Category Archives: quilting

New Pattern :: Striped Easter Egg a foundation paper piecing pattern

Perhaps a little on the late side, but here’s my latest Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern,
‘Striped Easter Egg’

In our house we don’t go all out on the decoration front when it comes to Easter. I have a few precious hand painted eggs I bought in Prague a few years ago and the girls have some Easter bits and pieces they like to play with. I did however fancy a little Easter decoration for my studio. I am so pleased that the days are getting longer, so I thought it would be nice to add to the cheer with some brighter, fresher colours around the studio!

It’s a relatively simple pattern but there are a few small pieces at the top and bottom of the egg. Take your time and you’ll be fine!

There are three stripes on the egg so you can pick and choose from your stash, use just two colours or go for three, the choice is yours!

The ‘Striped Easter Egg’ Foundation Paper Piecing pattern makes an 8″ block. I turned my 8″ block into a mini quilt that I’ve hung on the door to my studio (I promise I have bound it, but just haven’t had a chance to take a picture yet!)

The pdf pattern is presented over 6 pages, 2 of which are the pattern pieces. It features a full colour image of the design, a colouring diagram, a diagram on how to assemble your block as well as tips on how to print your pattern correctly first time around.

All of the pattern pieces have been drafted digitally and I’ve included a 1/4″ seam allowance around each of the sections to make things as easy as possible for you.

Here’s a flavour of what the pages are like…

Share Your Makes

Use #stripedeasteregg when you’re uploading pictures of your work on social media so we can all see your great work.

You can also join Little Black Duck :: In the Sewing Room on facebook and share your pictures there, or ask questions if you are stuck!

Where to Buy

If you would like to buy a copy of the ‘Striped Easter Egg’ FPP pdf pattern you can get a copy from my Etsy store or my Craftsy store for around £3.50-£4.

I hope you love my Striped Easter Egg pattern and enjoy making one of your own!

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New Pattern :: Facets of the Heart a foundation paper piecing pattern

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I’m so pleased to announce the launch of my newest Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern,
‘Facets of the Heart’

I was looking around for a heart fpp pattern but couldn’t find one that was nicely rounded and took my fancy, so I got to work on designing a pattern of my own! I’ve come up with a design that is indeed nicely rounded and allows you to play with colour.

I’ve made my heart in a rainbow of colours, but I think it would also look great in several shades of the same colour, or in just two colours. What do you think?

The ‘Facets of the Heart’ Foundation Paper Piecing pattern makes a 10″ block. The sample I made up was transformed into a mini quilt that is currently hanging up in my studio, trying to cheer up gloomy days.

There aren’t any really tiny pieces so I would recommend this pattern to those who are at an intermediate or confident beginner level when it comes to paper piecing. The trickiest part is planning your colours and getting them in the right order!

The pdf pattern is presented over 7 pages, 3 of which are the pattern pieces. It features a full colour image of the design, a colouring diagram, a diagram on how to assemble your block as well as tips on how to print your pattern correctly first time around.

All of the pattern pieces have been drafted digitally and have been reversed so that you can more accurately plan and sew up your colours in the right order. I’ve also included a 1/4″ seam allowance around each of the sections to make things as easy as possible for you.

Here’s a flavour of what the pages are like…

Use #facetsoftheheart when you’re uploading pictures of your work on social media so we can all see your great work.

You can also join Little Black Duck :: In the Sewing Room on facebook and share your pictures there, or ask questions if you are stuck!

If you would like to buy a copy of the ‘Facets of the Heart’ FPP pdf pattern you can get a copy from my shop, my Etsy store or Craftsy for around £3.50-£4.

I hope you love my Facets of the Heart pattern and enjoy making one of your own!

Feature :: Scrappy Brick Quilt with Tree Applique for Quilt Now issue 31

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Over the Summer of 2016 I spent time making and designing a scrappy quilt for Quilt Now magazine.

I had a set of Fat Eighths from the Garden Secrets range (by Sarah Watson for Cloud 9) to work with and the brief was to create a scrappy quilt in a cot or lap size.

It is such a great range of prints, with my favourite being this one with the little dashes:

I went for a brick design with a tree design appliqued over the top. Initially I went for a large Hare, but I just wasn’t feeling it….it wasn’t quite me.

After I had attached the tree to the backing using a blind hem stitch I took a deep breath and went for it with some free motion quilting. As always with FMQ, it took much longer than expected! I am however really pleased with how it turned out. The stitch length is not terribly even, but you only notice if you are looking too closely!

I did some tree bark effect on the trunk and branches and some meandering leaves for the rest of the tree.

Hope you like it!

The quilt is now back home from the photography studio (must get a copy of the picture they took) and is keeping me warm on the sofa on these chilly nights!

