Blog Archives - Nicola Foreman Quilts

Wish Upon A Star - Completed

31/7/2018

Another "Christmas in July" project is completed! This is the "Wish Upon A Star" cushion, which came as a kit from Cross Patch, an online quilt shop based in Wales, here in the UK (if you've ever ordered anything from there, you'll know that Julia, the owner, provides excellent customer service). The centre panel has been hand embroidered using Cottage Garden Threads, and the borders are made using simple strips of gorgeous French General fabrics. Embellished with some lace trimming and ric-rac, and some cute buttons, this really is a very pretty cushion, and it was very simple to make. It's an ideal project for a beginner...

I made the back of the cushion slightly different from Julia's instructions, and stitched some of the leftovers together to make the top part of the cushion back, with a hidden zipper. I absolutely love stripy bindings, and this one was a leftover piece of Tilda fabric, from a previous festive project that I'd completed earlier in the year. It goes perfectly with the French General fabrics. This cushion cover has been stuffed with a plump feather pad, and when I arrived home from work yesterday evening there was just time for a quick photoshoot before supper. Thank you so much Julia for a super design, with really simple to follow instructions.

A Peek at Wish Upon a Star

29/7/2018

Just a little peek at my latest "Christmas in July" project - designed by Julia, this was a kit called Wish Upon a Star, from Cross Patch in Wales. Hand embroidered, and hand appliqued. Fabrics included in this kit are by French General fabrics for Moda. Now this has been pieced together, it needs to be embellished with lace trimming, ric-rac, and buttons.

Margaret Beal Soldering Tool

29/7/2018

I had a fantastic time yesterday at Kis Quilting Ltd on a VERY exciting "Indian Tile Panel" course with Alexandra Waylett playing around with a Margaret Beale soldering tool. All will be revealed as soon as my project is finished!

Flowers and Leaves for Charlotte

27/7/2018

The final mini-blocks for Charlotte, Block 6 of The Sopwell Ladies Basket Society Quilt, have been embellished with hand appliqued vines, leaves, flowers and hearts - and are almost ready for piecing together. This is a gorgeous quilt and was designed by Gail Pan, an Australian designer - she has designed some amazing quilts combining applique and hand embroidery, both techniques which I love! There is one final basket of flowers to applique, and Charlotte will be ready!

Bonnie Scotland

26/7/2018

It's been rather quiet at Foreman Towers, as we've been off on our hols again, to the west coast of Scotland. We stayed at Cologin, not far from Oban, and were surrounded by beautiful scenery - lush green glens, majestic mountains, rugged islands and an abundance of wildlife. It really was wonderful to get away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life, and stresses of a busy job. We went on a few boat trips over to the local islands, and spent several hours walking in the countryside, admiring the amazing views. Now we're back, and normal service will soon be resumed, and I'll be back in my sewing studio!

Block 5 - Katherine

15/7/2018

Block 5 "Katherine" of The Sopwell Ladies Basket Society Quilt is finished! This pattern is designed by Gail Pan Designs, and has been machine pieced, hand embroidered and hand appliqued. This was bought as a kit from Cross Patch, an online shop in Wales here in the UK. Most of the fabrics are from the Sequoia collection, by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics.

Christmas in July - Wish Upon A Star

15/7/2018

After I'd completed my first "Christmas in July" project, I was at a loss as to what festive project to tackle next! I hadn't got another one ready to complete (I did make a festive wall hanging earlier in the year, but that's still waiting to be delivered to Janette, the wonderful longarm quilter for some of her special magic)! So I've decided to start something new, a small project which is likely to be completed by the end of the month. Here it is - my next "Christmas in July" project is "Wish Upon a Star" designed by Julia Roworth, and is available from her online shop Cross Patch. I just need to prep the stitchery design, ready to make a start on it over the next few days.

Roxanne's Basting Glue

13/7/2018

Roxanne's Basting glue is ideal for attaching applique shapes into place before they're permanently stitched down. I just use a few spots on the back of the applique - and press it into place, then leave to dry. This is so much easier than getting stabbed with tiny applique pins! I tend to use a wooden kebab skewer to add my "dots of glue" and keep a small bottle in my sewing bag so I always have some with me when I'm at sewing classes. The larger refill bottles are great value for money and this glue lasts for absolutely ages!

Applique Preparation - More Vines More Leaves and Another Basket

12/7/2018

The next block from The Sopwell Ladies Basket Society Quilt is "Katherine" and the applique has been prepared using tbe applique paper and glue stick method. Apliquick tools have been used to turn the edges over. The applique shapes are held in place with a few spots of Roxanne's basting glue (this prevents me from getting stabbed with pins) and is then stitched by hand using a very fine thread - my favourite is Aurifil 80wt thread in a mid grey colour.

Christmas in July at Foreman Towers

10/7/2018

I've had lots of lovely comments and likes from my last picture that I shared on my FB page and on the online quilting groups that I belong to. I couldn't resist a quick photo showing these ormaments displayed on a small white tree bought from Hobbycraft. These "Sweet Christmas Ornaments" - pattern by Lynette Anderson Designs, were bought as a kit online from Cross Patch in Wales here in the UK. The kit included all 12 patterns, raw wood buttons for embellishment, fabrics and twine. Now these just need to be packed away ready for December!