3rd February 2012

This month we thought we would encourage you to look at your wardrobe and/or scraps with a different approach;

Upcycling your wardrobe

today we introduce you to Steve Weekes, a textile recycler, who shows us how to upcycle a jacket to make it more stylish (more next month);

and later in the month Mandy Shaw uses up all sorts of recycled fabrics to make a Mary Poppins style bag and again everything/anything goes –into it that is!

Our visit to Country Life at the Castle at Hever Castle takes us round the Textile marquee where, with Sylvia Critcher as our guide, we meet a wide range of artists and their crafts – including Mark Smith who make custom guitars from unusual objects such as biscuit tins.

Oakshott fabric special offer

The Tiger Tiger workshop running on the site comes with a great fabric offer from Oakshott – buy one of their Autumn packs (already discounted to £30 ) and get another half price – so just £45

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

New patterns

As you know last weekend was spent at the Spring Quilt Festival at Ardingly (W.Sussex) and naturally I found things to purchase (for myself ) and others to share with you.

I loved this new pattern from Gail Penberthy “Hot Botts “ – perfect for all this cold weather –

and another couple of patterns by Sue Rhodes using large blocks of Japanese folded – such a good idea.

The Enchanted Forest pattern giveway from Gail Lawther was extremely popular but sadly only 6 of you were able to win; these patterns are now on the website and they can be purchased individually or as a complete set –

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

An Angel Story by Annie Downs

Our chosen Book of the Month – which comes with free p&p in the UK for the month of February – is An Angel Story by Anni Downs;

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

This is such a great selection of fused appliqué patterns (obviously with Angels as a theme) but each block pattern also comes with an alternative smaller project so you can try these out rather than be overwhelmed by the whole quilt idea. However, the quilt is made in small blocks put together with a very simple sashing of scrap squares – quite delightful.

Rosebud Fayre Block of the Month

We hope that all our new registered members are enjoying wandering round the site but there are additional benefits to being a fully subscribed member –our Block of the Month programme – the Rosebud Fayre quilt – is free to subscribed members and this month we will be showing you my favourite of method of making 4 flying geese at once with no waste!

As well as enjoying the full workshops and videos mentioned when you are a subscribed member, there is a new free pattern for you all to download:

Called Little & Large this is a really simple combination of sizes with a visual chain block that I love .

https://justhands-on.tv/product/little-large-quilt-by-valerie-nesbitt-2/

I used a limited palette of fabrics but this would be just as good in scraps – do send us your pics.

Prize Giveaway of Mettler Threads

The Mettlar threads prize giveaway , has a couple of weeks still to run – the draw will be made on Feb 14th;

so as a subscribed member if you want to be in with a chance just send an email to us at justhandsontvcomp@gmail.com with the title ‘Threads’ and keep your fingers crossed.

Its really easy to become a subscribed member; just go to the membership page for the monthly payments or follow this link to purchase a 3 month, 6 month or 1yr membership through the shopping pages.

As an additional incentive there are still a couple of promotional packs available that go with the 3 month or 1 year membership

Later this month you will find both Jennie and I at the Textiles in Focus event -17-19 February; Jennie is giving a talk and workshops and I will be there with the Justhands-on.tv stand and goodies to sell. This 3 day textile fair is organised specifically for those with a passion for stitched embellished and constructed textiles; the show is held at the Cottenham Village Academy (was College) postcode CB24 8UA; exhibitions, workshops, demonstrators, talk by Jennie Rayment, and we will be there with the Justhands-on.tv stand and goodies too. Hope to see you there – we really enjoyed it last year.

Happy Sewing.
Valerie & Jennie