Jo’s patterns have been featured in magazines and workshops. She is one that loves to look beyond the quilt sometimes and designs patterns for sewing machine pin cushions, pillows and bags. (my kind of designer!)
Her patterns do have a modern twist as well, and her color combinations are fun. You can even quilt along with her online with one of her quilt alongs.
You’ll really enjoy the pattern this month and getting to know her better.

Here’s a bit more about Jo:

Hi I’m Jo Westfoot, the owner of The Crafty Nomad. I love to sew and quilt and generally ‘make stuff’! On my website you will find free tutorials, patterns for sale and my blog which catalogues my sewing and crafting journey!

I spent three and a half years (Jan 2014-July 2017) teaching sewing classes locally. Then from July 2017 I moved away from teaching to focus on quilting and patterns. I now only teach the occasional workshop.

A little bit about the company name. Why ‘The Crafty Nomad’? My family and I lived overseas for about ten years in a few different countries. And it was whilst living abroad that my love for crafting and sewing flourished, thanks to some crafty friends! I started blogging whilst away so the name seemed a good fit. Although now back in my native land (England) I decided to keep the name, and also use it as the business name as it describes my crafting journey well.

About the project for the quilt group: 

I decided to develop my Cracker Star block a little more and make it into a table runner. By adding some extra border blocks to the original block a fun secondary pattern became apparent which I love! I’ve made it using Wayside fabric designed by fellow Brit, Karen Lewis. I don’t normally sew in monochrome as I’m a rainbow fabric lover but the metallic accents drew me in and I love the subtle look it has.

Cracker Star Table Runner

Materials:

3/4 yard background fabric

1/2 yard main feature fabric

1/2 yard accent/binding fabric

and a yard for the back

Download the Pattern: login to access

The Night Sky Mystery Quilt Block

I started off with a traditional star block, but after playing with it for a while I came up with something else I liked.

The inner white zigzag part of it it started to resemble a British Christmas Cracker hence why I called it the Cracker Star Block. It’s here that I feel I must explain the name!

I’m British, but I realized that most members of the IAQ might be American, so I did a little search to find out what you guys across the pond call your Christmas Crackers, and it turns out you don’t have them!

It’s not a tradition shared by our countries! Wow I couldn’t believe that!

So in my post I’ll explain a little more about what they are in case you don’t know!

Grab the quilt block here: login to access

~ Enjoy her interview ~

How did you get your start in sewing?

I started sewing at school, but quickly gave it up when more interesting things like boys came along! Picked it back up when my daughter was a toddler (she is 15 now!). Not long after that I found quilting. I’ve been teaching sewing and quilting now for about 8 years. I write patterns for various magazines: Love Patchwork & Quilting; Quilt Now; and Make Modern.

What inspires you?

Do you have a favorite notion?

What’s coming up for you that we can check out~

I’m super excited to share that I have a pattern in the 2020 Quilter’s Planner. It’s called the Modern Rainbow Sampler.

Quirky or fun fact about yourself?

Where can you find her?

Blog

Shop

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