Clocks

Yesterday I had a fab day teaching textile clocks.   A while ago I designed my "Blues" clock for my new Sewing Room which is basically my classroom.  We converted our garage into the "classroom" to give me private working space in the Stitchshed.  I can now develop ideas and leave a creative mess to my heart's content at the same time as having a clear room for teaching. 

This seems to work well - we are still waiting for the new larger window to give the sewing room more light and to change the door as it impinges on the space.

Anyway back to the clocks......as you can see I needed a clock so I designed one incorporating machine embroidery stitches and scraps of pretty fabrics, lace and buttons.  It worked well and I was asked to teach it.

Yesterday we had a fun day creating some very pleasing clocks.

Falling leaves in the woodland with foxes and autumn leaves, owls and dog bones for a dog lover.  Well  done ladies - it was lovely fun and productive day.

Shopping

We still go out to do our weekly shop but a lot of people like to do on-line shopping for convenience.  On-line shopping was a boon for my mum and dad once they couldn't get out to the big supermarkets  and both my daughters find it eases their busy work-life balance.  But at some stage we all physically shop, and after seeing the awful coverage of the plastic in our seas and what it's doing to our Eco-system, I decided to rid myself of plastic bags completely.  

As a sewer all my life, I have a very large stash of fabric so it was easy to find just the right fabric design for fruit and veg bags.

Today we used them for the first time and the sizing of each bag seemed perfect.   I made the vegetable bag the same size as a large supermarket bag and the fruit one a little smaller.  They are both sturdy bags and it was a joy to take them out shopping!

Getting Organised

After checking out exactly what travel art stuff I had in the caravan, I knew I had to organise it!

Hmmmm I hear you say, how much does a person need exactly!   So, I set about sorting out what I really need for a quick painting or drawing session.  After deciding, I lay them together to gauge the size of a zip pouch and here is the made pouch with zip at the top and a handle.  

It measures 16" wide by 18" long.  It fits everything in quite neatly including on art pad!

I covered an A5 art notebook to match and made a pouch for pencils and pens etc.

I really enjoyed this organising session and now feel ready for our holidays.

Teaching the Basics

It's been a busy time here teaching new students.  It is so fun to see people enjoying themselves, forgetting the time and becoming absorbed in new crafts.

Contact me if you wish to book a session with me to learn how to use your sewing machine or how to put together a new project whether it's craftwork or dressmaking.  You will be surprised at how much you will enjoy it.

Free motion Joy

A while ago a friend gave me a little wooden sewing box - it is so cute.

I kept looking at it and knew I had to design a little wall hanging for the Stitchshed.

So here it it is - scraps, freemotion applique and free motion quilting.

I love it - it now adorns the wall opposition my sewing machine ❤️.  

Learning a craft

One to one tuition is available for:

* sewing crafts 

* dressmaking

* patchwork and quilting

* embroidery 

* knitting

* crochet

Learn a craft in my designated craft studio at my home in Burwell or I will come to your home (12 mile radius).

I am available to teach small groups of up to 4 people in my studio or at your home. 

I will hold various workshops throughout the year at my studio, but if you would like a tailored session for you and your friends, please contact me.

My aim is to make crafting affordable to learn so I try to keep my charges reasonable whilst covering my overheads. 

My charges are:

One to one:       £15 per hour

Groups:             £20 per hour - this rate will be divisible by the number of people attending up to 4

Workshops:       Dependent upon the length of the workshops, the rates range from £20 to £35 pp.

Term Learning:   Terms of 18 hours of learning over 6 weeks £90 

Vouchers available 

Please contact me, either by email or mobile.

Look forward to meeting you.

Dressmaking classes

Today I've got two pupils in the stitchshed learning to make dresses.   

We've had one session measuring and fitting the toile now it's onto the real thing.

Pictures later .........,,,,,

Linen Bag

I spent some time this week actually making something for myself: a new bag, make up bag and tissue holder !  It took most of the day but I am so pleased with the results.  What do you think ?

I added a strip of lace along the top of the make up bag just to give it a lift.   

The strapping is knitted but quite firm and sturdy.  

Well, I'd better get busy as I've got two more fat quarters in similar designs ready to make a couple of totes or handbags........

Order for cushions

This is what comes of donating a handmade item for a charity raffle.......

An order for three cushions!  I had a ball making them, they look so fresh and crisp.

They were delivered to two very satisfied customers yesterday.....enjoy.

