29th April
From Janet
This is my lockdown souvenir cushion. If you like crosswords, then Bananagrams is the game for you. John and I have played a couple of games every evening since last March! Scores are virtually even. Each player makes their own crossword, using tiles similar to Scrabble ones, but there is none of the tedious waiting for your opponent to take his turn. Give it a try. |
From Jane F
From our literary critic - a recommendation:
Click on the photo for details
And it has been made into a Netflix miniseries:
From Anne
Quilt Binding
Despite my dislike of hand sewing I do like binding a quilt, I think it's because it's the full stop at the end of the quilt making process, I get to the point where it is the destination rather than the journey and I love finishing things and putting a tick in the box.
Binding can look so good too, striped binding is a particular favourite, I usually do double folded , mitred corners, machine sewn to the front and then hand sewn to the back, if I am doing a child's quilt I machine blanket stitch to finish because it makes it so durable .
Here is a recent Aurifil 'Five for Friday' article with links to five different methods of binding, the fifth and final one 'Big-Stitch Hand-Binding Variation' is new to me, I will definitely give it a go.
Click on the photo...
Binding can look so good too, striped binding is a particular favourite, I usually do double folded , mitred corners, machine sewn to the front and then hand sewn to the back, if I am doing a child's quilt I machine blanket stitch to finish because it makes it so durable .
Here is a recent Aurifil 'Five for Friday' article with links to five different methods of binding, the fifth and final one 'Big-Stitch Hand-Binding Variation' is new to me, I will definitely give it a go.
Click on the photo...
For an excellent sixth chioce take a look at Ricky Tims method for binding a small quilt. This is my go to method for small wall hangings, the binding is joined at the mitred corners so there are no apparent joins, the diagonal seam at the mitre is machine sewn so it look really neat. Here is a photo of a 'Ricky Tims' mitred corner on a portrait quilt I recently finished, I used a jelly roll width in a single fold which gave me a finished binding width of just a smidge under 1", it looks like a photo frame.
Below is a tutorial by the man himself. You do not need the tool he is promoting any smallish ruler with a 45 degree angle on it will do nicely. |
Bag Straps
Cotswold Woolen Weavers
I went to the Cotswold Woolen Weavers at Filkins last week. Now we are allowed out and about more I can thoroughly recommend it as an afternoon out. It is much more than a shop, although they do sell wonderful woolen clothes and apparel, and fabric. There is also a little museum with fascinating objects and photos depicting the mills products through the years; and a teashop! What more could you want. It's about 5 miles from Burford so you could make a day of it and visit the Burford Garden Centre too, there is plenty of outdoor but undercover seating there for a light lunch or just a cuppa.
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19th April
From Jane F
I am currently working on 2 projects. The first I will call "Serendipity". Here's why.1. My daughter is very interested in all things related to Jane Austen and also happens to be a writer. She has recently purchased a garden office, in which to work. |
Hey Presto! Currently In progress one bolster pillow for my daughter's new office.
16th April
From Elaine
Yesterday I tried out a new 'dyeing' method - Flower Pounding. I'm trying to make backgrounds for embroidery. My efforts are pictured below.
Finally, a blog I enjoy reading from time to time is Nicola Foreman Quilts. She give details of her makes, and you too learn through that. It's a gentle read. |
14th April
From Evelyn
Hello all,
I have just come across the following poem via Gyles Brandreth's Twitter page and thought it might help to begin the day with a smile...It is a new poem by Mark Graham entitled Snap Happy.
Hope today's good for you.
Snap Happy
In photos for your passport
They tell you not to smile
So most of us get gloomy shots
That look like we're on trial
I think the vaccine version
Should know the mood we're in
And faces looking out of them
Should wear a big fat grin.
They tell you not to smile
So most of us get gloomy shots
That look like we're on trial
I think the vaccine version
Should know the mood we're in
And faces looking out of them
Should wear a big fat grin.
Mark Graham
From Doreen
Every year, in towns and cities around the country, volunteers host Christmas dinner events on Christmas Day for young people aged between 16 – 25 who have left the local authority child care system, and who would otherwise spend Christmas Day alone. 1 in 5 homeless people have been in care, and 1 in 5 care leavers spend time in prison. Knowing how much comfort and delight a quilt
can give, a group of Quilters formed in October 2018 to gift a quilt for each of the attendees at one of the dinner events. In less than 3 months, the group managed to collect 120 quilts, providing 50 to the dinner held in Manchester, 50 to Leeds, and 17 to a smaller event in Barnsley. The quilts were so well received by the young guests that we decided to continue and expand.
In 2019, our aim was 1000 Quilts for a projected 20 dinners across the country. We were able to gift to the 16 dinners happy to receive them. Despite the difficulties that 2020 challenged us with, we were able to gift over 700 quilts. We have also been able to gift to young people who are in areas where no Christmas Day dinner is being held, and look to extend that. The young people choose
their own quilted hug, each being unique.
