Good morning! A very warm welcome to CakeStand Quilts for day four of the #KeepCalmBritHop. If this is your first time visiting, I'm Nicola and I have been running my online pattern shop for nearly 5 years, in fact it's 'our' birthday in June...and there will definitely be cake.
Spell it with Moda, made in spring 2016...
Before I tell you a bit about myself I want to thank my lovely friend and fellow designer Jo Westfoot @thecraftynomadfleet for organising this brilliant blog hop. Whether you have a houseful and are struggling to carve out some time for yourself, or are home alone missing sewing with friends, I hope we can provide you with some inspiration and/or be a welcome distraction during this time of physical isolation.
Auriculas...
I live in Shropshire, in an old house on the edge of a village surrounded by fields and it’s a pretty idyllic spot to be spending the next few weeks with my husband, boys and Buddy the dog. I’m definitely counting my blessings. The view out of my window can be rather distracting, but it's endlessly inspiring: flowers, birds and country cottages often feature in my work.
spring in the garden...
As well as selling Quilt Patterns, Books and Kits, I regularly contribute projects to Today's Quilter - I'm excited to have my project on the cover this month! - and share tutorials on the Moda Bakeshop website. This spring I've been busy making some projects for TQ's sister magazine, Love Patchwork & Quilting, and working behind the scenes on my second block of the month programme - launching this June - with my good friend Andrea at The Willow Cottage Quilt Company. I‘m also an active member of my local quilt guild, the Shropshire Quilters.
The quilt below, Jolly Brollies, was my first pattern and has since been joined by over fifty more. I adore scrappy quilts and love using precuts, but I‘ve also designed patterns that use Fat Quarters and cut lengths of fabric. So, something for everyone really!
Jolly Brollies...
If you enjoy customising your quilts then I have just the thing: my Petit Four series of patterns. You can make enough for a quilt or use any of the blocks individually to make smaller projects, so you can find something that suits you perfectly!
the Sailing By sampler...
My Petit Four books, selected blocks and kits can be found here or you can access ALL of the patterns as instantly downloadable PDF patterns here (click on Petit Fours Patterns).
my hand-quilted Spellbound sampler...
I’m a devoted hand quilter and find it incredibly relaxing - you can find all my favourite tips here - although I couldn’t meet my magazine deadlines without the help of my talented long arm quilter, Jayne.
Jayne quilted my latest Today's Quilter project, Paradise Found...
If you are brand new to quilting and looking for beginner-friendly patterns, one of my free Moda Bakeshop projects would be a great place to start. You can download PDF copies here (click on Moda Bakeshop Projects).
some of my Moda Bakeshop projects...
For the last few years I have also participated in some Bakeshop sewalongs - like the Spell it with Moda sewalong - and you can find the links to those posts by clicking on Tutorials in my blog menu.
And if something tickles your fancy in the shop please use the code KEEPCALM to claim a 20% discount on your purchase, valid until Easter Bank Holiday Monday (13th April 2020).
binding the Kitchen Garden quilt...
We still have ten more stops to go on our blog hop. Here's a reminder of the schedule:-
Saturday, 28th March: Jo Westfoot | The Crafty Nomad
Sunday, 29th March: Amy Ball | Coffee Rings Studio
Monday, 30th March: Jo Hendy | Villavin Crafts & Retreats
Tuesday, 31st March: Me | Here
Wednesday, 1st April: Rachel Concannon | Rachel's Textiles Studio
Thursday, 2nd April: Lou Orth | Lou Orth Designs
Friday, 3rd April: Sonia Spence | Fabric & Flowers
Saturday, 4th April: Fi | Pins & Needles Grayshott
Sunday, 5th April: Sarah Ashford | Sarah Ashford Studio
Monday, 6th April: Abigail | Cut&Alter
Tuesday, 7th April: Karen Lewis | Karen Lewis Textiles
Wednesday, 8th April: Joanna Kent | Crafty Quilter
Thursday, 9th April: Jo Avery | Jo Avery Stitch
Friday, 10th April: Round Up Post | The Crafty Nomad
I hope they’ll continue to brighten your days at home. If you'd like to keep in touch, sign up for my seasonal newsletter or you can often - too often - find me on Instagram. Do pop by for a chat. I love a chat!
Until then take care,
Nicola xx