Hugs from Helen

Sew Pink 2021

I'm proud to be a part of the third annual Sew Pink blog hop run by ByAnnie – to focus on Breast cancer for the month of October. Although its important every day of the year, I've taken part in each of these initiatives now as I believe in the importance of this raising of awareness – and funds to beat this thing!

This year when I went in for my bi-annual Boob check I ran into a friend coming in as I left. Not surprising – we’re all around the same age and demographic in a smallish town, so often you see someone you know. Little did I know that she was there for a dreaded callback – which resulted in a positive result and weeks of surgery, chemotherapy and years of anxiousness and checks to come.  What surprised me most when we next caught up and discussed it was that it was the first time she had had a breast check. (she is early/mid 50’s). This is despite having family history - and it being free to have Breast screens here in Australia from age 40.

Why wouldn't she do it? because, like me, she is a busy small business owner, a mum, a wife, a charity organiser and everything else she cannot say no to. She provides to, mentors and coaches hundreds of children a week in her business and she didn't have the time to think about herself – only others. She knows she should have, she knows its easy and free, she knows everything she could have done – but we, as working mums and business owners just tend to put ourselves last on that ever growing list.

You know I preach about the therapy of stitching, and I get so many messages of personal stories saying how stitching my patterns has helped people get through traumas, challenges and life events, including cancer journeys – I can’t stress enough the importance of taking that time out for ourselves, to smell the roses and – get the boob check! Before you have to go through the journey that so many of our friends and family have endured.

This year I have stitched the simple and of so useful ByAnnie Pocket Packer project using the wonderful Tula Pink linework fabrics we have instore at Quarter Inch.

But instead of a mesh on the outside pocket, I've used our EPP Iron-ons to make an English paper pieced ribbon in honour of the SewPink initiative. It’s quick and simple – but it sends a message – a reminder, to us all.

And I'm imagining that those are zebra unicorns there giving hope to all!

Here’s a quick little step by step of my ribbon process.

Take 18 diecut EPP 1” diamond papers (60 degree) and fuse them onto the wrong side of your chosen fabrics – I used three different Kona solids I had in my stash.

Remember to leave a 1/2” of fabric between them for seam allowances.

Cut them out keeping that 1/4” seam allowance on each one.

Next we use a fabric glue pen, a small line of glue along the edge of the paper and fold over that seam allowance onto the glue.

I arranged them onto a printout to see how I wanted to spread my colours around. (you can download that pdf here if it helps you)

Then you simply whip stitch them together as you would for any EPP. The difference with our EPP Iron-ons is you leave them in – yes they iron on, and stay in – if washed they’ll semi dissolve and just stay in as nice soft fibres.

Next you’ll cut a piece of cotton fabric (we used the zebra print) the same size as the mesh measurement in the pattern. Glue baste (we use small dots of Roxanne’s basting glue) it into place and then hand or machine stitch it down tucking in those tails as you go.

Then you’ll just continue to make up your bag as per the pattern.

I made Style 3 – with three pockets, splitting the bottom one.  You get a voucher code with each pattern to watch the Add-on videos by Annie. They take you through step by step with so many tips to perfect her zippers, mesh, vinyl and more.

If you’ve never done EPP before and would like to try this checkout my YouTube channel for some help using our method.

If you’d like to make your own version, we’re including enough EPP Iron-on precuts to make your ribbon with each Pocket packer pattern ordered on any of our websites.   We can also put together kits in the same fabrics we used – or of course you may have our own favourites.

We have a Giveaway

As part of the blog hop I have a $30 digital coupon to give away to one lucky reader – you just need to pop over to my Instagram feed and find the Sewpink post and enter to win. And remember, we’re giving you the EPP Iron-on 1” diamond papers when you grab the Pocket packer pattern.

Don’t forget to checkout the other amazing sew-leb-rities participating and see what they have on offer during the month of October.

BLOG HOP 2021 SCHEDULE

✂ Oct. 1 (Fri):Fat Quarter Shop - The Jolly Jabber

✂ Oct. 2 (Sat):Sallie Tomato

✂ Oct. 4 (Mon): Hugs ‘N Kisses

✂ Oct. 6 (Wed): Sewfinity

✂ Oct. 11 (Mon):Beyond the Reef

✂ Oct. 13 (Wed): Great Heron Thread Co.

