Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Aurora Quilt Pattern release


For the longest time I had a quilt idea bubbling around in my head.  I knew that I wanted for to be all about the colour, something bold and graphic style.  I wanted a repeating quadrant pattern for ease of piecing. I wanted it to be beautiful and mostly I wanted it to be versatile enough that it would look fabulous no matter what fabric you chose! I have a love affair with Half Square Triangles and just knew I wanted these to be the star of this design. 

Introducing - Aurora!


Sometimes a quilt design begins on the Computer with ideas and blocks and colours that I work with.  Aurora started with graph paper, coloured pencils and a number of goes to get the colour combo and quadrant design just right. 


In this version I have used Alison Glass' - Sunprint 2018 range with Devonstone White as my background together with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Indigo as my binding.  The beauty of this quilt is that you can use Rainbow Colours, Solids are perfect, it would look amazing in Ombre fabrics - which are so on trend at the moment and definitely one I want to give a go.  It would look fabulous with your fabric range using a selection of prints from the range.  Or even super awesome as a Scrappy Quilt.  No matter what fabric you choose this quilt will look fabulous.


The pattern contains 3 sizes to make - a Lap Quilt 64.5in x 64.5in (163cm), Queen Size 80.5in x 80.5in (205cm x 205cm) and a Pillow that you can make to match and complete your set 16.5inx 16.5in (42cm x 42cm)


I can never resist this shot when I make quilts.



The pattern is also available for wholesale customers to purchase through Creative Abundance (here in Aus) or through Checker Distributors (in the US).  Paper copies have started to arrive in stores so ask at your local Quilt store.

SewMondo have put together kits of my exact Aurora Quilt so if you would like one just the same as is pictured then you can head here to order your kit.   

I'd love for you to share your Aurora quilt - tag me over on Instagram at @tiedwitharibbon and use the hash tags - 
#auroraquilt and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns

I can not wait to see the different version you will create.
Happy quilting
Jemima x x 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

A Pocket Full of Memories - sweet Liberty fabrics


My love for Liberty fabric runs deep - that no secret, so when this new Children's Collection was released from Alice Caroline, I began dreaming of what I might make with it.  "A Pocket Full of Memories" SS18 is the latest collection designed for all those kids projects you have been wanting to make and is now available.


There are beautiful bright and bold colours in this collection alongside the sweeter of pastels which just seem to work as Liberty does so well together.  The florals are stunning blooms and the whimsical characters such as butterflies, Hot Air Balloons, Stars, Birds and so many more - just ever so delightful.


After spending some time deliberating what I would love to make with them and which I would use together, I decided to make my Junction Road pattern.  I have a special friends little one, birthday to make a sweet gift for.


The Tana Lawn has such a soft drape so it is perfect for small children items as the feel is just ever so soft.



Combining big bold prints and small dainty florals work really well in this design.  With the Interwoven feature corner design giving this quilt a real punch.  


Because the Liberty is so soft I wanted the machine quilting to not be to heavy.  I chose to quilt simple lines across the diagonal so as to not take away from the beautiful prints and let them shine through.




And because I couldn't resist making up some of these sweet Hair Ties and Scrunchies with these stunning Liberty fabrics.  Whilst it may be put together as a "Children's Collection" - I certainly think that there are many print that will delight the adults just the same.  My favourite print is "Magical Bouquet".


For those Liberty fans or even if you are new to Liberty fabrics - these the won't disappoint. 

Happy sewing
Jemima x x

Thursday, February 8, 2018

My Favourite Hand Quilting Tools.


I was recently reminded of how much I love Hand Quilting.  I used to Hand quilt many of my quilts - back before I used to quilt "professionally" a lot of the quilts I made, I used to love Hand quilting them too.  Here are a couple of my hand quilted quilts that I have made.







So having recently made my Junction Road quilt I was really reminded of how much I love Hand quilting and how I do need to make time for it again.  I get asked a lot of questions about Hand quilting so I thought I would write a little about some of my Favourite Tools and Notions and some tips.  


