However, writing this letter on o icially the warmest day of the year, I feel a lot less fraudulent as I present this early summer issue!

Bursting with light and loveliness, the projects are a beautiful mix of styles and techniques, all designed to bring some much-needed sunshine into your life.

Kicking off this month’s makes with a distinctly Moroccan vibe, is the aptly named Kasbah Star quilt by Mandy Munroe (cover). Creating stars from half square triangles, the finished result is both stunning and deceptively simple! Debbie Von Grabler-Crozier’s Day Out quilt (page 14) is another reminder of why quilts (like life) don’t need to be complicated as she mixes her squares with triangles and patterns with plains, to stunning effect.

Spending much of my time looking at new fabrics to create new designs, it’s easy to forget that for some people it’s the past that inspires and excites. This month, Julie Sheridan talks to collector-come-designer Christopher Wilson-Tate on his vast collection of antique quilts and his exciting new collaboration with Moda, all inspired by his love of the old (page 36). Dispelling any outmoded beliefs that quilting is women’s work, American designer Luke Haynes is the focus of this month’s featureFrom Building Blocks (page 58). With his background in architecture, Sophie Harper discovers how trading blueprints for textiles propelled him to the forefront of the quilting world. And finally, turn to page 9 to see our Block of the Month winning quilt, along with a round-up of the best of the competition entries!

And finally, it’s always a tricky one saying goodbye to something you love, but as the age-old adage goes, ‘all good things must come to an end’. Sadly, this issue will be our final one before we merge with our sister title, British Patchwork & Quilting, from the July issue onwards. Luckily for you, many of our regular contributors will be moving across titles, so rest assured you will still be treated to their fabulous designs! So, with a huge heartfelt thank you for all your support, it’s hello to British Patchwork & Quilting and a fond farewell from Popular Patchwork.