About Sallieann
The first thing Sallieann ever made was a cotton bikini top from her mums cast off work when she was 9!
After leaving school Sallieann flitted from “number” based jobs in insurance, banking, and tax (she wasn’t bad with numbers!). She married in the 80s and had two boys in the 90s. Then, the big change in her life came in 2000 when we moved to the USA for a three-year period so that her hubby could work on a military base.
It was there in New Bern, North Carolina that Sallieann found her very first Patchwork and Quilting Store. She walked in and was totally bowled over and knew this is what she needed in her life! She started with classes, mentoring from the incredible Shelly May of the “Raspberry Rabbits,” then some teaching, and by the time she left the USA, Sallieann was a prize-winning exhibitor!
When Sallieann and family moved back to the UK, she taught private Patchwork & Quilting, classes, as well as little gigs here and there for John Lewis and the American Museum in Bath. By 2016, she was designing for magazines, exhibiting more widely and started to work with Denman WI College teaching residential courses.
In 2018, Sallieann joined Sewing Quarter TV. One of the things that she loved about the Sewing Quarter was the genuine sense of community with the channel and feedback on the fan page, adding: “when people posted pictures of what they made following one of my shows, or what they made from my pattern, I can’t help but do a ‘Happy dance’!!”
Sallieann enjoys traditional quilting techniques and has won several quilt show awards both in the UK and USA.
Signature Technique
Felted wool appliqué on a sewing machine using speciality threads
Top Tips
- Run dental floss through your machine to get wool fluff out.
- To get a “touchy feely” vintage effect dip and tea dye the piece then tumble dry.
- Unpick seams with a Wahl trimmer. Works like a charm!
Videos
Patterns
Posts
Quilt as you Go option
What do you do if the quilt becomes too big to manage? Well quilt as you go is an option - and both Valerie and Carolyn Forster have methods you might like to try: Valerie uses the machine and Carolyn works by hand: Here is the comment from Heather - I have also just re-watched your video on how to join a quilt as you go project using the machine instead of hand sewing.
Filming Day with Fran Rose.
We were busy yesterday filming with Fran Rose who is passionate about beading; got several workshops filmed as well as details of her new books and kits – so keep an eye on the shop. Picture taken by Matt Bigwood.
Momentum charity quilt day
A bunch of generous ladies joined Valerie to make quilts for this very worthwhile (local) charity that supports children with life threatening illnesses and their families. We were also joined by Fabian (who is currently undergoing treatment) and his mum and sister and here is Fabian snuggling under the quilt that he made. To learn more about Momentum click here and Momentum was awarded with the Kingston Business Excellence Award for 'Commitment to the Community'.