Nicola Foreman Quilts - BLOG

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.

Declutter Challenge - Day 21

21/1/2026

The final day of the Declutter Challenge has arrived at last! Although I took part last year, I still had a few things that needed to be removed and donated, and it always helps to take stock of all the "stuff" and decide is it really useful, do you still like it, and do you still actually need it!

There's lots more information over on the Just Get it Done Quilts website.

#declutterchallenge2026
#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2026
#reclaimingmyspace2026

Declutter Challenge Days 17-20

20/1/2026

The next 4 days of the Declutter Challenge have been all about dealing with fabric scraps, wadding, fabrics for quilt backs and fabric yardage. There is lots more information over on the Just Get it Done Quilts website, and there are You-tube videos to watch.

There is also a FB group you can join, where lots of members will share their before and after photographs, and the following hashtags can be used on social media, if you want to join in too.

#declutterchallenge2026
#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2026
#reclaimingmyspace2026

Rory's Washbag

18/1/2026

My little grandson Rory had requested a washbag to use when he comes to stay for a sleepover, to keep his toothbrush, toothpaste and flannel in, along with any other bathing necessities. Obviously a shop bought one just wouldn't be right, so I let him look through my box of fabric scraps that I was going to donate, and he chose a super animal print - Noah's Ark, by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda, and he picked some co-ordinating fabrics to go with it. I decided to use a pattern that I had made a few times before, Unisex by Kari Renolen that was in the Norwegian quilting magazine MyQuilt, issue 04/2015...

...I've used a leftover piece of cotton/bamboo wadding, so the bag can be easily washed when necessary. I've used 40wt Aurifil thread for the construction of the bag and the machine quilting, in a selection of colours to match the colours of the fabrics. The quilted washbag has a zippered pocket on the front, which has been made with the Noah's Ark fabric, along with two slip pockets inside the bag...

...all the seams are neated using fabric binding, and I've added a "made by nanny" label, which was purchased from Little Rosy Cheeks a few months ago. The outer part of the bag has a couple of loops attached at each end of the zipper. These loops can be held to assist with unzipping the bag, and can also be used to hang the bag up if needed...

...here's the completed bag, ready to be filled with a few bits and bobs for Rory's next sleepover with his nanny and grandad. Rory likes to keep me busy, and he's already picked out a selection of fabrics for a washbag for his brother, as he didn't want to share this one!

Declutter Challenge Days 13-16

16/1/2026

The next 4 days of the Declutter Challenge have been all about dealing with notions - elastics, buttons, ribbons, snaps, zippers, interfacing, foundation papers, bag hardware, and all those little bits that somehow multiply when we’re not looking. Also, the challenge has covered dealing with kits, and unfinished projects. There's lots more information over on the Just Get it Done Quilts website, and there are You-tube videos to watch.

There is also a FB group you can join, where lots of members will share their before and after photographs, and the following hashtags can be used on social media, if you want to join in too.

#declutterchallenge2026
#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2026
#reclaimingmyspace2026

Declutter Challenge Days 9-12

12/1/2026

The next 4 days of the Declutter Challenge have been all about dealing with your threads (for both machine and hand sewing), pins and needles, irons, rulers and cutting mats, sewing stations and sewing machines. There's lots more information over on the Just Get it Done Quilts website, and there are You-tube videos to watch.

There is also a FB group you can join, where lots of members will share their before and after photographs, and the following hashtags can be used on social media, if you want to join in too.

#declutterchallenge2026
#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2026
#reclaimingmyspace2026

Declutter Challenge Days 5-8

8/1/2026

The next 4 days of the Declutter Challenge have been all about dealing with patterns (both paper copies and digital), archives, and your tools such as scissors, snips and rotary cutters. There's lots more information over on the Just Get it Done Quilts website, and there are You-tube videos to watch.

There is also a FB group you can join, where lots of members will share their before and after photographs, and the following hashtags can be used on social media, if you want to join in too.

#declutterchallenge2026
#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2026
#reclaimingmyspace2026

Christmas Tree Mini Quilt

5/1/2026

I'd originally bought this kit, designed by Sarah Edgar from Pretty Fabrics and Trims back in 2020. Like so many of my kits, I didn't have time to make it when I bought it, packed it away, and never found time to make it! Anyway, I needed a small project to kick start the new year, and this seemed perfect. The kit itself contained everything needed to make this mini quilt - all the fabrics, wadding, lace trimming, Aurifil 12wt thread and the decorative button. These fabrics are such lovely soft muted colours. The machine piecing was quite simple, and it didn't take too long to put it together. The "branches" of the tree are stitched together in pairs, the lace trimming is added to a couple of "branches" then the background fabric is added, then finally the pairs of fabric are joined together. A decorative button is stitched in place, and hand embroidery is added using the Aurifil 12wt thread. I've machine quilted very simply inside the tree, then hand quilted around the outside of the tree using the same thread that was used for the decorative hand embroidery...

...a hand appliqued star is stitched to the top of the tree, and I've hand quilted around this too. This small quilt is then trimmed to size, and a narrow flange is added. Finally the red and white striped binding is stitched into place...

...I've added a narrow quilt sleeve onto the back, ready to display this little quilt on a decorative hanger. I've got another couple of kits that were purchased from Pretty Fabric and Trims, and hopefully 2026 is going to be the year they get made!

Declutter Challenge Days 1-4

4/1/2026

Last year I took part in the Declutter Challenge, organised by Just Get it Done Quilts and I'm joining in again this year. Although I've made a HUGE effort to keep my sewing studio clutter-free, I'm sure there'll be lots of work to do! I'm just giving a few details here, as there's lots more information over on the There's lots more information over on the Just Get it Done Quilts website, and there are You-tube videos to watch.

Anyway, the first 4 days have been all about clearing out rubbish, reclaiming your sewing machine, dealing with squatters, cleaning your sewing machine, magazine subscriptions, and reclaiming space on your shelf for your books.

There is also a FB group you can join, where lots of members will share their before and after photographs, and the following hashtags can be used on social media, if you want to join in too.

#declutterchallenge2026
#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2026
#reclaimingmyspace2026

Update on That Long List of Quilts

1/1/2026

Since I shared an update on my LONG list of kits last year, I've been quite ruthless in which ones I still loved, and which ones I no longer liked and definitely didn't want to make! The former have been boxed up ready to be dealt with as part of the Declutter Challenge I'm going to take part in this year, and heres a list of the ones I've got left - I wonder how many I'll manage to make this year?
As you can see, I've recorded the year it was purchased, the name of the pattern, the pattern designer and the shop they were purchased from. You can click on the pictures below to enlarge them.

2017 - Wonky Santa - Lynette Anderson Designs - this was a gift
2019 - Tree of Life - Lynette Anderson Designs - Cross Patch
2022 - Tuesdays Child - by Susan Smith - fabric pack purchased from Pincushion Pantiles
2010 - Høytidsengler - AnnAKa - Lappelåven
2016 - Vintage Bouquet - Jo Colwill - Cowslip Workshops
2017 - Celebrate Christmas Advent Calendar - Sarah Edgar - Pretty Fabrics and Trims
2020 - Gingerbread Biscuits - Sarah Edgar - Pretty Fabrics and Trims
2020 - Christmas Tree - Sarah Edgar - Pretty Fabrics and Trims
2020 - Bali Bag - Two Aunties - Little Quilt Store
2022 - Grab Some Grub - lunchbag from ByAnnie - purchased from Oh Sew Sweet Shop
2022 - Forest Friends Bear and Bunny - by Kathi Campbell - purchased from Coast and Country Crafts and Quilts