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Recyling men’s ties

Question: Having watched the video: (click here to view) How many ties were used to make the quilt in the video, recycling men’s ties?  I would like to make a quilt the same size as the one in the video. Would you recommend this project to a beginning quilter? Answer from Valerie
Sorry I can't recall how many ties I used BUT each tie contains a huge amount of fabric once its unravelled and if you cut into uneven strips then you can use it all (I still have a stash of large scraps for another quilt);

Its a great quilt for beginners BUT remember that the ties are on the bias of the grain so the strips will move until you anchor them onto their calico (or similar) backing - if you are a complete beginner spray starch may help you during the sewing process.

Its extremely forgiving especially since you can trim the blocks back to be exactly the same size as each other - whether you use the complete block of ties or couple it with a plain piece of fabric to make the half-square triangle unit - which in turn means you need to make only half the number of original blocks.

2013-10-13T00:00:00+00:00October 13th, 2013|Categories: Community, Q & A|Tags: |Comments Off on Recyling men’s ties

A few nice comments from you

Hi everybody really a good website will watch this space more often Jill Sent from my iPad (Oct 2013)   Just to say that I think Carolyn Forster is a very good demonstrator.  She speaks clearly and without a dull monotonous voice which some of your speakers unfortunately have! Her projects are also fairly easy to follow. Secondly, I really enjoyed Kaffe`s exhibition of his quilts in Wales.  It was very interesting listening to Jen Jones talk about his work.  Pity it is so far away to visit!

2013-10-12T00:00:00+00:00October 12th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on A few nice comments from you

Filming day with Karen Nicol

We spent a wonderful morning in the company of this very talented lady;  she lives in Surrey and is a textile artists who has worked for some of the world's top fashion designers and now uses her talents to create stunning unique pieces from the objects she finds around her  - and in charity shops!   Here we are busy chatting over one of her 'lace skirts' which were in an earlier exhibition     She is however currently working on her Monkey Tricks exhibition entitled 'Singerie' - 5th Nov -30th November 2013 and at the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, 28 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 2NA  
  To see more of Karen's work you can visit her website: (and she also the author of  a lovely book entitled 'Embellished - new vintage')
www.karennicol.com   She is part of a very talented textile household as her husband (Peter Clark) works in paper collage: - you can see his work when you visit
www.peterclarkcollage.com

2013-10-08T00:00:00+00:00October 8th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Tags: |Comments Off on Filming day with Karen Nicol

What to do about the layers in hand applique

Question: I am trying to do an applique flower it has abour 4 layers, including the back ground fabric, would it be better to applique 2 layers first, then do 2 on there own, and then attach it to the first 2 layers? as when i do the 4 altogether l am finding it hard to get the needle to go through all 4 layers.i am hand stitching the design.thank-you this is my first attempt at this so am very green on the best way to do this. Thank-you for any advice Sandra   Answer from Valerie: The easiest way to do this layered flower is to put the first piece down - i.e.

2013-10-08T00:00:00+00:00October 8th, 2013|Categories: Community, Q & A|Tags: |Comments Off on What to do about the layers in hand applique

What to do with the fusible applique pieces.

Question: Hi have just recieved Mandy Shaws Follow your own star quilt pattern and have already become stuck with the applique angels . They all have different coloured drsses on, so do l first cut out the whole angel then cut out the different parts of their colthes and then fuse them on to the background angel so it appears they are dressed ?

2013-10-07T00:00:00+00:00October 7th, 2013|Categories: Community, Q & A|Comments Off on What to do with the fusible applique pieces.

What needle should I use?

I have a Brother RH127 sewing machine, can you please tell me what size needle I require to stitch denim. I shall be making a denim patchwork cushion cover so will need to stitch through more than one layer.   Answer from Val: I would purchase 'denim' needles 90-100- they do what they say on the packet! and if you want to find out more about needles and threads, check out the excellent information from Dawn Cameron Dick in her video Learn About Needles & Threads

2013-10-06T00:00:00+00:00October 6th, 2013|Categories: Community, Q & A|Comments Off on What needle should I use?

How do I cut the strips for Log cabin?

I like you just love the look of the log cabin and am about tho venture down this road.  Can you tell me - is the strips cut on the bias or just straight across?   Answer from Val: always assume that strips are cut ACROSS your fabric unless you are told otherwise - when you cut down the grain is very unforgiving and when you cut on the bias your quilt will  wave!!!

2013-10-05T00:00:00+00:00October 5th, 2013|Categories: Community, Q & A|Comments Off on How do I cut the strips for Log cabin?

Is a steam iron necessary for pressing?

Assuming you are using cotton fabrics it is better to just use a warm - hot iron for pressing the seams and the blocks;  if you use seam it is very easy to stretch the fabrics. Dawn Cameron-Dick shares a tip with us in her little video on the subject:  click here Simple pressing is all that is necessary and you can make a very cheap pressing board by using the central cardboard bolt inner that is discarded by your local quilt shop!

2013-10-03T00:00:00+00:00October 3rd, 2013|Categories: Community, Q & A|Comments Off on Is a steam iron necessary for pressing?

What do I do about the seams?

Question:
am trying to gather info on patchwork , am a sewer BUT am very confused as to press to the darker side ? press one row one way & the next the other ? or press open ?


If you can help please I would be very gratefull.
Love your website !

2013-10-01T00:00:00+00:00October 1st, 2013|Categories: Community, Q & A|Comments Off on What do I do about the seams?

Quilt for charity from Mary

I surprised myself and finished a quilt for the charity a few days ago.  I have even photoed it! Picture attached.  I used a lovely piece of liberty cotton (it feels like silk!) and the remainder was pieces that I had in the house.  As a dressmaker I find it hard to get my head around the concept of cutting up perfectly good cloth into little pieces and then sewing it back together.

2013-09-20T00:00:00+00:00September 20th, 2013|Categories: Community, Show and tell|Comments Off on Quilt for charity from Mary

THings Irene has enjoyed on the website

Just to say I have nearly completed another of Val's scrap quilts - the red and white one.  I am planning another one using all my scraps.  They are easy to make and I can use up the vast amount of small fabric pieces I have. I have also made Helen Deighan's pot - a  little one to practice! Also an earlier workshop on box making that Jenny demonstrated and I have made lots of these for gifts.

2013-09-19T00:00:00+00:00September 19th, 2013|Categories: Community, Show and tell|Comments Off on THings Irene has enjoyed on the website

Help with layering a quilt

I was interested in Valerie's Layer Quilt and Bind method I have dug out a finished top layer which I put on the back burner as I find it hard to layer it on the floor, I am confident that it will get finished now. I have done a sample of Jennie Origami Hexagon so pleased that I have fabric to make a cushion, maybe one day I will manage a quilt.

2013-09-18T00:00:00+00:00September 18th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Help with layering a quilt

Cats for the barn

After watching Jenny's workshop...had fun making this for my daughter Sara..the sashing has tiny mice on it to go with the cat's theme..Sara lives in a barn conversion! ..Lyn     love it Lyn - and hopefully there are only mice on the quilt!

2019-12-03T11:03:42+00:00September 16th, 2013|Categories: Community, Show and tell|Tags: , |Comments Off on Cats for the barn

Take 3 from Joanne

Hi All,  just a quick note to say thanks to you all for all the information and videos on your site.   This is the first quilt I have ever made and although not perfect, I am very pleased. I machine pieced the 3 strips together before cutting and added the border by machine. Everything else has been done by hand and I even managed to embroider our family names in the corners.

2013-09-15T00:00:00+00:00September 15th, 2013|Categories: Community, Show and tell|Comments Off on Take 3 from Joanne
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