top of page

IMG_7647 80%.jpg

CUT&ALTER

LONGARM QUILTING SERVICES AND EDUCATION

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

I am passionate about quilting in all its forms and would love to help you on your journey.

Whether that is when you start out making your first quilt, learning different techniques to achieve the desired result or helping you finish quilts by quilting them for you or teaching you to quilt them yourself!

NOVEMBER 2025 - CUSTOMER ORDER BOOK OPEN AGAIN!!

LONGARM QUILTING SERVICES

LEARN TO QUILT

COMING SOON

TALKS AND WORKSHOPS

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

Batch sewing this evening ….

And making notes of all the settings so I can replicate it later 👏

#cutandalterstudio #janomemakes #janome9480 #handmadeinhunscote #creativestudio #quiltngstudio #sewingstudio #quiltbinding #batchsewing

Batch sewing this evening ….

And making notes of all the settings so I can replicate it later 👏

#cutandalterstudio #janomemakes #janome9480 #handmadeinhunscote #creativestudio #quiltngstudio #sewingstudio #quiltbinding #batchsewing

Playtime today - stitching out the Noel alphabet from A Bit Orange ❤️

Testing various starts and stops and still reverting to the good old knot and bury - it gives the cleanest finish, especially with strong contrast between solid red fabric and light 40wt thread, but it does take the most time …

Hope to get some more quilting time tomorrow 🤞

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilter #cutandalterstudio #prostitcherpremium #handiquilteramara #quilting

Playtime today - stitching out the Noel alphabet from A Bit Orange ❤️

Testing various starts and stops and still reverting to the good old knot and bury - it gives the cleanest finish, especially with strong contrast between solid red fabric and light 40wt thread, but it does take the most time …

Hope to get some more quilting time tomorrow 🤞

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilter #cutandalterstudio #prostitcherpremium #handiquilteramara #quilting

After chatting with @mattwilding in August, I was happy to pattern test his new bag pattern #tessellatedheartbag ❤️

Well it was certainly challenging! The proof reading was the easiest bit for me but it was great to learn new techniques and make my first 3D quilted bag.

I’m not a natural pattern follower but I filled each and every step in this pattern and I am so happy with the final result.

It gave my new @janomeuk 9480 a thorough workout and it passed with flying colours.

Head over to Matt’s page to learn more and to see where and when he’s teaching this as a workshop

#quiltedbag #janomemakes #cutandalterstudio #patterntester #mattwildingquiltdesignstudio #grungefabric #challengeyourself

After chatting with @mattwilding in August, I was happy to pattern test his new bag pattern #tessellatedheartbag ❤️

Well it was certainly challenging! The proof reading was the easiest bit for me but it was great to learn new techniques and make my first 3D quilted bag.

I’m not a natural pattern follower but I filled each and every step in this pattern and I am so happy with the final result.

It gave my new @janomeuk 9480 a thorough workout and it passed with flying colours.

Head over to Matt’s page to learn more and to see where and when he’s teaching this as a workshop

#quiltedbag #janomemakes #cutandalterstudio #patterntester #mattwildingquiltdesignstudio #grungefabric #challengeyourself

Today has mostly been spent at the computer doing computery things ….. aka updating website and finally starting to get digital designs, both designed and bought, into some kind of order.

Several USB sticks over the years, a desktop crashing, various quilting and designing locations and not a lot of time meant this job never got to the top of my list.

I lost everything on one of the USB sticks today when it decided to just not be read, after being read just fine earlier, hey ho ….

What I did manage to find with the help of @abitorange was a gorgeous monogrammed alphabet and stocking design - thank you!

And I’ve just managed to have a play ❤️

The first two are done at half size and probably could do with a finer thread (but I was too excited to try them to bother about changing thread 🙄) and the last one is at the size it comes in at. Very happy with how they quilt out and looking forward to giving a stocking a try 😊

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #longarmquiltinguk #digitaldesigns #handiquilter #handiquilteramara
#monogrammedletters #monogram #customquilting #prostitcherpremium #prostitcher

Today has mostly been spent at the computer doing computery things ….. aka updating website and finally starting to get digital designs, both designed and bought, into some kind of order.

Several USB sticks over the years, a desktop crashing, various quilting and designing locations and not a lot of time meant this job never got to the top of my list.

I lost everything on one of the USB sticks today when it decided to just not be read, after being read just fine earlier, hey ho ….

What I did manage to find with the help of @abitorange was a gorgeous monogrammed alphabet and stocking design - thank you!

And I’ve just managed to have a play ❤️

The first two are done at half size and probably could do with a finer thread (but I was too excited to try them to bother about changing thread 🙄) and the last one is at the size it comes in at. Very happy with how they quilt out and looking forward to giving a stocking a try 😊

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #longarmquiltinguk #digitaldesigns #handiquilter #handiquilteramara
#monogrammedletters #monogram #customquilting #prostitcherpremium #prostitcher

I am happy to be able to open my customer order book again. It’s been a while and the studio has had several revamps and is now ready to welcome customers and their quilts!

I am taking bookings for your quilts up to 08 December - perfect if you haven’t quite finished that Christmas quilt or gift yet 🎁 or if your usual longarmers is already fully@booked before Christmas!

I have answered some FAQs below but please ask any questions in the comments 🙋❓

Quilt top and backing size
I am now working on an 8ft frame which means I am able to quilt tops that are a maximum of 6ft/72” wide with backing at a maximum of 80” wide

Quilting Designs
I am offering edge-2-edge quilting and have lots of designs for you to choose from, including some lovely seasonal/Christmas ones

Timeline
I am currently able to offer a one week turnaround because I have just opened up bookings 👏

Getting your quilts to me
I am happy to receive quilts by post or drop off at my studio can be arranged

How can I help you?
I am always happy to talk quilting, so get in touch to ask any questions, get a no obligation quote and maybe even get that quilt booked in!

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilter #longarmquilteruk #customerquilts #smallbusiness #smallbusinesswarwickshire #longarmquilterwarwickshire #handiquilter #handiquilteramara #hqamara #hunscote

I am happy to be able to open my customer order book again. It’s been a while and the studio has had several revamps and is now ready to welcome customers and their quilts!

I am taking bookings for your quilts up to 08 December - perfect if you haven’t quite finished that Christmas quilt or gift yet 🎁 or if your usual longarmers is already fully@booked before Christmas!

I have answered some FAQs below but please ask any questions in the comments 🙋❓

Quilt top and backing size
I am now working on an 8ft frame which means I am able to quilt tops that are a maximum of 6ft/72” wide with backing at a maximum of 80” wide

Quilting Designs
I am offering edge-2-edge quilting and have lots of designs for you to choose from, including some lovely seasonal/Christmas ones

Timeline
I am currently able to offer a one week turnaround because I have just opened up bookings 👏

Getting your quilts to me
I am happy to receive quilts by post or drop off at my studio can be arranged

How can I help you?
I am always happy to talk quilting, so get in touch to ask any questions, get a no obligation quote and maybe even get that quilt booked in!

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilter #longarmquilteruk #customerquilts #smallbusiness #smallbusinesswarwickshire #longarmquilterwarwickshire #handiquilter #handiquilteramara #hqamara #hunscote

It’s been a while ….

I went on retreat at the end of October and it was wonderful. A much needed week away with friends and sewing machines - what’s not to love?! I fell in love with sewing all over again and may just have a quilt to share shortly …

It being at the coast was the icing on the cake for this landlocked girl.

