Hi everyone, I’m Zeïba.

I did not grow up sewing. In fact, I grew up thinking I did not have an artistic bone in my body. But when I finally sat down at a sewing machine in 2016, something clicked. I began by making bags - creating fun and practical pieces that taught me the foundations of stitching and construction. I played with textures and colours, using cork and Harris Tweed to create practical and beautiful makes.

Then, in early 2021, I discovered quilting, and it completely transformed how I viewed fabric and design. What started as making quilts for my family quickly became a passion for creating pieces that blend artistry, storytelling, mindful making, and a love for beautiful materials.

Inspiration in Every Stitch

I am inspired by so many things: the colours and textures of my surroundings, the stories behind fabrics, or the stories I imagine for them, and sometimes simply my mood at the time. I love exploring traditional techniques from around the world and have a particular affection for eclectic designs, vintage style prints, and bright fabrics. My favourite form of quilting is hand quilting, and I try to incorporate hand stitching into everything I create, whether it is big stitches, embroidery, appliqué or sashiko.

Fabric Favourites

My love of African wax fabrics comes from childhood memories of family holidays in Senegal and the beautiful boubous and patchwork bayfal trousers worn by my mother and my aunts. I enjoy creating modern quilting pieces that celebrate these vibrant prints. The French side of me is equally drawn to using beautiful, timeless linens. Each fabric has its own personality. African wax prints bring bold, joyful energy to a piece, while linen offers a textured calmness. I also work with high quality cottons and collections that have meaningful stories that resonate with me, hence absolutely loving being part of the FreeSpirit Fabrics Circle of Makers, of course.

Projects I Love

I think quilts, with their aesthetic, versatility and incredible texture, will always be at the heart of my work, but I also enjoy quilted coats and smaller experimental pieces where I can explore texture, colour, and stitching.

Let me share my makes for the FreeSpirit Circle of Makers so far:

Harlequin coat with Sew Kind of Wonderful’s Field Cloth collection. This was my first leap into garment making and the spark that lit a brand new sewing obsession. The deep, rich and soothing colours wrapped me in inspiration from the very first stitch.

Adinkra Duafe symbol reverse appliqué mini quilt, also from the Field Cloth collection. This piece combined heritage inspired design with contemporary quilting, using the age old reverse appliqué technique in a way that felt meaningful and modern.

Honeycomb Bubble quilt, made with the Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements Palette collection. This was my first adventure into creating a self-drafted hexagon puff quilt pattern, and I loved the challenge of keeping every hexie perfectly shaped while adding fluff to this gorgeous, vintage inspired collection. It also became the perfect Christmas gift for a dear friend.

Reversible quilt coat using Seth Apter’s On Your Mark collection. The collection’s duality became a playground for colour, texture and total creative freedom. It was both a technical challenge and such a joyful experiment.

Sofia dress in Shell Rummel’s Daybreak collection. Although I chose a dress pattern that tested my skills, the flowing, ethereal and quietly stunning fabrics from Shell’s collection made me fall in love with sewing all over again. And I got to twirl on this dress! Love it.

A Playful upcycling project with leftover scraps from the Daybreak collection. I transformed an unloved pair of trousers into bell bottom denims simply for the fun of it and they are now my favourite jeans!

A cheerful little pincushion from a scrap challenge I took part in as an Aurifil Artisan, when FreeSpirit Fabrics teamed up with Aurifil. This pretty make now lives on my sewing table,  fun to create, lovely to look at, and so wonderfully useful!

What is Exciting Me Now

This journey has grown far beyond a hobby. I literally need to create every day.

There is always something new to explore, whether it is experimenting with different quilting and design methods or diving into new techniques. Recently, I have been completely absorbed in researching fabric dyeing techniques and all things related to the history of colours (check out this great podcast by the National Gallery  in London).  Additionally, I am also learning to loosen the reins and embrace the freedom of improv quilting which doesn’t come easily to me but is very liberating. I am equally excited to be preparing the release of my own quilt patterns, originally published over the past two years in Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, which will soon be available on my website.

Tips and Tricks

Over the years I have picked up countless little lessons, but these are some of my favourites that I return to time and again.

When sandwiching a quilt, place the batting with the scrim side - the one feeling slightly rough - against the backing and the dimples or bubbles against the quilt top. This simple trick helps prevent bearding. I made up this little phrase to remember: “bubbles rise to the top”.

Keep all your scraps and sew all your scraps. There is something incredibly liberating about turning what might look like leftovers into something beautiful.

One of my favourite truths in quilting came from a tip I once heard: There is no such thing as an ugly fabric, only fabric that has not yet been cut small enough to be loved again. It has saved many a piece from the reject pile and encouraged me to see and use the potential in every print.

Advice for Other Makers

Follow your curiosity. Try the techniques that intrigue you, even if they feel outside your comfort zone. Play with fabrics but also with thread weights and colours. Never underestimate the power of community. Connecting with other makers, whether online or in person, can inspire you in ways you might not expect.

And finally, if you would like a free hand quilting tutorial, you can find one here. It is my way of sharing the joy of slow stitching and helping others fall in love with it, too - I hope!

You can see more of my work, including my Circle of Makers projects, on Instagram or TikTok, or visit my Website and follow my journey as I continue exploring, experimenting, and stitching stories into fabric.