The pattern and instructions for my Scrappy Brick Quilt with Tree Applique can be found in issue 31 of Quilt Now magazine

New Pattern :: Kingfisher Foundation Paper Pieced Pattern

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The Kingfisher bird is so beautiful and their colours can be just so stunning. Just imagine how lovely this fellow will look as a wall hanging or incorporated into a quilt. It would also look great on a cushion/pillow cover.

This Kingfisher Foundation Paper Piecing pattern makes a 10″ block. The sample I made up I turned into a mini quilt that is currently hanging on my sewing room door.

There are a few small pieces so I would recommend this pattern to people with intermediate or advance paper piecing skills.

The pdf pattern is presented over 8 pages, 4 of which are the pattern pieces. It features a full colour image of the design, a colouring diagram, a diagram on how to assemble your block as well as tips on how to print your pattern correctly first time around.

Here’s a little sneaky peek at what the pages look like…

All of the pattern pieces have been reversed for you so that you make a Kingfisher that faces to the right. I have also made sure that all of the section pattern pieces are clearly marked and I have included a 1/4″ seam allowance around the outside edges to make life as easy as possible!

Use #kingfisherfpp when you’re uploading pictures of your work on social media so we can all see your great work.

You can also join Little Black Duck :: In the Sewing Room on facebook and share your pictures there, or ask questions if you are stuck!

If if you would like to buy a copy of the Kingfisher FPP pdf pattern you can get a copy from my shop, my Etsy store or Craftsy for around £4.

I hope you love my kingfisher pattern and enjoy making him

Autumnal Wreath Mini Quilt

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I’ve had in my head for a while a design for an English Paper Pieced wreath design. As Autumn is here (although it’s almost over, looking at the state of the trees in the garden) I was inspired to make my first version in Autumnal colours.

I was all ready to pop out to the shops to buy some lovely new fabric when I stopped myself and decided to check the stash. I’m glad I did, look what I found!

An autumnal pull from the stash (the yellow isn't that vivid, promise) #quilting #quiltersofinstagram #epp#autumn #ivegottoomuchontobestartinganotherproject

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on Oct 23, 2016 at 11:06am PDT

Not so good for my local quilting shop, but lucky for my pocket!

I had in my head that I wanted a very light olive green background, but in the end it looked so much nicer on a pale/beige background. Not my usual choice, but really does the job.

The back however was a different story. I really wanted a good strong autumnal colour so here’s what I chose…

It’s such a lovely rich orange, very pumkin like don’t you think? Makes me think of roast dinners and hearty soup.

Straight line quilting was the order of the day. I did contemplate going for some FMQ but the leaves are falling off the trees so fast now and I wanted to get it finished tout de suite!

Hope you like it and are inspired to make your own. Anyone out there want a printable for the EPP template?

UK Quilters United Mini Quilt Swap 2016 :: What I Received

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So the UK Quilters United* Mini Swap has come to an end and I think that everyone has now received their mini quilts (although I hear at least one has gone missing in the post, what a nightmare!).

Here’s what I received from the rather clever Joe Bennison…..

I've received mini as part of the UKQU mini swap @joe_bennison is one clever lady 😍 #ukquswap #ukqu #miniquilt #quilting #quiltersofinstagram

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on Oct 19, 2016 at 5:32am PDT

A fabulous mini quilt and rather generously, a whole host of extra goodies!

I really love it, it’s right up my street! I love the simple, yet interesting design and the colours are just so bright and fabulous.

Most impressive of all is the quilting that Joe has done. Lots and lots of little circles…..all seemingly perfectly round.

*UKQU is a great (closed) facebook group where we show off our work and ask for advice. Come and join in 🙂

UK Quilters United Mini Swap 2016 :: What I Made

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Taking part in the UK Quilters United Mini Swap this year was great fun. I’d not done anything like this before but despite having a lot on my plate I thought I would sign up and give it a go.

I shared a few snaps of my work in progress on my instagram account, but thought I would share them and a few others with you here.

The basic pattern I used for this mini quilt was based on the Confetti Cushion Tutorial by Jemima Flendt at Tied with a Ribbon.

It’s such a pretty design isn’t it? I swapped the design around and used the colour/print in the middle of each little block and put the plain grey solid on the outside edges.

I made up a total of 36 little blocks and played with some different layouts. I took pictures of them all to help me decide which one to go with. I can’t tell you how many times I looked at them all together…I kept changing my mind as to which one to go with. I swear, even now I keep choosing a new favourite!

