I was given these wonderful African print fabrics by my sister at Christmas. I was thinking of making a scrappy quilt and started gathering up an assortment of leftover fabrics when I suddenly came accross these and thought they would do just the job. So not strictly scrappy but you could make the same using your scraps.
I loved making the blocks as they were quick and easy, in a way I wish I’d made smaller blocks so I could have more repeats of the pattern, no good thinking that now as it’s done.
I’ve not yet quilted it as I’ve already started teaching so thought I would wait until after and it will give me time to think about the design. I will probably go for bright yellow thread for the quilting to really enhance the colours. I’ll post more picutre when it’s finished and bound.
When we were between lockdowns last year I managed to get out to Hometown, the lovely quilt store in Rochester, Kent. I knew I wanted fabric for this project which I had already drawn out and worked out how much fabric I needed, this always makes the shopping easier as you know exactly what you need. I also knew I wanted turquoise and gold with a cream background. Thankfully Hometown had just what I needed, two lovely colours of Moda Grunge in the turquoise, I was happy! There’s also a number of creams in different fabrics to make up the background.
I love the use of all straight line piecing which gives the illusion on a circle of stars in the centre piece. This is also highlighted with the quilting in that area. I finished with two small borders and then piano keys in two different cream tones. The quilting is both straight line with the walking foot and free motion on the piano keys.
I just love this quilt panel by Hoffman, it’s a beautiful printed panel which I free motion quilted into each of the petals. It was a bit scary to start but once I jumped in it was fine, it took me about two weeks to complete, probably would have been quicker but I was drawing out the quilt designs to practice them before hitting the fabric. It’s going on my wall and I really intend to do at least one more in a different colourway. Love, love, love it!
I love star quilts, there’s something so fun about a star. They can be so different, I find there’s so many different things to do with a star!
One of my recent makes is the Star Trellis quilt, I’m pleased to say I used all fabrics from my stash for this, and that makes me happy too.
A fun, quick quilt made of two different blocks, that are not too difficult to make. As you can see from the picture I used all blues and a red highlight but this would look just as good in really bright colours, just choose an accent fabric where I have the red to make it really stand out.
I’m teaching this as a workshop soon as a four half day course, you should complete it in this time which is always good. It’s on a Friday morning or a Wednesday evening, contact me if you’re interested. It’s quite big at 60 x 72 inches, but could easily be made bigger.
Yet to be quilted and I can’t decide what’s best for it, I may just pop it under the machine and do some straight lines or may even send it to the long arm quilter. Will think over the next few days. I’ve even got the red binding all ready to attach when it is quilted.
Had a lovely summer, such beautiful weather but now it’s time to knuckle down and get some new quilts drawn and planned for workshops.
My latest is a table runner in three different sizes. Takes just four half metres to make and starting with the big one then using the scraps to make the medium and again onto the small. You could even make a couple of coasters with the final scraps. It can be made to suit your table by changing the length on any of the sizes. I have a workshop planned for this on Friday 5 October if anyone would like to join in please email me katehiggens@gmail.com. Only have a space or two left so might need to be quick.
I’m also working on a Carpenter’s Wheel Quilt, only got to the stage of sewing the blocks but I’ve added a photo so you can see how it’s going, can you spot the mistake – good job it’s not sewn together yet. I find it’s a good idea to take a quick photo of your made blocks, much easier to spot if anything has gone wrong and can save on lots of unpicking. This will be a ‘block of the month’ workshop, starting in January for four sessions, once a month on a Friday morning, it’s a good idea to break this sort of work into smaller chunks to make things easier. again if you’re interested let me know on my email address above.
My latest challenge is my new birdhouse quilt, It will be a year long block of the month starting in January, the blocks will be different sizes and slot in like a jigsaw, today, I shall be creating the first block, I’ve made some rough sketches and will be cutting and stitching it soon, it will be a bird block and I’ll show some photo’s when I’ve made it, hopefully later today.
Life is sometimes very busy, but that makes us all the more in need of a holiday, what could be nicer than taking a trip with your own handmade travel bag. I wanted something that looked structured and not just a tote type of bag, it also needed to close so a zip or fold-over top was important. Decided I would include a zip. Of course a zip can be a struggle to fit, but I made the top section first inserting the zip into straight rectangles of fabric which is then fitted later to the top of the bag. I fussy cut the pockets to get the big flower in the centre. The bag measures about 18 inches across and 14 inches high, so big enough for a weekend away.
I’m so pleased with the finished bag, I have enough fabric left to make a matching bag just for shoes and also a smaller bag for all my hair essentials when going away – I’ll show you how these turn out when they’re done.
It’s that time of year when the Christmas crafting has to take off to make sure you’re done in time to show off your lovely crafts. This year I’ve made a mantelpiece runner. Decorated with bright baubles and holly, all embellished with ribbons, bows and metallic beads.
Of course if you don’t have a mantelpiece you can make one for a cabinet top, side table even your piano (if you’re lucky enough to own one). Would look fabulously festive in your kitchen on your cupboard tops too.
I have a workshop for this on Friday 6 October 2017 if anyone is interested, it’s a one day class and you should get well on your way to finishing it in time for the festivities.
Contact me if you’re interested in joining in with this class.
Finally I’m finished, well almost. This quilt has taken me longer than anything I’ve done in recent years, not sure why, the process was easy with simple piecing and applique using Bondaweb. I think it was more about where I placed all the items and embellishments.
The photo’s were fun, I printed on special fabric paper that went straight through the printer so no reversing or ironing on. The hardest part was deciding which photo’s to use. I really enjoyed making the miniature quilt at the bottom, all one and a half inch half square triangles.
Quilting done, apart from the border, which I want to quilt before binding. Can’t decide on black binding or the same colour as the border so it doesn’t detract from the quilt. Watch this space!
Will be teaching this as a six month course starting at the end of January/early February, I do have a space left on the Monday evening session if anyone would like to join in, it’s a real scrap buster and great fun.
I finished this quilt a while ago but for some reason kept forgetting to take photos. It’s my latest Block of the Month course, which is starting in July, as always the photo doesn’t do it justice! It measures about 50 inches square-ish
Each month a row is pieced and then quilted and joined as you go, this way once the last row is made all that needs doing is the binding – quilt done!
I’ve been working on this really quick quilt and managed to finish the binding whilst staying in East Sussex over Easter. I thought it would be a great idea to take it to the beach for some pictures. Well I forgot the weather forecasters had said storm Katie was on it’s way and we were to expect high winds. It was a bit blowy on the sea front but I was determined to get photographing!
This is a quilt made from a jelly roll, this one was a present for my birthday from one of my sisters, thought it was about time I used it as it was a couple of years ago. I added some plain fabric from the stripe and sketched out some seagull templates to add to it.
Kate Higgens - Quilts 