Table of contents for Issue 53 in Love Patchwork & Quilting

Christmas? Already?! If you've got plans to gift handmade this year, starting early will stand you in good stead. Think how smug you'll be come December! In fact, with the festive hols just a couple of months away, you really need to get a wriggle on, especially if you're feeling unjustifiably ambitious, like me… I'm going BIG this year (go big or go home, right?) and have grand plans to make no fewer than three gorgeous quilts to give. Lofty aims indeed when my quilts completed this year so far are languishing in single figures. But, as I keep reminding myself, I sew best under pressure – so bring it on! The key to success? Big blocks, simple quilting and copious amounts of tea... Join us online… we love to…

ROOFTOP FABRICS Team LP&Q love planning for our Christmas issue. We’ve been picking out our fave festive prints since July! Rooftop Fabrics has definitely helped us along the way. Their range of fabrics from the likes of Michael Miller and Riley Blake has something for any kind of quilty style. In the end we settled on Dashwood’s Christmas collections. Whether you prefer Norrland’s subtle Scandi-chic or full-on festive fun in Merry Little Christmas, you can get your hands on it on their website. We’re also planning on finishing our winter quilts with their plush fabric backing for that extra bit of cosiness. Rooftopfabrics.com…

COMPLEMENT THE GRAPHIC PIECING WITH FLOWING LINES OF FREE-MOTION QUILTING QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Fabric A (white): 4¼yds • Fabric B (blue): 2¾yds • Fabric C (light pink): ½yd • Fabric D (medium pink): ¾yd • Fabric E (dark pink): ¾yd • Backing fabric: 5¼yds • Batting: 88in x 100in • Binding fabric: ¾yd FINISHED SIZE • 78in x 90in NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed. • HST = Half-square Triangle. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • WST = wrong sides together. • Fabric supplied by Robert Kaufman (robertkaufman.com) FABRICS USED Solid fabrics are from the Kona Cotton Solids collection by Robert Kaufman in the following colours: • Fabric A – Snow.…

Our friends at EQS have sponsored this project and provided us with these lovely fabrics. They distribute all kinds of quilty supplies across the UK that we just couldn’t be without! For this project Lou picked out some of her fave pinks from the Michael Miller Cotton Couture collection. They have an incredible range of shades to choose from, so whether you’re looking to showcase your current colour crush with tonal solids like Lou did or pick out the perfect match for your next-project print, you’re sure to find what you need in the collection. Lou chose eight different pink fabrics for her quilt – we can’t decide which we love best! To find a stockist and see what else EQS have on offer, visit their website eqsuk.com or call…

WHEN I PUT ASIDE PERFECTION AND ALLOW SPACE FOR FAILURE, I FIND TREMENDOUS CREATIVE GROWTH How would you describe your creative journey? Although I’ve always been interested in art and design, for many years I lacked the confidence to declare myself creative. At home with my two young daughters, we began crafting, sewing, and baking, while documenting it all on my blog, The Long Thread. Time and space led me back to creativity and these new pursuits reminded me of the perils of perfection. Learning to make things by hand forced me to overcome mistakes, accept imperfection, and expand my creativity. The digital world moves quickly and so much has changed since I started my blog thelongthread.com in 2007. During the heyday of craft blogging, I discovered a connected and…

We’ve teamed up with the organisers of Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts and Simply Christmas to offer you a fantastic 2 for 1 craft show ticket deal! Taking place at NEC, London on 2–5 November, the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts show will feature a sea of crafting goodies from fabric, to papercraft, to yarn and everything in between. Get your craft on at the show with free workshops (book early to grab a place) and demos. Your ticket also gets you into Simply Christmas, and if you go from the Friday onwards you can get into the world-famous Cake International at Birmingham too. Taking place alongside Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts at ExCel, London, on 16–18 November, Simply Christmas is your one stop shop for handmade Christmas gifts that you won’t find…