Sunrise over Portmellon Cove and Chapel Point, just outside of Mevagissey ❤️

#portmellon #mevagissey #cornwall #quiltingretreat #timeout #quiltyfriendsarethebest #bodruganbarton #swcp #southwestcoastpath #walking #sunrise

It’s been a while ….

I went on retreat at the end of October and it was wonderful. A much needed week away with friends and sewing machines - what’s not to love?! I fell in love with sewing all over again and may just have a quilt to share shortly …

It being at the coast was the icing on the cake for this landlocked girl.

Sunrise over Portmellon Cove and Chapel Point, just outside of Mevagissey ❤️

#portmellon #mevagissey #cornwall #quiltingretreat #timeout #quiltyfriendsarethebest #bodruganbarton #swcp #southwestcoastpath #walking #sunrise

I was brimming with ideas and motivation after The Festival of Quilts but sadly I haven’t spent any time in my studio. I have been clearing my mum’s house in readiness for completion 🤞

I think this book’s a keeper ☀️

It has been such a journey: a journey back in time to my childhood; even further back to my mum’s childhood and a continuing journey of grief for both my mum but also my dad died in 2013. To be fair I didn’t have much time to grieve after my mum died last year because there was too much to be done with her estate.

As parts of the estate get dealt with, it gives more time for reflection, laughter and tears. I am sure the next month will bring much more if all of these ❤️💔❤️

As they say, grief is the price we pay for love.

#lettinggo #grief #journeyofgrief #family

I was brimming with ideas and motivation after The Festival of Quilts but sadly I haven’t spent any time in my studio. I have been clearing my mum’s house in readiness for completion 🤞

I think this book’s a keeper ☀️

It has been such a journey: a journey back in time to my childhood; even further back to my mum’s childhood and a continuing journey of grief for both my mum but also my dad died in 2013. To be fair I didn’t have much time to grieve after my mum died last year because there was too much to be done with her estate.

As parts of the estate get dealt with, it gives more time for reflection, laughter and tears. I am sure the next month will bring much more if all of these ❤️💔❤️

As they say, grief is the price we pay for love.

#lettinggo #grief #journeyofgrief #family

And here’s a group quilt at @thefestivalofquilts that I made some blocks for ❤️

I love sewing with a group and the quilts that result. The quilting on this, not mine, is fantastic!!

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq25 #groupquilt #charityquilt #quiltcommunity #buildingcommunity #bonnieandcamille

And here’s a group quilt at @thefestivalofquilts that I made some blocks for ❤️

I love sewing with a group and the quilts that result. The quilting on this, not mine, is fantastic!!

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq25 #groupquilt #charityquilt #quiltcommunity #buildingcommunity #bonnieandcamille

It’s great to see that people were listening in my talk 🤣

Joking aside, it’s wonderful to know that people have acted on some of the tips ❤️

I have to say that I have really missed teaching within the quilting community and hope to give more talks and teach workshops again in the future ….. watch this space 👀

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq25 #cutandaltertalks #cutandalterteaching #quiltingtutors #quiltteacher #feedback #quiltingcommunity #shareyourpassion

It’s great to see that people were listening in my talk 🤣

Joking aside, it’s wonderful to know that people have acted on some of the tips ❤️

I have to say that I have really missed teaching within the quilting community and hope to give more talks and teach workshops again in the future ….. watch this space 👀

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq25 #cutandaltertalks #cutandalterteaching #quiltingtutors #quiltteacher #feedback #quiltingcommunity #shareyourpassion

This was my entry for the Miniature Category at @thefestivalofquilts it’s just a little piece but it brings me an inordinate amount of joy 🤣🤣 I really do need to get some things up on my studio walls so I can see them all the time not just when I am rummaging through boxes and drawers!!

This was improv pieced and quilted on my @janomeuk machine and I decided to leave it an irregular shape with a facing ❤️

#cutandalterdesigns #cutandalterfinish #foq25
#festivalofquilts2025 #improv #improvquilt #improvquilting #matchstickquilting #modernquilter #cutandalterlongarmquilting #handiquilter #superiorthreads

This was my entry for the Miniature Category at @thefestivalofquilts it’s just a little piece but it brings me an inordinate amount of joy 🤣🤣 I really do need to get some things up on my studio walls so I can see them all the time not just when I am rummaging through boxes and drawers!!

This was improv pieced and quilted on my @janomeuk machine and I decided to leave it an irregular shape with a facing ❤️

#cutandalterdesigns #cutandalterfinish #foq25
#festivalofquilts2025 #improv #improvquilt #improvquilting #matchstickquilting #modernquilter #cutandalterlongarmquilting #handiquilter #superiorthreads

The reality of a working creative studio 😆😆

It’s raining here today so can’t see to the garden which means I’ll be in here tidying up and reflecting on what was a great @thefestivalofquilts ❤️❤️❤️

#foq25 #festivalofquilts2025 #cutandalterstudio #mycretivespace #creativestudio #reallife #bts #behindthescenes #cutandalterlongarmquilting

The reality of a working creative studio 😆😆

It’s raining here today so can’t see to the garden which means I’ll be in here tidying up and reflecting on what was a great @thefestivalofquilts ❤️❤️❤️

#foq25 #festivalofquilts2025 #cutandalterstudio #mycretivespace #creativestudio #reallife #bts #behindthescenes #cutandalterlongarmquilting

This is the first of two entries into @thefestivalofquilts

It is in the Modern Category and I was delighted to see it was shortlisted 🎉

This is all from scraps from last year’s Festival entry!!

Improv pieced using @konacotton scraps

Pieced on my @janomeuk 9450 and 9850

Wadding @thewarmco

Hand guided quilting done on my @handiquilter Amara

Various threads from @wonderfil.uk @habanddash @superiorthreads @aurifilthread

There’s still some leftovers so maybe another smaller quilt to come 🤣🤣

#foq25 #foq2025 #festivalofquilts2025 #cutandalterlongarmquilting #matchstickquilting #cutandalterdesigns #improvquilting #improv #modernquilt #modernquilting #improvpiecing #improvquilting #usingupmystash #leftovers

This is the first of two entries into @thefestivalofquilts

It is in the Modern Category and I was delighted to see it was shortlisted 🎉

This is all from scraps from last year’s Festival entry!!

Improv pieced using @konacotton scraps

Pieced on my @janomeuk 9450 and 9850

Wadding @thewarmco

Hand guided quilting done on my @handiquilter Amara

Various threads from @wonderfil.uk @habanddash @superiorthreads @aurifilthread

There’s still some leftovers so maybe another smaller quilt to come 🤣🤣

#foq25 #foq2025 #festivalofquilts2025 #cutandalterlongarmquilting #matchstickquilting #cutandalterdesigns #improvquilting #improv #modernquilt #modernquilting #improvpiecing #improvquilting #usingupmystash #leftovers

Delighted that my first talk at @thefestivalofquilts is SOLD OUT!!!!!

If you’re coming along to Scrap Wrangling: Tame Those Scraps tomorrow then leave me a comment below - would love to know who’s booked!!

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq25 #quiltshow #quilttutor #quiltlecture #quilttalk #buildingcommunity #cutandaltertalks

Delighted that my first talk at @thefestivalofquilts is SOLD OUT!!!!!

If you’re coming along to Scrap Wrangling: Tame Those Scraps tomorrow then leave me a comment below - would love to know who’s booked!!

