Search Results

Project by Angela Harkness Give an old basket a new lease of life with a simple fabric liner with ribbon ties...perfect for an Easter basket for an egg hunt, or use in your kitchen to store your eggs! Supplies: 1 Fat quarter of Flowers and Dreams Peter Rabbit fabric Ribbon Basket Directions Step 1: Measure your basket: · Diameter of basket base · Diameter of basket top · Depth of basket top rim · Height of basket Add 0.5” seam allowance onto measurements Step 2: Work out the dimensions needed for fabric piece: · Diameter of basket base > what is the circumference? That will give the measurement of the bottom of the fabric · Diameter of basket top > what is the circumference? That will give the measurement of the top of the fabric · Add on the extra measurement for the turnover of the fabric on the top of the basket Step 3: Cut out the fabric pieces according to the measurements for your basket: one piece for the main liner, one piece for the base of the fabric liner Step 4: With right sides together, stitch the side seam in place using 0.25” seam allowance. Cut out a little notch in the seam allowance at the pivot point of the seam, then open out the seam and press well. Step 5: Cut out the fabric pieces according to the measurements for the base of the fabric liner. Press well, then carefully fold in half, then in half again and gently press a fold line in place. This will make inserting the base much easier. Step 6: Fold the main fabric piece in half and then in half again to mark the quarter points around the base. Match up the quarter points together and hold in place with a pin. Gently ease the fabric in each quarter, matching up the fabric edges and holding in place with pins. This part takes a little time as sewing a curved edge to a straight edge isn’t always easy! Stitch the seam using a 0.25” seam allowance, removing the pins as you go. Carefully open out the seam and check your stitching, making sure there are no puckers. Once happy, neaten the raw edges with either a zigzag stitch or an overcast stitch. Step 7: Fold the liner in half and cut out a small triangle or ‘V’ on each side for the basket handle placement. Make sure the side seam is in the centre, rather than at the sides where the handles are. Step 8: Fold over the raw edges on the top of the basket liner, including the handle positions and topstitch. Step 9: Cut four ribbon ties and stitch in place at the handle positions. Step 10: Press the liner well, carefully drop into the basket, aligning the liner with the handle placement of the basket. Secure each of the ribbon ties with a bow then the basket is ready to use. To see more from Angela, visit her on Instagram @angerellas_crafts Made by Angela Harkness for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Sarah Holliman at SJStitchery Create a beautiful Kissing Bunnies Quilted cushion and toys in time for Easter. These would make a lovely gift during the Spring season. You will need: Fat quarter Selection Pack Half metre of backing fabric for the cushion Cushion filler measuring 50x50cm Quilt batting of your choice Small piece of iron on interfacing for the bunny templates Rotary cutter and Ruler Pins/Thread/Needle METHOD 1. Lay out your selection of fabrics you would like to use for your quilted cushion front. 2. You will be starting in the middle of the design, using 2 different squares of fabric, so choose a combination you would like to use. 3. Using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut 4 squares measuring 5.5 inches, (these will become 5 inch squares when sewn together). Cut 2 squares of each colour, so that you have 4 central squares in total. 4. Choose a pair of squares and with right sides together, stitch along one edge with 0.25 seam allowance. Press seam flat with an iron. 5. Repeat with the other 2 squares. 6. Sew all four squares together, making sure all the corner points of your patch meet in the centre. 7. Press seams flat with an iron. You now have a four patch. 8. For the next part of the cushion you are going to add some strips to your design. Decide which fabric you are going to use and cut 4 strips of fabric 14 inches long by 1and 3/4 inches wide. 9. With right sides together, and using 0.25 seam allowance, sew the strips to all four sides of the four patch. 10. Press seams flat with an iron. 11. For the outer border of the cushion, use the rotary cutter to cut 24 2.5 inch squares (cut at 3 inches as this includes the 0.25 seam allowances). If you are using a repeating pattern, make sure you cut enough of each colourway. 12. When you have cut all your 2.5 inch squares, sew all of the pieces together in strips, using 0.25 seam allowance throughout. You should have two strips of 6 squares and 2 strips of 7 squares. 