THESE TRADITIONAL SNOWBALL AND OHIO STAR BLOCKS WORK SO WELL PLACED TOGETHER QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Fabric A (neutral): 1¾yds • Fabric B (mint): 1¼yds • Fabric C (teal): 1¾yds • Fabric D (pink): 1yd • Binding fabric: ½yd • Backing fabric: 3¾yds • Batting: 64in x 78in FINISHED SIZE • 60in x 72in NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed. • HST = Half-square Triangle. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • WST = wrong sides together. • Fabric supplied by Robert Kaufman (robertkaufman.com) FABRICS USED Fabrics are all from collections by Robert Kaufman: • Fabric A – Natural from the Essex Linen collection. • Fabric B – Mint from the Kona Cotton…

MADE UP FROM HST UNITS, THIS STRIKING DESIGN IS A GREAT ONE FOR BEGINNER QUILTERS QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Fabric A (peach): ½yd • Fabric B (orange): ½yd • Fabric C (terracotta): ¼yd • Fabric D (burgundy): ¼yd • Fabric E (light blue): ½yd • Fabric F (aqua): ½yd • Fabric G (navy): ¼yd • Fabric H (grey): ¼yd • Background fabric (white): 3yds • Backing fabric: 3¾yds • Batting: 65in x 72in • Binding fabric: ½yd FINISHED SIZE • 60in x 66in NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed. • Pattern assumes that fabric is at least 42in wide. • HST = Half-square Triangle. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • WST =…

You know when you’re in a job interview and the interviewer asks that stock standard question, “Can you tell us about one of your weaknesses?” and we all cringe and think of something that we can talk about that looks like a weakness but is actually a trait that will mean you’ll be awesome in that role? When I used to sit on interviewing panels I could almost guarantee that two-thirds of applicants would say, “I’m a perfectionist,” as their answer to that question and then sit there smugly like the cat that got the cream. On the surface that answer looks great. You could read into it that they’ll do a topnotch job with no mistakes – but the reality of being a perfectionist is much more destructive. They…

Scallops are a brilliantly straightforward way to add texture to a quilt, while appliqué is the perfect technique for bringing in colour, pattern and bags of character. Our six critter templates use the curve of a single scallop as a starting point, then employ an assortment of simple shapes to customise and show off different personalities. Choose from a teddy bear, French bulldog, bunny, raccoon, lion or owl (and visit our website for two extra designs – frog and cockatoo). This issue also includes paper templates for the scallops themselves, while the booklet includes a handy guide to using them with ease. As a final touch, you’ll find a full walkthrough for turning those basted scallops into a mini quilt. Head to lovepatchworkandquilting.com for our Tech Editor Sarah Griffith’s mini…

MOONLIT MAGIC We’re loving the cool mood conjured up by the Moonlit prints from Hawthorne Threads. Featuring full moons, starry patterns, twilight birds and gardens, the fabric prints are bathed in the muted hues of evening light. A calming, sophisticated collection. hawthornethreads.com OH DARLING! In reds, greens and soft peachy pinks, the Christmas Darlings fabrics by Paula & Waffle for Dear Stella make us think of cosy nights in by the fire! Our favourite has to be the cute kittens peeping out of Christmas stockings. Find them over at oliveandflohandcraft.co.uk…

Putting a fresh twist on your seasonal makes can be a challenge, but that makes it all the more fun. Join me in selecting the perfect colour combos to inspire all your Christmas quilting. Modern Traditional In my memory, these are the traditional colours of Christmas: a dark fir-tree green, a rusty red, and a neutral burlap-y beige. To be honest, these colours don’t really excite me. I’m not moved to create anything when I look at these colours. We’ve seen them all a thousand times. Instead, I’d like to take the traditional palette and brighten it up with some modern flair. Hopefully, we’ll see some colours that drive us to create. To start, I’m going to lay out some deep reds and greens that speak to me. These are…

IT'S A MODERN TREE DESIGN BUT WITH A HEAVY NOD TO TRADITION WITH THE RED AND GREEN STARS QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Green fabrics: eleven (11) fat quarters • Red fabrics: eleven (11) fat quarters • Dark yellow fabric: two (2) 5½in squares • Medium yellow fabric: one (1) fat eighth • Light yellow fabric: one (1) fat eighth • Background fabric: 4¼yds • Backing: 5yds • Batting: 66in x 88in • Binding: 5/ 8 yd FINISHED SIZE • 60in x 80in NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • WST = wrong sides together. • Fabric supplied by Robert Kaufman (robertkaufman.com) • Thread supplied by Aurifil (aurifil.com).…

