top of page
Writer's pictureAlaura

NATURE'S CREATURES

Updated: Jun 22, 2023

ALAURA'S NEW APPLIQUE COLLECTION


It has been a while (almost two years) since I designed an applique series, and a lot has happened between then...


If you are new to the world of Pattern Poole, let me just quickly introduce us and what we are about. My mum is Monica Poole, and I am Alaura Poole; for the past 20 years, Mum has had a business of teaching sewing and quilt-as-you-go and selling sewing patterns worldwide. Before this, Mum was a fashion designer, and without going into too much detail, let's just say I have grown up soothed to the sound of a sewing machine humming all through the night. And if it wasn't my mum sewing, it was my Grandma while we spent countless holidays at her beach house in Crescent Head on the East Coast of Australia. Just to set the scene, this house was built by my grandfather, and it was a holiday house where everyone was welcome. Mum has 12 siblings, each with loads of friends, so this wasn't just a house but a constant revolving door filled with fun times, rain, hail, or shine. This house is where I designed my first applique series, 'Windows Into Africa', in 2017.


Windows Into Africa Collection on the Pattern Poole Stand: International Festival of Quilts 2018, Houston


However, 5 years on, a lot has happened in between.


I graduated from university, our business has gone entirely digital, and we started our YouTube channel. Oh, and I also started a business of my own - artist management, and I aim to open my own gallery one day. This is in conjunction with my and mum's goal to create as many PDF patterns as possible and YouTube tutorials to share our love of sewing with as many people worldwide. In addition, I have started studying art history to aid me in my art career, which has just opened a multitude of doors with waves of inspiration barging through. And not only do I have more ideas for applique patterns than ever before but my love and appreciation for quilting and the women who have quilted throughout time also grows deeper every day.


To me, it seems where men have held history's pen, women have held the needle, and they have sewn the essence of themselves, all through the fabric of time. Quilts are a quiet ode to the hidden world of womanhood. To memories of those born, loved and lost, and the more I read, the more I am forever infatuated with the art of quilting.




English Antique Quilt, Hannah Langdale, aged 13, 1834: On Display at The Festival of Quilts, Houston 2018


The problem I encounter daily is that I have an abundance of ideas and a lack of time.


Therefore, I am constantly fearful of designing something and making it in case I waste time. Because let's be honest, Mum is indeed the sewist, and she is currently off writing a new book on quilt-as-you-go. Although I would love to lose my days perfecting the art of thread painting, I am much more productive on my computer designing pattern sheets.


So, while Mum is off writing, I propose I design as many ideas as possible to get them all out there. And perhaps you could all show me what you can do with them...


So without further ado, here is the first look at my new bug collection that has been over two years in the making!


NATURE'S CREATURES

As I have mentioned before, A lot has happened in the past five years, and even though I have been working in sewing stores since the age of 19, the most significant shift is that I now understand quilt-as-you-go.


Thanks to our latest online course Island Home and all the filming I have been doing with our YouTube channel, I feel like I have been on a quilting apprenticeship from Mum. Not only that, but now we have a larger online community I can receive direct feedback in real-time.


I posted my original bug designs back in 2020 and received many wonderful comments. I love reading what everyone has to say, and one of the best things about all my applique designs is that people can mix and match.

Original Bug Designs from 2020


Above are my original designs. I don't mind those designs, but I feel they can be restricting if people don't like a particular critter.

So, I decided to take a further step and design a repetitive block that can link in as an entire quilt.

This is because many people have different preferences, so I want to design something anyone can use as a base for creativity. The possibilities of what you can achieve with these humble little designs are endless because, spoiler alert, I have many more applique drawings tucked away in my sketchbook. You can mix n match the flowers, the little bugs, the blocks and colours. It is up to you what you want to create, and the best part is that they are all designed with Mum's quilt-as-you-go methods in mind.


So, this is the beginning of a new journey for me and anyone who would like to be a part of it. A new era of applique patterns. I hope you like them!


SHOP THE NATURE'S CREATURES COLLECTION BELOW































3,186 views27 comments

27 commentaires


Hi, I not very long ago started watching, all the tutorials on the you tube tv. I am avidly watching all the tutorials, and all the patterns for qayg and applique are absolutely beautiful, I can't wait to start trying them ,but I have two quilts to complete before I try all your amazing patterns and as I have never tried to do applique I think the tutorials are awesome and more understandable than most that I have seen,so thankyou for the inspiration to keep up with my quilting.

J'aime

linda williams
linda williams
27 janv. 2023

When is the next bug pattern coming out I keep coming to the web page ,t see if the lastest one has been released

J'aime
Monica Poole
Monica Poole
28 janv. 2023
En réponse à

Hi Linda, we've been on our annual holiday break sorry. The next bug is due for release on Feb 2.

J'aime

Carrie Newman
Carrie Newman
29 nov. 2022

Your bugs are BRILLIANT!!! They make me smile and laugh and just plain feel good! I must have them all. Truly admire your talent and look forward to everything you have coming for us all. Thank you!

J'aime

pjclawson5
12 oct. 2022

Incredibly beautiful. I love the secondary blocks created when two or more are sewn together.

J'aime

klquilterkat
21 sept. 2022

I've already bought and sewn together more than a dozen of your other animals, sea creatures and these bug "creatures" look just as intriguing!

J'aime
Alaura
Alaura
28 sept. 2022
En réponse à

Thanks so much! I’m glad they look just as intriguing 😍

J'aime
bottom of page