In Stitches of Williamstown

Designer interview - Leanne from Petals and Patches

This weeks designer interview is with Leanne from Petals and Patches.  leanne is my "closest" designer living not very far away and she has always been involved in my patchwork life!  Many of you who came into the shop will remember Leanne.  Having her in the shop was always a godsend and she is a lovely friend.... but in the context of the blog interview I'd like you to get to know her and her work a little better.  Once you see her work I'm sure you'll be a big fan like me!

Petals & Patches is a small family business that started from my “overwhelming passion” for all things crafty.  In the past I have enjoyed a variety of interests including knitting, sewing and folk art painting, so starting Petals & Patches has allowed me to combine my love of pretty fabrics with my desire to stitch.  I love to encourage others to find enjoyment in this way too.

My inspiration comes from a variety of sources, i.e. nature, fabric, etc.  The smallest thing can trigger an idea and I have a myriad of ideas written in books & on papers to draw future designs from.  When I first started designing it was often the fabric that would inspire me (it still does!!!) however I have so many ideas that now I find I’m looking for fabrics to go with them.

I’m often accused of being a perfectionist but I do like to have everything in order (even if it is only in my head) before I start a project.  I usually only make the one sample but lots of drawings have happened before hand so when I finally make the quilt all the refinements have already taken place.

I’m currently working on a new Block of the Month which will hopefully be released in the not too distant future and I think this will become my new favourite quilt (all my quilts are like part of the family to me and it is hard to put one ahead of another) but my favourite quilt designed so far would have to be Seasons of the Heart (pictured below) as it holds so many memories both in terms of the past and of friends who contributed with the stitching. 

 

[Laura adds: this is still available as a complete kit from my website ]

 

My favourite quick quilt to make was In Mum’s Kitchen.

My favourite colour growing up was always blue, however I love pink & green too!  There’s not many colours I don’t like.  If I had to choose just one it would currently be green.  Green to me is -: tranquility, calmness, growth, life & relaxing.

My favourite thing to do is embroidery by hand, I love to machine piece, but there is nothing quite like relaxing and doing a little stitching.  I also love hand quilting but don’t get enough time to do as much as I would like to.  So my most valued tool in my sewing kit is my needle & thread.  The best piece of advice I ever received was to always pull my thread out to the left when making French Knots and they will always sit flat.  No more wobbly knots!

Joke to keep us all in stitches :  You know you’re a quilter when you find yourself drawing the bathroom tile pattern on a piece of toilet paper.

 

Thanks Leanne - now for those who are interested of more of Leanne's beautiful work check out my website(free postage for all petals and patches patterns purchased from me by end February) - also pop on over to Leanne's blogand give some words of encouragement!  She's beginning to blog and I'd love her to blog more so I'm sure you can encourage her too by visiting and leaving a comment.

 

As usual with these regular blog interviews I will be giving away one free pattern by Petals and Patches from those that I have in stock - to enter you need to be an Australian Resident and enter a comment below (by clicking the grey button that says "comment").  Entries need to be received by midnight on valentines day 14 February 2010.  I will use the random number generator to pick a winner.  Good luck!

Dont look now!

One of the real highlights for me of the recent Quilt Market was meeting Kellie of "don't look now" and seeing her work in all it's vibrant glory.  I'd seen Kellies work in Quilters Companion - or was it homespun - anyway one of the magazines, which one it was doesn't really matter.  Once you see the quilts you'll never forget them.  Just bursting with colour in such a fresh and exciting way. 

Kellie uses simple techniques to amazing effect.  So instead of thinking "i could never do that" you should think "when can I start". 

Willow might be a great project to start with as it is cushion rather than quilt size.  It uses raw edge applique and free motion quilting.  It's fantastic to start on these techniques with something small.  You could even adapt part  of the pattern (eg the bird) down to a pin-cushion size - how cute would that be... and a terriffic way to dip your toes in the water...  The patterns have lots of information on how to do it, as well as the design sheets for placement etc.

Another of Kellies Patterns - Lilli Pilli - uses a different technique all together.  This time the leaves are made by creating templates from Stitch n wash fusible which is cut to size, fused to the fabric and the edges are then temporarily glued in place.  so then you applique the pieces on - so it's not quite needle turn - but looks just as good.  what a fanatstic way to use up scraps.  and how great is the stripe for the trunk of the tree? thinking outside the box is very effective.  Kellies instructions are great - perfect for those who want to learn tips and tricks to get the job done well.

and I love the Pretty n Pink cushion set, again great for learning the technqiues - starting small and getting bigger.  The patterns will give you all the confidence you need to tackle this project.

 So there's enough drooling for now and I'll post some more pics another day.

I'm hoping to run a class with Kellie which will would most likely be around $150 for 2 days (but price, dates, availability etc all to be determined) so if you are serious about wanting to learn a terrific and versatile technique please email me to go on the class list...

I've added Kellie's blog to my favourites list - check out her jacobs coat quilt along... just stunning.

Kellies patterns are available here.

Time for a slumber party?

Two terrific new designs by Aussie designers = Make it Perfect and Natalie Ross in Stitches

 

Send the kids to bed in style with a pair of funky, cool, slumber party jammies! With a comfy elastic waistband and fun drawstring tie, they will be guaranteed a good nights sleep.

The matching drawstring bag makes a great gift bag which can later be used to hang on the end of the bed as a neat place to keep their jammies when they aren’t being worn!

And Natalie has a perfect Slumber Party Quilt pattern too...

So now they can be decked out in style.  Patterns of course available through my website www.institches.com.au

Enjoy!

Laura x

New cinderberry stitches release

Cinderberry stitches has just released a new pattern - the very stylish paris collection.  Come on girls what are you waiting for.  This is a gorgeous bag, would make a fantastic christmas present and is achievable in time for Christmas.

Pop over to Natalies blog for more pictures, remember patterns are available from my website