IF YOU’RE AFTER SOMETHING MORE SUBDUED, TRY A MIX OF SOFT GREYS WITH A POP OF PINK CUSHION YOU WILL NEED • Dresden blade fabrics: twenty (20) 4in x 6in rectangles • Dresden centre fabric: 5in square • Cushion front fabric: 16in square • Cushion back fabric: one (1) fat quarter • Binding fabric: ¼yd • Batting: 16in x 32in • Zip: 15in FINISHED SIZE • 15½in square NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • For templates, see p85. FABRICS USED • Print fabrics are from the First Romance collection by Kristyne Czepuryk for Moda Fabrics. • Solid fabric is Natural from the Essex Linen collection by Robert Kaufman. CUTTING OUT 1 From each of…

CHOOSE A MIXTURE OF LOW VOLUME PRINTS TO ADD TEXTURE TO YOUR BACKGROUND MINI QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Low volume fabric: 5/ 8 yd • Green fabric: ¼yd • Backing fabric: 1yd • Binding fabric: ¼yd • Batting: 28in square FINISHED SIZE • 24in square NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open unless otherwise instructed. • RST = right sides together. • HST = Half-square Triangle. CUTTING OUT 1 From the green fabric cut sixteen (16) 4in squares. 2 From the low volume fabric cut sixteen (16) 4in squares and thirty-two (32) 3½in squares. 3 From the backing fabric cut one (1) 30in square and two (2) 6in squares. 4 From the binding fabric, cut three (3) 2½in x WOF strips. MAKING THE…

DOWNLOAD YOUR TEMPLATES Visit our blog: lovepatchwork andquilting.com now! Thank you for making this project from Love Patchwork & Quilting. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project. They work hard to create projects for you to enjoy, so please don’t re-sell or distribute their work without permission. Please do not make any part of the templates or instructions available to others through your website or a third party website, or copy it multiple times without our permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help.…

O LITTLE TOWN Nestled deep within a pine forest, you’ll find a town where it’s winter all year long. This is the setting for Amy Sinibaldi’s exquisite Little Town fabric collection for AGF. In a sophisticated palette of teal greens, light greys and soft pinks, these fabrics are perfect for creating a vintage Christmas look. Sweet prints complete the retro feel, with quirky houses, berries, stars and snowflakes. There’s a super-sweet lookbook to explore too, packed with project patterns to download. We love the Houndstooth Joy pattern – a quilt full of seasonal style. Find the Little Town range and lookbook at artgalleryfabrics.com CHRISTMAS CHARM With a cheerful mix of pinks and aquas, along with the traditional red, green and gold, Cotton+Steel’s Noel fabric collection has our kind of Christmas…

PICK YOUR FAVE BRIGHT SOLIDS TO STAND OUT AGAINST THE ICY AQUA BACKGROUND FABRIC QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Background fabric (aqua): 6½yds • Fabric A (green): one (1) fat quarter • Fabric B (light pink): one (1) fat quarter • Fabric C (beige): ½yd • Fabric D (indigo): ¾yd • Fabric E (grey): one (1) fat quarter • Fabric F (orange): one (1) fat quarter • Fabric G (peach): one (1) fat quarter • Fabric H (pink): one (1) fat eighth • Fabric I (white): ½yd • Fabric J (blue): ›/ 8 yd • Backing fabric: 5yds • Batting: 74in x 88in • Binding fabric: ›/ 8 yd FINISHED SIZE • 68in x 82in • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed.…

