An example of free-motion quilting, here I wanted to express an outline using a heavy thread as you would a pencil. This works better on smaller block type work, as the line tends to get lost by the eye on larger pieces.
 

I was also experimenting with the trapunto quilting method, raising the outlined image off the fabrics surface.

Such a satisfying piece to work on, a true labour of love as every piece of fabric started life as a plain white cotton.

Through a series of breakdown printing, very carefully improved piecing, and the use of bojagi style overlays I arrived at this very detailed piece, which evolved from some very scribbly sketches I did of a gorgeous church in a tiny village in Sardinia.

Fondly named bonkers - No rules - No rulers!

A gorgeous weekend of cutting, stitching, cutting some more, and re-stitching. The result was unsure from the beginning, but it was a lot of fun playing.

Following on from Church Hall, I put together this 12" square piece based on observation work on the peacock. 

Heavily quilted, and again worked on a collage style of hand printed fabrics.

A personal favourite!

"Chameleon Coffee" Inspired by a recent trip to Africa, Chameleon Coffee is a quilted fabric collage made up from hundreds of fabric scraps. Detail was highlighted with fussy cutting, and the whole structure was designed and based on the swirl created from a stirred cup of coffee.

A very lengthy project but very therapeutic! 

Continuing my research into the ancient art form of Bojagi I scaled up my mini mock-up lamps to make this full sized shade. I used traditional Korean hemps which allowed the light to filter through highlighting the organic grain of the fabric.

Inspired by the brilliant Sarah Hibbert, these 4 pieces began life as a pile of paper scraps. 

Playing around with placement, shapes and colours, I arrived at 4 paper collages which I then translated into fabric. 

Inserted circles was a new technique, slightly fiddly but a great skill to learn.

Using different textural methods of fabric manipulation, layering and bojagi patchwork techniques, I'm working on mini lampshade mock ups to understand how light travels through fabric, and the effects that occur

Improv, pieced quilt top, yet to be quilted. I’m halfway through this and loving its journey. 

The fabrics are hand-dyed using breakdown screens to achieve my autumnal palette.

Inspired from a sunny autumns afternoon march in the woods

I had an introduction to stained glass quilting in an early module and wanted to investigate the technique. 

This method of quilting uses beautiful marbled batik fabric, giving that cathedral window effect.

Always an afternoon of superbly messy fun. Breakdown printing is a screen-printing process using water based dyes. Wonderful organic textures and marks are achieved that can never be wholly predicted or controlled.

100% made from the offcuts of a larger piece I’m working on from a recent sew along.

Keep your scraps, grow your stash, the offcuts and waste material generated when making a quilt will begin a new project, an evolution, a new story.

This piece was so pleasing and came together very quickly, and is still one of my favorites.

Inspired by light refraction on glass, and explored in a design module for my studies, these images were based on broken glass in a skip, and bubbles in my glass tumbler of gin and tonic.

Initially designed to be 4 independent blocks, I found they worked far better nested together. This was one of my earlier geometric improv creations.

This piece is my absolute comfort blanket. I’ve probably been working on it for 4 or 5 years, and often revisit it for an uncomplicated afternoon of sewing.

Inspired by a boat trip in Amsterdam through the winding canals serving as back streets, and a view into the gorgeous townhouses and private lives of the locals.

I even bought the fabric there from a gorgeous shop tucked away - .working on this piece brings back such lovely memories, I almost never want to finish it!

This was a sewalong, a brilliant rainy afternoon spent making a huge mess.

An improv, scrappy approach to making fish units out of scrap fabric, and an even scrappier, more improv style joining them all together. 

There is something truly regular about the irregularity of this piece. A calming underwater scene, that currently has pride of place in my downstairs loo.

Fondly known as The Recovery Quilt, I made this in a four week period off work following surgery when I was supposed to be convalescing in bed. A cheerful, happy quilt for my son's newly decorated bedroom.

Sticking with the one blue, interest was added by using 11 different shades of yellow. Great practice at perfecting circles and curve sewing.

This was a very early paper pieced work which came at a time before I discovered the freedom of improv quilting.

Bursting with colour and brightness, this piece is made up of 12 identical blocks, independently rotated.

An early work, but important as the first time I started to step away from rulers and templates and relaxed..

Always good to revisit traditional methods - this geometric, Art Deco style pieced work, combined with a clever use of colour gives a three dimensional feel to a very simple and quick cushion.

Again, a very traditional method using the humble yet very effective flying geese technique. With the right fabric colour choices, you get a very contemporary twist on a family favorite.

Following on from Stars and Stripes, this is part of a triptych wall hanging for my brother in New Zealand, who I like to remind from time to time of his British roots.

Inspired by the brilliant Tula Pink, this was my first ever quilt - my gateway drug into the fabulous world of quilting. I was never prouder than the moment this was finished and dressed my 2 year old son's bed.  This puzzle of pirates and dinosaurs and all things “BOY” will always leave a warm, fond place in my heart. 

For me, this epitomizes the true meaning of quilt making, and the history they keep. A family heirloom

I made this table runner some years back when rehearsing my curves. We still use it this very day. Its story tells of family meals around our table, laughter, spilt tears and wine - homework, baked beans and ice cream, board games, Christmas’s past and present. 

Unlike myself, she has improved with age as her stories unfold, she is old and frayed, faded and stained, but her legacy lives on, rich in family history and tradition.