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Love You Sew

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Emmaline Bags

✂ Oct. 16 (Sat): Meadow Mist Designs

✂ Oct. 18 (Mon): OklaRoots

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Suzn Quilts

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Teresa Coates

✂ Oct. 22 (Fri): Knot and Thread Design

✂ Oct. 23 (Sat): Shannon’s Studio

✂ Oct. 25 (Mon): The Littlest Thistle

✂ Oct. 27 (Thur): Mister Domestic

✂ Oct. 27 (Wed): Sookie Sews

And Don’t forget to go have that Boob check – no matter how busy you are.

happy stitching,

Helen

 

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection, and support for those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK

To find screenings available near you:

● Breast Screen (Australia)

● CDC.gov (US)

● WebMD (free screenings)

In addition to participating in the #SewPINK Initiative, Fat Quarter Shop invites you to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the goal of raising $10,000.

To find the Fat Quarter Shop fundraiser visit: https://fundraise.nbcf.org/FatQuarterShop

 

To learn more about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation visit: https://www.bcrf.org/

Guest bloggers this month are the team at Aurifil

The wonderful team at Aurifil this month have jotted their thoughts on why stitching is their therapy!

Erin, creative director, Karen, master educator, Kate – Chicago office and Hilary, social media coordinator- have all spoken about their quilting journey and what it brings to their lives…

Pop on over to their blog and read it all here

As I partnered with Aurifil to create and provide a specialised thread collection for our Stitch Therapy 365 program they were an obvious choice to share the blog journey with.

With the beautiful 12 weight threads on offer, the weight of this 12 wt thread being just perfect to cover my printed stitchery lines on the fabric panels.

And be sure to follow them on Instagram and there may just be a giveaway coming up.

Yes a Stitch therapy thread collection

AND

a Stitch therapy 365 panel and program to be won…

If you want to know more about our beautiful mindfulness project click on the picture below.

If you’re already enjoying the journey we have just a few of our daily therapy mouse mats left. A great reminder to take a break from the computer and have 5 minutes of ‘you’ time with a needle and thread..

Hope you get your therapy in today..

hugs from Helen

What a simply Splendid day it is!

How exciting is it that I was invited to be a designer in the second series of the Splendid Sampler?

And I even made the cover! so yes, you get my block for free to get one step ahead before the book ships!

We are taking preorders for these books at Quarter Inch - and we'll send you them as soon as they arrive in October  - you can order the first one too if you'd like.

The lovely team of Pat and Jane sent me a bunch of fabrics from Moda

and Erin at Aurifil some threads to play with.

We could use any method, design or technique we wanted so of course I included two of my faves…..

 embroidery….. (note: I used Presencia Finca Perle#16 threads for the embroidery)

and English Paper pieced clamshells

Of course many people may not have tried these methods before (and I always like to teach something new to even one stitcher out there) so I won’t leave you in the cold…

You can join in my FREE series of embroidery lessons and learn every hint and tip I can give you (just click on the pic below)

and if you need help with clamshells?  well I have a unique product for English paper piecing – they are EPP Iron-ons – yes, iron on leave in epp templates… They are cut from my Applique paper which is a semi water soluble paper with a fusible on one side. So you just iron them on, and leave them in!  You can see the step by step tutorial for clamshells by clicking on the pic below.

If you’d love to have the EPP Iron-ons to make your block you can get them here. (and why would you do it any other way!)

And for even more information and free help on my paper and method subscribe to my Youtube channel where there is a ton of information and technique how to’s for you.

To celebrate my day, let’s have a little competition! Over on Instagram…. Follow me (on IG) and share a pic of your version of my block….(don’t forget to tag me so I find it @helen_stubbings)

 

I’ll choose two new followers over the next two days (for those quick off the batt) – and one tagged pic (per week on Fridays) over the next month to send a free pack of EPP Iron on Clamshell papers to..