NOTION 1 - Small Bent Safety Pins.  I like to use these smaller gold style ones when I hand quilt.  They are not as big and bulky as the larger silver safety pins, (which I use when I machine quilt).  They are lighter and I like to space them about a "hand fist apart" for hand quilting.


NOTION 2 - MASKING TAPE. I always get asked how do I get my hand quilted lines so straight!  Well, that is really easy when you use Masking Tape. I don't like to use Marking Pens on my quilts when I hand quilt them, so I use Masking Tape to stick to the fabric to mark where to quilt.  I use the lines in  the seams and have a variety of sizes of Tape starting at 1/4in wide (available in Quilting stores) to the normal masking tape you find at your local Supermarket or Hardware store in a variety of widths (1/2in, 1in, 2in...).  It re-sticks a few times and leaves no mark that needs to be removed.



NOTION 3 - AURIFIL THREAD.  I love to see big stitches in my hand quilting and the thread I love to use is Aurifil 12wt.  The reason I love it is because of the selection of colours available.  Really, there are so many colours to choose that you can always find one to match your fabric.  You only need one strand and the Spools go a long way in your stitching.  (Pictured above are colours #2692, #2783, #5022, 1148, #1248 and #2838).  I don't have any trouble with piling or shredding while using them.    


NOTION 4 - TULIP EMBROIDERY NEEDLES. These are my needle of choice when Hand quilting.  They are nice and sharp, a good length to hold and the eye of the needle works well with the Aurifil 12wt.  They slide through the fabric like a hot knife through butter.  I like the Size #8 - Sharp Tips best.  

NOTION 5 - NEEDLE MINDER. So that you don't loose your needles down the couch while Hand quilting - these Magnetic Needle Minders are great to hold your needle while you change thread or a take a break. This one is super cute and is from Quiet Play

NOTION 6 - THIMBLE.  I don't generally use a Thimble 90% of the time while  Hand quilting but after a while my fingers can become sore.  I like these ones from Kimono House best to use.



Hand quilting certainly creates an amazing texture and drape to your quilts.  It's definitely worth the time and effort to give your quilt that special finishing hand quilted touch.

Happy Hand Quilting
Jemima x x


Sunday, February 4, 2018

Junction Road - New Quilt Pattern release


After a recent fabric shopping trip to Calico and Ivy I was so inspired by a bundle of fabrics I purchased that I knew immediately that I had to make them into a quilt pattern.  I'd had an idea bouncing around in my head for a little while and as soon as I laid my eyes on these Gertrude Made - Outback Wife fabrics for Ella Blue - I knew they would be perfect.

By the end of the afternoon they were being cut up and my design was coming to life.  I had wanted a pattern that had a feature interwoven design, big bold prints and a quilt design that would let these be the focus for the quilt.  



These Bark cloths and Chambray's were just beautiful to work with.  As my design grew, I knew that I was going to want to Hand quilt this quilt to add even more texture to the fabrics. I am going to write a post all about my Hand quilting of this quilt and tips for anyone wanting to Hand quilt - stay tuned.



As I was working through making the quilt I had lots of cut pieces that needed to be sewn "Log Cabin" style around the sides of the quilt.  It became obvious to me that I was going to need some written paper tags to keep track of all my cut pieces to make it easier to then sew them in the correct order.  I made up some quilt tags and then thought these would be great to include in the pattern so that people making the quilt would also find this part of the process more organized.  


There's nothing like the pressure of a deadline and as we had a planned trip to our friends farm in the coming weeks - I knew this would be a great opportunity to get some great pictures of this quilt if I could get it finished.  So I quilted this quilt like a mad woman and got it all done in time.  The farm provided such a great location and beautiful landscape backdrop to shoot these "Outback Wife fabrics" inspired quilt.



"Junction Road" - includes two sizes in the pattern - Cot (36.5in x 36.5in) and a Lap (60.5in x 60.5in) size.  There are also "Cutting Guides" included for you to print/cut out and pin to your own pieces as you make your quilt



I'd love to see your version of this quilt - share them with me over on Instagram or Facebook - tag me and share them using #junctionroadquilt, #tiedwitharibbonpatterns

Happy quilting
Jemima x x
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