Blog Archives - Nicola Foreman Quilts

Blossom Tree

17/5/2019

Another small wall hanging has been stitched and is hanging in my sewing studio! The pattern and hand painted wooden buttons for "Blossom Tree" (by Lynette Anderson Designs) was purchased from Cross Patch in Wales. The pattern included an iron on transfer for this stitchery design - it wasn't particularly easy transferring the design onto the fabric, even with a hot iron and a lot of patience, so I filled in the gaps free hand with a Micron Pigma pen! The centre panel is hand embroidered (I used DMC threads for this) and omitted the embroidered corner stones. A hand painted wooden button is used to embellish the centre panel...

...rather than follow the original pattern for the borders, I used some strips of assorted fabrics from my "Lynette" fabric box - and used the quilt-as-you-go method for attaching the strips. A narrow single fold binding was added, and a narrow quilt sleeve was hand stitched to the back so it's easy to display in my sewing studio on a decorative quilt hanger.

Hearts and Happy Flowers - Block 9

14/5/2019

The final block has been hand embroidered and hand appliqued, and just needs to have a final press, before it's stored away with the others, while I concentrate on sorting out block 1 again! This gorgeous design, by the Australian designer Leanne Beasley, has been a real labour of love over the past few months (the first block was started back in October) - it certainly has been a pleasure to stitch. These gorgeous fabrics were in a kit supplied by Cross Patch, an online quilt shop based in Wales, here in the UK, and are mostly from the Katie Jane collection by Makower UK. Lecien Cosmo embroidery threads were used for the hand embroidery, and they really have a lovely sheen to them.

Another Useful Sewing Kit

13/5/2019

While I've been busy stitching my Hearts and Happy Flowers quilt, I've been storing the pattern, needles, scissors and Cosmo embroidery threads in a beautiful "Couch Companion" that I'd made several years ago, also designed by Leanne Beasley. It's designed to hang over the arm of a sofa or armchair, and the centre pin cushion has been filled with some fine grade wire wool, to keep my pins and needles sharp. The couch companion is really useful, with lots of smaller pockets for storing packets of needles and threads, and larger pockets for patterns and an embroidery hoop...

...I've been using Tulip embroidery needles for the hand embroidery of these blocks, along with Cosmo embroidery threads. This final block is now finished, so I'll share a picture of this one tomorrow - although I won't stitch the blocks together just yes, as block 1 has been de-construted as I wasn't happy with all those bulky seams, so I've been busy with my reverse-sewing implement (AKA a seam ripper!)

Mini Stitchery Block

12/5/2019

Well I've almost finished the final block of this gorgeous quilt! Hearts and Happy Flowers, designed by Leanne Beasley is such a pretty quilt, with lots of hand embroidery and lots of appliqued hearts. I have absolutely loved stitching every part of this quilt - I shall almost be disappointed when it's finished, as I've enjoyed spending many months stitching this beauty.

Shopping for Border and Binding Fabric

11/5/2019

I've been getting ready for when the binding and optional borders will be added to my Hearts and Happy Flowers quilt! I found the perfect white tonal fabric yesterday at Sew and So's of Bungay (many thanks to the owner, Beryl, for helping me to decide which one to buy) and a simple Google search for the Katie Jane collection by Makower UK resulted in a cheeky little purchase from The Sewing Studio UK - now I just need to get block 9 finished!!
*I've been asked about fabric in the kit - there was plenty of fabric, however details about an optional border were included in the info in pattern number 10, and not in the original fabric requirements. The original quilt made by Leanne Beasley didn't have any borders. If I'd cut my red fabric differently, I would've had plenty for the binding, and have got enough fabric left for a scrappy red binding, but wanted to use just one fabric so needed a bit extra!

Antique Flower Fabrics - Plum

9/5/2019

Another cosmetic bag and another birthday gift for a colleague! This has also been made with fabrics from the Antique Flower collection by Lecien, and this one is in the plum colourway (yesterday I shared a picture of a cosmetic bag made in the same range of fabrics but in the brown colourway). I used Aurifil thread in a sage green colour for the simple machine quilting, and added some vintage lace trimming in the same sage green colour. The pattern is Anna's Sminkepung by the Norwegian designer AnnAKa, and is available from quilt shops in Scandinavia.

Antique Flower Fabrics - Brown

8/5/2019

These gorgeous fabrics are from the Antique Flower collection by Lecien, and were purchased simply AGES ago from Sew and So's in Bungay - they have a lovely selection of Lecien fabrics, and I must be long overdue another visit there to stock up on some more! I have been stitching some secret projects recently, and these fabrics were just perfect for what I had in mind...

...I've added a smart brown zipper and some pretty vintage lace, and yet another gift for a colleague who has recently started a new job! The pattern is my absolute favourite, "Anna's Sminkepung" by the Norwegian designer AnnAKa. This is my go-to pattern when I need a special gift, and is easily adaptable to all sorts pf fabrics and trimmings. It was delivered today, and she was absolutely thrilled with it.

Hearts and Happy Flowers - Block 8

7/5/2019

After several months of patiently waiting to finished, block 8 is finally completed! The hand embroidery has been stitched using Lecien Cosmo threads, and the hand applique was all done using the Apliquick method. There are several tutorials on YouTube demonstrating this method - once the applique hearts had been made, they were stitched in place using Aurifil 80wt thread. This fabulous quilt is designed by the Australian designer Leanne Beasley, and the set of patterns was supplied by Cross Patch, an online quilt shop based in Wales, here in the UK. Most of the fabrics in this block are from the Katie Jane collection by Makower UK, and were also supplied by Cross Patch. The linen stitchery block was bought as a pre-printed panel from Fabric Patch in Australia, but the remaining stitchery details were traced using a lightpad, and a very fine Micron Pigma pen (this type of ink is permanent so you do need a steady hand) - a piece of lightweight interfacing was fused to the back of the completed block, then embroidered. As there are so many pieces to this block, all the seams were pressed open to keep it flatter.

Inspiration From the Big Quilt Exhibition

6/5/2019

I travelled over to Blackthorpe Barn yesterday with my friend Jane, and we had super time at the Big Quilts Exhibition. There were some amazing quilts on display and I feel very inspired having seen so many lovely quilts! Here are a few of my favourites - unfortunately the lighting was quite poor for photography (as it is with most quilt shows), and not all the quilts had details of the maker. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them. It was also a very sociable occasion as I met so many quilting friends, some I hadn't seen for ages, and met a few people who recognised me from my blog and my FB page...

Brilliant Beauties of Joy - Jo Gray

Jacobean Rhapsody - Nadir Holmes

Dear Jane - Sue Hicks

Dresden Blooms - Janette Chilver

...obviously I mustn't forget the stall holders! There were lots of fabulous stalls there too, selling a huge selection of fabrics and quilty related bits and bobs. It was great to say hello again to both Val and John of Daisy May Quilting - their stall had a HUGE selection of fabrics, including extra wide fabric for quilt backings...

...it's always a treat to meet up with Stuart from The Woolpatch - he has a lovely shop in Long Melford, and I'm long overdue a visit there!

...and it was great to finally meet up with Tina from The Cosy Cabin, as I'd missed her when I called into the shop last summer.

Big Quilt Exhibition 2019

5/5/2019

I'm off to see the Big Quilt Exhibition at Blackthorpe Barn today - hoping to see some spectacular quilts, meet up with some quilting friends, and maybe do a little bit of shopping too! Will I see you there? The show is organised by Region 8 of the Quilter's Guild, and is on from Saturday - Monday. I'm really looking forward to seeing the quilts that will be on display. For more info look over here