Month: April 2016

Uttoxeter 2016

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Our little sewing group took a trip out on Friday to the British Quilt and Stitch Village 2016 Show at Uttoxeter Racecourse.  We thoroughly enjoyed the day and got to see a host of lovely quilts on display.  If I could achieve half the level of skills shown by some of those quilt makers I’d be a happy bunny.

We did try to be discriminating, but there were too many tempting stalls there, so as usual we spent far too much money on lots of lovely fabric and notions.  I nabbed a 9 degree wedge ruler too, as I want to have a go at a bargello in the round pattern I’ve seen on the internet.

Then it was back for our usual Friday night sew-in where we got to cast envious eyes over Angie’s brand new Janome Atelier 5 sewing machine.  A thing of beauty with more brilliant features than you can shake a stick at.  David Nutt, owner of our local store,
DC Nutt Sewing Machines in Bloxwich, was once again on hand to offer Angie expert advice and help in choosing just the right machine.

And just to put the icing on the cake our rookie sewist, Barbara, has recently purchased her first ever sewing machine from DC Nutt’s too!

Westering Women BoM 2016

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In February I discovered the Civil War Quilts blog.  It’s a fascinating website focused on the fabrics and quilts made and inspired by America’s recent history.

Angie adores the soft muted tones of the fabric collections Barbara Brackman designs for Moda, and a few of us at our Friday night sewing circle decided to do her Westering Women BoM for 2016.

Block 1 is Independence Square and Block 2 is Indian Territory.

Sandra – WW Block 1
Angie – WW Block 1
Tracy – WW Block 1
Sandra – WW Block 2
Angie – WW Block 2
Tracy – WW Block 2

March’s Block 3 is Sweet Gum Leaf.  It’s a little more challenging and I may redo mine.  The fabrics I chose for the leaves could be better arranged, and I don’t think I have the centre points quite right.

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…link to Westering Women BoM 2016 II

Jackleberries

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Angie and I have been to a few day workshops now at White Cottage Country Crafts in Seisdon, and each time we learn more patchworking skills and grow in confidence.

On one of our early visits, I fell in love with the Jackleberries Quilt – a beautiful quilt that hangs on the wall in the sewing room at the back of the shop.  It’s a sort of sampler quilt with each block set designed to teach a different technique to the maker. Of course, I bought a pattern, and I’m slowly working my way through it.  I’m finding it challenging at times, but then it’s so satisfying when I actually produce a block I’m happy with.

I’m doing mine in shades of red.  I may not use all of the blocks when I’ve completed them as I plan to make a tablecloth for the dining room with them which is quite a bit smaller than the double bed size of the actual quilt pattern.

Sandra – Jackleberries
Sandra – Jackleberries
Sandra – Jackleberries
Sandra – Jackleberries
Sandra – Jackleberries

…link to Jackleberries II

Button Loves to See us Sew..

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After a fortnight’s break I was itching to get back to our Friday night sewing circle.  From just the two of us it’s grown to include a few like minded friends – all of us sewing, and sharing, and learning from each other, and of course, having a good old natter.

I show my progress with the projects I have on the go, and I get to see what everyone else has been up to.  With so many of us around the table it can get a little hectic at times.  Even Button wants her turn at the sewing machine….

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Friday Night is Patchwork Night

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My love of patchwork all began when my friend, Angie, invited me over one Friday evening.  The conversation quickly turned to her fledgling efforts at patchwork.  She showed me some Log Cabin pattern blocks she was making that would one day become a quilt.  They were (and still are) fascinating to me.  I have been sewing all my life, but this was something completely different.  Nothing like running up curtains or lifting the hem on a dress.

We agreed to go visit a fabric shop the following Saturday as she needed more material. The moment I walked through the door of White Cottage Country Crafts in Seisdon I was hooked.  Floor to ceiling is filled with the most gorgeous fabrics. Examples of finished work – quilts, cushions, bags and much more – are festooned about the shop, and there are heaps of patterns to try out.

I bought a pattern for a bolster cushion cover and a jelly roll of fabric.  (Angie bought enough fabric to start a shop of her own.)  Time to have a go myself….