To do this, we need your help! We are happy to accept quilts sized no smaller than 40” x 66”and no wider than 50” but can be longer than 72” – long and thin so that they can be wrapped around the guest, to provide a hug. Finished quilts/hugs will be called in on 3 occasions each year, to ensure that they can be checked and be sent on to an appropriate location. We have several long armers
donating their skills, so we can provide assistance with quilting if required. We also welcome orphan blocks and fabric donations, and we have a monthly block drive for those who prefer to make blocks rather than complete tops or quilts.
Please do check out our page on Facebook - ‘Quilts for Christmas Dinners’ or join our quilt makers group “Quilts for Care Leavers Makers (Q4CL)”. You can also seek further information by emailing us at [email protected], or make a Paypal donation to [email protected].
can give, a group of Quilters formed in October 2018 to gift a quilt for each of the attendees at one of the dinner events. In less than 3 months, the group managed to collect 120 quilts, providing 50 to the dinner held in Manchester, 50 to Leeds, and 17 to a smaller event in Barnsley. The quilts were so well received by the young guests that we decided to continue and expand.
In 2019, our aim was 1000 Quilts for a projected 20 dinners across the country. We were able to gift to the 16 dinners happy to receive them. Despite the difficulties that 2020 challenged us with, we were able to gift over 700 quilts. We have also been able to gift to young people who are in areas where no Christmas Day dinner is being held, and look to extend that. The young people choose
their own quilted hug, each being unique.
To do this, we need your help! We are happy to accept quilts sized no smaller than 40” x 66”and no wider than 50” but can be longer than 72” – long and thin so that they can be wrapped around the guest, to provide a hug. Finished quilts/hugs will be called in on 3 occasions each year, to ensure that they can be checked and be sent on to an appropriate location. We have several long armers
donating their skills, so we can provide assistance with quilting if required. We also welcome orphan blocks and fabric donations, and we have a monthly block drive for those who prefer to make blocks rather than complete tops or quilts.
Please do check out our page on Facebook - ‘Quilts for Christmas Dinners’ or join our quilt makers group “Quilts for Care Leavers Makers (Q4CL)”. You can also seek further information by emailing us at [email protected], or make a Paypal donation to [email protected].
From Anne
The Sewing Bee starts tonight - 21:00 BBC 1
Although I really enjoy the show and don't object at all to sewing competitively I do have reservations about turning sewing into a race agaist time. When I am sewing it is always a matter of 'more haste, less speeed'; I would hate the stress of having to be a fast stitcher!
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Here is a free Bicycle embroidery for June - or anyone else with a bike theme in their life.
It's by Phoebe Burt from Gathered magazine |
Click on the image on the right to read a recent post from a dressmaker's blog.
I disagree with most of what she says!
I disagree with most of what she says!
There are lots of lovely things on Charise Creates including this pattern for a paper pieced tulip.
Explore for a few minutes. |
Aurifil Artisan Project Showcase
For the Hexie EPP people here are some great ideas from several patchwork artists.
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For Lovers of Colour, and Nature
If you have an idle moment - or several, wander round this website, it's all about colour and is beautiful. If you click on the circles of colour on the right wonderful photographs appear showing the colour in nature.
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6th April
From Anne
I have posted some more photos of MQ Bookmarks from our recent project today, I counted 36 in total which I think is a fantastic respeonse.
On behalf of everyone I would like to thank Jane and Elaine for all their effort in bringing this about. |
We recently recieved our newsletter from Region 5 of the Quilters' Guild. Click the button below to read.
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I know it is no longer MQ's 'Year of the Book' but somehow it still seems like we haven't turned the year sign on the perpetual calendar yet.
So I was interested to see this compilation sponsored by Schmetz needles. If you haven't yet tired of sewing related novels try their recommendations. |
Temari balls
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I discovered Temari balls last week. I've never come across them before; they are exquisitely hand embroidered by Japanese women and breathtakingly beautiful. Below is a link to an article from Art Fido; if you Google 'Temari balls' and click 'Images' you will find lots more examples.
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Presser Feet Pressure
Have you ever wondered why you might need to change the pressure on your sewing machine presser foot? I have, so I was pleased to find this advice from Susan Beck, it particularly relates to Bernina but the advice is good for any machine.
I've only recently found this website and am very impressed by the content. Have a good look round while you are there. |
3rd April
From Evelyn
March was National Craft Month and Evelyn recommends this article from Quilting Daily.
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From Jane G
Jane G has a viewing recommendation for us:
Craftivism: Making a Difference Comedian Jenny Eclair meets crafters using their skills to make the world a better place, one stitch at a time. Put your feet up with a cuppa and enjoy! |