31st May
From Elaine
Well I've really noticed our contributions have somewhat diminished over the last couple of months,so I've tried to compose something even though I have little to report!
I hope that some others managed to join in the online "sampler" by various prominent quilters last week. We had guests for the weekend, my daughter and family staying over for the first time in over a year, so that was lovely, but meant I missed the Saturday session. Once I got watching the Sunday talks, I quite enjoyed it. It was obviously a way of those quilters who have got to like Zoom teaching to 'advertise' themselves, but one could learn from them too. I enjoyed Ana Buzzalino's presentation on paintsticks, about which I knew nothing. If anyone else would like to report in, I'd be interested to hear what you thought.
I am now feeling like getting sewing & quilting again. Early last week we went to Tredegar House near Newport, Wales. We were on an expedition to a musical instrument repair shop there, but funnily enough there happens to be a patchwork shop almost next door. So obviously I bought fabric. The house is National Tust, but closed at the moment, however the gardens and Tearooms are open to the public. We had a coffee on arrival, then shopping, then a walk and home again. A gentle re-introduction to getting out & about. Now I have no excuse for not attempting to make a dress for my 2yr old granddaughter, as I bought the fabric required... I'll have to narrow my focus, because at the moment I am a bit overwhelmed by wanting to do so many projects, that I am turning to embroidery as a sort of displacement activity. Photo of my latest stitch-along by Stitchdoodle is attached. |
24th May
From Evelyn
Here is the second of my 2020 stitchery projects. The design is called "Simple Blessings" by Rosalie Dekker, I am calling my version "Gratitude". I chose this quilt as each of the sentiments are beautiful and helped to make the time sewing through the challenges which last year provided uplifting.
Janette of J-Quilts based in Colchester custom quilted it for me beautifully complimenting the applique and stitcheries, and I am truly delighted with the result.
Evelyn.
19th May
From Anne
I've been sewing this week, a 'Twisted Log Cabin' wallhanging.
I saw a similar one in a virtual quilt show, the maker said she had created the pattern from an old lesson for the Electric Quilt software. So I searched for and found the lesson and designed the quilt you see on the right. Through the EQ software I was able to print out the paper foundation pattern. It took about a week to do the piecing and a week to quilt; it is 37" x 34"; the only problem I had was with getting the seams to lay flat, I always think it won't matter, and then I always realise that it does if I want to quilt in the ditch. Anyhow somehow I managed and it looks OK. |
Whirlies
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In the early stages of making it I was trying to explain it to my friend, who reminded me that Rita Humphry was making twisted log cabins 30 years ago! - Called Rita's Whirlies
My friend reminded me that I have a book The Quilt Room with a twisted log cabin chapter written by Rita. I know some of our MQ members remember Rita very fondly; there is a photo of her with MQ's first group quilt at the bottom of the Gallery page.
My friend reminded me that I have a book The Quilt Room with a twisted log cabin chapter written by Rita. I know some of our MQ members remember Rita very fondly; there is a photo of her with MQ's first group quilt at the bottom of the Gallery page.
Here is a link to a lovely Dresden Pincushion.
"The Dresden block is transformed in to a whimsical pincushion which will delight every quilter. It is easy to make in a day and a great gift for your fellow quilting buddies." It's a free pattern, grab it while you can. |
9th May
From Evelyn
This quilt/wall-hanging is one of two stitchery projects which proved a great diversion in 2020. The design is by the Australian designer Anni Downs and is called "A Gardener's Journal". I bought the pattern as a booklet seven years ago in a small quilt shop in Golden, Colorado!
As you can see I used a variety of threads for the stitches and then coloured them in using Derwentwater's Coloursoft pencils. Apart from the border fabric (Lewis and Irene's The Village Pond) I was able to use mostly fabrics from my stash which for some reason continues to grow...
Frances Meredith of Fabadashery beautifully custom quilted it for me recently using a variety of different patterns which truly enhance the overall sign.
As you can see I used a variety of threads for the stitches and then coloured them in using Derwentwater's Coloursoft pencils. Apart from the border fabric (Lewis and Irene's The Village Pond) I was able to use mostly fabrics from my stash which for some reason continues to grow...
Frances Meredith of Fabadashery beautifully custom quilted it for me recently using a variety of different patterns which truly enhance the overall sign.
8th May
From Elaine
A finish! I finished my second "scrappy market tote". This one was most definitely a lockdown project:
1. It uses only fabrics from my stash (all Oakshott) 2. The pattern is from my lockdown venture onto Craftsy 3. Used a 'Love & Hugs from Australia' pattern for the embroidery. I already gave it to my sister on a recent visit to Yorkshire. I hadn't seen her in months so it was nice to take something handmade. |
For all fellow embroidery lovers, have a look at a wonderful global collaborative project:
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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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