Meet the Author
Hey there, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Lucinda and I'm a fabric addict, stitcher, maker, hoarder and writer. I live in London with my husband Jonathan, son Alexander and cat Leonardo. I'm passionate about quilting, so sourcing classic blocks and creating new designs for A Block a Day was a real pleasure. It also meant that I could use up some of my fabric stash whilst buying new prints! Bliss.
Tell us a bit about the book?
The book is a compendium of 365 quilt blocks, literally one a day for a year, if anybody cares to take up the challenge. They range from simple one-patch designs and traditional patchwork designs such as baskets and stars, all the way through to figurative images of cats, dots and landscapes, which I have designed especially.
The blocks are arranged in spectrum colour order, so you can follow my colour schemes or reinterpret them in your own favourite fabrics.
What was the inspiration behind it?
The idea for the book came from Sophie Collins, commissioning editor at Ivy Press, as a follow up to their 365 crochet square book. Once I'd been asked to write it, I started some pretty intensive historical research looking at traditional designs, which form the main core of the blocks, then moved on to developing my own ideas and re-interpreting vintage designs in contemporary colours and fabrics.
Which is your favourite project?
There's something about the combination of quilting and cats that appeals to many stitchers, so I designed a couple of blocks featuring felines. The 'Seated Cat' is my favourite. It's quite complex to piece, so it's one for the true cat lover or dedicated quilter!
What is your craft space like?
Whether I'm writing or sewing, I usually work at the wooden kitchen table, which is set by a wide bay window that looks out onto my London street. I like to gaze at outside world when I'm working, and all the neighbours and dog walkers wave as they go by. My fabrics are stored away in clear plastic boxes so that I can find them easily and I upstairs I have shelves and cupboards filled with jars of beads, buttons, ribbons, scraps etc.
Have you always been creative?
My grandmother was a dressmaker and my mother an art teacher, so my sister and I grew up making things, drawing and painting from an early age. It was inevitable that she's now a fashion designer and I'm a crafts writer. I studied Fine Art Textiles at Goldsmiths Art School, but spent many years working in television and film production. Once my son was born I needed to work from home and be more flexible, so writing books and creating magazine projects is ideal.
When did you first start crafting?
I can't remember actually learning to sew, knit, crochet or embroider, so I must have been taught at a very early age. I have fond memories of making a rag doll with my mother, when I was about 5. She has plaited yellow wool hair, embroidered felt features, a wooden bead necklace and a floral skirt made from one of Mum's old dresses... she's called Rebecca Bucket and I've still got her, even though she's a bit moth-eaten by now.
Who are your crafty heroes?
I am in awe of Willyne Hammerstein, the doyenne of English Paper Patchwork and author of Mosaic Quilts. Having machine stitched all the blocks in my book, I'd love to do some hand quilting and make a version of her fabulous Passacaglia quilt.
I also love Janet Bolton's quirky appliqué, and was lucky enough to attend one of her workshops a few years ago. I bought one of her pictures and look at it every day.
Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere - to quote Paul Smith. I take lots of iPhone pictures to record chance combinations of colour, shape and pattern on the city streets, in galleries, on holiday, in the countryside or even in the supermarket.
What's next for you?
I thought I'd take some time off once i finished the book, but have been asked to get involved with a stitching project and some more quilting. After that the house is being rebuilt, so I think I'll have to sew in the corner cafe!
Publisher's Description
In this book, designs range from creative twists on well-loved classics to brand-new blocks in a whole range of different styles, while a lie-flat binding allows the reader to use the book as a practical guide as well as a treasury of ideas. There are designs here to appeal to a whole range of abilities, from the beginner to the experienced quilter, and the blocks are arranged in a vivid rainbow of colour. A book that every quilter will use and treasure for a lifetime.
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