13. Press seams flat with an iron. 14. When you have all four strips, pin them right sides together onto the cushion front and sew into place. 15. Your quilted front pattern is now complete. 16. Cut a piece of quilt batting roughly the same size as the cushion. Smooth the panel over the top of the batting and baste into place. 17. Quilt the batting as you desire. You could hand quilt or just add a minimal amount of machine quilting to add extra definition to your cushion. 18. To add the Kissing Bunny pattern to the front of the cushion, cut out a template of a rabbit. Use this to cut out a design in fabric. You can add some interfacing to your design at this point to give the fabric some stability. 19. Stitch or iron the bunny templates into place. You can machine stitch or I have chosen to hand stitch my design onto the cushion. 20. Make an envelope back for your cushion. 21. For my 50x50cm cushion, I cut 2 pieces of fabric for the back, measuring 50x35 cm each. 22. Sew a narrow hem along the flap edges. 23. Take your cushion front and batting and place your cushion backing, right side facing onto the cushion front, on the top. 24. Pin into place and sew around all four edges of the cushion. 25. Turn the cushion inside out through the envelope back and make sure all the cushion corners are neatly turned out. 26. Press with an iron 27. Add the cushion inner to finish your cushion. Happy Easter! To see more from Sarah, visit her on Instagram @sjstitchery Made by Sarah Holliman for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Michelle Roberts at Creative Blonde Follow this tutorial to make your own Easter Egg Table Runner using these beautiful pastel FQ packs from Craft Cotton Co. This table runner will make a colourful impact to your table, ready for Easter celebrations! Please read through all the instructions before starting your project Finished size 13 ½” x 32 ½” (seam allowance 1/4” and has been added to measurements) Materials A selection of 8 FQs in pastel shades from Craft Cotton Co 32” x 10” piece of ‘Essentials Daisy white’ fabric FQ Vlieseline Interfacing 36” x 12” piece of Vlieseline Thermolam Haberdashery items Quilters ruler, rotary cutter/scissors Iron Cutting mat Basic sewing supplies Fabric pen Odif 505 temporary adhesive spray Easter Egg template - click here to download Making the Easter Eggs Lets get sewing… Begin by printing 5 copies of the easter egg template. Cut 24 strips 3” x 7” from the pastel fabrics (6 for each egg) Take one print out and cut around the inner edge of the egg. Place the first strip right side up, on the reverse of the template, overlap the first line by ¼”. Flip over and sew along the drawn line, through the paper and fabric. Place the second strip in the same place, but lay it right side down. Press over and repeat process with the third piece – see photos below Excess fabric can be trimmed, but be careful not to cut through the template Keep adding strips, till your egg is complete, and looks like the photo below Trace 4 eggs onto the interfacing using the outer line of the egg template. Remove paper and fuse to interfacing. Using the same template cut out around the outer edge, lay over you FPP (foundation paper pieced) egg and draw round it. Cut out. Repeat process to make 4 eggs in total. Take the solid white fabric piece, and baste your eggs in place. FMQ (free motion quilt) around each egg, twice. Create the surround but cutting two 32” x 2 ½” strips* and two 10” x 2 ½” *join two strips (19” long) together to create the length, by placing RST and sewing along the diagonal – shown in photo below Join the two shorter pieces first, press seams open. Sew the remaining two strips and press seams open. Create the backing, by cutting various widths of fabric from your pastel FQ packs, all 12” long. Join them together till you reach 36”. Press seams open. Baste to Vlieseline Thermolam. Quilt using your preferred method, trim excess and bind. Your table runner is complete. To see more of my tutorials or to place an order, you can head over my website www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/michelle_creativeblonde and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66 Stockist for Fabric www.visagetextiles.com https://www.facebook.com/craftcottonco Stockist for Wadding www.vlieseline.com Created by Michelle Roberts for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Lets Get Sewing One of my favourite things about making your own clothes is the ability to transfer different design features onto any kind of garment. This can be anything from an exposed zip to gathers, all of which help the final outcome feel a bit more interesting. The idea of a ruched neckline is a detail that I've wanted to try for a while. I've enjoyed making several ruched tops before but with the gathering going the entire way down the