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The site brings renewed meaning to TGI Friday, I look forward to finishing work, getting home to see what's new.  It's like unwrapping a present every week. Best wishes Barbara.

Question from Anna: Can one use an oblong or has it got to be a square? (You made yours 9 3/4 inches, I, on the other hand, could make mine 9" X 11.5")
I am aware that this then would limit the way one could put them together. With a square one can rotate 4 times, with an oblong it works only two ways.)   Answer:
You can of course tinker with this as you wish but the 5 sided figure in the middle gives the more traditional look;  sewing is much easier with a 4 sided centre but then you run the risk of it looking a little like log cabin - which again may be your choice.

As you say with a rectangular finish then you can only turn the blocks in the opposite direction rather than rotating them in your finished design.

  Ann Hill achieved her objective of covering the Hampden Park Football Stadium with quilts - all 5,000 of them - but now they need a home!! Here is what she says: I am now putting my mind to selling some of the Alzheimer Quilts.   I would like to run numerous coffee mornings around Scotland on Saturday 21 September which is World Alzheimers Day.   How about you running one, or your quilt group.   The money raised at the coffee morning could be sent to Alzheimer Scotland or could be kept for your own group funds.   I would send you 50 quilts from the project with certificates stating that they were part of a historical event.  Lap quilts are £20, Single bed £40 and double or bigger £80.   They would be ideal christmas presents!

Question from Laura: i signed up as a member to watch the rest of your video on rag quilting - there was a teaser on youtube.  I would like to watch that video but cannot find it on your site.  In any case, I've made them before out of flannel, I prefer working with cottons and my question is really, can one make rag quilts out of good quality cottons?

Question: Good Morning
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 !

  As usual this was a fantastic event and most of our contributors were there;   Jennie was busy with her own stand and Val was helping out on the Creative Quilting stand.   It didn’t leave much time for wandering around to either see the quilts OR get new product but Val wasn’t to be outdone on her shopping and you need to keep an eye on the ‘shop’ for the new bits;   in brief here are the highlights:   Jennie has a new DVD out –Texture in Sudoku Mary Gamester has a new book – Transfer Painting Hilary Beattie has a new book – Make it Personal Janet Clare has a new book – A Field Guide – available through the shop Jane Rollason has a new book – Fun, Fast & Furious – quick & easy applique panels New patterns from Daisy Chain include: Just Peachy by Lee Brown New patterns from The Stitch Witch include new Dog House needlebox and a new hanging system for your small projects.

Well for once Twitter has come up trumps;  just learnt about new range from Makower Andover Fabrics is delighted to announce that the first exclusive collection of licensed fabrics for Downton Abbey ® will be available to you this September. Playing on the strength of the upstairs women of Downton, this exciting premiere collection will be THE WOMEN’S COLLECTION, featuring designs chosen in collaboration with the award-winning Downton Abbey production team.

Do you struggle to log in?   Does the computer just say ‘NO’? Does your password still have a small j at the beginning of it? Well  it may be that your device (computer, tablet, whatever) is thinking for you and changing this to an upper case –  thesite is now very case sensitive   So don’t struggle - just contact us and we can change this for something easier.

We had a great time filming the exhibition and discovered that there are a couple of last minute places still available this week for the Lecture and the workshop:   Glorious Colour Lecture and Booksigning - Wed August 14th 7pm, at the Arts Hall, Lampeter University. £16 - tickets through the Welsh Quilt Centre -01570 422 088 This lecture is designed to inspire and motivate!

This is the question from Janice: like you I 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?   Here is our answer:
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!!!

3 Comments from Youtube July 2013: Comment on How to pull the machine thread up through your work with Valerie Nesbitt From across the pond again, North Carolina, USA, I am thoroughly enjoying AND learning from these tutorials. LOVE the variety of subjects, especially the projects and the techniques incorporated into it. Also enjoy the interviews and off site shows.

There are five Fridays in this month – so lots to view – and we start off by continuing to wander round the Textiles in Focus (2013) exhibition where we meet up with Lynda Monk who demonstrates how she used Lutradur and puff  paint;  and  Jean Wright who is also demonstrating – but this time her love is goldwork;   we also enjoy more of the Fen Edge Textiles exhibition that was on display.

I am so excited to be travelling to Wales at the weekend to visit "Quilts in Cae Hir Gardens" at Cae Hir Gardens, Cribyn, Nr. Lampeter, Ceredigion. SA48 7NG.  2nd, 3rd and 4th August 2013. There will be traders stalls (so shopping!) and quilts for sale and the gardens are set on a Welsh hillside and have Tea Rooms.  Admission to Gardens £5.00 For more information Contact Cae Hir Gardens 01570 471116   I am being joined by Dave and Matt and the cameras, so you won't miss out!

I am so excited to be travelling to Wales at the weekend to visit "Quilts in Cae Hir Gardens" at Cae Hir Gardens, Cribyn, Nr. Lampeter, Ceredigion. SA48 7NG.  2nd, 3rd and 4th August 2013. There will be traders stalls (so shopping!) and quilts for sale and the gardens are set on a Welsh hillside and have Tea Rooms.  Admission to Gardens £5.00 For more information Contact Cae Hir Gardens 01570 471116   I am being joined by Dave and Matt and the cameras, so you won't miss out!