Saskio Workshop

I went to a great workshop last weekend with Sue Bristow and spent a very enjoyable day handsewing some Japanese Saskio samples

Its very addictive and there are hundreds of patterns to try

I'm thinking about using some of this type of stitching on a layered textile piece as it gives a lovely texture and character to the fabric

Handsewn Patchwork Workshop

I will be teaching the block I made for this quilt on Saturday 17th March from 10.00am to 12.00 noon at Lychgate Schoolroom, Kenwyn Church Road, Truro TR1 3DR. Why not come along for an introduction to traditional handsewn patchwork using scraps and learn a new block.email me for further information at curious.things@yahoo.co.uk

Diagonal wave cushion

Diagonal wave cushion front waiting to be trimmed and backed. This piece is handpieced and quilted from a mixture of new and old fabrics including beautifully soft upcycled shirt fabrics and some Japanese kimono lining. The quilt sandwich is made up with a piece of lightweight fleece which gives a lovely firm but soft feeling to the quilting

Spots and Stripes

I'm working on a new version of my Squares and Stripes cushion, this time with a mix of lovely spotty fabrics with the stripes, I've used some real favourites fabrics for this cushion. Now its all pieced together I need to have a think about the type of quilting I want to do, I'm itching to start

Quilt and Cake

Tonight's the night for the first Quilt and Cake session that I'm running so I'm just sorting out all the supplies I need to take with me. I have finished quilting the Tumbling Blocks pattern and it is now made up into a cushion, which is going to be the sample for tonight's project.

I feel very excited about this evening but also nervous, wondering if anyone will come along. If nobody turns up at least I will have lots of Karens lovely cakes to eat! Wish me luck

Tumbling Blocks

Tumbling Blocks is probably one of the oldest patchwork designs but I find it fascinating how a pattern made up from one basic shape can be so effective and absorbing

These are samples I'm putting together for a Quilt and Cake evening I'm holding at the begining of December so hopefully other people will like this pattern too

More Squares

Here is the finished quilted cushion

This is a very satisfying pattern to make. I'm going to make up another version with some lovely spotty fabrics

Squares and Stripes

Here's a new pattern I've been working on using my favourite fabrics, checks and stripes.  This shows the cushion top sewn together ready to have its tacking and papers removed

Here's the back with the papers still in - I really like the way this looks with the seam edges showing

and here's the top with tacking and papers removed, waiting to be quilted

Illuminated Windows

I'm still loving this pattern and have made up a new cushion with this lovely stripey fabric

Patchwork kits

Here is something I have been working on for some time! Handsewn patchwork kits for anyone who would like to try patchwork but doesn't know where to start.

The kit contains an illustrated instruction booklet, cardboard templates to cut your fabric and pre cut papers for your fabric pieces, just add the fabric of your choice. These patterns are great for using up scraps of fabric or you can buy new, full details are supplied in the kit

There are two designs available, 'Boxes' and 'Illuminated Windows'.

They are available in my Folksy shop and would make a great present for a budding quilter!