THIS MINI WOULD LOOK SUPER COOL IN TONING BLUES… WHAT’S YOUR COLOUR CRUSH? MINI QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Fabrics A–G (pink): one (1) fat quarter each of seven (7) different shades • Backing and binding fabric (light pink): 1yd • Batting: 25in x 22in FINISHED SIZE • 21in x 18in NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • HST = Half-square Triangle. • Press all fabrics well before cutting. • Fabric supplied by EQS (eqsuk.com). FABRICS USED Fabrics are all from the Cotton Couture Solids collection by Michael Miller in the following colours: • Fabric A – Raspberry. • Fabric B – Berry. • Fabric C – Princess. • Fabric D – Peony. • Fabric…

RAID YOUR STASH FOR BRIGHT RAINBOW SHADES AND CHOOSE A CONTRASTING BACKING FABRIC QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Dark print fabrics: twenty-five (25) 10in squares • Light print fabrics: twenty-five (25) 10in squares • Black solid fabric: ¼yd • Grey solid fabric: 1¼yds • Background fabric: 4¼ yds • Backing fabric: 4¾yds • Binding fabric: 5/ 8 yds • Batting: 83in square FINISHED SIZE • 75in square NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed. • CST = Corner-square Triangle. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • WST = wrong sides together. FABRICS USED Solid fabrics are from the Modern Basics collection and the backing fabric is from the First of Infinity collection, both by Lecien…

QUILT YOU WILL NEED • Blue fabric: 5yds • Grey fabric: 1yd • White fabric: 1½yds • Backing fabric: 4½yds • Batting: 76in square FINISHED SIZE • 70in square NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed. • HST = Half-square Triangle. • QST = Quarter-square Triangle. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • WST = wrong sides together. FABRICS USED Solid fabrics are from the 1000 Colors Solids collection by Lecien. CUTTING OUT 1 From the blue fabric cut: • Forty-eight (48) 6in squares. • Four (4) 6½in squares. • Twelve (12) 5½in squares. • Eight (8) 5½in x 10½in strips. • One (1) 10½in square. • Seven (7) 2½in x WOF strips for binding.…

CHOOSE CONTRASTING DARK AND LIGHT FABRICS SO THE STAR DESIGN REALLY STANDS OUT CUSHION YOU WILL NEED • Dark fabric: ½yd • Light fabric: 3/ 8 yd • Backing fabric: ¾yd • Batting: 25in square • Binding fabric: one (1) fat quarter • Eight (8) copies of Star Point FPP template FINISHED SIZE • 20in square NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams to the dark side, unless otherwise instructed. • Shorten stitch length to 1.5 for Foundation Paper Piecing. • FG = Flying Geese. • FPP = Foundation Paper Piecing. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • For templates, see p85. FABRICS USED Print fabrics are XOXO in Toy Boat Gold and Sprinkle in Jelly Bracelet from the…

ADD A MESSAGE TO THE BACK OF THE TAG WITH A FABRIC MARKER OR EMBROIDERY STITCHES GIFT TAG YOU WILL NEED • Print fabrics: 3in x 4½in each of three (3) different prints • Backing fabric: 5½in x 4in • 12-gauge clear vinyl: 5½in x 4in • Firm fusible interfacing: 5½in x 4in • Ribbon: 3½in • Glitter FINISHED SIZE • 2½in x 3½in approx NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed. • Secure your seams by backstitching at the beginning and end of each one. • Laura used Premium Clear Vinyl by C&T Publishing for her vinyl (ctpub.com). • Laura used Peltex Pellon 71F Single Sided Fusible Stabiliser for her interfacing. • RST = right sides together. • WOF =…

ROW TWO Paper piece our blocks inspired by a weekend of woodland foraging! YOU WILL NEED • Background fabric: ½yd • Mushroom top fabrics • Mushroom stem fabrics • Five (5) copies of the Large Mushroom FPP template • Four (4) copies each of the Small Mushroom A and B FPP templates FINISHED SIZE • Each block: 8in square • Row: 8in x 72in NOTES • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted. • Press seams to the side, unless otherwise instructed. • Shorten your stitch length to 1.5 for Foundation Paper Piecing. • RST = right sides together. • WOF = width of fabric. • WST = wrong sides together. • Templates include seam allowance around the outer edges only. For templates, see p85. • Refer to Susi’s FPP…