I do so hope you love my block, learn a new tip or technique and keep on stitching along with the Splendid sampler team….

can’t wait to see them all appearing!

what to do now?

Sign up for free embroidery lessons

Order your clamshell EPP Iron-on papers

Watch the tutorial

Gather your fabric and threads

Follow me on Instagram

Post your block to win! (and you have to tag me! @helen_stubbings)

 

happy stitching

hugs from Helen

Win on Pat Sloan’s book tour!

I’ve met the wonderful Pat Sloan many times and love working with her. She is so full of energy and ideas and no-one is too unimportant for her to stop and chat with in the aisles or online.

Her community is massive and she reaches out and brings quilters together across the world so that they may all share her passion.

I have done two radio shows with Pat – albeit quite early in the morning (to get the across the other side of the world timings right) but chatting with her over the airwaves is like sitting with your long lost friend and having a friendly banter.

You can listen to our last chat here:

Now the reason I mention this is because reading Pat’s latest book is just like chatting with her in person.. genuine, easy to understand, talks the ‘normal’ talk that quilters of all levels, background, culture and style will relate to and understand.

This is a beginner based book – but even I reaffirmed a few things.. She says

‘This is my 33^rd book in 16 years, and the 3^rd in my ‘Pat Sloan’s Teach Me to’ series. I wrote the book to step a quilter through the basics of quilting their own quilts. It’s for the person who has never machine quilted to someone that does it rarely or only does super simple like quilt in the ditch.

I first show them walking foot techniques, then free motion. It’s filled with photo step outs and tips.’ 

and…there’s even links to videos if you’re a watch and learn person.

Now there’s not just step by step instructions

and loads of information on threads, needles, battings, techniques and more ……

there are also projects…

pieced and appliqued

So as part of her massive book tour – and only one of over 40 designer friends telling it like it is I have to tell you that you can win a copy of this book. These are the details:

Visit Pat's Giveaway Page to enter to win one of the 5 copies of her 'Pat Sloan's Teach Me to Machine Quilt Book'!  

blog.patsloan.com/pats-mega-fun-book-tour/

Physical Copies for US residents, digital copies for all other winners. Be sure to enter by Midnight Dec 1 and then visit the others on her Mega Fun Tour to learn more about Pat's book, some have interviewed Pat, a few might have a giveaway, or have made a project... it's all listed on Pat's page!

The others on this, my day you should visit are

· Cheryl Brickey meadowmistdesigns.blogspot.com/

and the ever present

· Kimberly Jolly of  fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ 

and www.instagram.com/fatquartershop/

and on the ‘enter to win’ page you will see the full list of blog people to visit and see what they thought.

so, if you’re new to quilting, you need to enter this competition, and if you don’t win – then grab yourself a copy wherever you can find it… you owe it to yourself

a final reminder:

enter here

hugs for today
Helen

Free Free EPP quilt along with me….

Do you want to quilt along with me?  from right in your lounge chair each night… from anywhere in the world?

If so, you only have a small window of opportunity to join in..

From now until Midnight 30th September Australian time you can join up by visiting here and purchase the precut pack you will need to complete the mystery quilt. Okay, so that’s not free then you say – but you need these pre-cuts to be able to make the project – and instead of having to purchase a full pack of every different shape poor Tessie has spent hours cutting just the amount you will need for a very good price..

But – the pattern – all 26 parts delivered by email – will be free – for those who have signed up by the 30th September – after that it will need to be purchased from a store running it as a BOM project…

So this free offer is a little thankyou to all of you who have followed me over the past 14 years, who have supported me, bought my patterns, encouraged me and thanked me for bringing a little joy into your life.

And it is for you, stitching friends around the world to learn the joy of English Paper piecing the Hugs ‘n Kisses way!

Join with us on this 26 part Quilt along – learn many shapes, techniques, a little gluestick applique and more.

I will take you step by step through the mystery quilt learning a new block, shape or technique with each installment.. The final quilt top will measure approximately 48” x 48”. Most blocks involve handwork, with a small amount of simple machine piecing – and I have assembled the blocks by machine. But all the individual blocks are appliqued or paper pieced by hand – just your little bit of daily therapy… not too much, you’ll easily be able to keep up with just those five minutes of stitching per day or so..

