patchwork & Quilting

I love making strip pieced blocks.  I used 2" white strips through each block, but that's pretty much where the uniformity ends!

The coloured strips are of varying widths and very little thought went into what strip got sewed on next.  I don't even like all of the fabrics in this quilt, but I LOVE the finished look.  That's the magic which happens when a little bit of courage and random fabrics get mixed together.

The quilt is currently in the September issue of British Patchwork & Quilting Magazine, and measures a decent 66" x 77".  I could easily have gone bigger, I hardly made a dent in my scraps!

So it's goodbye summer, and hello beautiful Autumn!

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

Table Runner & Mats!

It was a typical spring day here today!  Sunshine and showers!

Our walk along the beach was what you would call 'bracing'! But no matter the season, there is always beauty to be found.

Back in the warmth of the indoors, let's talk table runners!

Photo courtesy of British Patchwork & Quilting

This is my Drunkard's Path Table Runner and Mats set, as featured in the April issue of British Patchwork & Quilting.

The inspiration for this design came from the lovely Aylin, who I've had the pleasure of meeting in person (love our blogging community!).  Aylin very kindly gave me permission to develop this design further, following the beautiful cushion she made.

I love the many variations the Drunkard's Path units can create.  And the Sizzix DP die makes quick and accurate work of the cutting out!

So if you love sewing curves as much as me, pick up a copy of BPQ today!

Keep warm!

Jude xo

Feeling the Love!

February is the month of Luuuurrrrrvvvv! (so I'm told!)

So I submitted a few 'heart related' projects to magazines!

This is my 'Drunken Hearts' quilt in British Patchwork & Quilting (Feb), so called because I used 'drunkards path' units to make the heart blocks. 

I have to say I 'fell in love' with this quilt as I was making it, and can't wait to get it back from the magazine. 

I used Art Gallery's 'Bijou' and 'Dreaming in French' for the hearts and Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Black for the background.

My sweet Trudi did a beautiful job quilting this for me on her long arm machine (you can just about see the hearts quilting pattern).

Tune in again for another 'Luuuuurrrrrvvvvv' installment!

Jude xo

Quillow Up Front!

I'm delighted to be working with British Patchwork and Quilting magazine and submitted my first project to them several months ago!

Imagine my surprise when my first project is presented on the front cover!

It's always a contributor's delight to make the front cover!!

This is my Disappearing 9 Patch Quillow.  The disappearing 9 patch block is one of the quickest and most satisfying blocks to make.  And a quillow is a quilt which folds up into a pillow!!

Quillows are great for taking camping, to sleepovers, caravans, or in the car!

So if you'd like a quick and fun pattern to make one, get the January issue of British Patchwork and Quilting, out now!

Jude xo