Narvi Quilt

 Its about time I introduced you to my latest quilt pattern... the Narvi Quilt! 

Its a nice and easy to make strip quilt. I made mine using pre cut layer cake pieces but it would be a fabulous scrap buster. 

To get this pattern simply go to the extras on my 'buy me a coffee page', link here!

Crafty lil mouse x

#sewapillowinaweekend

 After chatting with a friend on Instagram recently, she challenged me to make a cushion in a day! Thinking about it, I am fairly quick at sewing cushions (or if your not in the UK a pillow), but I still didn't think I could manage to make a it from start to finish in one day. I figured we might as well find out though, so I took on the challenge.

That is how #sewapillowinaweekend challenge was born! 

For the challenge, I decided I would choose the pattern before making. For me that was an old blog tutorial, so I knew exactly what I was doing and didn't have to keep checking the pattern. I only timed the actual making time too. I didn't include any time getting out supplies or putting them away or general life stuff (eg eating, resting or IG scrolling etc). 

I managed to sew my cushion in around 8 hours, although it was over 3 days (mostly due to my health conditions and needing to rest so much). I definitely think it would be possible for someone to make one in a day but more realistically a weekend. It was really interesting to see how quick, when really trying to finish quickly, I could manage it. I was also surprised by how quick or slowly I did certain parts of the making process too. Throughout the weekend I shared my progress and times in my IG stories. I have saved these to a highlight if you fancy taking a look. I think I might try this challenge again some time too.

I would love to see other people do this challenge, so if you fancy it, please share using the #sewapillowinaweekend and tag me. 

For reference I made an 18" square cushion, using this blog tutorial. A zip cushion back, using this blog tutorial. With machine quilting and binding (using this tutorial) that was hand stitched to finish. 

Mx

Bestla Quilt- pattern testers parade!

 These are the quilts made by my fabulous pattern testers...

Hi, I'm Abbie and I live in Yorkshire, UK. My sister Stacey got me into sewing a few years ago as a productive use of my downtime whilst renovating my house, (I think she may have had ulterior motives, as in house pattern tester and fabric enabler though!) I only finished my first quilt last year but, as with many serial quilt starters, I already had a few on the go and cant see any signs of me stopping soon. 

I just love playing with mixes of fabrics and patterns and the Bestla is so versatile it was hard to settle on just one. I opted for a mix of Kaffe Fassett prints with a Dashwood pop solid this time, but I'm sure it wont be my last Bestla! This is my biggest quilt so far, but it came together really quickly with the help of the lovely Cath @cumbrianlongarmer to quilt it. I'm super happy with how well its all come together and the pattern, prints and colours all pop. If you like it too and want to see more, follow me @patching_up on Instagram. 

Hello, I'm Tessa and I'm currently residing Washington State. I've been sewing since I was 10, but I started quilting when my husband deployed and I needed something else to help keep my mind busy. Since my first quilt, I haven't looked back!

I really enjoyed the Bestla Quilt Pattern because it challenged me to use directional fabrics. I usually hesitate when using directional fabrics, but Stacey wrote the pattern with them in mind so I went for it - And I'm so glad I did because the outcome was amazing! You are able to really have fun with fabric choices and their placement and you can even use some of your large print fabrics - always a bonus! There are so many options to truly customize your Bestla quilt top and Stacey walks you through each of the steps with ease. And you can make a bed size quilt in less time than you would think!

I used some pink, purple, and white solids from my ever growing, never shrinking, fabric stash and paired those with a Riley Blake print from Damask Love called Triangles. I love how it turned out. My Bestla quilt will be a gift for my cousin who starts college soon. It will be hard to part with, but that just means I'll get to make another one!

I'm always sewing or quilting something fun, so follow me to see what I'm working on next! You can find me @TessaJayQuilts on Instagram.

Hi, my name is Kelly. I’m a wife, mom, and teacher in Washington State, USA. While I’ve been sewing since middle school, I started quilting in 2020. I had so much fun making Stacey’s Bestla Quilt! The pattern was clearly written and came together quickly. It’s straightforward enough for quilters of all levels but makes a big impact. The big main star section is perfect for featuring those special prints. I used Just Kitten Around by Monika Forsberg and some Kona solids. You can find me @keep_it_together.quilts on Instagram.