top and, having noticed this done several different ways on ready to wear clothes, I chose to reuse the same technique but to achieve a different look. Ruching the fabric was actually fairly easy to do. I used a piece of 1/4" wide elastic which I held stretched out on the wrong side of the fabric and sewed down the middle of. When you let go, the elastic goes back to its original length creating this gathering effect. It's quite fun to do and surprisingly simple to achieve. Because the elastic that I used was narrow I can't really feel it either which is good. Whilst achieving the gathers was fairly easy, planning the shape of the neckline was less so. Before adding the elastic I cut the neckline of my top into a v shape. I then hemmed the neckline to create a neat finish which would be tricky to do once the elastic had been added. The main thing I struggled with was knowing how long to make the elastic. It's meant to be a neckline detail so I didn't want it coming down too low, but at the same time it stretches a surprising amount so doesn't need to be cut very long. In the end I think I actually cut it a little bit too short and an extra inch of gathers might have looked better, but it's a small mistake. My only other regret with this top is that the neckline has ended up feeling a little narrow. Once again, in order to avoid it coming down too low or being too wide I actually went in the opposite direction and made it too high and narrow. It's hard to judge what will happen to the size of the neckline once the elastic has been added, so bare in mind that the shape will change due to the gathers. I used a cotton jersey from Craft Cotton Co to make this top, which is a fabric I'd definitely recommend for adding details like ruching. Cotton jersey isn't too heavy weight so it gathers nicely, but is also stable to sew with so inserting the elastic remained nice and simple. I think this would work really well on a cotton fabric too and would probably be even easier to sew as the fabric would be more stable. I think adding in the gathered neckline gives a nice balance between adding detail to an otherwise basic t-shirt shape but also leaving plenty of room for a printed fabric like this one. To see more from Anna, visit her on Instagram @letsgetsewing1 Made by Lets Get Sewing for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Michelle Roberts at Creative Blonde Follow this tutorial, to make your special Mother’s Day flower embroidery hoop, perfect for Mother’s Day, or simple change the wording for a special birthday occasion. Fabrics available from Craft Cotton Co, and all good crafting stores. Please read through all the instructions before starting your project Finished size; 6 ½” circle, plus hanging hoop Materials Scraps of ‘Brights’ fabric from Craft Cotton Co (Fifteen 2 ½” squares for the flower petals plus three 2 ½” green squares for the leaves) 12” square of solid white fabric 6 ½” Embroidery Hoop DMC embroidery floss – Variegated colour 4514 3 x ½” wooden buttons Gutermann threads 20” of ¼” silver ribbon Thread gloss Haberdashery items · Quilter’s ruler, rotary cutter/scissors · Iron · Cutting mat · Basic sewing supplies · Fabric pen · Clover Kanzashi Flower maker · Template for lettering - click here to download Lets get sewing… Take your 12” square of white fabric, and draw a 5” circle using a fabric pen in the centre. (Use a pen which can be removed later, as this is just for placement of flowers and writing). Using the clover flower maker, take your 2 ½” square, folding it in half to make a triangle and place it inside the flower maker, trim away excess fabric, and sew from point 1 to point 8. Unclip the flower maker, but do not cut the thread, add another piece of fabric into the flower maker and repeat the process, until you have 5 petals. Secure the flower by pulling the petals tight, and sewing a few stitches of the first and last petal together to hold in place. Repeat this process to make 3 flowers. To make the leaves, use the same process, but make a one petal pattern and a two petal pattern. Begin securing the flowers in place on your white square of fabric, I also sewed a couple of stitches under each petal, to help secure them in place. Add a cute wooden button to the centre of each flower. Add the leaves in place, by tucking the raw edges under a flower petal and sew to secure. Using the template, trace the letters onto the white fabric, following the curve. Use two strands of embroidery floss, I recommend using theads gloss from Threadjoy, not only do they smell divine and invoke feelings of wellbeing, but they stops your threads getting tangled. Use a simple back stitch to complete your embroidered letters. Place your work inside the embroidery hoop. Sew a large running stitch about ½” from the hoop all the