Autumn Tree Wallhanging

Now that I am embracing Autumn, I can show you one of my favourite makes of this year!

This is 'Autumn Tree', an applique wallhanging measuring 27" x 30", which I will definitely be displaying in my home.

I adore the warm autumnal purples and pinks in Denyse Schmidt's Chicopee range, especially on a Kona Bone background.  In fact, the leaf shapes are the by-product of the Sizzix Drunkard's Path Fan die!!  I always keep these shapely leftovers, and was so pleased to be able to turn some of them into a seasonal project.

Useful tip:  Quilt your background first before appliquing on the shapes.  This means you don't have those head-scratching moments when trying to decide how to quilt around the shapes.

Satin stitch is my favourite applique technique, and I think it suits the clean lines of the leaves and trunk.

The pattern for this wallhanging is in the October issue of Pretty Patches Magazine.

And maybe one day I will make Spring, Summer & Winter/Christmas versions to hang up with each changing season!!

Hope you are off to a great Autumn!

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

Hexie Notebook Cover

Today is the 2nd Tuesday of the month!  And that means Scraptastic Tuesday!

It's a while since I've linked up with Nicky and Leanne. But I've actually had some time recently to play with hexie scraps!

This notebook cover fits an A5 spiral notebook and uses 36 English Paper Pieced 1" hexies, the perfect size for using up those smaller scraps.

I also experimented a little with some Aurifil 12wt wool thread.  I like the way these thicker threads sit proud on the Essex Yarn Dyed Linen.

These notebook covers come together really quickly once the hexie panel is made. And they are a 'go to present' when one of the kids needs a last minute gift for a friend. 

So what are you making with your scraps?

Jude xo

6 Free Back to School Tutorials

School's back in session! (I can hear all the parents cheering from here!)

When my kids were younger, we all enjoyed the 'stationery shop', filling up new pencil cases with brightly coloured pencils, funky shaped sharpeners and rubbers, new files and bendy rulers!

But most of all I enjoyed making them items they could use for school.  

Here are 6 of my 'back to school' projects to keep your kids equipped (& the envy of their friends!).

And there's even more temptation inspiration here on my 'Back to School' Pinterest board.

Happy sewing!

Jude xo

Almost Autumn!

It would seem that Autumn is just around the corner!

Lots of evidence of it today on our lovely picnic and walk around Crawfordsburn Country Park.

Of course that means a new term of sewing projects for me.  Can you guess what type of projects I've started working on?

I'm not even going to mention the 'C' word, but that's how I'll be spending my last few days of summer!

Happy sewing!

Jude xo

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

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