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq25 #quiltshow #quilttutor #quiltlecture #quilttalk #buildingcommunity #cutandaltertalks

Had a quick visit to @thefestivalofquilts this morning to get organised before tomorrow. Feel much better having got all the requisite passes and seen the room where I will be giving my talks. There was also some exciting news on the quilt front - both my entries were shortlisted 🎉 Separate posts for each quilt to follow 😊

#foq2025 #festivalofquilts2025 #quiltshow

Had a quick visit to @thefestivalofquilts this morning to get organised before tomorrow. Feel much better having got all the requisite passes and seen the room where I will be giving my talks. There was also some exciting news on the quilt front - both my entries were shortlisted 🎉 Separate posts for each quilt to follow 😊

#foq2025 #festivalofquilts2025 #quiltshow

Love the finish a facing gives ❤️

Hanging sleeves ✔️
Labels ✔️
Two quilts packed ✔️

Always feels good to be ready the day before delivery (it doesn’t always happen 🤣🤣)

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #matchstickquilting #facing #quiltfacing #festivalofquilts #foq2025 #festivalofquilts2025

Love the finish a facing gives ❤️

Hanging sleeves ✔️
Labels ✔️
Two quilts packed ✔️

Always feels good to be ready the day before delivery (it doesn’t always happen 🤣🤣)

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #matchstickquilting #facing #quiltfacing #festivalofquilts #foq2025 #festivalofquilts2025

Whilst I love the nice clean edge a facing gives a quilt, it takes me soooooo much longer to do than a standard binding …..

Using @wonderfil.uk Invisafil to handstitch to the back - it is pretty invisible 😊

Still on track for delivery to NEC for @thefestivalofquilts on Monday 👍

Who else is delivering on Monday?

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq2025 #cutandalterwip2025
#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #finishingaquilt #facing #quiltfacing #handstitching #wonderfil #wonderfilthreads #invisafil

Whilst I love the nice clean edge a facing gives a quilt, it takes me soooooo much longer to do than a standard binding …..

Using @wonderfil.uk Invisafil to handstitch to the back - it is pretty invisible 😊

Still on track for delivery to NEC for @thefestivalofquilts on Monday 👍

Who else is delivering on Monday?

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq2025 #cutandalterwip2025
#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #finishingaquilt #facing #quiltfacing #handstitching #wonderfil #wonderfilthreads #invisafil

And now for some colour 💚🩷🤍

I knew I had the right @aurifilthread colours for some accent quilting because they were supposed to go on last year’s show quilt but once I did the grid I decided not to. Looking forward to adding pops of colour over the matchstick quilting.

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #cutandalterwip2025 #matchstickquilting #customwuilting #handguidedquilting #accentquilting #rulerwork #handiquilteramara #hqamara #handiquilter

And now for some colour 💚🩷🤍

I knew I had the right @aurifilthread colours for some accent quilting because they were supposed to go on last year’s show quilt but once I did the grid I decided not to. Looking forward to adding pops of colour over the matchstick quilting.

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #cutandalterwip2025 #matchstickquilting #customwuilting #handguidedquilting #accentquilting #rulerwork #handiquilteramara #hqamara #handiquilter

Quilting is happening - short bursts with a sit down in between!!!

Matchstick quilting in a variety of weights and colours 🩶

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #cutandalterwip2025 #matchstickquilting #improvquilting #superiorthreads #microquilter #wonderfil #invisafil #habanddash #glidethread #handiquilter #hqamara

Quilting is happening - short bursts with a sit down in between!!!

Matchstick quilting in a variety of weights and colours 🩶

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #cutandalterwip2025 #matchstickquilting #improvquilting #superiorthreads #microquilter #wonderfil #invisafil #habanddash #glidethread #handiquilter #hqamara

I’m here ….. just quietly getting on with all life throws my way!!! As usual my @thefestivalofquilts quilt is still in the works - well there’s still 5 days until deadline 🤣🤣

The matter of a small broken bone has put the brakes on lots of things these past couple of weeks and I am keeping everything crossed that it will have healed enough to walk the Halls at the show 🤞

If you haven’t got your tickets yet I have a code for £2 off standard/concession tickets:

Use WT25 up until 23:59 on 27 July 2025

If you’re going to the show I’d love to know when you there - pop a comment below and I’ll keep an eye out for you!

There are still spaces in my two talks on Saturday and Sunday if you’re there those days - will post further info on these.

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq2025 #handiquilter #cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #improvquilting #longarmquiltinguk #hqamara

I’m here ….. just quietly getting on with all life throws my way!!! As usual my @thefestivalofquilts quilt is still in the works - well there’s still 5 days until deadline 🤣🤣

The matter of a small broken bone has put the brakes on lots of things these past couple of weeks and I am keeping everything crossed that it will have healed enough to walk the Halls at the show 🤞

If you haven’t got your tickets yet I have a code for £2 off standard/concession tickets:

Use WT25 up until 23:59 on 27 July 2025

If you’re going to the show I’d love to know when you there - pop a comment below and I’ll keep an eye out for you!

There are still spaces in my two talks on Saturday and Sunday if you’re there those days - will post further info on these.

#festivalofquilts2025 #foq2025 #handiquilter #cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterdesigns #improvquilting #longarmquiltinguk #hqamara

So excited to receive my new loan machine from Janome UK 🎉🎉

In all honesty it arrived several weeks ago and it was out of the box within the hour! Then my youngest decamped to my studio for the final week of her college course and it went back in its box 😣 which was a very good thing because the glitter on one of the fabrics my daughter was using went absolutely everywhere 🤪🤪🤪

So I’m still getting to know it but two things jumped out at me straight away.

The first is the dials for stitch length and needle position. Whilst you can still alter it on the screen being able to quickly turn a dial if you have a lot of adjustment to make is great.

The second thing I learnt …. from reading the manual - funny that!! Small cones can go on the normal spool pin - they just need the little grey doodackey to hold it in place. I never did know what they were for 🙄🙄

I’m going away this week and I may just take my machine with me!!

#ad #janomeuk #janomemakes #cutandalterstudio #janome9480 #janomemc9450qcp #domesticsewingmachine #sewingmachine

So excited to receive my new loan machine from Janome UK 🎉🎉

In all honesty it arrived several weeks ago and it was out of the box within the hour! Then my youngest decamped to my studio for the final week of her college course and it went back in its box 😣 which was a very good thing because the glitter on one of the fabrics my daughter was using went absolutely everywhere 🤪🤪🤪

So I’m still getting to know it but two things jumped out at me straight away.

The first is the dials for stitch length and needle position. Whilst you can still alter it on the screen being able to quickly turn a dial if you have a lot of adjustment to make is great.

The second thing I learnt …. from reading the manual - funny that!! Small cones can go on the normal spool pin - they just need the little grey doodackey to hold it in place. I never did know what they were for 🙄🙄

I’m going away this week and I may just take my machine with me!!

#ad #janomeuk #janomemakes #cutandalterstudio #janome9480 #janomemc9450qcp #domesticsewingmachine #sewingmachine

Still working on using up the leftovers from last year’s @thefestivalofquilts entry …

I thought I know what I was doing, then the plan changed, then it changed again and then it changed several more times - oh the joy of improv!!