way round, starting and finished at the bottom. Trim excess fabric (about ½” from running stitches). Pull the two threads and secure with a knot. Add the hanging ribbon and bow* to complete your Mother’s day hoop. *create a bow by cutting 6” from the length of ribbon, and tie into a bow, glue or sew in place. To see more of my tutorials, you can follow my blog www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/michelle_creativeblonde and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66 Stockist for Fabric www.facebook.com/craftcottonco/ www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ Stockist for Clover tools and Trimits Embroidery hoop and wooden buttons www.facebook.com/GrovesLtd www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ Thread Joy Thread gloss www.etsy.com/uk/shop/THREADJOYthreadgloss By Michelle Roberts for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Nicola Hills I have done several Drawstring type tutorials, this is done in the same way apart from placing the different fabrics, ALL of which I wanted to use! My little twin boy cousins ADORE the Gruffalo stories and so when The Craft Cotton Co revealed these fabrics I was EXCITED to work with them! You will need: A pack of Fat Quarters 1/2 Metre of Lining Fabric Drawstring Cord/ Ribbon Wadding Tools: Sewing machine Basic sewing kit Applique paper Bodkin or Saftey Pin Iron How To: After ironing each of the Fat Quarters I cut out 2 of each of the sections shown above for the front and back of the bag. Then I arranged them into a kind of patchwork design (this enabled me to include each of the fabrics) before piecing together. All the seams were created using a 1/4” allowance Once all the pieces are sewn together iron the seams flat then place R/S up on top of the wadding, clip or pin to secure (Repeat for the back piece) I quilted a simple wide diagonal pattern across the whole front and back sections Sew 2 x smaller oblong pieces R/S together leaving a 2”gap. Snip diagonally across the corners to reduce bulk and turn right side out. Iron. Choose a different fabric to personalise with an initial. Draw the initial onto appliqué paper , iron it onto the W/S of you fabric. *TopTip make sure you draw the initial the correct way for when the paper is ironed onto the back of the fabric Cut your initial out and peel the backing paper off, place onto the front of the pocket, iron. Sew round. Open out both pieces and iron the seam flat. Now R/S to R/S again place the lining together and main fabrics together making sure you match the middle seams and pin round to secure Sew around the bag where I have drawn stitch lines above with a 1/4” seam allowance. *Make sure you leave the gaps. I usually leave a 1” channel by measuring down 1” from the centre either side of the bag, and a 3” gap to pull the bag through. When you have sewn together, turn R/S out through the gap, press out seams and iron flat. Top stitch 1/4” down from the top. Now where you left the channel for the drawstring you will need to sew round above and below the 1” to hold the drawstring in place (see black solid lines) I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial, if you have a go, please share with us @bobbincottagebodkin @craftcottonco Nicola Hills x Made by Nicola Hills for The Craft Cotton Co 2021

Project by Jo Gleeson Create a bouquet of fabric flowers that will last forever. What you will need: · Fabric for flower head · Green felt or fabric for leaf · Stuffing · Ruler / tape measure · Needle and thread /sewing machine · Scissors / rotary cutter and mat · Sticks / straws / dowelling for stems · Vase / jug or ribbon to tie together 1) Cut a rectangle 6 inches x 4 inches / 15cm x 10cm. This will make your flower head. 2) Fold down and press ¼ inch from top edge. 3) Fold in half with right sides facing. Stitch down the side, making a tube shape. 4) Using a strong thread, stitch all the way around the bottom edge to gather. 5) Whilst still inside out, Insert your stem. Gather and secure with stitches. You could also use glue. Flip back on itself to make a cup. 6) Stuff with toy stuffing till firm. Push down to reveal folded edge. 7) Knot a length of thread. Stitch to four points and draw together. 8) Secure together with several stitches. 9) Finish off flower bead with a small bead. 10) Using green felt 8 inches by 3 inches or cut 2x leaf shapes stitching together with right sides facing, remember to leave a gap for turning. 