Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 18 - 2017 i Today's Quilter

The New Year has always been important to me. Growing up in Scotland means that I’ve always celebrated Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) with great enthusiasm, and so the New Year fills me with nostalgia. The first two weeks of January are spent wishing friends, family and colleagues the best for the year to come. I don’t so much make resolutions in January, but rather wonder what the next 12 months hold in store. Life is full of surprises, some good and some not so good, but there is certainly never a dull moment. Myself, the Today’s Quilter team and all of our talented contributors sincerely hope that we can provide you with lots of wonderful surprises throughout the year. Wishing you an abundance of health, happiness and fabric in 2017!…

I’m delighted to announce the launch of a brand new way to enjoy quilting! Sewing Quarter is Today’s Quilter’s new sister TV channel, dedicated entirely to quilting and sewing. Tune in to Freeview channel 78 in January for the launch of Sewing Quarter! Their packed schedule means you can watch some of your (and my!) favourite quilting experts demonstrating techniques to help you improve your craft no matter what your skill level. I’m also excited about their bespoke kits that contain everything you need to create gorgeous quilts, cushions and bags. The shows are packed with hints and tips to ensure you’re ready to get started as soon as your kit arrives. I’ve been working closely with Sewing Quarter to help them bring you the fabrics, tools, patterns and kits…

“The very talented designer Jennifer Paganelli will keep coming up with ever more sumptuous fabric collections and asking me to make quilts from them, and so the pressure is on! For her previous line I made a version of a New York Beauty quilt (issue 13), which worked surprisingly well with her large scale decorative prints, and so I scouted around for another design that would do something similar. The Pickle Dish pattern, with its curves and spikes has always attracted me, but as with the New York Beauty I had only ever attempted improv versions rather than the traditional block. This version has the least amount of spikes (or pickles) I could get away with as those FPP curves are quite time consuming. However, the rest of the block…

You will need • Six (6) fat quarters in similar shades • Red border fabric – 3in x WOF • Appliqué and binding fabric – ½yd • Mix of light background fabrics – 21/8yds • Fusible web • Foundation piecing and appliqué templates (see Templates section) • Batting – 56in square • Backing – 56in square • Cotton a broder (optional) • Freezer paper (optional) Finished size • Approx. 50in square Notes • Make sure all the seams are ¼in throughout, this is very important so that everything fits together well. If the centre square is not the correct size once appliquéd nothing else will fit. • Wash any strong colours to remove excess dye. Lightly spray starch and iron the fabric. Cutting out 1 From the background fabrics cut…

HELP!   I find that using a pencil to mark a diagonal line on a fabric square often pulls at the corners and stretches them. Is there a way to avoid this? Try this… Pencils and pens with fine leads can drag the threads at a corner and distort the fabric or even dislodge threads if the fabric is a thin or loosely woven one. I find the easiest way to avoid this is to begin the marked line with a firm dot “twirled” in place using the point of the pencil (Fig 3). I then mark the line starting about ›in away from the dot, stopping about ›in from the end and finishing with another dot. TECHNICAL TIP Using a pencil or pen at a slightly more horizontal angle,…

SHOPPING ACCESSORIES Oakshott bag www.oakshottfabrics.com 0145 237 1571 Trimits ruler groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk Westalee Ruler www.cottonpatch.co.uk 0121 778 5327 Supersize 5-in-1 sliding gauge clover@stockistenquiries.co.uk 0145 388 3581 Aurifil www.aurifil.com Sew Easy Mini Templates groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk BOOKS Search Press www.searchpress.com 0189 251 0850 Abrams & Chronicle Books www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk 0190 382 8501 FABRIC COLLECTIONS The Garden of Dreams www.libertylondon.com 0207 734 1234 Guess How Much I Love You III www.eqsuk.com  www.clothworks.com 0116 271 0033 Hotel Frederiksted www.freespiritfabrics.com…

