Popular Patchwork April 2016Thank you for the compliments you have been paying us regarding the changes Liz and her team have been making to the content of the magazine. It's good to know that so many of you are enjoying our new features and projects. The team decided the improved content deserved a bright new look to match, which launches this issue, we hope you will approve and enjoy it.

With April being a month associated with both sunshine and showers we thought a weather theme would strike a chord with many of you. In this issue you can find out how to use the weather to create dye effects, and how to make an Umbrella Tea Cosy.

  • Last month we launched our competition to create a Sketchbook Quilt based on your favourite colour. Lynne Goldsworthy shares the Sunshine quilt she has made in her favourite shade, orange, on our cover 
  • Mandy Munroe’s Bird Cabin quilt is a fresh summery spin on an old favourite
  • Hello Chevron is a quick and easy quilt by Kerry Foster, perfect for using up longstashed charm packs
  • Judith Hollies makes a stylish Staggered Stripes cushion
  • Simple rows of patchwork houses and trees are used to make a charming and nostalgic Shape Sorter Street quilt, again by Judith Hollies
  • We've got an extract from Quilted Covers and Cosies by Debbie Shore, learn how to make this delightful Umbrella tea cosy and share a cuppa with a friend
  • Carry on with our Seasonal Sampler, with the last part of our three-part project to make Janet Goddard’s fresh and fun sampler quilt

Our regular features and articles this month include

  • More about our exciting new Sketchbook quilt competition!
  • Elizabeth Betts quizzes Kim Suleman and Debbie Garland of Six Penny Memories
  • Read top tips on quilt in the ditch, a quiet style of quilting
  • Anne Williams looks at Coverlets
  • We talk to Ruth Murray who runs the company Fair Trade Fabrics
  • Brenda Dean shares the story of her group quilts inspired by the paintings of L.S. Lowry
  • In Stuart's Surgery, Stuart tells us how to organize a quilting retreat
  • Gillian Cooper writes about the links between the weather and dyeing fabric
  • Suzanne Fisher looks at Prairie Points
  • Find out more about sun printing, a quick and easy way to print on fabric
  • Mandy Munroe takes us on a tour of Canterbury

Don't miss our prizes and giveaways in this issue, including Fabric Freedom fabric and Janome sewing machines in our Sketchbook quilts competition. We still have some pieces of the lovely Vlieseline wadding available, so if you missed it last month or have a friend who would like to take part, more details can be found on page 64.

You'll never miss an issue as a subscriber, and you can save money off the cover price of each issue. This month you can treat yourself to a free goody bag with a new subscription. A subscription to Popular Patchwork magazine also gives you access to exclusive competitions and content here on the website. Why not visit our Subscriptions page today?