11) Secure leaf to stem using a matching thread. These look beautiful in a small bunch either tied with a ribbon or displayed in a vase. Quick to make and bring so many smiles! Enjoy xx To see more from Jo, visit her on Instagram @jesterquilt Made by Jo Gleeson for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Creative Blonde Please read through all the instructions before starting your project Approx. Finished size 40” x 40” (seam allowance ¼”) Materials 1 metre Frog print fabric 1 metre of pale green fabric 1 metre of cream/white fabric ½ metre of lime textured blenders fabric FQ Candy pink textured blenders fabric FQ Pale pink FQ Vlieseline Bondaweb 42” x 42” Vlieseline Cotton batting Threads from Gutermann Haberdashery items · Quilters ruler, rotary cutter/scissors · Iron · Cutting mat · Basic sewing supplies · Frixtion fabric pen · Odif 505 basting spray or pins Making the frogs… Print the frog templates, and transfer onto the paper side of the Vlieseline Bondaweb, you will need two of each design. Download template here Roughly cut out and fuse to the wrong side of the Lime fabric. Cut out. Transfer eyes, pupils, and tummy onto the Bondaweb using the same method, and fuse to the corresponding fabrics. (you will require 4 of each) Fuse to the main frogs Lets get sewing… Cut four 10 ½” squares from the cream/white fabric. Cut five 10 ½” squares from the frog print fabric. Join the squares alternately, beginning with the frog print fabric, make 3 rows of 3 squares. From the Candy pink fabric cut; two 30 ½” x 2” strips and two 34” x 2” strips (If you are using a FQ, join the strips together using the method shown below – Press joining seams open) Join the candy strips to the top and bottom of the main quilt, trim away any excess. Add the remaining candy strips to either side, trim excess. From the pale green fabric, cut; two 34” x 4” strips and two 40” x 4” strips. Add to the main the quilt using the same method as the candy pink strips. Fuse the two ‘whole’ frogs to the centre of the left and right-hand white squares. Position the remaining frog peeking in from the left and right-hand side of the top and bottom white fabric Backing Create the backing by cutting the following. 42” x 22” Pale green fabric 42” x 11” frog print fabric pieces 42” x 11” lime green fabric See photo below to see placement Using Odif 505 spray, sandwich the Vlieseline wadding between the top and back quilt Quilt using your preferred method. Trim excess wadding and fabric, by cutting the pale green strips on the top quilt to measure 3 ½”. Cut 1 ½” strips from the lime green fabric to create binding. Join to your quilt using your preferred method. Using Gutermann top stitch thread in grey, add details to your frogs, using a backstitch. (neck, mouth, eye divide and nose) To complete your quilt, use FMQ to secure your frog appliques, using a pale cream or green thread. To see more of my tutorials, you can follow my blog www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/michelle_creativeblonde and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66 Stockist for Fabric www.visagetextiles.com https://www.facebook.com/craftcottonco Stockist for Gutermann https://www.guetermann.com/en www.facebook.com/Guetermann.creativ.uk Stockist for Vlieseline Batting and Bondaweb www.vlieseline.com/en/ www.facebook.com/VlieselineFreudenbergUK Made by Michelle Roberts for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Michelle Roberts at Creative Blonde Follow this tutorial, to make your own Flower Power quilt with matching cushion cover to create a gorgeous gift for Mother's Day that will last forever. Please read through all the instructions before starting your project Finished size of quilt 36 ½” x 48”. Cushion 18” square. Materials 2 FQ’s Pack of ‘Brights’ from Craft Cotton Co 2 yards of solid white 2.2 yards of ‘tone on tone’ backing fabric plus cushion 5x strips of Freezer paper, 18” long 8” x 12” piece of Vlieseline Bondaweb 48” x 50” cotton Poly Heritage batting Threads from Gutermann 18” cushion pad Haberdashery items · Quilters ruler, rotary cutter/scissors · Iron · Cutting mat · Basic sewing supplies · Fabric pen · Odif 505 basting spray or pins · Petal, centres, and leaf template · ‘Creative Grids’ round up tool ruler (optional) Click here to download template Making the Cushion… If freezer paper applique is a new technique for you, I would advise making the cushion first, before tackling the quilt. From the 2.2 yards of tone-on-tone fabric cut. · 48” x 50” piece for the quilt backing · 18” square for the cushion front · Two 18” x 12” pieces for the cushion backing **Freezer paper applique technique ** Print and cut out the petal template or using the ruler (10” curve), cut a petal from 6 different pieces of ‘Brights’ fabrics. Using the freezer paper template cut out 6 petals. If you are using the ruler, cut one side of the curve, rotate, and move ruler 3/8” over to create a smaller petal. Pin freezer paper to the wrong side of the fabric, with waxy side facing up. Turn and press seam allowance over using the tip of a small iron, the freezer paper with fuse to the fabric. (No need to snip