We will be using the Hugs ‘n Kisses EPP iron –ons – if you haven't tried these then my mission on the QAL is to get you totally addicted – you will never do it any other way again….

Our Iron-on English paper piecing shapes are cut from Hugs ‘n Kisses applique paper – which is 50% soluble with a glue on one side. Which means, you iron the precut shape to your fabric, glue over the edges, stitch it up AND LEAVE THE PAPERS IN! so easy….. there are many other positives of this product that make the process so easy and forgiving for all skill levels.

and remember - IT WILL BE FREE! yes totally free – but for that limited time only…

remember join up now by purchasing the EPPQAL Paper pack  AUD$60 + postage (GST included.)

  More information here..

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Once you have signed up (by purchasing the pack) you will be added to a mailing list and as each installment is released  will get a link to download the pattern (which will be work for only 2 weeks).

Once the program is finished we will release it as a BOM pattern worldwide as a paid pattern through stores. Some stores are already offering fabric packs to join in now..

There are 26 parts and we will release them randomly – maybe two a week, depending on how involved the block is and when I'm home/or away to do it

Whilst you are working along use the hasthag #EPPQAL to share the fun.

I have used my Fancywork Box and Basically Hugs fabrics for my quilt version –which is what you will see each month. We have prepared fabric packs using the same/or very similar fabrics as I have used.

Hugs fabric pack – (optional) PLEASE NOTE: we have been overwhelmed by orders and have run out of some fabrics, we have ordered more but they may not get here in time so any orders from now will include substitutes - same colours and very similar values but not the originals. If the order arrives I will remove this message and return to original fabrics.

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$90 + postage.(please select other for postage- if more is required we will contact you before processing)

Fee is making a version for me using The new Tilda  Autumn tree range which  she’ll be sharing on Social media as we progress. Many stores have this in stock now. Esmes has kits ready to offer in Tilda and Sew Bright Alpine Quilting will be ready with kits also by our October start.

Or choose your own fabric/colourway – a modern version would be great too!

Other things you would have in your sewing box – but if not they are available from here.

Sewline Glue pen & refills

Hugs ‘n Kisses applique needles

Roxanne’s Glue baste it

Karen Kay Buckley perfect scissors

Bottomline sewing thread in neutral colours

Inkjet printer or Sewline ceramic pencil.

- See more at: http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/epp-quilt-along.html#sthash.lto0C7z3.dpuf

The program will begin in October –

You can see lots of peeks of what you will be making on my instagram feed or Facebook page. And you may like to join in and share our Facebook group just for EPPQAL gals..

Tell your friends- or don’t if you want this to be your secret  

remember, click that button now to join in before its too late – Tess needs time to cut enough kits for you so numbers the earlier the better will be great… In the meantime I shall get the patterns ready to go!!!

Read more details here.. or sign up right now by clicking the button below.

THE FREE OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN BY SIGNING UP WITH A STORE WHO RUNS THE PROGRAM AS A BOM OR FROM OUR WEBSITE ONCE THE Initial Quilt along - has finished.

AUD$60 + postage GST included.

 

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hugs for today

Helen

Quilted Living Book tour

How pleased was I to be asked by The Fat Quarter Shop and Gerri Robinson to be a part of her new book tour….

this book is choc full of things to make for your home… in fresh, bright or patriotic fabrics.

the invitation meant I got an early peek at my project of choice and the chance to make someone else’s pattern for a change  - which is very therapeutic to me..

We were asked to put our own spin on a pattern from the book. As it is coming into summer here and we are preparing our pool for the holidays I chose the Bursting Star cushion. I am thinking a whole group of these on the decking around the pool will be perfect for summer pool parties (I have a 17 year old who frequently has her friends around to enjoy the day)

I used my Primrose Sands Fabrics (for Red Rooster fabrics).

I left out the piping (because I didn’t have any large piping cord on hand) and instead of stuffing I filled my cushion with bean bag beans – won’t matter so much if it gets splashed and will be soft and squishy for sunbaking on…

Now, one would think that I would have taken lots of photos with the cushion around the pool! – but unfortunately today it is raining and dull and the pool is not looking inviting at all… this is typical of Tasmanian weather in Spring – so instead, imagine me lying amongst my roses in the spring garden reading a book and having a good cup of coffee….

