I can’t quite put 2021 into words. It was a year of so many highs, so many mini wins, especially for my little business. But it was also the year of so many lows. I suppose the best way to look back at it all is to see that what didn’t break us, only makes us stronger!

So here are the good bits! My rounded up ‘Top Ten’ moments of Made Just Sew in 2021!

No. One

We Won The Big Janome Skill Share!

Probably the proudest moment of 2021 was when I found out we had won the Big Janome Skill Share competition in the middle of the Janome stand at the Festival of Quilts this summer in the UK! It is still a total pinch me moment and all a blur! But deciding to take the leap and take on this challenge taught me so much and I have also gained a fantastic friendship in Zoe. Watch Jennie Smiths video below for our ‘winners story’ and if you want to find out more, read the blog posts I made during the competition. It was our way to keep everything documented along the way and looking back now I am so glad we did.

No. Two

i released 4 quilt patterns in 2021

(plus one more in Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine……. see No. 4)

No. Three

Collider became a cross-stitch!

In early summer I was contacted by Sally from Caterpillar Cross Stitch. She had seen my Collider Quilt Pattern and wanted to see if I was interested in collaborating with her to turn the design into a cross-stitch. Swipe the picture below to see the Collider quilt become a cross-stitch pattern!

No. Four

Having my first feature in love patchwork & quilting magazine!

Do you ever have those ‘one day’ dreams? This for me was one of them. ‘One day I will have one of my patterns feature in the Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine’ - I still can’t quite believe it and it was such a great experience and the loveliest team to work with!

My ‘Peachy Keen’ pattern can be found in issue 105 and you can order back-issues here:

No. Five

I became a sew hot brand rep!

The UK fabric store Sew Hot put a call out for Brand Reps earlier in 2021 - I applied and I was chosen along with some amazing fellow quilters! Sew Hot send me out a parcel of fabrics every few months and I have to make something with them to help promote their shop! Sounds like a dream doesn’t it!

Below are pictures of the Retro Metro Quilt I made with the first fabric pull I was sent and the Christmas fabric bundle I was sent for my second week.

No. Six

I did a bunch of quilt pattern testing!

Hover over each photo to see the name and designer of each quilt!

No. Seven

being part of Quiltmas spectacular 2021 !

It was such a honour to be one of the Quiltmas-Elves this year! I don’t think I could have replied back to Amanda (Broadcloth Studio) quick enough when she asked me if I wanted to be part of it!

Everyone did such an amazing job, each of the 12 blocks were incredible and it was such a fun group to be part of! And there is everyone who took part and made their own versions - please go and check out the #quiltmasspectacular hashtag to see more!

If you missed out on my Spruce Block - it is now available in my shop!

No. Eight

hitting 5k followers on instagram

I remember exactly where I was when I reached 5K followers. It was the summer holidays, we were camping in Devon with the kids and I had just released my Sweet Wonder Quilt Pattern. Releasing the pattern produced a little flurry of followers and helped me to hit 5K.

There is now a few more of you, but reaching that milestone was amazing - it just feels like all the hard work starts to pay off and you watch your business grow.

This year the aim is to hit 10K! ………… lets see if 2022 is as kind as 2021 was!

No. Nine

Meeting my Quilty Friends ‘in real life’ for the first time!

My quilty life has really taken off the last few years, especially during the pandemic when we all turned to social media to be able to connect with others outside of our safe home bubbles while isolating. In 2021 I was able to go to the Festival of Quilts and as I don’t live too far away from where it was being hosted, a few quilt friends came and stayed over too! It was the BEST!

No. Ten

embracing every opportunity to get a ‘quilts in the wild’ photo!

If you have been following me for a while, you will o doubt know how much I love a good quilts in the wild pic! I have an incredibly willing family who are now just so used to me taking a quilt EVERYWHERE! I’m hoping to take this new obsession out of the UK in 2022 if we ever finally get to book a holiday abroad (keep everything crossed guys!)