**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

The Fat Quarter Shop are celebrating National Sewing & Quilting month with a fun blog tour and I was happy to take up the challenge and answer a few questions!

I decided to make myself a laptop bag from the fantastic book Quilting on the Go by Jessica Alexandrakis. I challenged myself by changing the English Paper Pieced shapes to 60° diamonds and squares, which Jessica used so beautifully in her Tanuki stripe throw, and adding magnetic closures. I have never used magnetic snaps before, it was super easy thanks to this noodlehead tutorial, but I did have to wrangle with turning the lining through to install them rather than adding buttons at the end as per the pattern!


The book shows you how to easily make a laptop case based on the measurements of your laptop and mine fits perfectly.


I used Cotton and Steel scraps to make the case and hand quilted it using #8 perle thread in simple straight lines.


I also decided to add some detail to the flap by stitching some pluses, inspired by Rachael from Blue Mountain Daisy and her beautiful stitches.


This was #10 on my FAL list (though I'm not going in numerical order unfortunately!!).


I spend most evenings (and nap times) quilting and I always feel happy and satisfied when I've been able to have time to sew. The Fat Quarter Shop created this banner for me, it's my nod to the famous Goonies* 'it's our time' speech - quilting is my time; to relax, create and do what I love and get excited about the possibilities.


How did you start quilting/sewing?

I started quilting just before I started this blog, encouraged by my cousin and my Aunty. I remember doing some blackwork embroidery when I was young and using a sewing machine at school. I love trying new techniques and currently hand quilting, hand piecing, EPP and cross stitch are my favourite. I like the slower pace and have a couple of hand sewing projects lined up to take me through the winter!

When was the first time you knew that you were a quilter/sewer?

 I think after I had made a few quilts and wasn't about to stop!

 Do you have any sewing/quilting horror stories or faux pas?

 I am constantly making mistakes but none of them too horrific and honestly I don't care if I mess up, it helps me learn. I do know I have to stop when I'm tired, too often I sew things back to front, upside down or just wrong!

What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in sewing/quilting?

I think it helps to have someone teach you in person, a friend or a class. There's so many amazing bloggers that post tutorials and tips that you can learn from. It's important to sew things you love, using fabric and combinations that make you happy, and don't worry about getting it 'right', play and enjoy!



The Fat Quarter Shop have released a super cute 'Color My Heart' quilt pattern that you can download for free here.

Hop around and see more of the 'I Love Quilting and Sewing Blog Tour':

Shruti of 13 Woodhouse Road 

Sherri of A Quilting Life



Charise of Charise Creates

Lucy of Charm About You - you are here!



Rachel of Family Ever After

Anne Marie of Generation X Quilters

Marni of Haberdashery Fun

Melissa of Happy Quilting


Elizabeth of In the Boon Docks

Jana of Jana Machado

Lynne of Lily's Quilts

Maureen of Made by Marzipan

Barb and Mary of Me and My Sister Designs

Melanie of I Heart Stitching

Kaye of Miss Print


Natalia of Piece N' Quilt

Denise of Pieced Brain

Stephanie of Quarter Incher

Jane of Quilt Jane

Heather and Megan of Quilt Story

Cheryl of Quilter Chic

Michele of Quilting Gallery

Allison of Quilting Mumma


Leslie of Seasoned Homemaker


Liz of Sew4Home


Sara of Sew Sweetness

Leanne of She Can Quilt

Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts


Tonya of The Crafty Mummy



Erin of Why Not Sew?


Here in the UK it is National Cupcake Week and although I've not done any baking I do have a sweet treat for you!


The Fat Quarter Shop is kindly giving away this Splash Cotton + Steel Basics Fat Quarter Bundle to one of you! I chose this bundle because obviously I've been working with the lovely Cotton and Steel fabrics and love them. The basics are totally beautiful, that metallic print on the top is one of my favourites, and this bundle has gorgeous colours from the minty greens through to navy blue.

*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED*

There are 3 chances to enter the giveaway but I MUST have a way of contacting you, so please leave your email address if you've not commented here and had an email in reply before (I will stop the no reply drama!!)

1. Leave a comment, say anything or tell me how you would like to challenge yourself in your crafting.

2. Follow my blog and leave a separate comment - the subscribe / follow buttons are on the right somewhere up there! (optional entry)

3. Share this giveaway on social media and leave another comment telling me how you shared. (optional entry)

The giveaway is open until Monday 22nd September at around 8pm (BST). The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here on the blog.


Good Luck!


* I am overly excited at the prospect of the Goonies sequel. Never say die.