If you have not been following the blog tour its not to late to visit everyone who participated and enter to win a free copy of Gerri’s lovely book… Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win from me – thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop and Gerri for the copy and for inviting me to take part…

 

November 11th

Fat Quarter Shop kicks off tour!

November 11th

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

Linda Hrcka of The Quilted Pineapple

November 12th

Gail Pan Designs

Erica Jackman of Kitchen Table Quilting

November 13th

Kathy Brown of The Teacher's Pet

Thearica Burroughs of Pigtales & Quilts

November 14th

Helen Stubbings of Hugs N Kisses

Gerri Robinson of Planted Seed Designs ends the tour!

 

dont’ forget – leave a comment for your chance to win..

hugs for today

Helen

 

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for instant peeks of what Im working on next!

Parade of Homes

How lucky am I to be a contributor to Quiltmakers’ ‘Parade of Homes’… to be considered in their 13 favourite designers, alongside some of my own favourites and two other Aussies is very exciting.. and an honour…

 

I wanted to use my new line of fabrics with Red Rooster ‘Primrose Sands’ which meant I couldn’t start my block until two weeks before I left for Market in May – along with making all my other projects for my booth! – nothing like last minute panic. I wanted that soft relaxed look of a seaside villa in spring. Of course I needed to add some of my favourite techniques – a little applique and some embroidery. Which meant I was almost still stitching as packup started on the Sunday at market and poor Carolyn came by for the fiftieth time to pick up my block! oh I work well to a deadline!

I used my applique paper to add window boxes full of flowers, pots in front of the home with espaliered flowering roses and an arbour of flowering vine around the entrance ,can you smell the sweet scent as you enter? A lovely ornate door knob was also embroidered over the print of the red Lace fabric.Of course the prefect seaside retreat has lacey curtains on the top floor with the breeze flowing through and lower French windows neighbours can peek in as they stroll up the cobbled path.

You can all have a chance to win this original  version of my block.. you just need to go to http://www.quiltmaker.com/articles/parade-of-homes and leave a comment to win the blocks and a copy of the magazine. Plus many other giveaways and goodies they are offering during the blog hop.

I have a little kit of fabric to give away – so you too can make this little seaside retreat – and I’ll include a pack of applique paper – you can see how I use it on YouTube here.

 

Check out my videos on Gluestick applique–that's needle turn without the turning… by hand or machine–you’ll love it.

Just leave a comment below – what would your favourite seaside retreat be like? we are allowed to dream, who know’s maybe one day someone it will just appear if we wish hard enough..

and the fabric pack and applique paper could be winging their way to you. For those who don’t win, Im offering a 10% discount on the applique paper for the duration of the Parade. Use the discount code: parade10  to apply your 10% discount until the 28th August.

 

PS: I have just been reminded I can also give away a copy of the magazine! yay!!!  I will send the winners name to Quiltmaker and they will post it direct to the chosen winner.... so enter now - leave that comment below....

hugs for today

Helen

and the winners are?

wow, I certainly have a lot of ideas of what you’d like me to work on next…. can’t promise them all but it does give me food for thought…

so now I have to choose five of you for a little fabric pack of each of our 36 Basically hugs fabrics…

If you are a winner please contact us with your snail mail address so we can send it straight out!

so….

Comment:
I love mini quilts, and in your fabric range, would be lovely. Thank you for the great giveaway,

• Commenter name: Angela

 

Comment:
Your new fabrics are just gorgeous, Helen. I'd love to see more mini quilts. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

• Commenter name: Christine M

 

Commenter URL: http://macdonaldspatch.blogspot.com

Comment:
Beautiful fabric! I would love to see a tablecloth made with either collecton. Thanks!

• Commenter name: Delaine

 

Comment:
I love the fabric range. I'm not sure what I want to see next perhaps something for Christmas - another Christmas BOM

• Commenter name: Donnacraft.wordpress.com

Comment:
I have shared this on Facebook too because ...who wouldn't share the love of such adorable designs and fabulous fabrics!!! Have a great day!