Now I do know what I am doing with it and those plans are restricted by the amount of fabric that was leftover. Luckily I had a bit more of the charcoal background to play with so it should be a fully fledged quilt at the end 🤞🤞

#improvquilting #improvpiecing #modernquilting #oxfordshiremqg #modernquilter #improvquilter #usingupleftovers #sewingfrommystash #cutandalterwip #cutandalterwip2025 #konacotton

Still working on using up the leftovers from last year’s @thefestivalofquilts entry ��…

I thought I know what I was doing, then the plan changed, then it changed again and then it changed several more times - oh the joy of improv!!

Now I do know what I am doing with it and those plans are restricted by the amount of fabric that was leftover. Luckily I had a bit more of the charcoal background to play with so it should be a fully fledged quilt at the end 🤞🤞

#improvquilting #improvpiecing #modernquilting #oxfordshiremqg #modernquilter #improvquilter #usingupleftovers #sewingfrommystash #cutandalterwip #cutandalterwip2025 #konacotton

EDITED: Giveaway is now closed.

The winners are:

@jooles1501
@amanda.green196
@the_sewing_gardener

Hope you and your friend have a wonderful day at @thefestivalofquilts 🎉🎉🎉

Are you thinking about going to @thefestivalofquilts this year?

I have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway so why not enter the giveaway and you and a lucky friend could be heading to the NEC in a few weeks time!

The tickets will be in the form of a code which you will need to enter at checkout

T&Cs: This code is for a pair of standard single day adult tickets. Not valid on Sunday 3rd August, VIP or group tickets. Offer expires Sunday 27th July 2025. £5 fee on Thursday 31st July.

To enter the giveaway:

✔️ Follow my account
✔️ Like this post
✔️ Tag a friend or tag many - each tag is an entry
✔️ Share if you like 😊

There will be three winners who will each receive two tickets

Winners will be chosen at random from here and Facebook 😊

Giveaway ends 5pm Sunday 08 June 2025

Good luck!!

#festivalofquilts #foq2025 #ticketgiveaway #quiltshow

EDITED: Giveaway is now closed.

The winners are:

@jooles1501
@amanda.green196
@the_sewing_gardener

Hope you and your friend have a wonderful day at @thefestivalofquilts 🎉🎉🎉

Are you thinking about going to @thefestivalofquilts this year?

I have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway so why not enter the giveaway and you and a lucky friend could be heading to the NEC in a few weeks time!

The tickets will be in the form of a code which you will need to enter at checkout

T&Cs: This code is for a pair of standard single day adult tickets. Not valid on Sunday 3rd August, VIP or group tickets. Offer expires Sunday 27th July 2025. £5 fee on Thursday 31st July.

To enter the giveaway:

✔️ Follow my account
✔️ Like this post
✔️ Tag a friend or tag many - each tag is an entry
✔️ Share if you like 😊

There will be three winners who will each receive two tickets

Winners will be chosen at random from here and Facebook 😊

Giveaway ends 5pm Sunday 08 June 2025

Good luck!!

#festivalofquilts #foq2025 #ticketgiveaway #quiltshow

Playing around with improv with some stripy pieces I pieced two years ago 🙄🙄

#cutandlterwip #cutandalterwip2025 #improvpiecing #improvquilting #blackandwhite #blackandwhitequilt #sewingmystash #useitup

Playing around with improv with some stripy pieces I pieced two years ago 🙄🙄

#cutandlterwip #cutandalterwip2025 #improvpiecing #improvquilting #blackandwhite #blackandwhitequilt #sewingmystash #useitup

May ended up a much needed time to be present in the season with very little social media activity, although I did take lots of photos …… mostly of the garden and flowers so that’s probably what you’ll be seeing here!

May also saw the end of compulsory education for our youngest, which culminated in the handing in of her final major project. Her final pieces, two modern bridal dresses taking inspiration from ammonites and spirals, were amazing. I can’t wait for the fashion show in June!

Our eldest also finished her first year of Law with her final exam on Friday. She has studied so hard this year and has achieved great results and also a place in the University’s BUCS rugby 2nd XV.

For me there’s been veggie garden making, border clearing, seed sowing, joy at watching seeds germinate, flowers blooming (and lots of watching and smelling) along with ongoing estate administration for my mum’s estate.

There has been some sewing too and a plan for Festival and a new exciting delivery - more on that to come …. for now it’s pretty flowers to fill your feed this beautiful Sunday morning ❤️

#cutandaltergarden #homegrown #sowingseeds #beingpresent #seasonalliving #flowers #countrygarden #cottagegarden #englishcottagegarden

May ended up a much needed time to be present in the season with very little social media activity, although I did take lots of photos …… mostly of the garden and flowers so that’s probably what you’ll be seeing here!

May also saw the end of compulsory education for our youngest, which culminated in the handing in of her final major project. Her final pieces, two modern bridal dresses taking inspiration from ammonites and spirals, were amazing. I can’t wait for the fashion show in June!

Our eldest also finished her first year of Law with her final exam on Friday. She has studied so hard this year and has achieved great results and also a place in the University’s BUCS rugby 2nd XV.

For me there’s been veggie garden making, border clearing, seed sowing, joy at watching seeds germinate, flowers blooming (and lots of watching and smelling) along with ongoing estate administration for my mum’s estate.

There has been some sewing too and a plan for Festival and a new exciting delivery - more on that to come …. for now it’s pretty flowers to fill your feed this beautiful Sunday morning ❤️

#cutandaltergarden #homegrown #sowingseeds #beingpresent #seasonalliving #flowers #countrygarden #cottagegarden #englishcottagegarden

We renamed our house The Lilacs 3 years ago after we moved in. There were no lilacs on the site but I love them and knew that there would be …. at some stage.

Two years ago we were our first lilac and it has thrived in its new home - pic 1. And if only you could smell it ❤️

But one lilac does not The Lilacs make!

Last year one of my husband’s clients was redoing their garden and had a lilac in the border. There was some root damage and its position is not the best - not full sun and quite heavy soil. It’s not been in its new home for 12 months yet (pic2) so not sure whether the low number of panicles (such a cool word!) is due to transplanting or position. Will give it a good prune and enrich soil after flowering this year.

So then The Lilacs did make sense - but I would like more ….

And lo and behold, a plant that only came up two years ago in the trellis between a honeysuckle and dog rose, has finally bloomed (pic 2) and we have a white lilac too!! This has grown from nothing to 8 foot in two years once I cleared the trellis and it was very close to getting the chop this year because I wasn’t sure if it was a lilac and it had never flowered. Thank goodness I haven’t had the time to get round to that!

If anyone has any tips on propagating from lilac suckers then I am all ears!!

#cutandaltergarden #lilacs #springtime #springuk #springflowers #scentedgarden

We renamed our house The Lilacs 3 years ago after we moved in. There were no lilacs on the site but I love them and knew that there would be …. at some stage.

Two years ago we were our first lilac and it has thrived in its new home - pic 1. And if only you could smell it ❤️

But one lilac does not The Lilacs make!

Last year one of my husband’s clients was redoing their garden and had a lilac in the border. There was some root damage and its position is not the best - not full sun and quite heavy soil. It’s not been in its new home for 12 months yet (pic2) so not sure whether the low number of panicles (such a cool word!) is due to transplanting or position. Will give it a good prune and enrich soil after flowering this year.

So then The Lilacs did make sense - but I would like more ….

