Out and About

Today we join the London Quilters at the opening ceremony of their biennial exhibition called ‘Coming Home’;  the exhibition runs through until 4^th January at the Swiss Cottage Library in London NW3.   You will see that Tracy Chevalier was there to do the official speech and we were excited to be able to interview her about her very first quilt – which is also on display at the exhibition.

Both these films are in the free-to-view section of the website – you just need to be registered to enjoy them.

Workshop

Angela Daymond shares with us a delightful little paper bird project, which uses magazines as inspiration, but you could work this in recycled fabrics as well; and as an added bonus you get a little monoprinting workshop thrown in.

Christmas Inspiration

December’s in full swing and if you’re in need of some Christmas inspiration we have plenty of ideas. Click on our tag quick search Christmas and watch workshops, download instant patterns for cards, and find other patterns and kits in the shop. Try some Christmas Decorations with the help of  The Stitch Witch –click on this quick search or enjoy the bunting workshop videos here – quick search

For Children – the tag quick search for Children includes both projects you can work on with them, as well as present ideas to keep them busy and away from their computers for a few hours! Like this hand needlefelting pack which is great for inspiring young minds.

To Give – Take a look through our shop at the BOOKS, PATTERNS and KITS – including some lovely packs of Japanese fabrics.

To Make – We have plenty of workshops for you to watch and enjoy to help make that gift you give this Christmas a little more personal. One of our favourites is the Iron caddy tote and for that new technology there’s Jennie’s Ipad cover. How about the humbug bag workshop video too as these are a great idea to putting little items into. Or use these quick links for bags,  pincushions – quick search and brooches – quick search for inspiration

Book of the Month

The Ultimate Guide to Art Quilting by Linda Seward

Over 1000 step-by-step instructions and illustrations for surface design. patchwork, applique, quilting, embellishing and finishing An elegant and essential resource for today’s quilter providing tips, techniques and advice, with clear illustrations, alongside gorgeous results that are sure to inspire.

Lots of you entered our prize giveaway last month in the hopes of winning but sadly there were only 3 lucky ladies:  – If you’d like a copy we have the book at a very special price this month of just £15.00 which is inclusive of p&p for the UK for Dec 2014 (and if you pay via Paypal you could be in with a chance of winning from them too)

Gift Voucher

Yes we do them!  Great as a last minute pressie idea for friends and relatives. Just £18 which can be used for membership and/or goods on the site;  the Gift Voucher fairy will work her magic to personalise this and email it out when you need it.

Gift Pack Offer

Again, with Christmas in mind, we are offering a discounted pack of goodies together with a 3 month or 1 year membership:  and if you are already a member you can still take advantage of this offer knowing that the Membership Fairy will work her magic behind the scenes.

The fantastic gift package contains:

The  Quilter’s Desk Diary for 2015 which has inspiration on every page

Ruby Red Charm Pack from Oakshott

12wt stranded cotton thread from AuriFil
Xmas Hanging Hearts redwork kit from Mandy Shaw

Quilt Now magazine

To which you can add either a 3 month or a 1 year membership:   This is available to new subscribers as well as existing subscribers and the Membership Fairy will work the magic behind the scenes to make sure that any existing membership runs through.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• UNLIMITED access to over 500 online high quality videos, available 24 hours a day on demand and now tablet/Ipad compatible.
• New videos every Friday
• Enjoy our regular Block of the Month programme
• Enjoy our on-line Mystery
• Enjoy free patterns
• Enter subscriber give-aways and competition

Happy Sewing

Valerie & Jennie

https://www.justhands-on.tv/

New this month Workshops Snowballs and Shoo fly with Valerie Nesbitt The Shoo fly addition gives interest to the sashing, and takes very little extra effort.

Tips and techniques Tip about seams from Valerie Nesbitt This is a useful little extract from the series Your First Sampler Quilt that Valerie hosted.

Tips and techniques Bead quilting with Paula Doyle

Interviews Meet Janet Clare – Quilter, Patchwork Author and Fabric Designer Do you wear a uniform for work? Well Janet explains why she needs to.

Out and about Roses from the Heart with Christina Henri A unique memorial to 25,566 convict women transported to Australia from Britain and Ireland from 1788-1853

Workshops Textile workshop with Hilary Beattie Hilary shows us round the (rather messy in an artistic way) workshop she was holding at The Bramble Patch quilt shop.

Workshops Pieced Hearts with Valerie Nesbitt For any of you who don’t like applique, this simple pieced block will get you very excited.

Workshops Patchwork Pizza Topping with Valerie Nesbitt or how to use up those small and tiny bits to great effect that you might otherwise pop in the bin.

Out and about coded:decoded – an exhibition by Prism – Part 2 More from this exhibition of textile inspired art – and what a talented group they are with members from across the globe.