New Videos Every Friday

Shisha Mirrors

We return to the studios of Colouricious today where Valerie talks to Jamie Malden about Shisha mirrors and how the many shapes and sizes of these Asian gems can be incorporated in the work of patchworkers, embroiderers and textile artists. Jamie shows how you can start off with the shape as inspiration for your embroidery and then evolve it into something traditional or even quite contemporary. Watch Now+

Going Crazy with Paula and Angela

This is the first part of a very comprehensive workshop on Crazy patchwork from expert quilters Paula Doyle and Angela Daymond who take different approaches to create this popular traditional scrap patchwork favourite. One works by hand and the other with the help of the sewing machine. You will see you can take different approaches to achieve a similar end result with lots of fun along the way Watch Now+

Throwback Thursday

If you’ve watched Paula and Angela’s Crazy workshop, then this month’s visit to our Archives will be of great use to you. This month Wendy Gardiner shows you how to use a walking foot on your machine. Wendy knows about feet for your sewing machine and she shows you just how valuable the walking foot is and why, if you need just one extra foot, this is the one you should get. More Info+

Product of the Month

Have you seen our product of the month – this gorgeous Multi-Bag Kit DIY kit by Vilene. Valerie had some tips for you at the beginning of the month on how to pop it together and we love it because not only are the pieces pre-cut, but you iron your fabric into place – so very little sewing. It comes with free p&p in the UK for November PLUS entry into a draw for 1 months FREE subscription. More Info +

Due to popular demand, we now also have a version of the kit that comes with Kaffe Fassett fabric – the fabric is similar to, but just as scrummy, to that shown More Info+

Susan Rhodes – Textile Artist

When we visited the Threads exhibition in Wivenhoe a while back you would have seen some of the work of Susan Rhodes, for whom hand stitching is her first love. Here we meet Susan and get to look through her book of ‘teaching samples’ which include crewel work, laid work, and the interesting use of varigated threads. Not all her work is embroidery, though, as she has a more traditional piece of patchwork as a WIP with half-square triangles. More Info+

Susan will be teaching at one of our retreats in September 2018 making Journal Maps – a way of capturing your own personal memories of events and places. Keep an eye out as details coming soon!

Book of the Month

Our Book of the Month for November is Red + White Christmas from Mandy Shaw. It has 10 seasonal red and white sewing projects that will inspire you to pick up your needle and thread. The projects range from quick but effective tree decorations, to a stunning quilt, all in Mandy’s trademark Red & White. As it’s our Book of the Month, it comes with FREE p&p in the UK in November More Info+

If you are looking for other Christmas book ideas, why not have a browse of our bookstore and see some of the new books we have in Learn More+

Tutor Feature

Hilary Beattie recently taught the most fantastic weekend workshop in Bristol for us. You may have seen the results of her students work in our Blog. But what do you know about Hilary, who is an award winner artist and quilter, other than that she works with textiles and mixed media? We thought you might like to know a little more about Hilary. Learn More+

Giveaway for Paid Subscribers

Are you a paid subscriber to the site – have you entered November’s giveaway yet? This month it’s a Pink Leaf Clasp brooch kit designed by Kathleen Laurel Sage. This lovely layered machine embroidery kit creates a gorgeous pink brooch. The kit contains full instructions and pattern to trace; clasp; water soluble film, seed beads and sequins and organza of the appropriate colour to layer. Just send an email entitled Pink Brooch Kit to justhandsontvcomp@gmail.com. The competition will close 30 November 2017.