And lo and behold, a plant that only came up two years ago in the trellis between a honeysuckle and dog rose, has finally bloomed (pic 2) and we have a white lilac too!! This has grown from nothing to 8 foot in two years once I cleared the trellis and it was very close to getting the chop this year because I wasn’t sure if it was a lilac and it had never flowered. Thank goodness I haven’t had the time to get round to that!

If anyone has any tips on propagating from lilac suckers then I am all ears!!

#cutandaltergarden #lilacs #springtime #springuk #springflowers #scentedgarden

Last month I went on retreat with the @oxfordshiremqg and had such a wonderful time.

The day before it started I had to find something to take with me and whilst I have many WIPs on the go I wanted something that I didn’t have to think about. So I started cutting …

I have never cut a whole quilt out in advance before and never in a day. I chose an Irish Chain design and wanted to use up some scraps. The original idea was just red and off white but I soon ran out of red scraps! It therefore became a rainbow - whilst I don’t think the colour scheme shows off the Irish Chain design that well I still like the finished quilt.

It was almost pieced whilst on retreat but to keep the colour gradations I decided to swap out a colour of the fabrics so I had to wait until I was home.

It was then promptly loaded onto my frame and quilted. My frame was reduced down to 8ft late last year so this was a real test. This quilt was 76” long and I loaded it horizontally and it just about fit!

Scrappy binding completed the quilt and I actually enjoyed finishing it off by hand.

Fabrics: scraps from stash

Background: @dashwoodstudio Pop Solids in Ivory

Pieced: on my @janomeuk 9450

Quilted: on my @handiquilter Amara

Thread: @habanddash Glide in Linen

#scrappyquilt #irishchainquilt #rainbowquilt #quiltingcommunity #cutandalterfinish2025 #longarmquilting #handiquilter #janomeuk #janomemakes

Last month I went on retreat with the @oxfordshiremqg and had such a wonderful time.

The day before it started I had to find something to take with me and whilst I have many WIPs on the go I wanted something that I didn’t have to think about. So I started cutting …

I have never cut a whole quilt out in advance before and never in a day. I chose an Irish Chain design and wanted to use up some scraps. The original idea was just red and off white but I soon ran out of red scraps! It therefore became a rainbow - whilst I don’t think the colour scheme shows off the Irish Chain design that well I still like the finished quilt.

It was almost pieced whilst on retreat but to keep the colour gradations I decided to swap out a colour of the fabrics so I had to wait until I was home.

It was then promptly loaded onto my frame and quilted. My frame was reduced down to 8ft late last year so this was a real test. This quilt was 76” long and I loaded it horizontally and it just about fit!

Scrappy binding completed the quilt and I actually enjoyed finishing it off by hand.

Fabrics: scraps from stash

Background: @dashwoodstudio Pop Solids in Ivory

Pieced: on my @janomeuk 9450

Quilted: on my @handiquilter Amara

Thread: @habanddash Glide in Linen

#scrappyquilt #irishchainquilt #rainbowquilt #quiltingcommunity #cutandalterfinish2025 #longarmquilting #handiquilter #janomeuk #janomemakes

I have listed a few more items on Vinted and have posted them in my stories. All available items will show in my Highlights Destash 😊

#cutandalterdestash #declutter #cutandalterstudio #fabricforsale

I have listed a few more items on Vinted and have posted them in my stories. All available items will show in my Highlights Destash 😊

#cutandalterdestash #declutter #cutandalterstudio #fabricforsale

Progress but now need other trades before we can work on it ….

#cutandalterhouserenovation #houserenovation #makingahouseahome #diy #peelingbackthelayers

Progress but now need other trades before we can work on it ….

#cutandalterhouserenovation #houserenovation #makingahouseahome #diy #peelingbackthelayers

Progress 👏👏👏👏

#cutandalterhouserenovation #housereno #progressupdate

Progress 👏👏👏👏

#cutandalterhouserenovation #housereno #progressupdate

It’s Bank Holiday weekend so here’s the obligatory DIY 🤣🤣🤣

We finally starting this room 🎉 in my head it’s beautiful already with the little alcove converted into a mini library, the woodburner’s roaring and there’s comfy seats to cosy up in. However we’ve done enough house for me to know there’s a lot of hard work to put in before that becomes a reality!!

We only decided to start it today because it was too cold, wet and windy to work in the garden 🤣🤣

#cutandalterhouserenovation #cutandalterdiy #houserenovations #bankholidaydiy #makingahouseahome

It’s Bank Holiday weekend so here’s the obligatory DIY 🤣🤣🤣

We finally starting this room 🎉 in my head it’s beautiful already with the little alcove converted into a mini library, the woodburner’s roaring and there’s comfy seats to cosy up in. However we’ve done enough house for me to know there’s a lot of hard work to put in before that becomes a reality!!

We only decided to start it today because it was too cold, wet and windy to work in the garden 🤣🤣

#cutandalterhouserenovation #cutandalterdiy #houserenovations #bankholidaydiy #makingahouseahome

Looks like I know what I’m doing but not full of confidence 🤣🤣

I have made several items of clothing before but don’t always wear them because a) the design really didn’t suit me and b) they didn’t fit me.

But I’m trying again with the @seamwork Bloom pattern - a nice little summer top with some extra detailing.

So far, so good:

✔️ download pdf
✔️ print out pdf at correct scale
✔️ tape pdf together
✔️ determine size
✔️ cut out required size
✔️ use my cool little gadgets to snip notches and holes
✔️ felt like a professional using said gadgets 🤣🤣

Next up choose some fabric. Notice I didn’t say go and buy fabric - I have lots to choose from already because in my head I already have a me-made wardrobe!!

I hope to have something to show you before too long but best not hold your breath 😂😂

#cutandalterdressmaking #memadewardrobe #seamworkbloom #dressmaking #sewover50

Looks like I know what I’m doing but not full of confidence 🤣🤣

I have made several items of clothing before but don’t always wear them because a) the design really didn’t suit me and b) they didn’t fit me.

But I’m trying again with the @seamwork Bloom pattern - a nice little summer top with some extra detailing.

So far, so good:

✔️ download pdf
✔️ print out pdf at correct scale
✔️ tape pdf together
✔️ determine size
✔️ cut out required size
✔️ use my cool little gadgets to snip notches and holes
✔️ felt like a professional using said gadgets 🤣🤣

Next up choose some fabric. Notice I didn’t say go and buy fabric - I have lots to choose from already because in my head I already have a me-made wardrobe!!

I hope to have something to show you before too long but best not hold your breath 😂😂

#cutandalterdressmaking #memadewardrobe #seamworkbloom #dressmaking #sewover50

Who knew a box had the capacity to leave me a blubbering wreck in the garage??

It was chosen because it was easily accessible and I thought it had picture frames in. Turns out that wasn’t the case because we had re-used the box it was full of children’s clothes and things both my mum and I had made for them. It was seeing the wonderful clown outfit (similar to one she made for me) she bought over to NZ for her that set me off.

This box was too hard for today so it’s repacked and labelled correctly to be dealt with another day ….

#whoknew #decluttering #clearingout #toomuchstuff #memories #childhoodmemories

Who knew a box had the capacity to leave me a blubbering wreck in the garage??

It was chosen because it was easily accessible and I thought it had picture frames in. Turns out that wasn’t the case because we had re-used the box it was full of children’s clothes and things both my mum and I had made for them. It was seeing the wonderful clown outfit (similar to one she made for me) she bought over to NZ for her that set me off.

This box was too hard for today so it’s repacked and labelled correctly to be dealt with another day ….

