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Valerie's Blog

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.

By |October 25th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Piping a cushion

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?

By |October 19th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on New newsletter format

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.

By |October 14th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Tags: , , |Comments Off on 9 Supercool quilty things on the internet

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!

By |October 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

By |October 8th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Tags: |Comments Off on Filming day with Karen Nicol

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.

By |September 18th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Help with layering a quilt

Love the site

Query (and praise) from Sue:   since I started to subscribe to just hands I use it more and more as my reference 'book'.  I have loads of patchwork and quilting books, but  if I want to know something in a hurry i.e. as today different applique methods I could use on a project  I'm doing, its as quick to turn  on my  computer without even getting out of my seat to go to the bookshelf and search through dozens of different books!!.

Then,  when I stop for a break I can put down my sewing and enjoy lots of other interesting ideas I might need in the future.

By |September 13th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Love the site

Love Fridays!

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.

By |September 10th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Love Fridays!

Crazy Patchwork options

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.

By |September 5th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Crazy Patchwork options

Support Alzheimers and buy a quilt

  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!

By |September 1st, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Support Alzheimers and buy a quilt

Rag Quilting on the site

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?

By |August 30th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Rag Quilting on the site

What do I do about the seams?

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 !

By |August 27th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on What do I do about the seams?

Festival of Quilts 2013

  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.

By |August 24th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Festival of Quilts 2013

Downton Abbey fabric from Makower

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.

By |August 24th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on Downton Abbey fabric from Makower

You need to defluff your machine regularly!

Superior Threads in America have a Dr of Threadology - Dr.Bob;  if you go to their website https://www.superiorthreads.com   it is full of wonderful information and here is a true and salutory story from their June 2013 newsletter:   Lint is defined as an accumulation of fluffy fibers. We have lint in clothes dryers, clothing, and unfortunately, our sewing machines.

By |August 23rd, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Comments Off on You need to defluff your machine regularly!

Filming with Paula Doyle and Julia Gahagan

Despite having put in 4 long days at the Festival of Quilts providing workshops and demonstrations these two ladies joined Dave, Matt and Val for a day's filming .   Paula Doyle generously allowed us to use her lovely workshop and you can see us getting ready (!) -     Look out for workshops with Paula on making her Tulip Tree Bag and on hand quilting but you can enjoy her mini-mosaics workshop now by clicking here:     Julia Gahagan is passionate about miniature quilts and showed us how easy it is to create a small shadow applique project.

By |August 22nd, 2013|Categories: Blog, Community|Tags: , |Comments Off on Filming with Paula Doyle and Julia Gahagan
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