News update15th November 2013
It’s Friday again so there must be some new videos [...]
A couple of comments from you
Dear Val and Jennie,
Thank you for bringing the superb fabric bundle The Lakes, to your site. The colours are mouth wateringly beautiful and I would love a pack.
Your site is excellent I love the way you include some different skills, as it is always exciting to learn something new. Many thanks
Margaret I have been a subscribed member for a few months now and just love the site.
I have just became a grandmother for the first time and intend to make my new grandson Jennie's yoyo caterpillar for Christmas. Barbara
1st November 2013
If it’s Friday there must be something new to watch! [...]
Piping a cushion
Hi, I have just followed Jennie Rayment's video on piping for a cushion, and am delighted with the result. It is something I have avoided all my life (I am 64!) and now I cannot for the life of me understand why I was so afraid of it.
The piping I have done is, in fact, for the edging of the P&Q magazine project "Hand Quilting for All", which simply tells you to buy piping cord and insert into the bias strips (which I had just cut following the instructions). I bought 5mm cord hoping that was right. I now cannot wait to try it out on a cushion.
Beach Hut Prize Winner
Here is the lovely quilt as made by Carole, who was the lucky winner; and here is what she had to say: It was great to have all the instructions written out for me in a logical order. I made plenty of mistakes but what a great learning experience it was. Thank you once again Of course we can't see the mistakes - so well done Carole, it looks lovely.
New newsletter format
The new format was sent out on Friday 18th Oct -here is what one lady said:
A wonderful new layout. It is so easy to find ones way around. I love it !
but did you get yours? If not please let us know. Also if you are using an Ipad did you get the rh column downloaded?
Update 18th October 2013
We hope you like our makeover – but like all [...]
How do I avoid having a birds nest on the back of my quilt?
A birds nest is that ravel of thead that often happens when you start quilting part way into a project and when you are making a quilt you need the back of it to be as beautiful as the front. An easy way to do this is to pull that bottom thread up through the work so that you have it under control and then you can knot it off later.
What do you do with the thread ends when you are finished quilting?
Well the threads can be knotted and then hidden in the wadding. You can see how by watching Knotting Off Your Threads and here is what one happy viewer had to say: I have just watched 'Knotting Off Your Threads' with Valerie and would like to say thank you for sharing such a great method. I was taking both threads to the back, tying them off and then weaving in the ends which seemed to take longer than the actual quilting!
October 2013
Out & About: Autumn is definitely here and with it [...]
What wadding should I use?
Question from Janice: Hello again, well I've finished the topping for my log cabin quilt and now am about to sandwhich it together. I have Heirloom cotton batting and good old fashioned polyester batting. Having been slightly put of by the instructions on the heirloom batting, although that was my original choice, can you tell me - do I really need to rinse in tepid water & dry as recommended on the packaging for shrinkage or can I just apply it as it comes after opening & flattened overnight.
I have never used this type but heard Jennie say on C&C it was fabulous so ofcourse I bought it.
9 Supercool quilty things on the internet
Hi Val, Congratulations!! You are listed as #4 Super Cool Quilty Things on the Internet by Martingale. Well done!!! Izzy 4. 40-Minute Scrap Quilt with Valerie Nesbitt This is a great little twist on the 1600 Jelly Roll quilt that is so popular right now—except that you don’t need to use a Jelly Roll! Just use 2½" strips that you’ve cut from your own scraps.
A great idea for recycling that old blazer (that’s not worn out!)
Taking inspiration from one of our videos Jo made this great cushion for her son on which she managed to use the pockets to embellish the front: and she also took the opportunity to use the labels from the blazer, which included not only Ben's name but also 'Made in England' - isn't that cute!!!! If you like this idea - have you seen our video: Easy Closure for a Cushion with Valerie Nesbitt
Is backstitching necessary for strip piecing?
Question from Youtube
Still a little new to quilting and enjoy it already! One thing I noticed is that you didn't back stitch when starting to join a new row. Is it necessary? Thanks, I know this is probably a simple question. Answer Nope the backwards and forwards and fixing stuff isn't necesary as you will be sewing across at rightangles at some future point (and at the time of sewing you don't know where you will be cutting). Make sure the stitch length isn't too long though - 2.2 or 2.4 is perfect for strip piecing (and piecing in general).