#whoknew #decluttering #clearingout #toomuchstuff #memories #childhoodmemories

Progress update on using up leftovers. They are making more blocks than I initially thought!

#improvpiecing #improvpatchwork #improvpiecing #cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterwip #konacotton #usingupleftovers #usingupscraps #scrappyquilt #sustainablesewing #janomemakes #noscrapleftbehind

Progress update on using up leftovers. They are making more blocks than I initially thought!

#improvpiecing #improvpatchwork #improvpiecing #cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterwip #konacotton #usingupleftovers #usingupscraps #scrappyquilt #sustainablesewing #janomemakes #noscrapleftbehind

One block from the leftovers is done … this used the smaller leftovers and will probably have a dark grey border on it - depending how much dark grey is left after making the bigger block!!

Leftovers + improv + flexibility = scrappy improv blocks

#improvpiecing #improvquilting #konacotton #cutandalterwip2025 #sewmystash #usingupleftovers #scrappyquilting #cutandalterwip

One block from the leftovers is done … this used the smaller leftovers and will probably have a dark grey border on it - depending how much dark grey is left after making the bigger block!!

Leftovers + improv + flexibility = scrappy improv blocks

#improvpiecing #improvquilting #konacotton #cutandalterwip2025 #sewmystash #usingupleftovers #scrappyquilting #cutandalterwip

I didn’t manage to sew at all in February so it was great to get back behind the machine last night 🎉

Since listing all my WIPs in January, I have been thinking a lot about. Whilst I still like them all, do I really want to finish them? If time and energy allow, would I pick one of them to progress?

Last night I decided to pull one out and spend an hour on it. These are the leftovers from my @thefestivalofquilts Modern Quilt entry last year - they are the trimmings from the improv blocks.

The decision? I think I’ll work with this one. The fact I was out in my studio before breakfast doing some more just confirmed it 😊

#cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterwip #usingupmyleftovers #improvpiecing #improvquilt #workinprogress #modernquilt #scrappyquilt #usingupmyscraps #konacotton

I didn’t manage to sew at all in February so it was great to get back behind the machine last night 🎉

Since listing all my WIPs in January, I have been thinking a lot about. Whilst I still like them all, do I really want to finish them? If time and energy allow, would I pick one of them to progress?

Last night I decided to pull one out and spend an hour on it. These are the leftovers from my @thefestivalofquilts Modern Quilt entry last year - they are the trimmings from the improv blocks.

The decision? I think I’ll work with this one. The fact I was out in my studio before breakfast doing some more just confirmed it 😊

#cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterwip #usingupmyleftovers #improvpiecing #improvquilt #workinprogress #modernquilt #scrappyquilt #usingupmyscraps #konacotton

My eldest sent me this lovely March to do list yesterday - I aim to tick them all off 😊

And after what feels like months of grey skies the weather appears to have turned in time for meteorological spring ❤️

The blue sky is just so very good for the mind, body and soul 💙

#spring #march2025 #seasonalliving #blueskies

My eldest sent me this lovely March to do list yesterday - I aim to tick them all off 😊

And after what feels like months of grey skies the weather appears to have turned in time for meteorological spring ❤️

The blue sky is just so very good for the mind, body and soul 💙

#spring #march2025 #seasonalliving #blueskies

Continuing to work on my WIPs and take part in the #finishitqal with @villageboundquilts - Tiffany, I really did eat the frog 🤣🤣

This is such an old WIP and was my first foray into improv and used all the scraps from quilt blocks, dressmaking scraps from making things for my girls from vintage sheets and other odds and ends ❤️

I started quilting it as a class sample for an improv quilting class I taught - obviously it didn’t make it to the class 🤣 I did wonder a couple of years ago if I would just pass it on but I love the memories imbued in it so I started ripping all those stitches - white on white and 10spj 🤪🤪

Started off this evening with the intention of unpicking and then realised there were better things to do with my time so I cut - felt rather drastic but it is progress. Cleaned up the backing, wadding and top and now it’s all ready to jigsaw back together!!

#cutandalterwip #cutandalterwip2025 #improvpiecing #improvquilting #unpicking #worksinprogress #patchwork #cutandalterlongarmquilting

Continuing to work on my WIPs and take part in the #finishitqal with @villageboundquilts - Tiffany, I really did eat the frog 🤣🤣

This is such an old WIP and was my first foray into improv and used all the scraps from quilt blocks, dressmaking scraps from making things for my girls from vintage sheets and other odds and ends ❤️

I started quilting it as a class sample for an improv quilting class I taught - obviously it didn’t make it to the class 🤣 I did wonder a couple of years ago if I would just pass it on but I love the memories imbued in it so I started ripping all those stitches - white on white and 10spj 🤪🤪

Started off this evening with the intention of unpicking and then realised there were better things to do with my time so I cut - felt rather drastic but it is progress. Cleaned up the backing, wadding and top and now it’s all ready to jigsaw back together!!

#cutandalterwip #cutandalterwip2025 #improvpiecing #improvquilting #unpicking #worksinprogress #patchwork #cutandalterlongarmquilting

To keep myself accountable I thought it would be good to do a ‘stock take’ at the end of each month 😂😂😂

Quite good stats for January, thanks to the motivation of the #declutterchallenge2025 - swipe to see the 5 finishes 🎉🎉

There are still a couple of projects I’m not sure I want to finish so it will be good to revisit each month

I am also going to be taking part in the #finishitqal hosted by Tiffany at @villageboundquilts throughout February which will hopefully keep motivation levels high 🤞

#cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterwip #cutandalterfinish2025 #holdingmyselfaccountable #worksinprogress #quiltingwip #quilting #longarmquilteruk #cutandalterlongarmquilting #heartblock #modalovequilt #crochet #rippleblanket

To keep myself accountable I thought it would be good to do a ‘stock take’ at the end of each month 😂😂😂

Quite good stats for January, thanks to the motivation of the #declutterchallenge2025 - swipe to see the 5 finishes 🎉🎉

There are still a couple of projects I’m not sure I want to finish so it will be good to revisit each month

I am also going to be taking part in the #finishitqal hosted by Tiffany at @villageboundquilts throughout February which will hopefully keep motivation levels high 🤞

#cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterwip #cutandalterfinish2025 #holdingmyselfaccountable #worksinprogress #quiltingwip #quilting #longarmquilteruk #cutandalterlongarmquilting #heartblock #modalovequilt #crochet #rippleblanket

My final finish for January 2025 - that make 5 🎉🎉

It was great to get my longarm quilting machine back up and running after the frame was reduced in size and what better way to check it all out than to quilt a quilt!

This top was finished last April so it was more than due to be quilted. I pieced the top in Bournemouth when I took my sewing machine away with me for a few days. It was so lovely to be able to sew when the weather was too bad to walk on the beach. I need to do that again!

The quilt pattern is Moda Love which is based on a charm pack, but I already had some HSTs leftover from previous projects so just used it for placement.

🪡 The fabric is Alison Glass Sunprints from various years and various people ❤️ and the background is Kona solids.

🪡 The top was pieced on my Janome 9450 and quilted on my HandiQuilter Amara

🪡 The quilting design is Circle Meander by Nancy Haacke from Wasatch Quilting which comes in the Pro-Stitcher library

#cutandalterfinish2025 #cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #prostitcherquilting #handiquilteramara #handiquilter #janomeuk #janomemakes #alisonglasssunprint #alisonglassfabric #modalovequilt

My final finish for January 2025 - that make 5 🎉🎉

It was great to get my longarm quilting machine back up and running after the frame was reduced in size and what better way to check it all out than to quilt a quilt!

