Today we are Out and About at the Great Northern Quilt Show in Harrogate;   this is just part 1 as there was so much to see and share with you but in this portion we enjoy viewing the winning quilt – Floriade by Jacqueline Martin ,

 

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quilts that caught the judges eye as well as Valerie’s and you can wander round (again) the Glimpses of Britain exhibition by Gail Lawther which was also there on display.

 

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Contained within the film there is a delightful little workshop from Jane Rollason, who teaches both in York and in France and who takes fresh flowers and hammers them – you need to watch it to see what that means – and you get to see how the Horn Cabinets have been redesigned with quilters and the new larger machines in mind.

 

This is one of the quilt shows that is organised by Roger Cooling and his team at Grosvenor Shows and this weekend they and many of our contributors are at Westpoint, just outside Exeter for one of their Spring Shows;  it will be on all weekend so do try and get there – there isn’t a petrol shortage this year and the snow forecast looks as though  it will hold off!   More detailed information on our events page.

 

 

 

Also loaded up for viewing this morning is a really quick and easy charity quilt designed by Valerie;   this is in response to the appeal from Ann Hill for 5,000 quilts, 40” square, to cover the Hampden Park Football Stadium in Glasgow in aid of Alzheimer Scotland    www.alzscot.org .

 

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The quilts are needed by 31st May and since the quilt is really super quick there should be time for you all to make one!

 

For all those of you who get this newsletter but have yet to venture onto the website perhaps this will be your inspiration – the film is for charity so it is FREE to view and all you need to do is go to the Home Page

www.justhands-on.tv

 

and register,if you haven’t already done so;

 

If you  are registered then you just need to log in – top rh corner of the Home Page – and you can sit back and watch.   You will see just how easy it is!

 

 

 

And  did many of you watch BBC TWO on Tues night to catch the Great British Sewing Bee?   Well our Valerie was asked to do just that by BBC Radio Berks  and was then invited into their studio in Reading on Wednesday to talk about it – our sewing expert in Finchampstead!  (and did we know she used to do dressmaking ? – well the seminole jacket on display in Jennie’s Superstar Block of the Month video was maybe a bit of a giveaway).

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p016br61/Anne_Diamond_03_04_2013/

Available until 1:02PM Wed, 10 Apr 2013

 

There were 5 Friday’s in March so did you manage to keep up with the viewing?   There is a Scrap quilt workshop from Valerie made with 1930’s fabrics that is great for using up stash and/or those pre-cuts that you just can’t resist.  It is a super easy pattern that is great for anyone new to patchwork and/or who struggles with the ¼” seam allowance (because that’s  not essential!.

 

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Valerie also showed you how to bind your quilt with a straight edge (rather than a mitred corner);  it is a useful technique to know about, although Valerie does prefer the mitred corner effect (and the video on this is on the site too).

 

 

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Valerie & Jennie had fun with a Clover Pencil needlefelter embellishing a butterfly which could be put onto clothing or just used as it is;  Maggie Davies is also a fan of this type of technique and her patterns and workshops are on the site too (use the quick links to find them all).

 

 

 

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We rejoined Sylvia Critcher who shows us her Faux Boutis and Trapunto in the delightful Twister Cushion – such an easy hand project and therefore very portable.

 

 

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Our Book of the Month is Simply Fat Quarters by the Sew Emma Creative Team

 

 

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https://justhands-on.tv/product-category/shop/books/

 

There are ten patterns and all written with four size options – from crib to king –

in a variety of styles and looks but all using Fat Quarters;  suitable for both the seasoned patchworker or the novice.

 

The girls have taken some traditional patterns and given them a modern twist and also included some lovely ‘modern look’ ideas too.

 

It is priced at £14.95 but with FREE P&P in the UK for the month of April

 

 

And Valerie found this delightful  pincushion pattern designed by Bunny Hill Designs :

 

 

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https://justhands-on.tv/product-category/shop/patterns/

 

Happy Sewing

Valerie  & Jennie

 

 

Extracts from 19th April 2013 NEWS UPDATE

 

 

A quick note about what’s been happening this week and last;   today you can join Jennie making her Superstar Medallion quilt and adding a simple square seminole border;

 

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If you aren’t making this quilt you could still enjoy this simple technique as it can be used to enhance other projects such as the Ipad we made earlier (click here to view);

 

 

Jennie shows a spec’s  case made with this pattern and how she enhanced a Christmas stocking with the design and Valerie shows the design used in the back of her Seminole Jacket.

 

If you are into recycling then you should enjoy the tip that uses the shirt fronts as a simple closure for a cushion.    The cushion itself was made by the stitch & flip method using strips cut from shirts  (and even all the little bits were sewn together) plus the added feature of a label.

 

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In turn the inspiration for this cushion came from the recycled ties video:

click here to enjoy

 

Also you get to learn how to finish Your First Sampler Quilt – layer, quilt and bind is all you need to do!   This workshop video goes through all the stages necessary for you to complete your project.

 

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These three words may be little, but they cover a vaste amount of alternatives, so this is just the first of several workshop videos that we will be making in which we hope to show you some of those alternatives – so more to come!

 

Last week Jennie showed us a great strip-piecing idea that used just 3 fabrics that created a knot-style design and we showed you Part 1 of last year’s visit to the Great Northern Quilt Show held in Harrogate – if you enjoyed it then keep watching as Part 2 will be up next month, and make a note of the dates for this year 30 Aug – 1st September.

 

 

And there are now some lovely felt Christmas decorations by the same design team (as the Hedgehog i.e.  Bunny Hill Designs)

 

 

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https://justhands-on.tv/product-category/shop/patterns/

 

it’s never too early to start sewing for Christmas!

 

Happy Sewing

Regards

Valerie & Jennie