Nicola Foreman Quilts - BLOG

Tree of Life - Update on Progress

5/7/2026

A few weeks ago I started stitching this gorgeous quilt - Tree of Life by Lynette Anderson Designs - and here's an update of my progress so far, now that the first three birds have been hand embroidered and appliqued into place. Although I've been using the Apliquick method of applique, you can use whatever technique you prefer. The hand embroidery is completed using a few simple embroidery stitches - back stitch, satin stitch, colonial knots, running stitch, blanket stitch and detached blanket stitch. Lynette's instructions include a list of suggested colours of varigated Valdani stranded embroidery threads - these have a very subtle colour change. If you don't have this particular brand, you can used whatever brand and colours you have, to compliment your fabrics. My tip for achieving a variegated effect with solid coloured threads is to use 1 strand of a particular colour, and another strand of thread a couple of shades darker or lighter.
Here in the UK, Valdani stranded embroidery threads are available from the following shops
Poppy Patch
The Patchwork Rabbit
The Uncommon Thread
Cowslip Workshops

Tree of Life - Month 3 - Early Bird

4/7/2026

The next installment of Tree of Life - designed by Lynette Anderson - is called The Early Bird. This was originally purchased as a block of the month back in 2019 from Cross Patch here in the UK. Each pattern arrived with a hand painted wooden pattern, and this month it was a cute little birdhouse button. The stitchery design for the wing and the bird is traced onto fabric using a lightbox and a fine Micron Pigma pen, nib size 005, in a pale brown colour. The ink is permanent so you do need a steady hand. The stitchery design is hand embroidered and the instructions for these birds suggest using variegated Valdani stranded embroidery threads...

...once the bird and the wing have been embroidered, the wing has been appliqued using the Apliquick technique onto the body of the bird, and the bird is ten appliqued onto the background fabric. All of the fabrics used are also designed by Lynette Anderson, some were supplied as a fabric pack from Cross Patch, and some are from my stash...

...and here we have another pretty bird, tucked between more gorgeous wool appliqued flowers. The hand painted wooden birdhouse button has just been laid on the bird for the photograph, as it will be stitched in place once the quilt is completed.

Tree of Life - Month 2 - Take Flight

1/7/2026

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'd purchased this gorgeous block of the month - Tree of Life - back in 2019 from Cross Patch here in the UK. The second installment is Take Flight, and this block is another mix of hand embroidery and applique...

...the wings are hand embroidered using a selection of variegated Valdani stranded embroidery threads - these particular colours are suggested in the pattern instructions, however you can use whatever threads you prefer, in colours to match your fabrics. I particularly like the subtle varigation of colour in the Valdani brand. the fabrics I've traced the stitchery design onto the background fabric using a lightbox and a very fine nibbed Micron Pigma pen - my favourite is a size 005 nib, which is the finest, in a pale brown colourway - this fine nib ensures the traced lines can be covered with even a single strand of embroidery thread...

...once the hand embroidery has been stitched, the cute bee hive and the body of the bird have both been constructed using the apliquck method - although you can use whatever method of applique you prefer...

...the bird and wings have then been appliqued into place on the background fabric. Using a fine thread - I'm using Bottomline thread in a neutral colour for this project - along with a fine applique needle - and very small stitches, so they're very hard to see, but the bird is firmly held in place. The cute wooden bee button was supplied with the pattern for this bird, and will be stitched in place once the quilt is completed...

...nestled among the branches and leaves and wool appliqued flowers, this bird is so pretty, and I'm so pleased with how this project is coming along.

Tree of Life - Month 1 - Birds of a Feather

26/6/2026

Back in 2019 I purchased this block of the month by Lynette Anderson from Cross Patch - called Tree of Life, this is a 5 part BOM. Each month I received a pattern that included all the instructions, a traceable stitchery design, applique templates, and a beautiful hand painted button that is used to embellish each block. Anyway, as is often the case, life was busy with other stitching projects and this was packed away until a few weeks ago, and I was finally able to make a start on it. The fist pattern for this project is Birds of a Feather...

...these pretty fabrics are also designed by Lynette Anderson and are from a variety of her collections. Although I'd purchased a fabric pack to make this quilt with, I'm also using fabrics from my "Lynette stash" too. These half inch hexies have been made using pre-cut hexagon papers (these are fusible so stay in place) and will be stitched onto the background fabric individually. The leaves have been made using the Apliquick method. I've traced the shape of the leaf onto applique paper, which is then fused onto the wrong side of the fabric, and the edges folded over - these will alsp be stitched in place onto the background fabric once they've been embellished with some hand embroidery...

...I've also used the Apliquick method for the tree trunk and the branches. As I've already the full set of patterns for this project, I've stitched all the branches in place. The background fabric for this project is a beautiful piece of yarn dyed fabric that I'd purchased from Little Quilt Store when it was still owned by Lynette, along with the wool for the appliqued flowers. These wool flowers are stitched in place using blanket sttich and a Suffolk Puff has been stitched to the centre. These flowers are then further embellished with a detached blanket stitch and colonial knots...

...the bird for this block is hand embroidered, asnd I've used a selection of variegated Valdani stranded embroidery threads (as suggested in the pattern instructions) - these are really lovely to sew with. Once the bird wa sembroidered, I fused the applique paper to the back, and prepared the edges so that it's ready to stitch to the background fabric...

...small circles of fabric have been hand embroidered with musical notes then appliqued into place, to give the effect of the bird singing. The beautiful hand painted buttn will be sttched in place once the quilt is completed, so I've just laid it on the bird for the photoshoot...

...and here's the fist completed bird - it really does look so pretty nestled amongst these gorgeous wool appliqued flowers and hexies. I have prepared the rest of the wool flowers and will get them all stitched in place before I start the next bird ready for the next block.