into the curve) Repeat for all 6 petals. See my video on Instagram/Facebook https://www.instagram.com/p/CLt8kF_Jukh/ https://fb.watch/3-66uy_Gnd/ Lets get sewing… Take the 18” square and fold into quarter to mark the centre. Open up and fuse petals in place with iron. Petals can be hand sewn in place or use a stem stitch on your machine using a thread to match. (DO NOT REMOVE THE PAPERS YET). Tuck points in as you go. Remove freezer papers by making a small slit in the wrong side of the fabric. Using the templates, trace and cut out one flower centre and one leaf onto the paper side of the Bondaweb. Cut out roughly and fuse to chosen fabrics. Carefully cut out. Peel away paper and fuse to cushion cover. FMQ around both applique pieces. To create the envelope backing. Take the 18” x 12” piece, and fold and press over ½” of one 18” raw edges, fold and press over another ½”. Top stitch 1/8” from edge. Repeat with other 18” x 12” piece. Lay front of cushion facing up, then place the two backing pieces overlapping each other – right sides facing down. Be sure to lay the raw edges towards the outer edge. Pin and sew ½” around the whole cushion. Snip corners turn and press. Add cushion pad. Making the quilt… Using the same process as above, but this time cut 6 petals from each chosen piece of fabric, repeat to create 9 flowers, making a total of 54 petals. Cut 54 freezer paper pieces and fuse together using the same method shown in the video. Trim the 2-yard piece of solid white fabric to measure 48” x 50”. Pin the flowers in place, chose 3 flowers to halve to give an effect of a repeating pattern, as shown below, leaving a 1” raw edge around the whole quilt. Go ahead and sew all the flowers in place, using the process shown above for the cushion. Remove freezer papers. Using the leaf template, trace 14 leaves onto the paper side of the bondaweb. Fuse to dark green fabric. Carefully cut out each leaf and fuse to quilt. Repeat this process for the 9 yellow flower centres. FMQ around all applique. With the top quilt complete, baste the wadding and backing pieces to create your quilt sandwich. Quilt using your preferred method. Trim quilt to measure 36 ½” x 48”. Binding… Using a FQ cut 10 strips measuring 1 ½” x 22”. Join each end together (join at a right angle with RST, sew along the diagonal, trim away excess) to create a piece long enough to go around the whole quilt. Sew with RST ¼” from raw edge around the whole quilt. Press over ¼” of raw edge and hand sew to the reverse of the quilt to finish. Your ‘Flower Power’ quilt is complete To see more of my tutorials, you can follow my blog www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.co.uk/michelle_creativeblonde and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66 Stockist for Fabric and Batting www.visagetextiles.com https://www.facebook.com/craftcottonco Stockist for Gutermann https://www.guetermann.com/en https://www.facebook.com/Guetermann.creativ.uk Stockist for Vlieseline Bondaweb www.vlieseline.com/en/ www.facebook.com/VlieselineFreudenbergUK Made by Michelle Roberts for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Gill Rich Lap Quilts are ideal in the cold winter months to cosy up with on the sofa. They’re not too big but big enough to keep you warm. Why not give this one a go, it’s fairly easy to do and you can make it in no time. I find it's best to use fabrics that aren’t too fussy as you will lose the impact. Approximate size 32” x 50” You will need the following to complete your quilt:- ● Two bundles of fat quarters with five different fabrics. I chose Ditsy Blender from the Craft Cotton Co ● Cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter. ● Coordinating thread, I used Gutterman Thread in light grey ● Backing fabric, 1.5m ● Wadding. I used Heritage Premium Quilt Wadding mid-weight by the Craft Cotton Co. Firstly you need to cut your fabrics as follows:- From your five fabrics, you need to cut 56 rectangles measuring 8.5” x 4.5”. You then need to cut 7 of them in half so that they measure 4.25” x 4.5”. Choose one of your fabrics to be the focal fabric, the one that lies in a diagonal line across the quilt, I chose the pink one. The basic pattern of this quilt is like building a brick wall. Starting at the top, layout your pieces, you need four full pieces for this row. Taking your “focal” fabric, this needs to be the second full piece on the left and place your other fabrics, one to the left and two to the right. The next row is three full pieces and two halves. Place your “focal” fabric so that half of it is underneath the one on the top row and then place two pieces to the left and one piece to the right. Continue in this manner until your “focal” fabric is at the left hand end. You will also need to place one on the same row but at the far right