Cathedral Window quilts are some of the most stunning fabric creations I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. Their intricate three-dimensional quality takes my breath away (as did the weight when I lifted one!). Although it’s rarely a good idea to mess with a classic, there are some exceptions to the rule. Lynne Edwards was already queen of the Cathedral Window, so trust her to come up with a technique that allows us to create these beautiful blocks with results that are not only faster, but stronger, than the original. We adore Lynne’s attitude to quilting: sharing knowledge and fun are crucial. It’s this outlook that allowed her to develop this new Cathedral Window technique. For those of you who enjoyed the original technique, do try this new method to discover…

"Consider using your favourite fabric for the folded squares, rather than for the four add-on windows, as you see more of it." You will need • Contrast border – 12in x 17½in • Backing fabric – Two (2) pieces 17½in x 12in • 16in cushion pad Finished size • Approx. 17in square Cutting out 1 From the contrast border cut two (2) 3in x 12½in strips and two (2) 3in x 17½in strips. Making the cushion 2 Make a four-square block as described in steps 1-19 on pages 10-14, and steps 1-9 on pages 15-16. 3 Choose a frame style and follow the instructions on pages 17-18 to frame the block. 4 Add the 3in x 12½in contrast borders to the sides and press seams out towards the borders. Attach…

"The star of this tablerunner is the gold striped fabric! It changes direction as it is folded, adding impact to the finished design." You will need • Fabric for the folded squares plus the outer border frame – ¾yd • Fabric for the windows – Two (2) fabrics: One (1) piece 6in square for the centre four windows, one (1) piece about 12in x 8in for the surrounding twelve (12) windows. • Background fabric for the front of the runner – 34in x 14in • Fabric for the back of the runner – 36in x 15in • Batting (wadding) – 35in x 15in Finished size • 33½in x 14½in Before you start The design seems deceptively complicated, but is in fact just the original four-square block repeated three times and…

Cathedral Window Quilts With over 25 flamboyantly-folded projects ranging from heirloom quilts and striking wall hangings to colourful quick-to-make cushions, bags and pincushions. Clear step-by step instructions, handy machine shortcuts and Lynne’s uniquely creative approach will capture your imagination and inspire you to master these classic techniques. Published by David & Charles, £14.99 www.lynneedwardsquilts.com The Essential Sampler Quilt Book Master a range of patchwork and quilting techniques while sewing classic block designs, such as Mariner’s Compass, Rail Fence, Celtic Knot, Attic Windows, Tumbling Blocks, Drunkard’s Path and Courthouse Steps. Colour illustrations guide you through each step, making even the most complicated techniques easy to follow. Published by David & Charles, £19.99 www.lynneedwardsquilts.com Blanket Stitch Quilts Learn to sew beautiful handmade quilts with Lynne Edwards’ simple blanket stitch appliqué technique. Straightforward…

Jo Avery COVER STAR Jo had us at “pickle dish”! Apart from sounding fun, this vibrant block creates dynamic looking results – try it for yourself on page 22. Lynne Edwards CATHEDRAL WINDOW In-between answering your letters on page 31, Lynne found time to supercharge her most famous technique for our supplement! Anne Williams QUILT AS DESIRED Anne left no stone unturned in her Q&A with Philippa Naylor on page 74, including Philippa’s clever FMQ tips for beginners.…

LET US KNOW! Drop us a line – an email, letter, tweet or Facebook post – letting us know about your quilting. Whether it’s a new project, treasured heirloom, favourite fabric or imaginative mood board, we’d love to see what you’ve been up to and hear your stories! LIKE MANY OF you, here at Today’s Quilter HQ we’re always excited to learn something new that can broaden our quilting repertoire and build new skills. So we were thrilled to work with Lynne Edwards MBE on our latest supplement. Talented, funny and generous with her extensive quilting knowledge, Lynne shares with you her new technique for making Cathedral Window blocks. Yes, ingenious Lynne has worked out a way to make this clever technique easier and quicker, so anyone can master it!…