I’m always pleasantly surprised how the same set of blocks can create so many different effects. I eventually made my mind up and here’s my finished design that I sent off to my swap partner…

I even hand stitched the label on the back

Label for my UKQU mini swap was embroidered in the car on the way up to Harrogate last night. Off out to Remnant House for some binding fabric 😀 #ukquswap #ukquminiswap #quilting #quiltersofinstagram #embroideryhoop #embroidery #backstitch #yellow #grey #gray #quiltlabel #handstitching

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on Oct 8, 2016 at 1:55am PDT

My swap partner seemed to like her mini quilt, or at least she said she did….hope she wasn’t fibbing!

Mini Quilt Swap :: wip

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The deadline for the UK Quilters United mini quilt swap is fast looming. Thankfully I have made a start, but I am a long way from being finished.

I have had a good rummage through the stash and have pleasantly surprised myself with what I found. Hopefully just right for my swap partner.

I'm taking part in a mini quilt swap, but i have so much on my plate at the moment I am only just pulling together fabric choices! Deadlines are looming….eep! #ukminiswap2016 #ukqu #quiltersofinstagram #quilting #miniquilt #rainbowpalette #brights

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on Sep 20, 2016 at 2:16pm PDT

I have also made a start at piecing the top of the mini and have made up 36 little blocks.

Have been working some more on my mini quilt swap project. I keep playing with different layouts and i just can't decide! #analysisparalysis #ukqu #ukquminiswap #ukquswap #teamjuju #quilting #quiltersofinstagram #miniquilt #brights

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on Sep 23, 2016 at 12:02am PDT

I have tried out seven different layouts with these little blocks and I just can’t decide which version to go with! Each time I decide to sleep on it and end up choosing a new favourite.

Mini Quilt Swap

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I have a lot on my plate at the moment. The children are off school for the summer and my mum will soon be visiting from Australia. However I seem to have joined myself up to a Mini Quilt Swap. I must be mad!

I never used to see the point of mini quilts but I was given a copy of Whip Up Mini Quilts. There are so many cute designs.

Mini Quilts are a brilliant way of practicing new skills without having to commit to a whole quilt. They also allow you to use up scraps, or just the smallest piece of your most precious fabrics.

Loving my new #miniquilt. Perfect for hanging on my studio door. Pattern by @quietplay #geometricsewingmachine #sewingmachine #fpp #foundationpaperpiecing #paperpiecing #quietplaypatterns #quietplay

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:21am PDT

This sewing machine mini is currently hanging from my workroom door. I was desperate to make this in rainbow colours but I didn’t quite have what I needed in my stash and I obviously needed to get started straight away (you know, as you do when you get a bee in your bonnet!). In the end I am so glad I chose the colours I did.

Rain, rain, go away! What is with this weather? Bright sunshine 🌞, heavy showers 💧and icy wind ❄ #miniquilt all finished! #paperpiecing #springflingmini

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on May 19, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

I really love foundation Paper Piecing and mini quilts are a great way of trying out fun designs that you may not want to incorporate into a quilt. This one also hangs on my workroom door from time to time.

#miniquilt workshop now available! ✂ let me know if you'd like to learn some basic #patchwork and #quilting skills ✂

A post shared by Little Black Duck (@victoriapeat) on May 6, 2015 at 7:12am PDT

This little quilt was actually made for my daughter’s dolls and I use it to teach students basic patchwork techniques. Dolly doesn’t mind too much!

So, for the Mini Quilt Swap I have been allocated a swap partner along with some of her likes and dislikes. I’ve made a few plans as to what I’m going to make. I now just need to find myself some inspiration. I was hoping that this amazing Mini Quilt Flickr group would provide me with some ideas….unfortunately there are just too many ideas!

I wonder what my partner will make for me?

Feature :: Portholes and Pinwheels Circular Quilt for Quilt Now

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I am super, super excited. I have my first ever feature in Quilt Now Magazine!

This Portholes and Pinwheels mini circular quilt/table mat features some reverse applique and some foundation paper piecing, along with lots of circular quilting!

The idea for the pieced portholes has been floating around in my head for such a very long time, and it was so great to see them come to life, especially in (if I don’t say so myself) such an exciting way.

Originally I set out to make a single sized quilt but as I mulled things over in my head the design evolved and I ended up with a circular design.

The team at Quilt Now styled and took the fabulous picture above. They did a really great job, don’t you think?

This is certainly not a beginner project as there’s some small segments on the small pinwheels. If you are relatively new to paper piecing, don’t be totally put off, once you have the basics of FPP you should be fine. Try starting out on the largest pinwheel and work your way to the smallest pinwheel!

If you are reading this post after issue 25 of Quilt Now has come off sale, you can get a back copy from More Mags. The download for the pattern pieces can be found on the Quilt Now website.