and fill in the two pieces in between. Carry on again until you have completed 14 rows. If you aren’t happy when you have placed all your fabrics down, you can move them about until you are happy with it. Now to sew them together. Starting at with the top row, stitch the pieces together using ¼” seam allowance. Press your seams open, or by your preferred method. Taking each row, sew all the pieces together and press the seams. Once you have completed all the rows, you now need to sew your rows together using ¼” seam allowance. Again press your seams open. Once all the pieces have been stitched together, give your quilt top a good press and square off. Take your backing fabric and place it on a flat surface wrong side up. Next place your wadding on top and finally your quilt top right side up. Pin in place using lots of pins to stop your “sandwich” from moving when stitching. Now to quilt your lap quilt. I chose to “stitch in the ditch”. I used a thread which would co-ordinate with all the fabric, a light grey.. I started in the middle and worked towards the ends. Once you have done the long rows, you will need to do all the short ones in between. Once you have finished quilting, square off your quilt sandwich so that all the edges are even. You are now ready to finish it off. To finish off your quilt, you will need to bind the edges. I chose to bind the edges in the black fabric. Cut strips of your chosen fabric 1.5” wide. I joined two pieces together to do the shorter edges and 3 pieces for the longer edges. Sew to the front of the quilt. Fold over ¼” of the raw edge and hand stitch to the back of the quilt. Your quilt is now complete. I hope you enjoyed making this quilt. Please follow me on Instagram @designbygill66 or Facebook at Design by Gill. Made by Gill Rich for The Craft Cotton Company 2021

Project by Katie Done If you watched the Great British Sewing Bee celebrity Christmas special, you will be aware that anyone can make a pair of pyjama bottoms. I drafted this simple pattern from an existing pair of pyjama trousers so you can apply this to any size you want, young and old. The latest licensed collection from The Craft Cotton Company is with Thomas and Friends, it is the perfect fabric to make some pyjama bottoms for my little boy. The fabric is 100% cotton, with no stretch so it is easy to work with. YOU WILL NEED · Cotton fabric (amount depends on the size you are making) · Dressmakers chalk · Scissors · Sewing machine · 1" wide elastic · Safety Pin · White t-shirt · Pins · Bondaweb · Iron and Ironing board METHOD PYJAMA BOTTOMS 1. The first thing you need to do is get a pair of trousers or pyjamas that you want to take a pattern from. I used some that George has grown out of although they are ok around the waist, I added some length to them. Fold your fabric in half vertically and lay your trousers on top. Smooth them out as much as possible. Draw around your trousers with a 1/2" seam allowance. Allow an extra 1.5" on the top edge and 1" on the bottom. Square off the pattern around the elastic. The elastic is shorter than the waistband so you need room for it to stretch. 2. Cut out your pattern and then use it as a template to make another 2. You will need four identical pieces in total. 3. Place two pieces right sides together and sew up the straight edge. Repeat on the other leg and you will have two that look like this. 4. With right sides together place both legs together and sew them up along the short curved edge, the crotch, on each side. Finish your seams as you go. I have used the overlocker but you can use a zig zag stitch, or whatever your preferred finish is. 5. Sew up the inside legs, matching up the crotch seam. Finish your raw edges. 6. Turn up the leg hems by half an inch, press, turn them up by another half inch, press again and sew. Repeat on both legs. 7. Turn and press the waist by half an inch, and then an inch (or whatever width elastic you are using). Top stitch it down as close to the edge as can to create the channel for your elastic. Ensure your elastic will fit through. Leave a 2" opening to insert the elastic. To work out the length of elastic you need, measure the waist of who it is for. I have done mine an inch smaller than this measurement. When sewn together it will be around 2" shorter and will gather just enough to stay up. You may want to adjust this depending on the stretch of the elastic you are using. 8. Attach a safety pin to one end of your elastic to make it easier to thread. Hold onto the other end so you don't lose it. Sew the two ends of the elastic together securely, ensuring it hasn't twisted in the process. Adjust the gathers to make sure they are nice and even. Sew the opening closed. PYJAMA TOP Making a buttoned up pyjama top can look a little daunting, so if you want a top to match that is super easy, this method is great. You just need a plain t-shirt to start with and can customise it with some fabric offcuts from the trousers. 