29th March
From June
And finally, here's my easter projects - as seen at the AGM.
For the tulips I used scraps of leftover fabrics. |
Have a lovely easter,
June
26th March
AGM
We had a successful Zoom AGM last evening; there are plans afoot to hold Zoom meetings with speakers in April and May, keep checking in to the website for details. I will email you as well.
Several members brought show and tell items to the meeting, if you are able to can you please send in photos for the website.
Thanks
Anne
Several members brought show and tell items to the meeting, if you are able to can you please send in photos for the website.
Thanks
Anne
From Vanessa
It was good to see everyone last night and so pleased that there is so much enthusiasm for getting together for zoom meetings. |
I have been doing regular Fun for a Fiver Zooms with Judi Mendelssohn and this was her Spring Flower basket. The background and basket are log cabin blocks and the flowers and ivy leaves are appliqued. I added smaller ivy leaf shapes in the middle of some of the leaves to make them variegated. Most people put daffodils in their baskets but I chose to be different. |
Spring has Sprung is a pattern from the American Quilter’s Society which I belong to. It is part of a much bigger quilt with all four seasons. It is quite big so I decided to make each piece a separate quilt then find a means of joining them all together to hang at an exhibition maybe. I’m not sure about the strawberry in Spring though. There is an awful lot of free motion quilting on here. That wasn’t specified in the pattern but you know what I’m like! |
I should have been on a quilt retreat in Devon this week but we decided to have a virtual retreat instead and sew each day with a virtual coffee break when we got together at 11 each day to gossip and check on progress. I finished two big quilt tops but will have to wait till it is a bit warmer before I can sandwich and quilt them. I think that is an outside job as they are too big to fit in the cabin.
From Anne
Here is a fascinating, albeit rather long article from the BBC website. I think it always good to be reminded that often the people who went before were smarter than we are.
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Nearly 200 years ago, Dhaka muslin was the most valuable fabric on the planet. Then it was lost altogether. How did this happen? And can we bring it back?
For all you Redworkers here is a new book from Mandy Shaw of Dandelion Designs, the designs look great; all in celebration of everything British.
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25th March
From Anne
Following the request made at the beginning of the month (see entry below for1st March) both Montpellier Quilters and the Churchdown Patchwork and Quilting group have been making breast care cushions and bags.
I took the MQ ones to the friend who is coordinating collection/delivery earlier this week and yesterday recieved this message and photos.
It's not too late to join in, let me know if you need instructions or if you have some ready for collection
I took the MQ ones to the friend who is coordinating collection/delivery earlier this week and yesterday recieved this message and photos.
It's not too late to join in, let me know if you need instructions or if you have some ready for collection
Hello,
Just want to say a big thank you, for all your help in asking members to help with the hearts and bags for the breast cancer unit.
I have 37 cushions and 25 bags so far and and really enjoyed making a few of each myself. The ladies have been amazing.
I have a friend who doesn't sew and makes cards and asked to help in any way, I asked if she would like to make a gift tag for each bag and she did and I now have lots to give to the other groups as well.
Thank you again,
Warm regards Christine
Some members have also been making the neonatal bonding squares that Shirley put a request out for on 10th March. These are even easier that the cushions and always welcome.
18th March
From June
So, I can't travel to the mountains - I've installed them in the living room instead! Finally finished my 'mountainscape' roman blind. I salvaged all the components from the old blind. It's just like looking over to the mountains and as daylight turns to evening the peaks get darker, just like at sunset in the 'real' mountains.' (see pic) |
Found this website - The Virtual Village Hall - all sorts of classes, why not take a look lots on offer, not just needlework. |
and this website is worth a look, some beautiful quilts in the gallery. |
Here's a couple of lovely gift ideas - Boxed zippy pouch and embroidery hoop pouch with magnetic closure - or you might just want to keep them for yourself. |
Thanks, everyone for all your links - great reading and I'm making a list of some of these great ideas - not sure when I will have the time to make them. Hope you're all keeping well. Spring bulbs should be showing and with the change in weather/temperature this week we should see more bulbs flowering,
June
18th March
From Anne
Kassia St Clair
I was really looking forward to the Kassia St Clair talk which was in last year's programme so I signed up for her newsletter, it is one of the most interesting that I receive.
I am unable to link to newsletters but here is a link to sign up. If you don't like it you can always unsubscribe.
I am unable to link to newsletters but here is a link to sign up. If you don't like it you can always unsubscribe.
A selection of topics in yesterday's newsletter includes
- Bridgerton costume design
- The historical value of purple dye
- Reanimating old photographs (very strange!)
- And, The Bayeux Tapestry (see entry below 15th March) You can now design your own using 'An Historic Construction Kit'!
17th March
From Shirley
I thought people might like to see the quilt i made for my husband. Having made the two grandchildren quilts for Christmas. Mike expressed a wish for one along the same lines. So after finishing the grandchildren's I managed to get the top pieced for Mike's in time to pack it up for Christmas, and let him choose the back I managed to get it quilted and finished in February. Shirley |
From Evelyn
Evelyn has also forwarded Kate Fidlay's March newsletter, unfortunately I am unable to link to it.
I really recommend you sign up for Kate's newsletter, it is full of very interesting information and beautiful things. She has a slot on the Hochanda TV channel on 25th March, I'm sure it will be worth watching. |
Have a good look around Kate's website, it is really inspiring, and there are lovely items in her shop too.
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From Anne
For the dressmakers among us here is a free downloadable blouse pattern from Bernina's Inspiration magazine. The pattern is in pdf format and printable on A4 paper, you just have to register with them in order to download.
