Creating folk-art appliqué designs

Broderie Perse has a long history and is seen in quilts and bed covers dating back to the 1700s. The literal translation means ‘Persian embroidery’ and, while historic examples are often seen embellis

This month, get creative with patterned fabrics and wallpapers, make everlasting paper flowers and invest in some quality bed linen or tableware

■ Background Fabric A PE408 – 4yds ■ Fabric B FE511 – ½yd ■ Fabric C BLC11105 – ½yd ■ Fabric D BLC21108 – ⅜yd ■ Fabric E BLC31105 – ⅞yd ■ Fabric F BLC31108 – ½yd ■ Fabric G PE443 – ⅜yd ■ Fabric H BLC3

After illness forced Louise Watson to give up her job as a teacher, she turned to embroidery. Now, she embraces the slow art of sewing as part of a more meditative way of life

■ Background fabric – Moda Chambray linen in grey – 2yds ■ Blue stripe ticking fabric (borders A and B and binding) – 1yd ■ Beige/blue print for borders D and E – 2¼yds ■ Light mixed prints – Nine (9)

Make these bold prints work in your home, whatever your style