Scenic sewing I moved to Cornwall near Marazion when I retired and wanted to do a patchwork/collage of St Michael’s Mount, so here it is. I used a quilt-as-you-go technique, adding embroidery and beads. I was very pleased with it having only done patchwork since retiring. Then, this summer I went to Birmingham›and was inspired to do a second one using a narrow strip style. Carol Brown, via email Both your quilts are gorgeous Carol. What a great way to preserve a scenic memory! Seasonal inspiration I thought I would send you a photo of my completed lap quilt. I used Jo Avery’s spring seasonal cushion from issue 7 as an inspiration. I’ve not done a lot of needleturn, preferring blanket stitch appliqué in the past, but I really enjoyed…

Nestling in the “to do” section of my electronic correspondence is a pile of questions from readers of Today’s Quilter. I have been away from my desk so much over the last few weeks that my garden is a jungle and the neighbours think I’ve fled the country. At each of my regular classes in Chelsworth the first question is, “Where have you been now?” There’s always something new to tell or to show them, picked up along the way on these trips. When I get back, there are bills to pay, letters to answer, domestic issues to sort, although nothing like as much as there used to be before email became part of so many people’s lives. And there, nestling in the “to do” section of my electronic correspondence…

You will need Quilt top: • One (1) Jelly Roll OR forty (40) 2½in x WOF strips • Border fabric – 1yd • Binding fabric – ½yd • Creative Grids 45/60 or any 60-degree triangle ruler Pieced quilt back: • Backing fabric – 3yds • Cut off triangles from quilt front • Batting – 50in x 60in Finished size • Approx. 43in x 52in Sorting your strips 1 Choose thirty-six (36) Jelly Roll strips and sort them into eighteen (18) pairs. Four (4) strips are spare. Cutting out 2 From the border fabric cut as follows: • Four (4) 6½in strips across the width of the fabric. Set aside for the borders. • Two (2) 3½in strips across the width of the fabric. Lay the 60-degree triangle ruler on a…

“I loved a Rose Star one-patch block from a 1930s quilt, but I wanted mine to grow a little faster, so I made the Kite template larger than the original. Once you look at the diagrams you will see how simple this block is to make, and you will be off and running in no time. On page 64, you’ll see one block also looks great on its own, quilted and bound as a table centre or a mini quilt for your wall. Work this in seasonal colours and it will be great at Christmas time! This quilt has cotton lawn as the backing to give a lovely silky but snugly feel when you are under it.”…

PICKLE DISH DELIGHT FOUNDATION PIECING TEMPLATE ACTUAL SIZE Includes seam allowances Thank you for making this project from Today’s Quilter. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project. They work hard to create projects for you to enjoy, so please don’t re-sell or distribute without permission. Please do not make any part of the templates or instructions available to others through your website or a third party website, or copy it multiple times without permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help. BLOCK TEMPLATES ENLARGE BY 200% Includes seam allowances Thank you for making this project from Today’s Quilter. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project. They work hard to create projects for you…

“The quilt was made by the English paper piecing method – how we wish the papers had been left in – they might have been scraps of letters, or even discarded writings by Jane!” In May 1811, Jane wrote to her sister Cassandra: “Have you remembered to collect pieces for the Patchwork? – we are now at a stand still.”›As quilters, we can certainly relate to this point in proceedings. Luckily for us, many of Jane’s pieces of fine needlework survive and can be seen on display at Jane Austen’s House Museum The Museum is the place where Jane wrote or revised all her published novels and is visited by over 40,000 people each year. One of the most popular exhibits is the quilt made by Jane, her sister Cassandra…

“This useful little carrying case will keep safe whatever you treasure. A great travelling companion.” You will need • Main background fabric – four (4) 8in squares • Fabric for the windows – six (6) 2⅜in squares • Press stud for fastening • Button as a decorative finish to the case Finished size • 7½in x 3¾in Notes • Refer to instructions in “The New Technique” section throughout. Making the carry case 1 Take the four large cut squares of background fabric each 8in square and follow the instructions for making a four-square block starting on page 10, steps 1-19 to make the background squares and join them together ready for the windows. 2 Follow the instructions that follow on pages 15-16 for Adding the Windows, steps 1-9, to cut…

