Guest Designer // Helen of Bustle and Sews
Helen is the guest designer for this month in the Quilt-Group. I’m totally excited to introduce her. She is one talented gal who is an artist along with her quilting. The pattern she is sharing -Bee Sweet- is only available to members. Join here if you’d like to have access to it + more projects than you have time. Join now!
A little bit about her:
My name’s Helen and I live in the beautiful countryside of Somerset, England, in a little stone cottage on the edge of the village. I have been stitching for more years than I can remember. I come from a long line of skilled needlewomen and I made my first (rather wonky!) stitches under my mum’s gentle guidance nearly half a century ago!!
Feel free to listen to her interview (it’s not the same as what’s below!)
Helen and I have been in touch for a couple of years and I was so excited to have her on the guest designer list for the quilt group this year! At one time I had contributed to her magazine and am featured this month in the issue! So honored to be there again!
Her expertise in stitching is overwhelming….in a good way. She knows how to use that needle and thread like no other. Her patterns are a delight and mix of stitchery and embroidery with a plushie tossed in there as well. I remember the first quilt she did!
Anyways- grab a little cup of something yummy or a few pieces of chocolate and enjoy our chat– she is a delight!
Enjoy!
How did you get your start in sewing?
I’ve been sewing since I was very young indeed, making my first wonky stitches under the gentle guidance of my grandmother and mum. I used to love stitching dresses for my collection of softies, and also tried out needlepoint, knitting and crochet. My first love is and always will be I think, hand embroidery.
What inspires you?
The world around me, the changing seasons, special days out – and loads more too – I’m never quite sure where inspiration will strike!
Do you have a favorite notion?
I think the single notion that’s changed my stitching life is the discovery of Sulky Sticky Fabri Solvy as a method of transferring embroidery designs to fabric. It is printable and dissolves away easily once you’re done.
Quirky Fun little thing about yourself:
Hmmm …. that’s a tough one – not sure I’m a very quirky person. Though I do own a very quirky dog, Miss Daisy the clumsiest Newfoundland that ever there was and her 200 lb big brother Ben!
What’s coming up that we can look forward to?
So much is always happening at Bustle & Sew! I’m in the middle of putting together a new collection of Faux Taxidermy Animal Heads that will be published later this year, am learning needle felting and as always busy designing for our monthly Bustle & Sew Magazine – all this as well as fitting in grandma duties with my little baby grandson who was born last Christmas.
Where can you find her?
Woodland Alphabet Quilt
this pattern is only available to members of the quilt-group. Sign up here for access!
About the project:
For me, quilting is all about surface decoration rather than the actual piecing (I’m actually not very good at that – far too inaccurate!). This little quilt was designed for a friend’s child and uses my favourite raw edge applique technique for quick and effective results.
All your favourite woodland friends brought together in this fresh modern quilt design featuring easy applique techniques. This project is that hardest-to-find thing a make that’s suitable for boys as well as girls!
Finished quilt measures 34 x 48 approx after washing.
Materials Needed:
Twelve 10″ x 8″ rectangles of white cotton fabric
Lots of fabric scraps for applique and for joining together to make sashing.
Pink felt
Stranded cotton floss in gold, black and pink
Bondaweb ½ yard border fabric
40″ x 54″ batting
40″ x 54″ backing fabric
Invisible thread
Ready to have access to all exclusive patterns for members only? Guest designers, block of the months, swaps, challenges and more. Join here to become a member of the Quilt-Group and have full access to everything!
Looking for a quilting community?
Join Patchworkers Plus for live sewing events, a pattern library, accountability, and a group of friends who truly get it!
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
Follow me here: Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube
Leave a Reply