Starjump Quilt Finish and Pattern Release!

There has not been a whole lot of sewing happening since I came home from Quiltcon - I have a huge list of things I'd like to make, but I haven't had the energy or motivation to get started just yet. But I have managed to finish off a few projects that I'd been working on before I went away - one of those being my StarJump quilt. I finished up the quilting and binding a few weeks ago, and we took it to the park for some photos last weekend. Even more exciting, the pattern for this quilt is now available. It's a fat quarter friendly quilt pattern, comes in three sizes, and you can buy the pattern in my new Payhip shop!! 

This quilt started as a pile of MicroMod fabric (a Cloud 9 fabric collection from a couple of years ago), in plum, teal, grey and black. I added in a bunch of other fabrics in these colours, and added some citron prints to give it a bit of pop. I designed several quilts last year using over-sized quilt blocks and I have to admit I'm a bit obsessed. Large blocks are great for using large scale prints and they come together quite quickly which is always a bonus.

The background on this quilt is a bunch of cream solids and low volume prints, and I love the subtle variation in the background that results from this. I quilted it very simply, using the points in the blocks as a guide for straight line FMQ. I love the subtle movement it gives the background areas. I used cream 50wt Aurifil for the quilting and 100% wool batting - I love the texture this combination of thread and batting gives :o)

I have had my team of pattern testers working on this pattern over the last couple of months as well, and I'm really excited to share their versions with you as well! This first (baby sized) version was made by Kirsten who blogs at Gemini Stitches. I absolutely love Kirsten's choice of background fabric, it really makes the print fabrics pop. 

This version was made by Susan (aka Patchwork n Play), as a gift for a friend's new baby. Susan's choice of colours is just perfect for a baby quilt that will be used and loved as the baby grows up :o)

Liz chose to use just four fabrics for her version of the baby size quilt, in a soft palette. Liz's version is a great example of how fabric placement can change the look of this pattern - by using the same colours for the chain elements in each block, Liz has created a completely different look.

Finally, my lovely friend Ella (aka Throw a Wench in the Works) and regular pattern tester made two versions of this pattern. First up a lap sized rainbow version, one of the happiest quilts I've ever seen!

Ella also made a second lap sized version. I love how Ella has played with the placement of the chain elements in this version and made the centre star different to the surrounding stars.

A huge thank you to all of my testers - I absolutely love seeing what people do with my patterns. I think these quilts show really well how versatile this pattern is, and how easy it is to 'make it your own'.  Please pop over to each of my tester's blogs and read more about their quilts - and for a pattern giveaway as well :o) 

xx Jess

Roundabout Pattern Release!

It has taken me a very long time to finally get this pattern ready for release - I had an amazing group of testers work through the pattern a few months ago and actually taught a class using this pattern back in July - but it is finally available to purchase in my Craftsy shop!

My original 60" x 60" version appeared in Quilters Companion earlier this year, and I have added a 20" x 20" mini quilt or cushion version to the pattern as well. It is a foundation paper pieced patterns, suitable for intermediate quilters, and comes complete with full diagrams, a colouring sheet and the templates needed for creating the blocks. You can find it in my Craftsy shop, where it will be available for half-price for the first two weeks of release.

This pattern is a block based quilt, using a variation on the traditional Schoenrock Cross block. I asked my testers just to make a few blocks, or the mini quilt sized project - but there is always one over achiever. My lovely friend Carly of Citric Sugar managed to put together a whole quilt top (in a week!?!), and it is SO GOOD!

Nicolette of Dutch Comfort made this fabulous version. I love everything Nicolette makes, and this cushion is no different. Her use of colour is amazing as always, and her piecing is just perfection!

Hannah (who blog as Sewing and Slinging) made this beautiful version - I adore the 'odd' block in there, it gives it so much interest!

My lovely friend Ella (who has become a regular pattern tester because she is awesome) made this stunning version for a swap partner - and even hand quilted it. I adore her colour choices. 

And finally Elisabeth (who blogs at Sharks Dinner) made this super pretty version. 

A massive thanks to all my pattern testers for doing such an amazing job with my pattern - each of these ladies will be hosting a giveaway for the pattern in the very near future, so head over and check out their blogs this week for your chance to win a copy. 

xx Jess

Block Flower Pattern Release (and Giveaway!)

Since showing you my Block Flower quilt a few months ago, I've had a wonderful group of quilters testing the pattern for me - and I'm delighted to say it is now available to buy in my Craftsy shop! It will be available at a special introductory price (50% off) for the first two weeks :o)

The 10 page pattern includes full instructions and diagrams to make a 78" x 78" square quilt. It is a fat quarter friendly pattern, and is perfect for using large scale prints. It is a beginner friendly pattern, but would also be a fun and quick quilt for more experienced quilters to put together. 

I absolutely love seeing what other people do with my patterns, so it has been really exciting seeing how each of my testers have interpreted the pattern and made it their own. I think the range of quilts they have produced really shows how versatile this pattern is. 

Leslie (aka @iheartdl on Instagram) made her version using these fabulous Charley Harper fabrics. I love how she has used colored background for the blocks, it gives the quilt a completely different look! 

Karen (aka @peaceloveandquilts on Instagram) made her version using loads of Denyse Schmidt prints. I love the colours she has chosen, and the fact that she has used a variety of colours for the low volume backgrounds. 

I had to include this little mosaic of Karen's daughter playing around during the photo shoot, too. It's refreshing to know I'm not alone in chasing children away from carefully posed quilts ;o)

My gorgeous friend Ella (who blogs at Throw a Wench in the Works) made her quilt using solids in cool colours, paired with white background and beige sashing. I love how calm and soothing this quilt is, and the fact that Ella made this as a charity quilt :o)

My friend Serena (who blogs at Sew Giving) did an incredible job with her version. Serena chose to use dark sashing within the blocks as well as the between them, and use the same dark grey for the accent HSTs - and it has given the whole quilt a completely different and really striking look. I really love this version. 

And finally the lovely Leanne (who blogs at Daisy and Jack) made her version using Nouvelle by Art Gallery Fabrics. I love how feminine and pretty Leanne's version is :o) 

A huge, huge thanks to all my testers for doing such a brilliant job. Each of these ladies will be offering a pattern giveaway in the near future, so be sure to hop on over to their blog or IG account if you'd like to win a copy!

I'm also offering up a copy of my pattern as a giveaway today. If you'd like to enter, please just leave a comment and I'll draw a winner at the beginning of next week. If you buy a copy of the pattern and end up winning, I will refund you :o)

If you are a no-reply blogger, please make sure you leave your email address - if I can't contact you, I will have to redraw. I have been recieving a LOT of no-reply comments lately - if you haven't heard a reply from me, it is probably because I can't. My friend Adrianne has a great tutorial for how to fix this :o)

I will have another pattern release later this week (my ROundabout pattern), so stay tuned for that one too!!

xx Jess