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Thursday 28 March 2019

Sewing Quarter Medallion Fun

A couple of week's ago I was sent the brief for my next appearance on the Sewing Quarter - the UK's first TV Channel dedicated to sewing and quilting. As well as being available on Freeview (73) and Sky (687) you can also watch the shows live on their website and then, the best bit, they then upload most of the shows up onto their YouTube channel to be watched as many times as you like, which I think is very handy if you buy a kit or pattern and need a reminder on how to make it.


Anyway, back to the brief - this time I was asked to make Lynne Goldsworthy's Rainbow Medallion quilt that had been featured in a recent Today's Quilter. I have to say, I have never made so many half-square triangles in such a short time in my life! Thankfully it was using the paper template method, my fave and by far the quickest - you can see my tutorial on this method along with free templates here. The one thing that worries me about Medallion quilts is that you really need to be careful that each round you add to the quilt is squared up nicely and that you're not going askew. I needn't have worried though, this Medallion is mostly made up of 2" HSTs and squares, so matching the seams was a joy and kept me nicely squared up.


My second project was this cute Beside the Seaside cushion, a little out of my comfort zone as I don't do a lot of embroidery, though I wish I had more time to! I think this is the best bit about working for Sewing Quarter, not only do I get to work on other people's patterns, but I also get the chance to try different techniques and styles that I wouldn't normally have time to in my work for Sewmotion.


If you would like to catch up on these shows, or rewatch them, you can see them here on Sewing Quarter's YouTube channel, the Medallion quilt is in the second hour, with the cushion in the fourth.

Wishing you all a sunny and creative week, linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

Friday 22 March 2019

Quilting for Beginners Workshop


There are some great workshops coming up at TeesCreatives in Middlesbrough, including how to Make Your Own Jeans, and Design and Make a Cushion. I am also running Quilting for Beginners, a series of five 2.5hr workshops aimed at those totally new to patchwork and quilting, or those who need a refresher in the techniques. I will show you how to make four different quilt blocks using a variety of hand and machine piecing techniques, and then how to make them up into a wall hanging or a set of cushions.

TeesCreatives provides sewing machines and all the tools you need for each workshop so all you need to bring is fabric and enthusiasm. The on-site Sewmotion pop-up shop will be open an hour before the class to purchase your materials where you'll also get 10% off as you are attending a class. You can find out more about this workshop here and see TC's list of workshops here


Meanwhile, back at Sewmotion, I've been buried in half-square triangles making up a gorgeous Medallion quilt for my next appearance on Sewing Quarter TV Channel next Tuesday (26th March). You can watch me demo this and a lovely embroidered cushion at 9am and 11am on Freeview channel 73, Sky 687, online and on YouTube.

Wishing you all a creative and peaceful week, linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday.


Friday 15 March 2019

Sewmotion on the Road

Last weekend I was invited back to hold a Sewmotion popup at the Cleveland Lace Guild in nearby Eaglescliffe. This lovely group of ladies make the most stunning lace work, and also dabble in patchwork, well some of them more than dabble! After a couple hours of selling and chatting about quilting, all went quiet for a talk given by the wardrobe dressers of the Little Middlesbrough theatre. These two ladies were a great double act and showed off their collection of aged ballgowns that have been donated over the years which they now use for theatre productions.


I'm on the road again next week for this great little event run by quilting and textiles expert Beryl Frank of Knot Studio. As well as having the chance to get your machine PAT tested, Beryl will be on hand to help with any projects or UFOs, while I will have a collection of fabric pre-cuts, kits and patterns for sale.


I'm happy to finally have the Sewline glue refills back in stock, as well as the Heather & Rose fabric bundle for my Mystery Quilt block of the month, available to my Newsletter subscribers. To find out more about these free patterns, see my previous post.


Wishing you all a happy and creative week, linking up with Lets Bee SocialMidweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday

Thursday 7 March 2019

Block Two of my Newsletter Mystery Quilt

It's time for the second block in my Birds of a Feather mystery quilt - for those who missed last month's blog and don't know about my Newsletter, every month I offer my Newsletter subscribers a free pattern, usually based on my love of Pre-Cuts. This year, I'm trying something a little different and running a five-month block-of-the-month mystery quilt called Birds of a Feather.


This machine-pieced quilt finishes at approx 62" square and features half-square triangles, a little foundation piecing and some simple patchwork. If you would like to join in the fun, you can sign up here to the Newsletter and receive this month's block as well as a link to block one.


I had a great time with John Scott on Monday's show at Sewing Quarter, inbetween the giggles and silliness, I managed to demo a lovely hand pieced Hexy bag and a beautiful Riley Blake quilt - if you missed the show or would like to see the demos again, you can catch it on Sewing Quarter's YouTube channel - I'm on in the second and fourth hours.

Wishing you all a happy and creative week, linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers and Needle & Thread Thursday