I had the pleasure of chatting with Stuart Hillard at the Festival of Quilts for The Sew Happy Quilters’ Association. In this interview we dive into Stuart’s journey from learning to sew as a child to designing fabrics, writing books and presenting on Sewing Street. If you love quilting patchwork sewing, his approach to celebrating fabric and the simple joy of straight-line stitching will resonate with you.
Meet Stuart Hillard — maker, designer and presenter
Stuart writes books on quilt making, bag making and home décor. He designs fabrics for Louis and Irene and yarn for Stylecraft, and he’s a familiar face on Sewing Street. Sewing has been his life from childhood; what began as a hobby became his full-time work over a decade ago.
Books, bag-making and fabric collections
One of Stuart’s newest books is a joyful mix of patchwork and practical projects: Make a Hundred Bags (full title: Use Scraps, Sew Fabric, Make a 100 Bags). It’s a celebration of fabric and an invitation to use scraps creatively perfect for anyone keen on quilting patchwork sewing and bag-making.
- Focus: patchwork bags and designs that highlight fabrics
- Practical: patterns that suit stash-busting and small-scale projects
- Appeal: ideal for quilters who want wearable or giftable items
Fabric ranges
Stuart has ongoing collections with Louis and Irene, including a recent Christmas range called “All is Bright.” His fabric designs bring colour and personality to small projects and large quilts alike.
Quilting, longarm work and selling pieces
Stuart uses a Handy Quilter longarm machine, which he credits with dramatically speeding up his workflow quilting and binding a top in around four hours. He occasionally sells quilts and samples at shows; because many teachers and makers hang on to their samples, finding pieces for sale can be rare and exciting for visitors.
Sewing for wellbeing
For Stuart, sewing is restorative. He says it provides creative joy and calm especially the meditative act of sewing straight lines. As he puts it:
“Just sewing straight lines… it’s like doing yoga but without getting sweaty.”
Whether you prefer intricate patchwork or simple quilting lines, the rhythm of stitching supports wellbeing and focus.
At the Festival of Quilts
Stuart loved spending four days in Birmingham meeting quilters, sharing fabrics and books, and talking sewing all day. His colourful stand drew crowds and showcased quilts, bags and new fabric ranges true festival highlights for anyone into quilting patchwork sewing.
Where to find Stuart
- Stuart Hillard Makes website and social channels for books, patterns and fabrics
- Look out for his books at shows and bookshops that stock craft titles
- Watch his segments on Sewing Street for tips, demos and inspiration
Final thoughts
Stuart’s work reminds us that quilting, patchwork and sewing are more than techniques they’re ways to celebrate colour, use our stashes and find calm. Whether you’re making a bag from scraps or quilting a large bedcover, there’s real joy to be found in the process.
Come along to The Sew Happy Quilters’ Association Quilt Show to see makers like Stuart in person and to experience how quilting patchwork sewing can brighten your day.
