Aurifil Artisan Jemima Flendt of Tied with a Ribbon has just released Weekend Quilting, her debut book with Fons & Porter. The book is a gorgeous representation of a wide variety of techniques, presenting the opportunity to build your quilting skills. We had a chance to chat with Jemima about the book and are thrilled to share that interview with you here today. And… there’s a giveaway because who doesn’t love a good giveaway?
THE BOOK
What we loved most about the book is the wide variety of techniques and projects included in each section. The book offers the opportunity to try your hand at not only traditional piecing techniques like half square triangles and strip piecing, but also English Paper Piecing, raw edge applique, and foundation paper piecing! Jemima does a fantastic job of walking you through the basics of each technique, making this book not only perfect for beginning quilters but also a fantastic addition to your quilting library!
INTERVIEW
Congratulations on the release of Weekend Quilting! Can you tell us a little more about what inspired the book?
We all have such busy lives these days between families, work commitments and just life in general. I wanted to create a book that would celebrate and make the most of the time you do get to spend Quilting. This time Quilting, sewing or even doing any hobby always seems like such a luxury, so I wanted to make that time count with projects that could be finished over a shorter time frame of a weekend. I hope that making a project and seeing it finished will inspire people to want to make and quilt more. Seeing a finished project is so satisfying.
How did you come up with the range of projects included and do you have a favourite?
My professional background is as a Home Economics Teacher and so teaching is always at the core of what I want my Quilting to represent. As I now teach sewing and quilting workshops I wanted to give beginner sewers and even those who have quilted before the “Techniques” to make different blocks to inspire the projects. I wanted to give lots of attention to the detail of how to put it together – which way to press and lots of tips for the Technique as you go. While it is hard to pick a favourite I definitely love the Appliqué “Blooms Mini Quilt” and the Half Square Triangles – “Hearts on Fire” is another favourite. “Avenues” which focuses on Foundation Paper Piecing is another firm favourite.
Can you tell us a bit more about your fabric and thread selections for projects in the book?
The fabrics in the book really represent the types of fabrics I love working with. I love to combine lots of different fabrics by different designers to get just the right look for the colours and prints that I am trying to achieve. I audition lots of fabrics that offer variety in size, colour and print until I settle on what I love. I also love to mix the different type of fabric substrates. Very often you can find Chambray, Linen, Cotton and Tana Lawn all in the one project. I love the effect of these different textures together. Thread choice is always easy – Aurifil fits the bill everytime. I can always match the exact colour I am after and even more so the Thread weight. I love being able to have all the machine piecing and hand quilting needs I have to sew all in one brand.
What project from the book would you recommend to someone just starting out with sewing and quilting?
The book was designed to be a “Skill Building” style of book – I wanted the projects to start at the beginning and then progress in difficulty and skill level. So starting at the beginning would be a great place to start for readers of Weekend Quilting and those wanting to start with Quilting and Sewing.
How big of a role do your quilted projects play in the scheme of your own home décor?
In my home we have quilts everywhere – they are on couches, on beds, on display – folded into nooks we have had made under the television, they are even on walls as in my sewing room I have hung curtain rails along the walls and can change and display different quilts. There are pillows all around and quite often with my girls they feature on the floor – LOL!
When did you first discover Aurifil threads and what do you love most about them?
I came across Aurifil threads a few years ago and always encourage my students to buy the best equipment and notions they can afford. I always recommend Aurifil as there is little point to spending so much time hand making projects to have them lot you down with poor notions such as thread – I have found that Aurifil doesn’t shred, fluff, or snap and love that it doesn’t ravel back up again when you are working with it.
Where can our readers find your book?
Weekend Quilting is available at Amazon & in my store.
Where can we find you this year?
I have several Trunk Shows and Workshops coming up this year:
- June 24th – Book Signing and Trunk Show at Carols of Midland
- July 3rd – Trunk Show at Patchwork at Homespun
- August 5th – Trunk Show, Book Signing and Workshop at Cotton Rose
I have also got an Online Class coming out at Craft University in July at – https://www.craftonlineuniversity.com
GIVEAWAY
Want to win a copy of Weekend Quilting and 6 spools of Aurifil Thread to get you started with your first projects? Simply click here or on the image above to head to the Rafflecopter page to enter-to-win. You don’t have to complete all options to enter, but the more you do, the more chances you’ll have to win! Giveaway runs from now through 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 20. Winner will be announced here on this post on June 21. This giveaway is open to our International friends.
ABOUT JEMIMA
Website – Blog – Instagram – Facebook – Pinterest
Jemima Flendt has been around fabrics and crafts for as long as she can remember. Her grandmother used to teach her to crochet and her mum was always making at her sewing machine. She grew up to love and be inspired by all things fabric, textiles, buttons, ribbons, and embellishments. Her own two girls are now very much involved in their own crafting and stitching passions.
I would love to try big stitch quilting. I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, but hope to soon!
I have been wanting to try applique! This is a lovely book with great projects!!