Perfect Day Pouch

4/6/2026

Hand embroidery is probably my favourite hobby, and when I saw this pretty pattern on the Poppy Patch website a few weeks ago I just couldn't resist it! The Perfect Day Pouch is designed by Natalie Bird of The Birdhouse Patchwork Designs, and includes both a pre-printed piece of fabric and a tracable stitchery design so it can be made as many times as you like. I've used pre-cut paper templates from Sew & Quilt along with a selection of Lynette Anderson fabrics from my stash to make the small hexie flowers that adorn the back of the pouch...

...the pattern suggests using Valdani variegated stranded embroidery threads for the hand embroidery, and the colours are really lovely. I've used a small wooden embroidery hoop and a Hiroshima Tulip embroidery needle. The design is made up using very simple embroidery stitches...

...these 3/8" hexagons were an absolute delight to make - once the flowers were made, they have been hand stitched to the back of the pouch. The instructions in the original pattern didn't state to quilt the back of the pouch, but I thought it would give it a bit more structure. Vliseline H640 has been used for the wadding, and a simple cross hatch design has been machine quilted using an Aurifil 40wt thread...

...a small tab has been attached to one side of the pouch next to the zipper, and a strap has been attached to the other side...

...I struggled with the instructions for the construction, so resorted to covering the internal seams with a narrow single fold binding...

...and here's the front of the compeleted pouch. This is a really useful size, and is perfect for keeping sewing bits and bobs, or makeup or toiletries in.

Pretty Pink Crib Lining

11/4/2026

I don't really do commissions anymore, however when I was asked to line this vintage wicker crib, I couldn't resist! My sister's partner is going to be a grandfather, and this beautiful crib was used when he was a baby, so has a very special place in his heart, and the expected new arrival is going to be a little girl - this first in his family for a very long time. The only request was that the lining was pink - and this pretty pink floral fabric was just perfect - purchased online from Fabrics Galore London - it's a wide cotton fabric, and drapes beautifully...

...I drafted my own pattern to fit the crib, and I'm really pleased with the results. I made a channel for threading the elastic through, and the lower edge is gathered. I found a company online that made pram mattresses in an assortment of sizes, so ordered one and was really pleased with the quick delivery...

...and here's the completed lining, all ready to go off to the parents-to-be, who are eagerly awaiting their new arrival. The mattress was purchased online from Comfort Collection - they sell pram mattresses in a variety of sizes, so I was easily able to find one to fit.

Anna's Sminkepung in Liberty Prints

19/3/2026

I've spent far too long away from my sewing studio, and this little project was just perfect to get me back in there and to get my creative juices flowing! I've used some gorgeous Libery prints from Alice Caroline - originally 4.5" squares, these were cut up and pieced back together, layered with a thin felted polyester wadding (Vliseline H640) and a sweet Liberty print for the "lining" and then quilted very simply using a pale pink Aurifil 40wt thread. I've added pink lace trimming to the front of the bag...

...this bag is as pretty on the inside as it is on the outside, as all the seams are covered with a single fold binding, so there are no raw edges showing. Neat prairie points are added at each end of the zipper closure to give it a distinctive look...

...and here's the finished bag. The pattern I've used is one of my favourites - Anna's Sminkepung by the Norwegian designer AnnAka. Although the instructions are all written in Norwegian, it is well illustrated, and I just follow the diagrams. AnnaKa patterns are only available to purchase from quilt shops in Scandinavia - there are links on the sidebar of my blog to some of these shops. Now it just needs to be wrapped and delivered as it's a gift for my niece!

Cotton Club Quilters Exhibition - The Stalls

23/2/2026

Yesterday morning I visited the Cotton Club Quilters Exhibition, and here are some of the amazing stalls that were there. Helen Butcher and Helen Howes are both amazing quilters and tutors, and sell some fantastic patterns. Have a look at their websites Little Patch Pockets and Helen Howes Textiles for lots of inspiration! The ladies from KIS Quilting Ltd were there with a lovely selection of fabrics, and finally Nicola from Simply Haberdashery was there - it was super to catch up with her again!

Cotton Club Quilters Exhibition - The Quilts

22/2/2026

This morning I visited the Cotton Club Quilters Exhibition at the community centre in Woodbridge. This is a local quilt club, that put on an amazing exhibition of quilts on alternate years. This is just a selection of some of the beautiful quilts that were on display. If you click on the pictures, you can enlarge them so you can see the amazing details.

Alfie's Washbag

23/1/2026

My grandson Rory recently requested a washbag to use when he comes to stay with us - and as soon as I'd finished it, he asked me to make another one for his little brother Alfie! Rory chose some very bright fabrics from my scrap box (all fabrics that I was going to donate as part of the Declutter Challenge I've been taking part in) and he certainly chose some lovely colours. I've used the same pattern that I used for Rory's washbag, "Unisex" by Kari Renolen, from issue 04/2015 of the Norwegian quilting magazine MyQuilt. The feature fabric is "Jurassic Jamboree" by Abi Hall for Moda. It was perfect for the zippered pocket on the front of the bag...

...I've also used it for the inside slip pockets too. And I've used another cute "made by nanny" label, purchased from Little Rosy Cheeks - they have a great selection of labels! Again, the seams inside the bag have all been neated with fabric binding...

...with some careful cutting of the Jurassic Jamboree fabric, I was also able to use it for the back of the washbag too. The bag has been machine quilted very simply in straight lines, with Aurifil 40wt threads in an assortment of bright colours to match the fabrics. A fabric loop has been stitched at each end of the zipper...

...and here's the completed washbag, ready for Alfie to use when he comes for a sleepover with us.