Let's give it a go!

What’s our comfort zone? No, I don’t mean rolling amongst the fabric bolts in the local quilt shop, or sitting on the sofa with the cat, a packet of biscuits and a box set! Our comfort zone is undeniably a lovely place to be, but this month we have projects that challenge some of our play-it-safe quilting preconceptions and push those boundaries just a little.

Check out our cover star by Ashley Newcomb. Her improv approach is so bright and breezy that you’ll be throwing caution (and your ruler) to the wind and cutting freestyle in no time! For those of you who started yoga classes at new year but are finding will-power waning, Karen Lewis has accessories to put the sparkle back into your sun salutations. Laura Pritchard and

Nicole Daksiewicz each put their own spin on the beloved hexie, giving us (and hopefully you) a renewed passion for our favourite geometric gem. Running out of space for your quilts? Make like Lynne Goldsworthy and lay your next one on the floor as a rug and feel the fabric beneath your feet – how decadent! Leaving negative space on quilts can be daunting, so check out Judith Dahmen’s basket weave design. With the help of clever quilting, she makes the negative space just as impressive as the piecing. Positively genius!

There are plenty more projects this issue that will have you testing your boundaries. But what if it all goes wrong? In my experience there’s very little that a seam ripper and a few ‘choice’ words can’t deal with. Go on – I dare you!

JENNY FOX-PROVERBS EDITOR