Lace Skirts with Karen Nicol

Originally a fashion designer, Karen shows off her creative skills in this body of work creating a wide variety of skirts using thread to create the lace and thread painting to create the pictures as well as the birds and animals that adorn and decorate the work – amazing (and if you enjoy this do check out the other video we have where we meet her and her Singerie of Monkeys).

Use your simple machine stitches (or embroidery) to make wrist pincushion with Jennie

This is a great little idea particularly so because you can give yourself the opportunity to use some of those decorative stitches your sewing machine will do for you and/or some lovely threads. The embellishment stitching can also be done by hand with, say, a chain stitch.

We went visiting

In our blog you will see that we spent a really lovely day recently visiting the Bramble Patch and learnt that they design lots of their own patterns so we have 2 new Ipad covers for you.

And there is a delightful WW1 remembered cushion (but works for any conflict remembered as it features a 3D poppy)

The Midsummer Mystery

is just around the corner.
It starts at 10am on 21^st June and uses the jellyroll that you have been stroking or just a bundle of scrap strips at 2 ½” or a more co-ordinated pile from your stash (so you might need to get cutting).

Make a note in your diary – get the family organised to be elsewhere; coffee and sandwiches ready so that you can join us and have a great (uninterrupted) sewing day.

(The films will remain on the site for you to enjoy so don’t worry if you run out of steam or can’t join us on that day.)

Book of the Month

Sweet & Simple Patchwork Gifts – by by Hisako Arai and Yoko Sanjo: Contains a charming collection of 25 easy to make patchwork projects using classic patchwork designs and is perfect for creating gifts for loved ones and it’s free p&p in the UK for June.

Subscriber Giveaway for June

Our free subscriber giveaway for June is Hearty Good Wishes layer cake from Moda:   you can enjoy us talking to Janet Clare about her new fabrics in her video.

As a subscribed member you just need to send us an email to the competition address:

justhandsontvcomp@gmail.com.

with the title Hearty Good Wishes and keep your fingers crossed. Closing date for entries is 30^th June 2014.

Social Media update

You can now share your favourite pages through Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest /Tumblr etc, or even email the page link to a friend. You’ll see these share icons at the top of each page of the website, so please feel free to share away.

Happy Sewing

Valerie & Jennie

www.justhands-on.tv

New this month Workshops Bargello Tablemat with Valerie Nesbitt This Bargello pattern is quick and effective as a tablemat and a great way to be introduced to the cylinder method of construction.

Tips and techniques Heart Applique Stitching with Valerie Nesbitt Valerie gives you tips on how to achieve a great satin stitch look for this ever-popular shape.

Out and about Water Water Exhibition – Part 1 Wander round this exhibition from the Contemporary Quilt Group with our hostess Kate Findlay.

Tips and techniques Satin Stitch Applique with Valerie Nesbitt This traditional form of applique allows you to showcase your work and the threads and Valerie shares some helpful tips.

Workshops Tucked Up Band with Jennie Rayment Another great twiddled and fiddled idea from Jennie that can have a wide range of applications.

Workshops Dawn to Dusk with Sylvia Critcher This is a pattern that Sylvia designed specially for The Silk Route to celebrate their 21 years in business.

Tips and techniques Help with choosing colour with Valerie Nesbitt Get the traffic lights on the selvedge edges to guide you.

Workshops Strip Pieced Diamond Quilt with Valerie Nesbitt Straightforward sewing of these lovely fabrics create this quilt in double-quick time.