I love some of the samples shown. I think starting with the foundations of sewing and building on them really helps. Of course, I always want to jump to the projects!!
I haven’t tried EPP yet, but would like to learn that technique.
Love the patterns! Thanks for the give-a-way!
I would like to try out raw edge applique. I have shied away from it because I don’t think it will hold up in the washing machine, but there are many items you can make that won’t need to be washed very often. I have some old quilts with raw edge that are coming apart. Maybe there is a new way to stabilize the fabric that I’m not aware of.
I love hand applique but haven’t tried much machine applique. I’d also like to do some foundation piecing.
Love love love!!!!!Obrigada!!
This book looks fabulous. I’d really like to try foundation paper piecing and try more of raw edge appliqué. Thank you.
I haven’t done much applique.
I am interested in doing more hand quilting of small special projects. I am also getting re-acquainted with embroidery. A great take-along project is always a must.
I want to work on appliqué and free motion quilting.
I’d love to try using embroidery on quilts. Thanks for the inspiring post!
Iwouldlike to try making cathedral windows and EPP.
I would love to make a Churn Dash quilt. Thank you for the giveaway.
Needleturn applique. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’d love to learn how to make a Hawaiian appliqué quilt using the needle turned technique.
I want to try EPP. I keep saying I am going to do it. But then I chicken out. I dont know why i am so intimidated by it!
I have never learned how to do traditional appliqué and I’d love to learn.
I’d like to try paper piecing.
I only have a standard sewing machine but would like to try free motion quilting with it.
Have been enjoying English Paper Piecing and would love to learn more and try large stitche hand quilting!
hi – congrats on your book. I always love fine tuning techniques. Each designer has their own way of quilting and it is always a great experience learning. Thanks for such a great opportunity.
I want to try wool applique. The 12 wt thread should be ideal.
I set seams and putting in a zipper
I’d really love to learn how to free motion quilt 🙂 thanks for the giveaway !
I’d really love hand appliqué
What a beautiful book! I’d like to learn how to sew curves.
I want to keep trying EPP even though I’m pretty bad at it right now. I really want to try thread painting but I feel like that’s something I need an in-person class for.
I really want to learn and try trapunto with applique. I love the effect and dimension of it! duchick at mchsi dot com
I would like to try hand applique again. The first time was not the best experience. Thanks for the great giveaway.
I would like to try English Paper Piecing and use it in a project.
Want to try Paper Piecing, and Applique 🙂
I would like to improve my applique skills.
I would like to expand my EPP to more than hexagons. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I see lots of lovely hexie quilts. I would like to learn that method.
I’d love to be able to hand quilt (big or little stich). I want to hand quilt a fall colored log cabin quilt, myself.
Some big stitch quilting! My hands are too bad to do normal small quilting, but I really love the look!
I would do some applique projects.
Learning paper-piecing is on my to-learn list for sure.
Big stitch quilting is something I haven’t tried but is on my list of things to do.
I would love to try Big Stitch Quilting. It is something I know nothing about!
wow o am so impressed
Looks like a beautiful book, Jemima is very talented!
Looks like a new must have! Can’t wait to get it.
I’d love to jump into expanding my EPP past hexagons! Great giveaway!
I am working on embroidery and hope to add more to quilts. I would love to do machine embroidery, but don’t have a machine that does it yet. I want to do more foundation piecing and EPP too. Thanks.
I would really like to do more raw edge applique. Aurifil threads are especially wonderful for machine edging!
🙂 Linda
I love the piecing but am not as fond of the quilting, however I’d love to handquilt a project someday, maybe in the big stitch style.
I am just a beginner when it comes to making a quilt. This book looks like exactly what I need to get started the right way.
The variety of small projects is inviting. I love color too,
I would like to do crazy quilting. Thank you for this giveaway. The cover projects are inspiring me to want this book. Aurifil threads have helped my piecing become much more accurate.
I am intrigued by the idea of big stitch quilting.
I would love to learn machine quilting. The book looks great!
I really want to learn how to hand quilt, perhaps starting with big stitch quilting. I’ve done a very small bit of it on a mini quilt, but I’d like to jump in with both feet and quilt an actual quilt!
I haven’t done any foundation paper piecing and would like to try it. It just seems like more work than I want to do, maybe I just need some good instructions.
I’ve been quilting a long time but my FMQ skills are really sad. I just can’t get the hang of it.
Big stitch quilting with Aurifil 12wt thread? Looks Beautiful!
I do EPP and love it, still haven’t tried applique yet but will someday. And the best part of finishing a quilt for me to hand sewing my binding on.
I would like to try big stitch quilting.
I’ve been following the blog tour for this book and I love what I see. I think I’d like to start at the beginning of the book and work my way through it. I’m new to quilting and have a lot to learn!!
I would like to learn foundation paper piecing!
I would like to get more experienced in free motion quilting, especially feathers.
I would love to get more experience in free motion quilting. Fabulous book. Great giveaway. Thank you.
I really want to try epp! One of the smaller projects might not be so intimidating!
