Back to School Pouch!

Here in N.Ireland we have really loooooooong school summer holidays.  They start off slowly at the end of June, but seem to really speed up in August as we hurtle towards September!

We are already in the throws of school uniform buying in the Hollies' household!

So my 'Back to School' Pencil case in this month's issue of Quilt Now is quite timely!

I love these colours on the Essex Yarn Dyed Linen (denim). 

And on the other side ......

If you want to banish your fear of zippers, this is a lovely project to get in some practise. The pattern will talk you through how to insert the zipper, and how to make covered zip ends to get a lovely finish to your pouch.

This is a really roomy pouch, so no excuses for forgetting school supplies!!

And if you'd like to get some of this quality linen/cotton mix, you can find it here in my shop.

Happy sewing!

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

S.H.O.P. Tote Bag

It's been a crazy busy week here!

But the sun has been shining and my friendly flowers are making an appearance once again.

I haven't even had time to tell you about the rest of my magazine entries this month!

Quilt Now sent me some lush Alison Glass fabrics (Endpaper) for a 'WORD' themed bag.

The design for the letters came together surprisingly easily - straightforward piecing (there will definitely be more pieced letters in my design future).

I love how the colours really stand out against the Essex Linen (Flax).

Lining by Michael Miller Mini Chic Chevron

There's also a sneaky little pop of colour behind the straps.

So for all you shopaholics out there, this one is for you!

The June issue of Quilt Now is Out Now!

Happy Shopping!

Jude xo

Tumbler Stacks Baby Quilt

Earlier this year, Quilt Now sent me a few fat quarters from the 'Pitter Patter' collection by Michael Miller, and asked me to come up with something for their March issue.

The fabrics have adorable little clouds, raindrops and stars! So I thought a baby quilt was in order.

I decided on a tumbler quilt, mainly because I could whizz the fabrics quick smart through my Sizzix (don't worry, templates are provided by the magazine)! But also because the tumbler shape would lend itself nicely to these cute directional prints.

Approx. 37" x 45"

If using directional prints like me, you will need to alternate the direction of your prints when cutting out the tumbler shapes. As you can see, they get stacked top to toe!

I decided to keep the zigzagged edges, and it wasn't difficult at all to get the binding around those gentle angles.

A lady in one of my classes has already made this and it is beautiful (wish I'd taken a pic)! 

If you'd like to make one of your own, then pick up a copy of Quilt Now (March). And if you subscribe to the magazine, you get a free bundle of Pitter Patter fabrics!!

Happy Tumbling!

Jude xo

Cushion Love!

Continuing the 'Love' theme this month, here are the 2 cushions I submitted for publication:

Quilt Now (Feb issue):

Similar to my 'Drunken Hearts' quilt, this cushion is made using drunken path units to form the curved tops of the heart (Katy the editor named it 'Dunk Your Heart' because it reminded her of Jammie Dodger biscuits!).

I chose the sweetest red Lecien 30's Fabric Collection with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Flax for the background.

Frumble sell a wonderful range of pom pom trim and I couldn't resist going for giant red pom poms to finish off this round cushion.

Sewing World (Feb issue):

This is my Chenille Heart Cushion, with a positive and negative front and back.

Chenille is a 'layering and slashing' technique, creating raw edges which turn fluffy when washed. It's a wonderfully tactile finish, perfect for a snuggly cushion don't you think!

So if you are looking for a valentines gift idea for that someone special, grab yourself one of these magazines and get cracking!  You've still got time!

Jude xo

Aaaaachooooo!

Tis the season for snot and sniffles!!

So how about keeping those tissues at the ready in pretty fabric covers!

I like to keep a box in several rooms, in fabrics to match the decor. But wouldn't they also make sweet gifts too?

You can get the pattern for these in the December issue of Quilt Now, (however the cutting instructions for top and sides are the same for all layers (outer and lining fabrics, wadding and vilene) and not as listed).

These are great fun to make and I'm sure will be much needed this winter!

Happy Sewing!

Jude xo

Boiling Beetroots!!

It's been a milestone week for me, for several reasons!

My 2 'at home' daughters have been away from me for a total of 6 days this half term holiday! The longest I've ever been 'home alone'!!  I resisted from having ice-cream for tea every evening (just 4 times!! Joking!)

And just so that I didn't feel completely like a non-parent, my precious first-born turned 20 on Tuesday!!  T W E N T Y!!!  Crikey-oh!  No more a teenager!  Trying hard not to feel old, and missing her all the more!!

And today, I boiled by beetroots!!  You heard right!!

A first for me, from my hearty first crop of ....... 6!! Just enough to make my mean chocolate and beetroot cake!! YUM!

And finally, let me show you my porthole notebook covers, as seen in the November issue of Quilt Now:

I love making portholes and the cute critters in the Dashwood Studio 'Nature Walk' range inspired me to create butterfly and hedgehog shaped portholes!



Normal service has resumed - 2 daughters back home, 40 minute telephone catch-up with first-born and freezer re-stocked with Ben and Jerry's for the weekend!!

Jude xo

Doing The Double!

At the risk of boring you all rigid, I'm pleased to show you my latest magazine submissions!

I didn't realise I would be twice featured in the October issue of Quilt Now (out in UK this week). The theme this issue is 'Single Block' designs.

First up, Dissected blocks:

I thought, 'what would happen if you take a traditional block and pull it apart!' (sad, the places my mind goes!).

First I created a mini quilt (30" x 30") based on a dissected 'churn dash' block.

The old grey matter kept smokin' and out came 2 more blocks which I turned into cushions.

L-R: Courthouse Steps, Grandmother's Cross

Keeping to a Kona Snow background with a limited colour palette helps achieve the effect of the dissected blocks.

Next up, Moroccan Mix Table Runner and Trivet:

I actually made this first, back in May.

Inspired by the 'Antique Tile' block I started pulling fabrics that I thought would represent the depth of colour in Moroccan Tiles. The trivet was simply an after-thought, using up the leftovers!!

I hope you don't mind me sharing my publications here!  I'm not trying to blow my own trumpet - it's just so nice to finally be able to show you stuff I've made which I've had to keep under wraps for a bit!

And just to give you some warning - there are lots more publications in the pipeline!!

Jude xo

Go Yellow!

Summer may be on its way out, but my Tropical Pineapple Bag has been featured in this month's issue of Quilt Now!

I first designed the foundation pieced pineapple block for Ceri's Brit Bee 'foody' themed quilt back in March 2012!

I must have been in the summer vibe back in June when I thought about making this tropical summer tote!

It was great fun to make, and Shannon had the perfect fimo zipper pulls to finish it off!

And speaking of daughter no.1, she is blogging again! Yay!  You can check her out here.

Jude xo