• Commenter name: Pam White

 

congrats and hugs for today

Helen

Fabric Heaven–a giveaway

I thought I’d officially tell you about my two latest fabric lines now that they are shipping into Aussie stores as I type.

…at market this year I had to be prepared to release two ranges at once – scary but exciting, and a lot of last minute sewing – twice as much as normal… but we got there… so here are the two lines and what Red Rooster had to say about them….

 

Primrose Sands

Primrose Sands is the name of a small seaside village in Tasmania, an Island state at the very bottom of Australia near Helen’s home. Helen tells us, “The collection started from my wallpaper photograph at my friends’ beach shack and was the inspiration for the main geometric print of rosettes. My memories of good times at the beach with my girls and our friends…the soft minty greens, romantic pinks, and silver grays with a pop of raspberry signified relaxation, peace, freedom, and perhaps a bit of romance…at the seaside in an Australian summer…bubbles, summer fruit, laughter, and sunshine…” Although the main geometric was inspired by a wallpaper pattern, the bright, bold colors were inspired by popular 1980s colors…pinks, reds, teals, and grays.

For each line I am contracted to provide a free pattern for you. These can be downloaded from the Red Rooster website and stores will make up a kit for you.  Sunshine and Daisies (below) is my free pattern for the Primrose Sands line…

Basically Hugs – available very soon

“My inspiration was my dream to have a wonderful ongoing basics collection that would be very usable for me as a stitchery and appliqué designer - and for stitchers and quilters throughout the world. I hope to build on these basics with future additions to create must-haves for all kinds of projects and quilter’s styles. For Basically Hugs, I began with the basic blenders and small prints that I love to use as backgrounds and for contrast in my projects. Some of the designs are from earlier collections - the fabrics that I use over and over again. The motifs are from my own drawings and pattern designs and include tone-on-tone heart stripes, a flower toss, a hearts and flowers toss, dots, a lacy stripe, textured burlap, subtle spirals, and rows of little hearts.”
Helen’s four colorways evolved from her earlier collections. There’s a range of light to medium grays, a selection of light to dark blues, another of light pinks to dark reds, and a nice range of essential white, cream, and beige prints.

Clambaked is my free pattern for the Basically Hugs range. Ask at your local store if they can do a kit for you.

Of course I have also designed a lot of other projects using the fabrics with more in the design line. I have been busy cutting kits for many of these also so if there is something you’d particularly like just ask.. (email)

Quilt measures 12” x 12“

A simple little banner to show you care. Suited to a 12” table stand. Applique paper included in the pattern pack.

Stitch with me

Tea and Cake

So Tweet

and others you can see on the website..

Now I might just have 5 charm packs (4” x 36 Basically Hugs fabrics) to give away.

Leave a comment here telling me what you’d most like me to design next to be in the running

For an extra entry, share this post on Facebook or your blog (and let me know)

And anyone who purchases any new pattern using the new fabrics over the next week will get another entry….

hugs for today

Helen

Basically Hugs

Do you remember way back in November of last year when I needed urgent assistance to name my basics fabric range?

well the name was finally decided upon- actually none of those suggested – there were so many great ideas – and I actually took a few of them an came up with

‘Basically Hugs’ – simple, understated, says what it is, reflects me and my brand (I hope) and will not date….

The range is not due out until maybe June in our stores- but my strikeoffs have arrived, the final 36 sku’s have been chosen, the selvedge is approved and I sit waiting patiently for my yardage to start playing! I am so excited about this range, and its going to be ongoing with new sku’s released continuously so I can keep designing with it!  and boy have I been busy designing…over my little break…. keep an eye out here and on Facebook over the next few months as I play…. by the time it arrives you will have no idea what to make first….

now for all of your help I did promise a little giveaway – and the closest to the final choice was:

Basic Hugs?

Posted by: Outback Crafter - Debra | November 18, 2013 at 02:31 PM

so Debra, when it does finally arrive I will be sending you a little bundle if you can send Lori your mailing address.

 

hugs for today

Helen