Hi I'm Lolly from Birmingham, UK. I've only been quilting for about 3 or 4 years now. I still consider myself new to quilting but becoming more and more confident in my quilting skills. This is my second test quilt for Crafty Lil Mouse!  

I had so much fun stitching the Bestla pattern together mainly due to choosing a nice simple colour palette from my stash! It's a great pattern for a stash buster! It was such a quick fun make in the baby quilt size!

The fabrics used are from Tula Pink, Rashida Coleman-Hale and Sarah Watts fabrics! I think the tones of fabrics really worked well together and it turned out so great I am so pleased!

I’m Coral, A contemporary quilter from South Wales, UK.  I made my first quilt over 10 years ago and have been hooked ever since.  I think it’s safe to say that my stitching skills have come a long way since that first quilt, but I still cherish that first quilt and the time that went into making it.

See Coral's other makes on her instagram @valley.view.quiltco

Bestla Quilt

 I can't quite believe it, but it is time to release my 4th quilt pattern into the world. I think I might be the most excited about this one too!

The design is so versatile that I really struggled to pick my favourites to include on the inspiration page in the pattern. You can also see some of these on the Instagram reel I created for the release.

The main bonus of the pattern, and the whole reason it exists, is that there is a large star to feature the larger print fabrics. It always seems such a shame that there aren’t more quilt patterns to showcase the bigger prints. It also helps to speed up the making process with less piecing and larger blocks. The pattern is written with directional prints in mind, as all my patterns are, and you can use yardage, fat quarters or scraps to create your quilt. 

You can buy the pdf pattern on my Etsy store now, so you can start making your own. Don't forget to share your quilt and use #bestlaquilt and tag me @craftylilmouse so I can see them!

Mx

Adventureland Quilt

 

Here is my spring time Adventureland quilt. 

I chose to make a throw size as a gift for a relatives big birthday. I found some beautiful fabric for the back and built a fabric pull, all in these soft pastels to coordinate.

The pattern is by suzy quilts and you can buy the pattern from her website. She was hosting a sew along on Instagram and I couldn't resist joining in. It is a really easy to follow pattern and quick to sew. I found trimming it square a little difficult but it was ok in the end. Since I did the throw size, it was a little bit harder to quilt on my machine but I picked straight lines with my walking foot, to give me the best chance of doing a nice job of quilting.  I have added all the fabrics names I could and the Aurifil thread colours I used, if you are interested. I'm quite happy with how it turned out and I am excited to send it as a special gift.

Mx 

Fabrics Used:

Moda Apricot & Ash corey yonder of coriander quilts (peach floral)

Roadside flowers Stoffabrics (blue floral)

Windham fabrics 'knit n purl' by Whistler studios (green)

Sevenberry (lilac spot)

Dashwood twist (peach colour)

Spiced garden by Maryjane corey of hollyhill quilt (green check)

Camelot fabric (lilac)

Honey bunny by sleeping bears press for Michael Miller (blue)

Moda Apricot & Ash (peach gingham)

Riley Blake blossom by Tattooed quilter (lilac blossom)

Windham fabrics Botany by Kelly Ventura (floral backing)

Aurifil threads: 2021 pieceing & 4093 quilting

Ersa Quilt Pattern- Testers parade

 Hi I'm Lolly from Birmingham, UK. I've only been quilting for about 3 or 4 years now with only 4 quilt finishes under my belt (and 3 in progress haha). I still consider myself new to quilting but becoming more and more confident in my quilting skills so I signed up for being a tester for this pattern! 

I had so much fun stitching the Esra pattern together mainly due to the rainbow that it created and the rainbow of scraps it created also when trimming the blocks! 

It was such a quick fun make in the baby quilt size!

The solid fabrics used are from Libs Elliott Phosphor collections and the background fabric Is Zoltar White from Libs Elliott Beguiled collection with the rainbow details on the print, from far away it judt appears white but up close you can see the details which adds to the solids!

