About Jenny
Jenny is a modern quilt designer and teacher known for her colourful, curvy machine pieced patterns.
Jenny Haynes (née Nilsson) studied Pattern Cutting and Tailoring in her native Stockholm. Soon after, she followed her passion for fabrics and moved to London to study Fashion and Textiles at the London College of Fashion. She went on to develop her own label ‘Papper, Sax, Sten’ (that’s ‘Paper, Scissors, Stone’ in case you’re wondering!), creating award-winning designs that reflect her many different influences. She is based out of Sheffield, now.
Her bespoke quilts and furnishings are recognised for their clean and simple, mid-century modern design. Jenny mixes rich colours with pastels and is not scared of a colour clash. She often uses her trademark curves together with solid fabrics, while remaining faithful to her Scandi’ roots.
Jenny’s work was recognised in Summer 2015 when Jenny was invited by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, along with 18 other Swedish designers, to be a part of Heal’s Swedish Summer Exhibition. Heal’s have a long history of promoting Swedish design with exhibitions in 1923, 1951 and 1971.
Her quilts and patterns appear regularly in books and magazines, including Thames & Hudson for the V&A and in Patchwork & Quilting: A Maker’s Guide, ‘Designed by teachers and practitioners at the leading edge of today’s craft revival.
Two of her quilts won awards at QuiltCon 2019 in Nashville. QuiltCon is arranged by the Modern Quilt Guild and is the biggest exhibition of modern quilts in the World.
When Jenny isn’t designing her curvy and quirky quilt patterns, she teaches at the V&A as well as giving talks and running workshops for Guilds and textile venues in the UK and abroad. She also offers live online workshops.
You can watch Jenny demonstrate how to sew no pin curves in this episode of The Makers Studio series.
Signature Technique
Colourful curvy quilt patterns
Top Tips
- Use a shorter stitch length (1.8) for stitching curves to give your block extra strength and to avoid splitting in the seam.
- When colours clash a bit it gives your quilt spark.
- When sewing curves, always start with the smallest curve then work your way up.
- Your finger is the pin when sewing no pin curves.
- Always finish all of your piecing before pressing your block. It’s easy to stretch your block out of shape if you press before you are done.
- Press your seams open for a flat, block print like finish.
- Use a tailor’s block to help you seams stay flat.
- Precise and variable quilting designs help to enhance the organic shapes in your quilt.
Videos
Patterns
Posts
Sewing Me Time in Hampshire, 21 and 22 June 2025
Date: 21 – 22 June 2025
Location: New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Price: £440
Join us for a very special Sewing Me Time weekend. Hang out, get your projects finished, enjoy pampering time at a stunning countryside hotel..
ECT Travel Goes QUILTING USA in 2025
Go QUILTING USA with two inspiring trips. QuiltCon Modern Quilt Guild Phoenix Arizona 2025. This 8 night/9 day tour combines two inspiring days at the Modern Quilt Guild’s world class show, QuiltCon with the chance to experience the unforgettable natural wonders of Arizona. Bask in the beauty of iconic red rock formations, discover the hidden secrets of the Grand Canyon and marvel at the natural sandstone masterpieces of Monument Valley. Tuesday 18th to Wednesday 26th February 2025 AQS QuiltWeek, Paducah 2025 & the American Midwest. This 10 days/ 9 nights tour programme is filled with textile treats, including two days at the inspirational AQS Quilt Week Paducah 2025. Other quilt-themed highlights include a guided tour of the internationally renowned National Quilt Museum and Missouri Quilt Museum and a visit to Hamilton - known as 'Quilt Town USA' - home of quilter Jenny Doan and her Missouri Star Company!
AQS QuiltWeek, Paducah 2025 & the American Midwest
10 days/ 9 nights tour programme filled with textile treats, including two days at the inspirational AQS Quilt Week Paducah 2025. Plus, guided tour of the internationally renowned National Quilt Museum and Missouri Quilt Museum. A visit to Hamilton - known as 'Quilt Town USA' - home of quilter Jenny Doan and her Missouri Star Company.