Irina Malyukova

Textile Artist and Pattern Designer

Helsinki, Finland

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For the love of patchwork, color and quilting....

This blog reflects my journey as a self-taught quilter. I am happy to share with you what I have learnt along the way. I hope these tutorials would inspire you to create and tips would help to solve some problems if needed.

If you use any of these tutorials and would like to share your creations on social media, please use the hashtags #nordiccrafterpatterns or #nordiccrafter and tag me at @nordiccrafter.

Happy stitching!❤

Irina

Jul 14, 20214 min read

What to do with the old shirts?

Upcycling is the best way to reuse, rework and re-imagine old textiles. Often we simply don´t like or don´t want to use them in their...

Irina

Jun 10, 20214 min read

Thread matters for EPP: Aurifil 80wt

I heard mixed things about Aurifil thread for hand sewing. Some stitchers love it, while others feel it is not strong enough and it...

Irina

Apr 20, 20214 min read

Hexagon Sewing Organizer

It has been a while since I wrote a pattern. Larisa @stitchingnotes and I hosted the EPP Necessities Sew Along in February which got me...

Irina

Feb 24, 20216 min read

How to choose quilting designs. Part 2

Rainbow on black... This is my current quilting project. I pieced the top in 2018. It measures 94 x 108 inches. At that time I didn´t...

Irina

Feb 18, 20216 min read

How to make a round hexagon basket

I always wanted to make a basket for my most used tools to keep it on the cutting table. Epp necessities Sew Along was a perfect...

English Paper Piecing Necessities Sew Along

Irina

Jan 28, 20213 min read

English Paper Piecing Necessities Sew Along

I am very excited about the up and coming Sew Along! Put the dates February 4th - February 28th, 2021 in your calendar and join the hosts...

Round hexagon pincushion with embroidery

Irina

Jan 18, 20215 min read

Round hexagon pincushion with embroidery

I must admit that I have a weakness for pincushions, as they are a sweet little project that always turns out nicely. A beautiful sewing...

Irina

Jan 5, 20214 min read

Sip Tea and EPP in 2021

Welcome to Sip Tea and EPP! It´s the third year that our weekly party has been running on Instagram and this year, I am honored to...

Irina

Dec 8, 20203 min read

Christmas gifts from denim and scraps

With Christmas coming so soon we all need gifts that are quick to make. So, why not to use your scraps and old denim? As you know I love...

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 4. Finishing the project

Irina

Nov 16, 20203 min read

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 4. Finishing the project

I can't believe that it is the final week of our Sew Along! I have been truly enjoying seeing everyone's progress and beautiful work. I...

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 3. Quilting

Irina

Nov 9, 20205 min read

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 3. Quilting

This week we are talking about creating back panel, quilting ideas for the front and the back of the stocking and basics of big stitch...

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 2. Sewing front panel

Irina

Nov 2, 20205 min read

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 2. Sewing front panel

Last week we prepared everything for stitching and basted the hexagons either with glue or thread. I have seen many beautiful color...

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 1. Getting started

Irina

Oct 26, 20206 min read

Hexagon Christmas stocking SAL, week 1. Getting started

Welcome to the Sew Along! It is always very exciting to start a new project and I am sure we are all anxious to start sewing. But before...

Irina

Oct 13, 20203 min read

Hexagon Christmas stocking Sew Along

I am very excited to announce that I will be hosting my first Sew Along on Instagram for a Hexagon Christmas stocking this year. Put the...

Made simple: a scrappy patchwork zipper pouch

Irina

Oct 6, 20207 min read

Made simple: a scrappy patchwork zipper pouch

Scraps... This is something that always inspires me and gives satisfaction to sew. My scrap basket is just like a magic pot - the more I...

Irina

Sep 16, 20205 min read

Hexie Tree Quilt Pattern Release

The idea for this pattern came from my love for English paper piecing and the humble hexagon shape. Few years back I made a Hexagon Tree...

What you need to know about Freezer paper piecing

Irina

Sep 8, 20206 min read

What you need to know about Freezer paper piecing

What comes to your mind when you think about foundation paper piecing? I always think - No thank you! Because I dread removing papers. A...

Irina

Aug 5, 20204 min read

Apples and Oranges

I started that quilt back in March when it felt like the world was hanging by a thread. I could not concentrate on anything, I just...

7 things to consider before buying quilting rulers

Irina

Jul 13, 20207 min read

7 things to consider before buying quilting rulers

With variety of quilting rulers in the market it is hard to choose what you need, especially if you are a beginner. When I just started...

What an easy set up for quilting on a home sewing machine looks like

Irina

Jun 18, 20204 min read

What an easy set up for quilting on a home sewing machine looks like

Many people give their finished quilt tops to long arm quilters because they don´t believe it is possible to quilt a large quilt on a...

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Irina Malyukova

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