Hi, I'm Rebecca from Ireland. I learnt to sew mostly from internet classes and videos and started to quilt in 2018, now I just can't stop!

Find me @spinningwheelquilts on Instagram.

Here in the quiet mountains of North Carolina, quilting has kept me company over the last couple years. I see everyday no matter what with my fur babies at my feet.

Testing the Ersa quilt was such a treat! The pattern and instructions were so easy to follow, it went together very quickly. I decided to go outside my comfort zone with Tula Pink solids in bright colors and am so happy with the results! I definitely will be making this again and the color choices are endless. Thank you for allowing me to test for you!!

Lisa Visel

@mountainviewquilts

Www.mtnviewquilts.com

Hi, I'm Kerry - a quilter, longarm quilter and fabric rescuer living in Kent. I'm also a wife to a long suffering carrier of fabric bolts and pawrent to Snoopy a 6 month old miniature sausage dog and Ronnie a 2 year old tabby cat.

I've been making quilts for almost 11 years now and in my 3rd year of being a longarm quilter. I help to run the Great British Quilter Instagram account, am the current website editor for Region 2 of The Quilters Guild, am a proud Pfaff brand ambassador and product tester for Groves, I love to talk about quilting and share my passion to anyone who wants to listen so I'm very grateful to have these wonderful platforms. I recently launched my new website, a very steep learning curve but an achievement I'm proud of, you can sign up to my newsletter Diagnosis Quilter - written by a quilter for quilters and find out more about my workshops, talks and trunk shows. 

I made my version of the Ersa Quilt using a range of rainbow scraps and created an ombre effect with the background going from black to white, from some of my favourite designers/collections including Alison Glass, Helen Steele, Ruby Star Society, Moda and Sarah Ashford.

Website: www.thatssewkerry.com

I’m Nicky, contemporary quilter from Essex, UK. I’ve been quilting for 6 years, my first quilts were made for my twin niece and nephew! I love using bright and bold fabrics and creating things that make a statement! When Stacey asked me to pattern test for her I knew I wanted to create a bold rainbow 🌈 so I used my hoarded Libs Elliott that I had been saving for the right project and the Ersa quilt was just that! Being a EPP lover, I’m pushing myself to make more machine pieced quilts, the Ersa pattern is so beautifully well written that it’s perfect even for a beginner or a non confident machine sewer like me.

Hi, I'm Kelly and live in the UK in the south west. I enjoy sewing in my free time and definitely have a bit of a fabric addiction. I loved testing this quilt pattern. It came together really quick and looks so effective. The instructions are fantastic and great for all skill levels. I used my stash of Libs Elliot fabric that I have had for a while I didn’t know what I would use them for but when I saw Stacey’s pattern I knew straight away it would go perfectly. It created a really pretty rainbow version of the Ersa Quilt. I made the lap size and plan to quilt it myself, on my domestic machine. I cannot wait to make this pattern again and use my endless stash to create more!!

Hi, I'm Aislan Hoffman. I really enjoyed testing this pattern. It came out great and was rather quick to put together. I'm @aislanhoffman on Instagram.

I Hope you like all the testers quilts, I do! If you would like to make your own, you can buy the pattern from my Etsy store here.

Mx

Eris quilt pattern

 

I recently made my Ersa Quilt pattern (available to buy on Etsy). I used some Alison Glass fabrics but didn't have a large piece for the quilt backing. Instead I decided to make a patchwork back using the left overs. When my sister saw it, she thought it was another quilt top, so I have decided to share it as a free quilt pattern for you.

You can save the picture above and print as a full page to colour or just open on your device to see measurements. You can easily change the size of this quilt too. For example if you want your quilt 6" longer just make the 12 1/2" to 13 1/2" instead. 

 Here is a full view of my Eris flimsy before I quilted and trimmed it. 

I hope you like the Eris quilt pattern and make one, I cant wait to see it if you do, please share it on Instagram using #erisquilt and #craftylilmousepatterns so I don't miss them.

Mx