I have always wanted to learn English Paper Piecing…..and herre is my chance!!
I really want to try free motion embroidery and applique!
What great projects! I have been wanting to learn needle turn applique.
I would like to try hand quilting my designs. x
I’d love to try a heavier weight thread, right now I’m just using cotton gutterman, and I understand there’s so many more options available.
I’d like to try hand quilting & curved piecing, Thanks.
Always wanting to learn a different way
I have always wanted to try big stitch quilting. Great giveaway – thanks for the chance!
Applique is the number one on my to-do list!
I’d love to make a churn-dash quilt soon. And the book would be perfect to share with a brand-new quilter in our quilt ministry.
I need to work on my applique. Thanks for the great giveaway
really like appliqués and like to learn more
Looks like a great book – and not just for beginners. I find that even though I have been ‘around for a while’, someone may have a way of doing something just a little bit different, or an easier way of doing something that will create those ah ha moments like ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ LOL Congratulations to Jemima on her book and thank you Aurifil for the opportunity to bring one home 🙂 AND the thread! Oh the thread….. 😀
I really want to try to do raw edge applique. I have a problem convincing myself that it is ok to have those raggedy edges.
Looks like a very interesting book – and what I need to broaden my work. Thanks.
The book looks like great inspiration for a new project
I’d like to try applique. That round mini quilt is adorable.
I have done traditional applique and I will try raw edge.
I have tried a little of most types of quilting but could improve my applique skills for sure.
I’d like to learn more about big stitching as a finishing technique. Thanks for the giveaway.
I want to hand quilt…and fmq!
I would like to try adding a flange at the binding – I’ve seen a few up close and personal and I like th eeffect!
I normally don’t leave comments, never know what to say. Thank you for the chance to win . I do love the threads and the book looks great!
Going to try my hand at hand piecing this summer while on vacation!!!
I would want to try appliqué. Thanks for the giveaway. This book looks great.
i would like to learn more about free motion quilting.
How fun! I think I’d like to try a hoop quilt someday.
This new book has lots of great projects. Right now I’ve been wanting to know more about curved piecing.
I need to do big stitch quilting and raw edge appliqué! This book looks amazing!
Thank you.
I want to try strip piecing–I have a lot of scraps!
I would like to try Big Stitch quilting. Just wonder if I have the patience for it, and the right needles!
Great book. Love the colors in it and the companion Aurifil thread.
I am trying to get up the courage to try free motion quilting. Thanks!
I really need to work on FMQ, and wouldn’t some Aurifil be just the thing to help me do that?
I love my Millie longarm! Hand quilting is too slow for me…
Want to try my hand at free motion quilting. Perhaps smaller weekend projects would be the way to start!
I love the book and would love to win the promotion
I want to learn to free motion quilt.
Looks like a fun book!
I’d love to get more practice with free motion quilting – full time job always gets in the way!!! 😉
My favorite (until arthritis stopped me) was the hand quilting. This brings the quilt to life, and it tells me what it wants. Now I guess it’s the piecing..
I want to try EPP!!! Love this book!
I don’t know anything about it but I would love to learn
I am interested in trying more art quilting.
I want to try paper piecing!
I’ve not tried hand quilting yet and really want to!
Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful giveaway.
I’d love to work on more applique!
I want to start at the beginning and build my skills back up.
I would love to do more art quilts.
I’d like to do some geometric quilts!
I want to learn how to hand quilt something. How to hide the knots, etc.
EPP. I have a project sitting out and need to start cutting and stitching!
I’m need to make a baby quilt for my niece.
I want to get better at color choices.
I would love to learn machine paper piecing!
I’d love to learn, rather hone my skills in contructing triangles. The Equilateral Triangle Pillow would be a great weekend quilting project for me.
Jemima, I love that you decorate your home with quilts . It’s no fun locking them into a closet when your’re done. In process of hanging two on my banister and a few mini’s in my bathroom:)
THank you for sharing your book and love of Aurifil Thread. It’s diviine!
I want to learn reverse appliqué. Your book looks interesting, thanks for the chance to win.
I would like to learn how to Applique and add Embellishments. 🙂
Haven’t done much with hexagons and the project in the book looks interesting. Thanks for the chance to win!!
I am eager to learn free motion quilting – so far I have only straight-line quilted.
I want to learn to do FMQ.
I have a project in the queue that has embroidery in each block. I don’t do a lot of embroidery, so my skills should be improved by the end of that quilt.
I’d like to try English Paper piecing. Aurifil thread is my favorite.
I could try the hexies and EPP. Thank you!
I want to learn how to do machine applique.
I want to try applique.
I’m interested in learning Foundation paper piecing. I see so many awesome designs!
I would love to learn more applique! thanks!
Two techniques that I haven’t tried are paper piecing and foundation piecing. Thanks.
I’d like to learn how to hand quilt.
I love Baltimore Album quilts and would love to learn how to do such beautiful applique work.
The HSTs. I’ve been waiting for a project to learn these with.
Looks fun!
Would love to learn how to applique….. a beginner now.