Tip-toe through the Tulips

Last summer I shared my Tulips from Amsterdam project with you and I mentioned how adaptable row quilts could be: each row can make a lovely, quick project like a runner or bolster cushion. Well, my Tilda supplier Groves & Banks sent me some sample fabric from Tilda's keenly awaited Gardenlife collection - which will be in your favourite quilt shop in May - and I immediately knew what I wanted to create with it: Tulips!!

You can make a bunch or a field-full

We have Camellias and Azaleas blooming in the garden, daffodils bobbing in the March breezes and bulbs appearing in the borders, so Gardenlife is very well timed and is reflecting the clear, vibrant colours outside my window.

Precuts of Gardenlife are available in the full collection, a whole rainbow of Tilda's trademark soft colours, but there are also smaller colour-themed bundles. I chose the greens and a mustard & pink bundle to create my tulips and mixed them with a blue-sky background. I used the Moda Bella in French blue that I happened to have to hand, which is a good match for Tilda's Solid Basics in cornflower blue.

I soon had a lovely bunch of tulips to arrange

And some spring sunshine to sew in

Groves also sent me some of Tilda's new Chambray Basics to play with. I've always been a bit nervous about sewing with wovens as they're prone to fraying, and have preferred cotton printed with a linen texture. But I was pleasantly surprised by the chambray: it's a lighter weight than quilting cotton, with a close weave - so a little like lawn really - and I didn't have any issues with fraying. Oh dear, I'll have to buy some more...

My cerise pink chambray windmill!

I'm hand quilting my runner with a pale aqua Gutermann waxed thread (7918), which is a lovely shade to use with richer colours (a tip passed on by my longarm quilter, Jayne).

If you'd like to make your own Tulip Fields Runner I'd encourage you to subscribe to my Newsletter before the May edition goes out on the 3rd *giant wink*. Or maybe you're encouraged to make the Tulips From Amsterdam quilt? I'll be releasing the pattern in May.

I'm looking forward to hand quilting my runner over the next few weeks, possibly - dare I say it - outside as the days get warmer. And having used an old stroopwafel tin from our 2019 Amsterdam trip to arrange a posy for my photo shoot, I had an overwhelming urge to find some more. I'm happy to report that you can buy them online ;-) You're welcome!

Nicola xx