Today's Quilter

The more I learn about hand-piecing, the more I can see its benefits. In a non-stop world, the ability to slow down and take time to enjoy doing something is a real luxury. And when you end up with a gorgeous quilt, be it small or large, there is nothing to complain about in my opinion. Our wonderful Technical Editor, Paula Hope, shares her Vintage Vibes quilt, which is featured on this month’s cover. Using your cover gift, she hand-pieced the centre, but these clever templates can be used to machine sew too, so the choice is yours. Lin Clements is back with our new Seasonal Series: 3D fruit. Sew up a bunch of bananas, or a basket of apples, perfect as fun decorative items in your home, or as…

This month’s gift is a set of three vintage-inspired templates that can be used for hand- or machine-piecing, a choice that our Technical Editor, Paula Hope, loves in a quilting project. Paula has used the templates to create this month’s stunning cover star, hand-piecing blocks while on her travels and sewing some up by machine on her return home. This sewing flexibility means you’ll have the best of both worlds, whether you’re filling a few spare minutes while out and about or settling down at your sewing machine at home. So pick out your favourite fabrics and turn to page 19 to find out how to use your set of templates, and if you need an excuse to keep adding to your fabric collection then we’ve got more good news,…

We love seeing what the Today’s Quilter readers have been making and here’s just a few of our favourite projects this month WRITE TO US Today’s Quilter, Our Media, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST EMAIL: todaysquilter@ourmedia.co.uk Flower power I saw a lovely quilt by Kaffe Fassett called Stonewall, which he had based on the backing of an old American quilt. I have finally got round to making my own version. The pattern was ideal for a scrappy quilt, which I love doing, and also gave me the chance to try out ‘quilt as you go’, which was a new technique for me. I have called my quilt ‘Flower Meadow.’ It was much more challenging than I had anticipated but, overall, I am pleased with the result! I hope you like…

Threads of Friendship 8 March-22 June 2025 A celebration of 40 years of the Shropshire Quilters, this exhibition looks at current members’ work and some favourite objects from Shropshire Museum’s textile collection. Free entry. 10.00-16.00 Shrewsbury Museum and Arts Gallery, The Music Hall, The Square, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LH www.shropshiremuseums.org.uk Contact: shropshirequiltersinfo@gmail.com Hexagons and Beyond 21-24 March and 28-31 March 2025 See a selection of EPP work by the Canalside Patchwork Group in Nottingham over two weekends in March. The Hexagons and Beyond exhibition is also an opportunity to meet members of the group, learn how to EPP and buy a range of products. The venue has a lovely tearoom and charming gardens too. Free entry. 10:00-16:00 Canalside Heritage Centre, Weir Cottages, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 1LZ Contact: christine.anderson59@gmail.com Wolverley…

Botanist’s Walk Spring has finally sprung and with the long-awaited longer days and lighter evenings ahead comes the new Botanist’s Walk fabric collection from Liberty, bringing the promise of summertime that much closer too. From its roses and daisies to geraniums and bell flowers, blooming in bright bouquets and sunlit meadows, the floral collection has been created in a beautiful, blush colour palette that evokes summer days in the country. Incorporating original, hand-painted and archival designs, including Botanist’s Sketch, Joy Meadow and Joanne’s Bouquet, the Botanist’s Walk collection is traditionally screen-printed onto Lasenby cotton, a base specifically developed for quilting and craft projects. Take your pick of these botanical prints for your next sewing project and enjoy the splendour of the season in all its glory, all year round. www.libertyfabric.com/botanists-walk/…

BEHIND THE QUILT MAGICAL MINDFULNESS “Dear reader, I am a fabric and quilt-aholic! I feel okay about this because I know if you are reading this, we have something in common (or we soon will have once you read on). I can’t help myself when the incredible Festival of Quilts opens in Birmingham in the UK. Whether I visit for the entire four days or a single day trip, I go with my shopping bag. Whether I drive or fly decides the quantity of haul I return with. “At last year’s show I bought the most beautiful collection of thirty fabrics from Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork, Australia. This treasure of 10in x 12in pieces travelled all the way from Australia, via Festival of Quilts back home with me to…