1. Decide what fabric you are going to use and work around what you have left. I had some with the white background too, so I have done a circle in the white and a blue G in the centre. I have done a blue A on its own onto a babygrow for Alfie. 2. Draw whatever design you want onto some Bondaweb, but remember it needs to be back to front when you draw onto the paper side. It may be easier to draw your design on paper in a thick marker so you can see it through the back of the paper and then trace over it. Bondaweb is a sewing room essential. I use it all the time, the one I used is from Bosal. it is basically double sided tape for sewing. One side is glue, the other is paper. Once you have stuck it to the back of whatever you are appliqueing, you can then stick it to your main project. 3. Cut around the design roughly and iron it onto the wrong side of your fabric. Check the instructions of the brand you are using but generally start on a low temperature with no steam and work your way up if you need to. 4. Peel the backing off and put it into position. I have layered up, so I am doing the G before sewing it onto the t-shirt. 5. Use the stitch of your choice to stitch your design into place. I have gone with a very close together zig zag stitch in blue for the G and then in white for the circle. Now your t-shirt is finished! George loves them and they are the first back on when they have been washed. He has now challenged me to make some more. To see more from Katie, follow her on Instagram @thefabricsquirrel Made by Katie Done for The Craft Cotton Co 2021

Project by Katie Done at The Fabric Squirrel This card idea is a great way of using up all those little bits of fabrics that are too small for anything but can’t bring yourself to throw a way. Here I show you how to create some pretty cards with and without a sewing machine that will hopefully inspire you to give it a go. For one I have used my Cricut but, if you don't have one there are ways around it. NO SEW OPTION YOU WILL NEED Fabric scraps Glue stick Scissors Paper or card Cricut (optional) METHOD The no sew option is a great option if you are doing this with kids. I got George involved in helping me with this one. 1. For this I have used my Cricut to make the card shapes. I have done a simple heart which you could cut out yourself without a Cricut and I have done one with a smaller heart and the word Nanny. You can buy cards with cut outs in them already or use scissors or a scalpel blade to create your own designs. 2. With a piece of paper or card that is just slightly smaller than the front of your card, add some glue. I have found a glue stick works best. PVA glue can make the paper wrinkly. Grab your scraps and stick them down. You might want to cut them down into smaller sizes first. Now just keep adding them until you have filled your paper. 3. When your paper is filled and looking beautiful, add some glue to the inside of the card and press your square into the space. It is as simple as that! SEWING METHOD YOU WILL NEED Fabric scraps Fusible interfacing Sewing machine Irons and ironing board Scissors Card METHOD 1. Get a piece of interfacing. I have used Bosal fusible cotton interfacing. It doesn't need to be big so if you have offcuts, work around what you have. Gather up your scraps and place them right way up on the shiny side of the interfacing. You may want to cut them down a little. Arrange them until you are happy, trying not to overlap too much and avoiding gaps. 2. When it is filled, give it a spray of water, place a cloth or scrap of fabric over the top (to avoid glue on your iron in case there are any gaps). Iron in place depending on the instructions of the interfacing you are using. I have used a medium heat and held it for 10-20 seconds. 3. Now you need to sew it all together. I have put the free motion foot on my machine and have sewn across all the fabric randomly. Make sure you catch all the pieces in the stitches so it will need to be quite close together. If you don't have a free motion foot you can do some wavy or straight lines, or whatever you fancy trying out. 4. On the back of the fabric draw some shapes to cut out. I have drawn some hearts and then cut them out. 5. Arrange them on the card, top stitch them in place using a long stitch on your machine. I have left it as simple as that, but you can get creative and create different shapes, letters, petals and layer them up to make something really pretty. If you are inspired and give it a go, I would love to hear from you! To see more from Katie, visit her on Instagram @thefabricsquirrel Made by Katie Done for The Craft Cotton Company 2021