Nicky Makes Things

Nicky Makes Things Quilting, Sewing & Embroidery
Sew Sunday every week
The life of a quilter
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What's on my sewing table
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Story Time: Gemology Month 5 UpdateMonth 5 of my Gemology Blocks is complete.Another couple of gemstone blocks have been...
28/08/2026

Story Time: Gemology Month 5 Update

Month 5 of my Gemology Blocks is complete.

Another couple of gemstone blocks have been added to the collection, and I'm really starting to see how all these colours and shapes are working together.

It's been so lovely watching this project grow one block at a time. 5 months in and I'm still excited to see what the finished projects will look like.

23/08/2026

Sew Sunday: Episode 19
Something New Part 2

This week I'm working on the borders for my new project. Pop Ups.

Before I can get yo the exciting part of seeing the quilt top come together, there's still the borders to add. This Sunday was about getting those borders ready.

It might not look like much progress, but these little behind the scenes jobs are what make the bigger picture possible.

Slowly but surely, Pop Ups is coming together.

What part of quilting do you find the most satisfying, the preparation or seeing everything finally come together.

Pattern: Pop Ups by
Fabric: Moda Sitara
Lewis & Irene Bumbleberries Basics bought from
Remainats from

🧵Currently on my sewing table 🧵Part 1I feel like I've reached that awkward point where I have lots of projects on the go...
19/08/2026

🧵Currently on my sewing table 🧵Part 1

I feel like I've reached that awkward point where I have lots of projects on the go... but not much to actually shoe for them.

So instead of waiting until I have something finished I thought I'd show you what's currently sitting on my sewing table.

Because that's the reality of being a quilter, there isn't always a finished quilt or a big reveal. Sometimes it's just bits of progress one stitch at a time.

So, welcome to Currently on my sewing table. A little behind the scenes look at whatever I'm working on right now.

What are you currently working on? 👇

16/08/2026

Sew Sunday
Episode 18: Gemology Blocks Part 6

Back to my Gemology project this week.

Another hour in my sewing room slowly working my way through the next gemstone block. I love seeing how each block starts as a collection of fabric pieces and gradually turns into something completely different.

This project is definitely a marathon rather than a sprint but that's part of the fun. One block, one seam, one session at a time.

This is just a little behind the scenes look at the process. I'll share more of the finished block as the Gemology Series continues.

Are you enjoying watching this project come together.

Questions I regularly get asked as a quilter.💬Have you finished that quilt you were working on? Ummm... which one? The t...
12/08/2026

Questions I regularly get asked as a quilter.

💬Have you finished that quilt you were working on?

Ummm... which one?

The truth is I rarely have just one quilt on the go. There are usually several projects spread across my sewing room, all at different stages. One might be waiting for fabric, another needs quilting, another just needs the binding and I've probably started cutting fabric for something new too.

💬 So, what are you working on at the moment?

Honestly... same problem.

The answer is usually 'Which project do you mean?'

I think most quilters will understand. We don't have a project. We have a whole collection of works in progress.

Tell me.. How many projects are you working on right now?

09/08/2026

Sew Sunday
Episode 17: Something New

A new project is about to begin.

This week wasn't about sewing the first seam just yet. I spent my hour preparing the fabrics and getting everything ready to start.

There's something I really enjoy about this part of a project. Pulling the fabrics together, starching and ironing the fabrics, reading the pattern and re reading it, before getting everything I need ready, and slowly watching an idea start to take shape.

Of course there's always that little bit of excitement (and maybe doubt) when you start something new and wonder how it's all going to look once the pieces come together.

For now, it's just fabric, preparation and lots of possibilities.

The cutting and sewing comes next.

Are you someone who enjoys the preparation or do you just want to get straight to it.

July was definitely a month of finishes and each one has its own story.Last month I completed 💎 Scrap like a diamond - ...
05/08/2026

July was definitely a month of finishes and each one has its own story.

Last month I completed
💎 Scrap like a diamond - Super King Quilt
🌧 Trilliant Diamond - April Wall Hanging
📖 Oval Sapphire - September Wall Hanging

Every finished project represents hours of cutting, sewing, unpicking, pressing, quilting and those little moments where you wonder if it will all come together. Seeing them completed makes every step worthwhile.

The Scrap like a Diamond quilt has been a huge journey and finally seeing a super king quilt finished feels like such an achievement. Alongside that I added two more Wall hangings to my Gemology collection bringing the series one step closer to filling my wall with a different gemstone each month.

Sometimes it's easy to focus on what still unfinished but looking back at everything completed this month is a great reminder of just much progress can happen one stitch at a time.

Which finish is your favourite. Thr giant Scrap like a Diamond quilt or one of the Gemology Wall hangings.

02/08/2026

Sew Sunday
Episode 16: Colourful Cat Cross Stitch Part 3

This week's sewing session is a little different.

Instead of quilting, I spent an hour working on my Colourful cat embroidery. Stitch by Stitch, it's slowly coming to life, and it's been a lovely reminder that not every creative project has to be finished quickly.

I enjoy having different projects on the go. It means I can switch between quilting and embroidery depending on what I'm in the mood for, while still making a little progress each week.

As always this reel captures one hour of stitching in time lapse. It might only be a small step forward but every stitch brings me closer to the finished piece.

Do you prefer sticking to one project at a time, or are you like me and have a few creative projects on the go.

Story Time: Month 4 of my Gemology Series Another month of my Gemology journey is complete and its been a colourful one....
29/07/2026

Story Time: Month 4 of my Gemology Series

Another month of my Gemology journey is complete and its been a colourful one.

This month I stitch blocks inspired by garnet, sapphire, aquamarine and ruby. Along the way, I discovered that gemstones have so much more to offer than just beautiful colours. From sapphires being found in every colour except red to topaz being yellow ( not blue as I originally thought), each block has taught me something new about gems that inspired it.

One of my favourite parts of this project isn't just sewing the blocks. It's learning the stories behind them. Every gemstone has its own history, unique characteristics and little facts that make it even more fascinating.

I'm loving watching this collection grow, one block at a time and I can't wait to see what next month's gemstones have in store.

Which of this month's gemstones is your favourite?

27/07/2026

Sew Sunday
Episode 15: Clean & Tidy

A day late but Sew Sunday is here

This week didn't quite go to plan, so instead of an hour at the sewing machine. I spent some time giving my sewing room a much needed tidy, replacing my ironing board and buying a new trolley for some storage.

It's not the most exciting part of quilting but having a clean, organised space makes it so much easier to enjoy the creative part when I do sit down to sew.

Sometimes the behind the scenes jobs are just as important as stitching the next seam.

Here's to starting the week with a clear workspace, a few new ideas and hopefully plenty more quilting.

Does anyone else find tidying their creative space almost as satisfying as finishing a project?

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