THE DESIGNER JANE SASSAMAN Exuberant designer and quilt artist Jane Sassaman’s work has been described as “William Morris on antidepressants”, which is true both of her fabric collections for FreeSpirit Fabrics and of her quilts. Illinois Album, for example, is a celebration of the vibrant life in her northern Illinois home. Depicting some of the characters that frequent her property, this ornate appliqué and machine embroidered quilt is an impressive expression of Jane’s love of nature. Enjoy more of her work at www.janesassaman.com THE BOOK PRESERVING HISTORY Here at Today’s Quilter we are always drawn to quilts with a rich heritage. For that reason, we can’t wait to batten down the hatches and enjoy the 14 beautiful projects on offer in this rather lovely book. Julie Hendrickson, an avid collector…

INSPIRATION Sharing is caring Almost a decade ago, two friends began posting a photo from each of their mornings on their blog, 3191 Miles Apart, named for the distance between their homes. The results are a lovely collection of crafts to make, seasonal recipes to try and inspiring ideas. A Year Between Friends: 3191 Miles Apart by Maria Vettese and Stephanie Barnes Abrams, £14.99 www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk ECO-FRIENDLY POUCH Good to go This sturdy little pouch – part of a set of two – by Diane K Knott – is made from recycled plastic that is tough enough to handle sharp-edged quilting and sewing tools and large enough to carry all that you need for quilters on the go. The set includes two zip-top pouches: large 9½in × 7in pouch featuring the…

Lucy Boston was born in 1892 in Southport in Lancashire. She enjoyed great success as the author of the Green Knowe series for children and in her lifetime wrote 19 books (all after the age of 60). At the age of 47 she embarked upon the restoration of a 12th century manor house in Cambridgeshire and together with her writing and her needlework, this became her life’s work. In her external world she created a sensory garden filled with 200 old roses, herbaceous borders and artistic topiary, and in her internal world, she created a collection of beautiful patchworks. With every year that came and went at The Manor, she more than fulfilled her creative expectations, with summers spent in the garden and winters in her armchair by the dining-room…

You will need • Twenty-five (25) fabric scraps (at least 1in square) for the centre panel • Linen fabric – 10in square for body of needle book • Wool felt – 5in x 7in piece • Fusible fleece – 4in x 10in* • Light/medium iron-on interfacing – 5in x 15in** • Set of coordinating Kam snaps or a sew-on press stud • Baking parchment Finished size • 3½in x 4in approx. Fabric used • Liberty fabric provided by Duck Egg Threads (www.duckeggthreads.co.uk), wool felt and Essex yarn-dyed linen from Cloud Craft (www.cloudcraft.co.uk), Kam snaps from Plush Addict (www.plushaddict.co.uk). Notes • Seams are 1/4in throughout. • We used Kam snaps to make the fastening, but a press stud will work just as well. • *Or batting of your choice, we used…

THE QUILT LADY Come and learn to quilt in Cornwall. Small, relaxed ›, 1,2 and 5 day classes for all abilities. Equipment and materials available. sara@thequiltlady.co.uk HAZEL’S FABRIC CRAFT West Calder. Patchwork & Quilting supplies and workshops. Open Fri & Sat 9.30am–4.30pm, Sun 10am–2pm. hazelsfabriccraft.co.uk RICKY TIMS Long awaited return visit to Patchwork Parade, 15th July 2017. (venue Middleton Arena). Tickets on sale 3rd Jan 2017 from Patchwork Parade. 0161 633 5900 Phil Langford THE QUILT SANCTUARY Professional Long Arm Quilting Service, including a selection of fabrics and wadding. Gwynedd, Wales. 01341 250809 / 07402 919194 thequiltsanctuary.co.uk CREATIVE CRAFTS Creative Crafts is an independent arts & crafts shop bursting to the seams with everything you need for your hobby. 01962 856266 HOMETOWN Keep warm this winter by quilting. Discover fabrics…

Gail Lawther makes her TQ debut with enchanting silhouetted owls • Meet award-winning long-arm quilter Sandy Chandler • Sew in shades of chocolate with Carolyn Forster • Discover Danish style with our Hygge cushion! FREE! Supplement bursting with beautiful blocks to mix and match Issue 19 on sale 2nd February…