This top was finished last April so it was more than due to be quilted. I pieced the top in Bournemouth when I took my sewing machine away with me for a few days. It was so lovely to be able to sew when the weather was too bad to walk on the beach. I need to do that again!

The quilt pattern is Moda Love which is based on a charm pack, but I already had some HSTs leftover from previous projects so just used it for placement.

🪡 The fabric is Alison Glass Sunprints from various years and various people ❤️ and the background is Kona solids.

🪡 The top was pieced on my Janome 9450 and quilted on my HandiQuilter Amara

🪡 The quilting design is Circle Meander by Nancy Haacke from Wasatch Quilting which comes in the Pro-Stitcher library

#cutandalterfinish2025 #cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #prostitcherquilting #handiquilteramara #handiquilter #janomeuk #janomemakes #alisonglasssunprint #alisonglassfabric #modalovequilt

And here it is - my studio after taking part in the #declutterchallenge2025 🎉🎉

I am very happy with the progress I made. Whilst there is still fabric that will probably be passed on I am waiting to see how much I will sew and what I will see before I do that. But for now I have two usable sides in my studio and it is so much nicer to work, and play, in there!

Plus I had 5 finishes this month - totally unheard of in recent years 🎉👏🎉👏🎉

Now the bigger challenge is to maintain it 🤣

#cutandalterstudio #cutandalterfinish2025 #quiltingstudio #aromatherapystudio #naturalskincareformulation #declutter #january2025 #warwickshire

And here it is - my studio after taking part in the #declutterchallenge2025 🎉🎉

I am very happy with the progress I made. Whilst there is still fabric that will probably be passed on I am waiting to see how much I will sew and what I will see before I do that. But for now I have two usable sides in my studio and it is so much nicer to work, and play, in there!

Plus I had 5 finishes this month - totally unheard of in recent years 🎉👏🎉👏🎉

Now the bigger challenge is to maintain it 🤣

#cutandalterstudio #cutandalterfinish2025 #quiltingstudio #aromatherapystudio #naturalskincareformulation #declutter #january2025 #warwickshire

Day 19 - Backing and Yardage ✔️

Before last year there were bits and pieces everywhere now they are in two places. I don’t buy lots of fabric for yardage as such and often piece my backs. The bolts were bought on special with backing in mind … but I actually need to make more quilts to use them up 🤣

Larger pieces in the two top tubs have been folded to the same size last year but I didn’t think to take measurements and label them 😖

I will go through these two tubs at a later date to see if there is fabric to pass on so that only one tub has larger pieces suitable for pieces backings.

And another finish - several nights of crochet on the sofa and I have a completed ripple blanket 👏👏

#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #cutandalterstudio #mycreativespace #quiltingfabric #fabricstorage #decluttering #quiltingstudio #cutandalterfinish2025 #crochet #crochetblanket #rippleblanket

Day 19 - Backing and Yardage ✔️

Before last year there were bits and pieces everywhere now they are in two places. I don’t buy lots of fabric for yardage as such and often piece my backs. The bolts were bought on special with backing in mind … but I actually need to make more quilts to use them up 🤣

Larger pieces in the two top tubs have been folded to the same size last year but I didn’t think to take measurements and label them 😖

I will go through these two tubs at a later date to see if there is fabric to pass on so that only one tub has larger pieces suitable for pieces backings.

And another finish - several nights of crochet on the sofa and I have a completed ripple blanket 👏👏

#jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #cutandalterstudio #mycreativespace #quiltingfabric #fabricstorage #decluttering #quiltingstudio #cutandalterfinish2025 #crochet #crochetblanket #rippleblanket

Day 18 of the #declutterchallenge2025 - Batting ✔️

As a longarm quilter this is something I have a lot of and it is definitely something that accumulates.

I have never shied away from joining batting leftovers together - why wouldn’t you do it??!! But last year I went the extra mile and really ‘made’ my batting for a quilt. It was to be entered into the Sustainable Category at Festival of Quilts and as the top was made using scraps I thought I would make the batting using scraps. Well I did, approx 200 pieces!! Did the quilt get to the show? No, I ran out of time to finish the quilting - probably because it took so long to make the batting 🤣🤣

I have decided to only have 1 unit to house batting leftovers and so there is a good amount to be passed on, along with a bag of wadding samples that I used to use when I was teaching. I had kept them thinking they’d be ideal for cushion covers but having now allocated the capacity I want for batting it was easy to let them go 😊😊

I do label the leftovers with the size and keep different types of batting together.

I now have another one of these units under the longarm that is ….. EMPTY 👏👏👏

#cutandalterstudio #decluttering #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #batting #quiltingstudio #mycreativespace

Day 18 of the #declutterchallenge2025 - Batting ✔️

As a longarm quilter this is something I have a lot of and it is definitely something that accumulates.

I have never shied away from joining batting leftovers together - why wouldn’t you do it??!! But last year I went the extra mile and really ‘made’ my batting for a quilt. It was to be entered into the Sustainable Category at Festival of Quilts and as the top was made using scraps I thought I would make the batting using scraps. Well I did, approx 200 pieces!! Did the quilt get to the show? No, I ran out of time to finish the quilting - probably because it took so long to make the batting 🤣🤣

I have decided to only have 1 unit to house batting leftovers and so there is a good amount to be passed on, along with a bag of wadding samples that I used to use when I was teaching. I had kept them thinking they’d be ideal for cushion covers but having now allocated the capacity I want for batting it was easy to let them go 😊😊

I do label the leftovers with the size and keep different types of batting together.

I now have another one of these units under the longarm that is ….. EMPTY 👏👏👏

#cutandalterstudio #decluttering #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #batting #quiltingstudio #mycreativespace

So one of my main aims of the #declutterchallenge2025 was to free up the longarm machine again and get quilting. Today I achieved that goal and it felt soooo good - #operationreclaimthelongarm was a success!!

This quilt was made using some HSTs that I originally started piecing in 2019!! Top was finished May 2024 and has sat on the shelf since.

The backing used up some leftover fabric from another quilt and whilst going through batting today I found an offcut that I could piece together to fit this quilt.

I made the binding whilst the machine was quilting so I have no excuse for it to sit on the shelf again. Plus I cleared the cutting table so I could trim the quilt as soon as I take it off the frame.

This decluttering feels sooo good ❤️

If you want to know more about the Declutter Challenge it is hosted by Karen from @justgetitdonequilts and there is still time to take part …

Will there be another finish today?? 🤞🤞🤞

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilting #declutterchallenge #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #cutandalterwip2025 #modalovequilt #frankenbatting #handiquilter #handiquilteramara #halfsquaretriangles

So one of my main aims of the #declutterchallenge2025 was to free up the longarm machine again and get quilting. Today I achieved that goal and it felt soooo good - #operationreclaimthelongarm was a success!!

This quilt was made using some HSTs that I originally started piecing in 2019!! Top was finished May 2024 and has sat on the shelf since.

The backing used up some leftover fabric from another quilt and whilst going through batting today I found an offcut that I could piece together to fit this quilt.

I made the binding whilst the machine was quilting so I have no excuse for it to sit on the shelf again. Plus I cleared the cutting table so I could trim the quilt as soon as I take it off the frame.

