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Do you struggle with accurate piecing?

Here are a couple of tips which I hope you will find useful: You do need to make sure that when you have two pieces of fabric being sewn together that they start and top together - don't assume that the machine will do that for you because the way the machine works is the top fabric is being pushed towards you and the bottom fabric being pulled away from you;  this 'drag' varies on the machine and on the fabrics you are using and a little with the foot you are using.   So always hold onto the fabric with a pin or with your hands until you have sewn right to the bottom and if you are using a thread catcher, this will encourage you to do this.

2019-01-28T05:56:07+00:00March 18th, 2015|Categories: Community, Q & A|Tags: |Comments Off on Do you struggle with accurate piecing?

Alzheimer Scotland pattern book

Ann Hill is a tireless supporter and fundraiser for Alzheimer Scotland; one of her recent projects was to arrange to cover the Hampden Park Football stadium turf with quilts -which she did!!!! (and we suggested a really quick and easy pattern for you to make:  click here to enjoy: ) Another of her projects has been to produce this book of patterns entitled 'Scottish Quilt Patterns - which contains a wide variety of projects and patterns for you to follow.

2015-03-16T00:00:00+00:00March 16th, 2015|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Alzheimer Scotland pattern book

Have I done enough quilting?

Modern waddings do not need to be as densely quilted as vintage quilts used to be - that's why the older quilts are quilted approx every 1"; check with the paperwork/washing instructions that come with your wadding but usually today's option is approx 7-10" apart. Question: I have quilted each (log cabin)  block on the diagonal to make squares with the quilting line (does that make sense?).

2015-03-10T00:00:00+00:00March 10th, 2015|Categories: Community, Q & A|Tags: |Comments Off on Have I done enough quilting?

Love of Selvedges

great use of the selvedges for this handy bookcover.   thank you Lyn. If you want other ideas for selvedges you can check out the workshop video with Valerie where selvedges are used in the border: click here:

2015-03-06T00:00:00+00:00March 6th, 2015|Categories: Community, Show and tell|Comments Off on Love of Selvedges

I want to make a cot quilt – where do I start?

You need to start with the fabric: some for the top, wadding for the middle and backing fabric; The wadding and backing fabric should be the same size as each other AND they should be larger than the top fabric, by approx 4" all the way round. Layer together with pins or tacking ready for quilting. see layer quilt and bind Click here: You need to quilt the sandwich either by hand or machine: if you plan to work by machine you have two options: free motion:  Jennie has a couple of workshops on the website - the first is free motion embroidery - but don't be put off by the title - it will help

and then the second is about free motion quilting: or using the walking foot.:  this is really easy to use as it is just another foot and just sews, but fitting it can be a bit of a trick, so here is some help:click here and then you can sew in straight lines or use simple wavy stitching as suggested by Valerie.

2015-03-06T00:00:00+00:00March 6th, 2015|Categories: Community, Q & A|Tags: |Comments Off on I want to make a cot quilt – where do I start?

Can I mitre the corners on my quilt?

Yes of course you can - BUT you need to be aware that you need more fabric at the corners to work with than you think you might - so not one to be attempted if you are short of fabric! You can also use more than one fabric - so a double or triple border with a mitre is also possible.

2015-03-04T00:00:00+00:00March 4th, 2015|Categories: Community, Q & A|Tags: |Comments Off on Can I mitre the corners on my quilt?

What can I use to hold up my quilt sandwich when basting?

If you are using the basting gun it is so much easier to have the quilt sandwich lifted up from the surface;  there used to be a basting grate that could be purchased, but this seems to be a thing of the past; a tip from one viewer is to use the cake cooling tray, and another uses an upturned plastic cutlery tray - just a couple of lateral thinking ideas!

2015-03-02T00:00:00+00:00March 2nd, 2015|Categories: Community, Q & A|Tags: |Comments Off on What can I use to hold up my quilt sandwich when basting?

Take 9 a great success

Hi all Just giving an update on my king size quilt,I decided to try take nine for the side of quilt and cut all the pieces out ,this wasn't easy for me but I got there eventually,I purchased my fat quarters from Hobby craft in Havant & I just want to tell you not all of their fat 1/4s are good size some in the 6 packs are a bit smaller and I used some pieces from my stash.I have sewn 4 of my blocks together and am so chuffed with them -  each 1 is exact size and went together so easily.Thanks Valerie for pattern and video couldn't have done it without you xxxxx from Sheila (learner) Want to know what Sheila was making?

2015-03-01T00:00:00+00:00March 1st, 2015|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Take 9 a great success

What sewing machine would you recommend for a 6 year old.

Question: Can anyone advise me on a suitable electric beginners sewing machine for my 6 year old grand daughter who wants to appliqué and quilt!  Help please!

Many thanks Answer: How great that you have the next generation so interested.   Two of my ladies have children also sewing and they have started them off with a small machine, around £100 I think;  if you buy something cheaper they will often not have the grown up options of applique and quilting - so you should check that she won't outgrow whatever you purchase too quickly.

2015-03-01T00:00:00+00:00March 1st, 2015|Categories: Community, Q & A|Comments Off on What sewing machine would you recommend for a 6 year old.

Chris Porter and Mary Gamester join Valerie in the studio.

We had a great day as always and some great workshops were filmed;  Chris shared with us her love of Flying Geese and Dresden Plates, for which she has designed her own templates, as well as showing us how to put a sleeve on the back of a quilt, which she personalises with text and lovely pics too. Valerie gets ready to sew some Yo-Yo's   and Mary reminded us how great she is at transfer printing with woven strips, printing blocks and lace (all of which are in her book - Transfer Painting)   so keep watching!

2015-02-23T00:00:00+00:00February 23rd, 2015|Categories: Blog, Community|Tags: , , , , |Comments Off on Chris Porter and Mary Gamester join Valerie in the studio.

Started at the Royal Hotel Bridlington and now finished!

After a long time I am finally getting in touch with you to thank you once again for a great few days in Bridlington. (Royal Hotel, Oct 2014) Thangles tablemat and Going Crazy: Take Nine - front and back!   I finished off the two quilts, and last weekend I made a quilt that I really will use for the relaxation after my yoga class ...

2015-02-15T00:00:00+00:00February 15th, 2015|Categories: Community, Show and tell|Comments Off on Started at the Royal Hotel Bridlington and now finished!
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