Curves!

Finally I’m ready to show you the new ‘block of the month’ workshop, it’s on curved piecing.  I know there’s a general fear associated with curved piecing and I hope I can guide everyone through and make it a really enjoyable course.

There are six blocks all using slightly different techniques, at the end of the course there will be another six months making it possible to make a much larger quilt.  I plan to add three inch borders to each of the blocks and quilt as I go, can’t yet decide on a fabric for the borders and sashing but sure a shopping trip to Hometown will do the trick!  The next six blocks will follow shortly.

Have to say I’m just a little bit addicted to curves now.

Finished the Mandala at last!

Not much to say apart from it’s done!  I need to get out into the sunshine for some photo’s as this really doesn’t do it justice, the fabrics are really vibrant and almost glow, when I can I will add more pictures.

I started this quilt in early June, well actually I started the drawings in May but commenced the fabric cutting at the beginning of June so it’s taken nearly four months which is a long time for me. I love it, not sure where it will go in my house, maybe a nice garden quilt – we’ll see.

If you would like to make your own I have workshops running, they start at the end of October, there’s a morning session and an evening session – let me know if you’re interested.

Mighty Mandala Quilt

Well what better thing to do on a rainy August Bank Holiday than to get on with a quilt.  I was determined to get the next border onto this quilt as you go project but sadly a bit on unpicking, yes, I do unpick sometimes! has held me up and I’ve still to quilt two of the side panels and attach them.  The free motion quilting should take me only about an hour but my eyes are just too tired now and I know I’ll make mistakes if I do it so will try and spare an hour tomorrow to do it, preferably in the morning.

The Mandala quilt will then have a final border to add, I have it all sketched out and just need to make a bit of a pattern to cut from.  Really feeling excited about it now.

This will be a ‘block of the month’ workshop starting in October, I still have a couple of places for either the morning or the evening session, it’s running for eight months with one class per month, working using the quilt as you go method so there’s no huge job at the end.  Using my super easy applique method, can be hand or machine quilted.

If you’re interested in this quilt and would like to attend one of the sessions please contact me for further information.  As always the picture doesn’t capture the very vibrant colours!

Mandala quilt

Beach huts and Boardwalks

I’ve been working on a new Block of the Month Quilt, but this time for a change it will be a row a month.  I didn’t intend it to be a seaside theme but it just developed into that.  I started with the hearts and after a couple of trial blocks I got the size and proportions right for this quilt.  I next moved onto the piano key strips and was planning house blocks but then suddenly thought a beach hut would be more fun.  From then on I was definitely at the seaside and was planning on related blocks.  The beach windmills were a must, I remember my baby brother having one on his pushchair when we visited the coast and I’ve always loved them.

Boats of course, and I’m currently working on some fish after much deliberating over big waves, kites, bunting and anything else I could think of that reminded me of the beach.

When the fish are finished (hopefully later today) I will get it attached to the quilt and then add some binding. The finished quilt will measure about 60 inches square.  Workshops for this will be starting in September and will run for six months – please contact me via email or message if you’re interested.  Kate x

Magnificent Medallion

The size of this quilt truly is magnificent, it’s huge, almost 100 inches square and it weighs a lot!

So pleased to have finally finished, this has been a real labour of love, it’s taken over a year since the original designs were drawn about Easter time 2014.  I will get some better photo’s taken, will head off somewhere sunny with it and get something that shows the entire quilt, too wet outside today to even get any pictures in the garden.

I can honestly say this is my best quilt yet.

Sketches have started for the next one which will be worked in black with a huge round cathedral window/kaleidoscope centre – so watch out for that coming soon.

Today I feel like a very happy quilter!

Workshops at Hometown

Well I’m pleased to announce a new workshop programme has now been advertised at Hometown in Rochester, I’m teaching quite a few for the Spring and Summer 2015 season.  I’ve attached the list below, if you’re interested in a trip down to lovely Rochester in the sunshine (well hopefully) then please contact the shop direct on 01634 838880 or pop in at 62 High Street, Rochester ME1 1JY.  Hometown spring workshops 2015 310315

 

Crazy Paving Quilt

Well I don’t think I’ve ever made a quilt so fast!  I’ve had this on my mind for a while and wanted to test it out, the planning took me a while but once I had decided on how to proceed then I was off.  Started yesterday evening and finished this morning, and I’ve visited the dentist in between. I’m rather pleased with the outcome.

I’ll add a few more pictures when it’s quilted.

Another Slice of Peach …

Well I managed to finish the Peach Slices Quilt, really pleased with how it’s turned out, here’s a few pictures of the work.  Hope you enjoy!

 

Peach Slices

Just thought I would spare a few minutes on a busy Monday morning to update my progress on the Peach Slices Quilt.  I’m really pleased with the outcome, it’s not yet finished as I want to have a good think about what other areas to quilt but you can see the free motion section I’ve now completed on the ‘slices’.  I’m so happy with how it’s turned out.  After adding the slice section and before quilting I was almost in a panic as I didn’t really liked how it looked, the cream was too dominant, so I decided some heavy quilted feathers would be a good way to go.

Hope you like it!

Spring Workshops are here!

I know I’m always saying this but I can’t believe how busy I am with the quilts!  I have a new Spring workshop programme and of course that means new quilts too.  Now they’re not finished yet, but I’m working on it.  Here are a snippet on what’s happened so far.

The first new quilt is the Egg-timer Twist, a chop it up and change it type of quilt.  I headed off to John Lewis to check out the sale fabrics and was pleased to say that I did find some I needed, I know I have an ever bulging store cupboard of fabrics, but this was just too nice to leave behind and reduced in price too – what’s a girl supposed to do eh?  I’ve nearly finished the sample now, just need a little more quilting around the outer border.

Egg Timer Twist

 

I’ve also started a Round Robin Quilt, this course is called “Let’s Go Round”.  It’s a lovely quilt that starts at the centre with a block and then each month a border is added, it runs for six months and at the end you have a lovely, busy quilt with six different rounds, so far I’ve only done the first three rounds but I’ll add a picture so you can get an impression of what I’m doing, the next three should be added in the next week or so (I hope!)

Let’s Go Round

 

I have an interesting method of creating what looks like curved piecing, which I know can be a struggle, this quilt is called Peach Slices, I only have at this stage a sketch to show you, I have started, and made good progress with the quilt but it’s not ready to show yet, won’t be long though, maybe I can do this by the end of the week (who am I kidding?)

 

Blissful Blooms I have to say is one of my favourites at the moment, I’ve managed to put together a few of the blocks but had to put it aside as I have too many quilts to make, but it’s in my ‘To Do’ pile, and hopefully that’s not going to be too long.  I only have a graphic of the finished piece but have a small picture of the blocks I’ve done so far.

I’m also repeating some of the previously popular workshops, my lovely favourite Hearts Wall hanging and the stunning Bargello Quilt.

Thanks for reading, I promise not to leave it too long next time – seems like a hectic few months!  Kate xxx