This decluttering feels sooo good ❤️

If you want to know more about the Declutter Challenge it is hosted by Karen from @justgetitdonequilts and there is still time to take part …

Will there be another finish today?? 🤞🤞🤞

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilting #declutterchallenge #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #cutandalterwip2025 #modalovequilt #frankenbatting #handiquilter #handiquilteramara #halfsquaretriangles

Day 17 - Mount Scrapmore ✔️ #declutterchallenge2025

I worked really hard on getting my scraps organised last year and I love the system I now have. After trying various systems for storing my scraps, I came across these units from IKEA. They are meant for children’s toys but work perfectly for my scraps and I love that I can see through the mesh baskets.

However, looking with fresh eyes I thought it could still do with a declutter and the plants could be watered!!

The basket on the peg board is scraps from making and it was full and needed processing so just sorted into solids and patterns and then by colours.

When each colour basket has been worked through it is really easy to see what I have and they don’t need ironing before I can use them - bonus.

I have some scraps I have cut into various sizes in some drawers. There is more I could do of this but I have to limit cutting sessions due to wrist/elbow/shoulder - that list gets longer each year 😫

In the rope basket are my binding leftovers which are perfect for scrappy quilts and then all ribbons are in the vintage glass jar.

I took the time to rearrange the pegboard and clear all the bench top aswell because this is where I will be formulating my natural skincare products. I had wanted all quilting things in the other side but I love how this shelving system works so it’s staying for now.

Finally, two little index cards with fabric swatches and colour names from two quilts - these are now in my archive file. It feels so good to have homes for things I come across 😊😊

#cutandalterstudio #absorbaromatherapybespokeproductformation #oatchworkscraps #scraporganisation #ikeastorage #ukqu #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #decluttering #organising #freeingupspace #workfromhome #mycreativespace

Day 17 - Mount Scrapmore ✔️ #declutterchallenge2025

I worked really hard on getting my scraps organised last year and I love the system I now have. After trying various systems for storing my scraps, I came across these units from IKEA. They are meant for children’s toys but work perfectly for my scraps and I love that I can see through the mesh baskets.

However, looking with fresh eyes I thought it could still do with a declutter and the plants could be watered!!

The basket on the peg board is scraps from making and it was full and needed processing so just sorted into solids and patterns and then by colours.

When each colour basket has been worked through it is really easy to see what I have and they don’t need ironing before I can use them - bonus.

I have some scraps I have cut into various sizes in some drawers. There is more I could do of this but I have to limit cutting sessions due to wrist/elbow/shoulder - that list gets longer each year 😫

In the rope basket are my binding leftovers which are perfect for scrappy quilts and then all ribbons are in the vintage glass jar.

I took the time to rearrange the pegboard and clear all the bench top aswell because this is where I will be formulating my natural skincare products. I had wanted all quilting things in the other side but I love how this shelving system works so it’s staying for now.

Finally, two little index cards with fabric swatches and colour names from two quilts - these are now in my archive file. It feels so good to have homes for things I come across 😊😊

#cutandalterstudio #absorbaromatherapybespokeproductformation #oatchworkscraps #scraporganisation #ikeastorage #ukqu #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #decluttering #organising #freeingupspace #workfromhome #mycreativespace

Day 16 - unfinished projects ✔️ #declutterchallenge2025

Well I have been gathering these up since 01 January!! And I have a few, which was no surprise. I haven’t had much motivation or enthusiasm for sewing these past few years and I do always like the thrill of a new project 🤣🤣

The other thing that I do, which others may relate to although by no means everyone, is I don’t like to get rid of scraps, practice or leftover blocks. This means I have several projects on my list that are destined to be improv quilts using up the leftovers of the original quilt!

My total stands at 42 but I have not yet really thought about each one. I know some are definites but there’s also some I will definitely pass on. This was the beautiful realisation I had when I started this taking part in this challenge several years ago - it is OK to pass on what you do not want to finish.

And truth be told, I really want to make clothes for myself this year so the question I will be asking myself is:

“Would I prefer to spend my sewing time finishing this project or making clothes for myself?”

#cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterstudio #worksinprogress #ongoingprojects #quilting #patchwork #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #fpp #epp #improvquilting #improvpiecing #embroidery #crochet

Day 16 - unfinished projects ✔️ #declutterchallenge2025

Well I have been gathering these up since 01 January!! And I have a few, which was no surprise. I haven’t had much motivation or enthusiasm for sewing these past few years and I do always like the thrill of a new project 🤣🤣

The other thing that I do, which others may relate to although by no means everyone, is I don’t like to get rid of scraps, practice or leftover blocks. This means I have several projects on my list that are destined to be improv quilts using up the leftovers of the original quilt!

My total stands at 42 but I have not yet really thought about each one. I know some are definites but there’s also some I will definitely pass on. This was the beautiful realisation I had when I started this taking part in this challenge several years ago - it is OK to pass on what you do not want to finish.

And truth be told, I really want to make clothes for myself this year so the question I will be asking myself is:

“Would I prefer to spend my sewing time finishing this project or making clothes for myself?”

#cutandalterwip2025 #cutandalterstudio #worksinprogress #ongoingprojects #quilting #patchwork #jgidqdeclutterchallenge2025 #fpp #epp #improvquilting #improvpiecing #embroidery #crochet

A longarm quilting machine is a wonderful piece of equipment and it can do many things.

One things it is not, or should not be, is a storage unit 🤣

When I taught longarm owners they often told me that their frame had become home to many things - let me tell you that is very expensive storage!! And I too am prone to doing it.

That long empty table at the back? Well that is the perfect spot to just put something on, lay out some quilt blocks or unpack a long forgotten box or basket.

The roller at the front? Well part pieced tops, backing fabric, wadding, finished quilts, they all hang so beautifully on it and you have stored them without creasing them!

But if there is anything on the back or the front then you can not use the machine!!

With all the decluttering my frame has become a dumping ground but I want to be able to quilt some projects and get them moved from the WIP (Work in Progress) column to the Finished column.

So I have started #operationreclaimthelongarm - anyone else feel they might need to do the same??!! Stay tuned for progress …..

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #handiquilter #handiquilteramara #pinholequilting #longarmquilting #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilter #decluttering #newyear2025 #gettingorganised #newyearmotivation

A longarm quilting machine is a wonderful piece of equipment and it can do many things.

One things it is not, or should not be, is a storage unit 🤣

When I taught longarm owners they often told me that their frame had become home to many things - let me tell you that is very expensive storage!! And I too am prone to doing it.

That long empty table at the back? Well that is the perfect spot to just put something on, lay out some quilt blocks or unpack a long forgotten box or basket.

The roller at the front? Well part pieced tops, backing fabric, wadding, finished quilts, they all hang so beautifully on it and you have stored them without creasing them!

But if there is anything on the back or the front then you can not use the machine!!

With all the decluttering my frame has become a dumping ground but I want to be able to quilt some projects and get them moved from the WIP (Work in Progress) column to the Finished column.

So I have started #operationreclaimthelongarm - anyone else feel they might need to do the same??!! Stay tuned for progress …..

#cutandalterlongarmquilting #cutandalterstudio #handiquilter #handiquilteramara #pinholequilting #longarmquilting #longarmquiltinguk #longarmquilter #decluttering #newyear2025 #gettingorganised #newyearmotivation

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Instagram happenings ...

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO TUTORIALS ...

All Videos

All Videos

bottom of page