what
Kimberley Makes

The disappearing pinwheel is such a clever quilt block to make! Starting with a simple pinwheel, you can cut it into nine sections and rearrange the pieces to create lots of different patchwork designs. For this version, I've arranged the pieces into a design that looks a little like a wrapped sweet or a bow tie. It's made using just two contrasting fabrics, and although the finished block looks quite detailed, the sewing itself is surprisingly straightforward. I'll show you

If you need a whole pile of half square triangles for a quilt, this is such a satisfying way to make them! Using just two large squares of fabric, you can make 32 matching half square triangles at once, rather than sewing lots of individual pairs. For this example I’m starting with two 14" squares, which will give me 32 half square triangles measuring 3" unfinished, or 2½" finished once sewn into a quilt. It’s basically the familiar 8 at a time HST method, multiplied across f

There’s something especially satisfying about making a quilt using fabric you designed yourself, and this Cottagecore Stars Quilt made in my Folklore Bloom fabric collection has been a project that I’ve loved watching come together. I designed the Cottagecore Stars quilt pattern as a simple, bold star quilt with plenty of space to show off patterned fabrics. When I started planning projects for Folklore Bloom, it felt like the obvious pairing. The Cottagecore Stars quilt patt

How to Sew a Log Cabin Quilt Block Using 2.5” Strips The log cabin is such a useful quilt block to know, especially if you have a pile of 2.5” strips waiting to be used. It starts with one small square in the centre, then grows a little with every strip you add. There’s no complicated piecing involved, just sew, press, rotate and repeat. For this version, I’m using 2.5” wide strips throughout. The completed block measures 14.5” square, making it a lovely big block for quilts,

The folded fabric star is a popular handmade Christmas decoration, usually made small enough to hang on the tree. For this project, I have taken the same folding technique and scaled it up to create a large fabric star that makes much more of a feature. Made using just four strips of cotton fabric, the star is folded and woven together without any sewing. It looks lovely hanging from a door, displayed in a window or added to a festive wall alongside smaller handmade decoratio

How to Sew a Simple Lined Tote Bag This simple lined tote bag is a lovely beginner sewing project and a great way to use up leftover fabrics from dressmaking, quilting or other sewing projects. I made mine as a little extra project to go alongside The Pattern-Free Wardrobe, but you can use any medium weight cotton, linen or leftover fabric you have in your stash. The bag is fully lined and has a simple inside patch pocket, which is perfect for keeping smaller bits neatly tuck

Free Boho Blouse Sewing Mini Mag I’ve got a lovely free sewing download to share with you! I’ve recently been featured in the Half Yard Sewing Club ezine, with an interview all about my book, The Pattern Free Wardrobe, and a project from the book included too. To celebrate, the Half Yard Sewing Club team have put together a free 8 page mini mag which you can download and have a browse through at home. Inside the free mini mag, you’ll find my interview, the Boho Blouse project

Ruffle Edge Cushion Cover Sewing Tutorial This ruffle edge cushion cover is a lovely follow-on project if you’ve already tried my 16 at a time half square triangle tutorial and have a little stack of HSTs ready to use. It’s a simple way to turn 16 half square triangles from one tutorial block into something finished, useful and very cute. It is also perfect for using up sample blocks, leftover fabrics or those quilt blocks that have been sitting in a drawer waiting for their

Sew a Split Nine Patch Quilt Block The split nine patch is one of those brilliant quilt blocks that looks simple on its own, but becomes really exciting once you start making more of them. It is made just like a basic nine patch block, but with a few half square triangles added in. When the blocks are repeated and turned in different directions, you can create diagonal lines, zig zags, diamonds, barn raising layouts and lots of lovely scrappy movement. quilt layout ideas - 16

The Pattern Free Wardrobe Book 10 Simple Dressmaking Projects Without Paper Patterns If you’ve ever wanted to sew your own clothes but felt overwhelmed by traditional sewing patterns, or you’re simply looking for a bit more freedom and creativity in the way you sew, I wrote this book for you. The Pattern Free Wardrobe is my first dressmaking book and it’s all about making clothes in a simpler, more approachable way. No huge paper pattern sheets. No complicated sizing charts.

How sew ruffle hem trousers with any pattern A simple sewing hack to give basic trousers a softer, more playful shape. There’s something very satisfying about taking a simple pair of trousers and adding one extra detail that completely changes the feel of them. Ruffle hem trousers have a softer, more playful feel while still being just as comfortable and easy to wear. For this version, I used the self-drafted trouser project from my upcoming book The Pattern-Free Wardrobe, bu

Uneven 9 Patch Quilt Block Tutorial If you love quick, playful quilt blocks with lots of visual impact, the uneven 9 patch is a great one to try. It starts with a simple four‑patch, then a couple of clever cuts transform it into something much more dynamic. What you’ll need for one block 4 fabric squares, each 5 inches 2 contrasting fabrics work best for a bold effect Rotary cutter, ruler, sewing machine, iron Step 1: Sew a Four Patch Arrange your four 5‑inch squares into a c