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15th March
From Elaine
Recent online trawling has revealed the the Bayeux Tapestry is now available to view online. |
Also there is a lady in the UK stitching a full size replica. Click on button below for a fairly comprehensive press article about her. |
From Anne
I've had a couple of emails from Carolyn recently, she is a great advocate for Zoom classes, I'm sure she'll not mind me sharing her recent experience with you. If anyone wants to give it a go let me know and I'll pass your questions on.
I did another class today with Carolyn Gibbs organised by region 13 of the QG. 'Skillful Skyfull Flying Geese'. Very well organised and lots of detail. She shared patterns for 6 different blocks all with excellent patterns. We had demo and videos from Carolyn and split into 'breakout rooms of 3/4 people to get on with the various stages (cutting out, sewing etc) and then back to the main group for the next stage. It was 3 hours and quite a leisurely pace. I finished 1 block in the workshop and knocked out the second one quite quickly afterwards. |
I meant to say. If you are worried about a zoom workshop - a couple of people just watched yesterday and are going to sew afterwards. They will have the patterns, notes and video. Some of the talks I've listened to were also recorded so you could watch them again afterwards. The QG have been very pro-active organising them. We are listening to an hours talk by Jo Avery on Monday afternoon 'Colour Theory in Quilts, organised by Keene Quilters £5
To Infinity and Beyond!
Ages and ages ago (years probably) I remember we had a discussion at MQ about Infinity Scarves, I put one on my To Do list and eventually it fell off the bottom and I have never made one yet.
I came across the subject again and it's back on the list!
There are quite a few YouTube videos about how to make one, a video is definitely needed because the method is difficult to explain with the written word; however not all videos are equal and some describe a simple tube scarf as 'infinity', you need someone to show you how to put a twist in the tube before turning it out.
Here are two excellent, short, ad free demonstrations using quite similar methods, I think Laura Kemshall's from DMTV is probably the best, but take a look nat both, and let me know if you get round to making one.
I came across the subject again and it's back on the list!
There are quite a few YouTube videos about how to make one, a video is definitely needed because the method is difficult to explain with the written word; however not all videos are equal and some describe a simple tube scarf as 'infinity', you need someone to show you how to put a twist in the tube before turning it out.
Here are two excellent, short, ad free demonstrations using quite similar methods, I think Laura Kemshall's from DMTV is probably the best, but take a look nat both, and let me know if you get round to making one.
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12th March
From Evelyn
I have noticed this week that Moda have a colour chart (at a price) on which they illustrate their plain fabrics. Click on the image on the right for a link to Sew Hot's information about the panel. Obviously the price varies with the outlet, but for those members who enjoy piecing using plain colours this could be really useful.? |
From Anne
For an idea of the scale of the panel and for ideas about what to make check out the Jolly Jabber Blog from The Fat Quarter Shop
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Moda Fabrics also have a BOM - 'My Favorite Fabric Is' in six different colourways. You need to buy the fabric kit to be able to download the monthly patterns. As far as I can tell the only UK shop doing this is The Quilt Room in Dorking.
Have a wander round... |
10th March
From Evelyn
I had fun making these three play mats for our grand daughter-to-be, quick makes compared to a full sized quilt! Not that they were without issues...
It seems that baby quilts are all in vogue at present, and having completed the above I came across this useful website..
From Shirley
I was wondering if anyone would be interested in sewing bonding squares for the neo natel unit at Glos royal. The churchdown patchwork and quilters have been making them for some time now. I have attached a picture of the information. If anyone is interested then they can contact me and when we are allowed I can arrange collection.
Many thanks, Shirley.
From Anne
Last week I made a cushion cover using a paper pieced pattern from Stitched in Color. This is one of my favourite quilting blogs, written by an American quilter who emigrated with her family to The Netherlands recently, it is always interesting from both a quilting and cultural standpoint. -Well worth exploring.
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4th March
From Anne
We have received our Quilters' Guild March Newsletter, there are lots of interesting items - click on the button below to read or download
1st March
From Anne
It's March at last! Everything is just around the corner.
Here is Google's Doodle for today, St David's Day.
If you would like to read all about it, click on the dragon
Here is Google's Doodle for today, St David's Day.
If you would like to read all about it, click on the dragon
Heart Shaped Cushions for post-op breast surgery women
A friend has told me that the ward at the local hospital is low on their supply of the heart shaped cushions for post-op breast surgery women. Local quilt groups including MQ made lots of these a few years ago; I used to have a contact on the ward and would regularly deliver them, the last time I went the cupboard was stuffed full, but that was ages ago.
So, if anyone would like to make a few I will try to find out where and how to deliver them.
The pattern and instructions can be found here:
So, if anyone would like to make a few I will try to find out where and how to deliver them.
The pattern and instructions can be found here:
I thought I had the MQ quilt poles in our loft, but my husband informs me I am wrong, not there.
I don't need them but I like to know where they are for when someone wants to use them.
If they are in your loft, or behind your sofa please let me know
I don't need them but I like to know where they are for when someone wants to use them.
If they are in your loft, or behind your sofa please let me know
Which Wadding
Years ago we had a talk from someone who had a business selling wadding, It was a very interesting session. Unfortunatley the company has now closed down.
A blogpost I received this weekend recommended a YouTube video on the subject, although it only deals with Hobbs' wadding it has plenty of useful information.
A blogpost I received this weekend recommended a YouTube video on the subject, although it only deals with Hobbs' wadding it has plenty of useful information.