Golden wedding

A golden wedding cushion bespoke for a golden couple, John and Liz.  We had a wonderful party last night with their friends and family.  On the invitations it said "no presents, please".  That wasn't going to stop me!  This what I came up with for John and Liz.... A cushion to commemorate their day.

I wrapped it in clear cellophane and added a gold bow.  When I handed it to Liz she said "I know I said no presents, but I was hoping I would get one of these".......it made my day.  I love giving presents to those who I know will appreciate them.

Summer Term

This Spring/Summer I have been teaching three beginners in the Stitchshed and here are some of the results.  

I taught basic measuring, cutting with the rotary cutter, how to use their machines and pressing.  Then we went on to layer,mquilt and bind.  Then came the bag making which was a success!   

A great time and new friends made........💓

Thank you ladies

Raffle donation

I made this cushion at the weekend to give as a donation to a raffle.  The raffle will be held at a small music festival that we normally attend to celebrate 4th July.  This year we are having visitors from Germany so I sent this along to be auctioned. The charity is PSP which is a neurological condition and affects the body and mind.

Star Bright

Another successful finish.  Star quilt that is oversized but very effective.  It is quilted using Superior thread and a large clamshell design.   The quilt will be gifted in May to our friend Don who has a special birthday.  Hope he likes it!

Antique crosses

Today I have been quilting my friend's grandmothers quilt.   We think the fabrics are abut 1960/70 and Cheryl must have had the top about 20 years.

I quilted the top with a variegated blue and used bottom line in the bobbin.  The batting was Pellon 100% cotton bought when Cheryl was in the US last year.  The top was constructed by machine but the fabrics are quite lightweight and the washing was a bit stretchy so it was quite a job to make sure it was square at the end.  

The backing was pieced by Cheryl as she didn't have a large enough piece.  The fabric was a mint green marble by Benartex and a cream centre.  I have squared it up ready for Cheryl to bind.   A job well done - thanks for privilege of completing this quilt for your family Cheryl

Scrappy Cobblestones and flowers

A while ago I started hand sewing my scraps together in 2.5" squares.  It was a lovely way to keep on sewing whilst out and about in our caravan or just in the chair in the evenings.  Well it grew and grew and it looked pretty good but missing something.  So, I added a border and appliqued a vine with some scrappy flowers and leaves.

Then I free-motion quilted an all over flower pattern with a variegated thread on the cobblestones and a meander on the border.  

Here is a quick of the back so you can clearly see the pattern I created.  What do you think?

Part Two of the Log Cabin Mat

Well here is the finished scrappy log cabin table mat.   

I made all four blocks the same and positioned into a central jagged diamond shape with corner stones and a floral binding.  I quilted each quarter at right angles which gives the appearance of quilting squares. 

The backing was pieced using the same floral fabrics within the log cabin.  You can just see the quilting in the left hand corner.  While its not perfect, it does the job of demonstrating all the methods for constructing blocks, layering, quilting and binding.   Let's hope my ladies agree.   More next week when they will have finished their first pieces.

Log cabin

I have been teaching a few ladies a large log cabin block.  I used 2" strips, finishing at 1 1/2".  It grows very quickly and Inwanted my pupils to see progress quickly.   After raiding my scrap box, I managed to find some attractive strips that looked quite good together.   I started off with 2" squares and then built the blocks from there.  I squared each block before joining.

After joining I thought it needed a border with cornerstones so I cut 2" strips in white and 2" squares in the burgundy for the corners.   

 Now off to quilt and bind.  Hopefully, I will back tomorrow to show you the finished product.  Happy quilting.

Quilting for Christmas

A bit late I know but here goes...........A Quilt for Christmas for my daughter.  The fabrics were a jelly roll from Fabric Freedom.  The design was a freebie pattern from Bonnie Hunter called Pineapple Blossom.  I have to say it went together like a dream.  I quilted it on my Longarm with an all over free motion swirl and heart.

This wall hanging was so much fun to make.  It is made up of different interlocking fonts to read Merry Christmas and it certainly brightened up our room.  I appliqued letters with steam a seam 2 (love that stuff) and then used the buttonhole stitch on my machine to finish them off.  Again, I free motion quilted it with an all over vermicelli.  It made the letters pop out.

These are my Christmas cushions - I had so much Christmas fabric that I knew I had to use up.  Snowball block, Stitch and Flip flying geese and a panel print.

There are some more but save that for another day.

Miranda's latest

My young pupil has mad her first skirt.  It is a needle cord print. She matches the seams nicely and her zip went in a treat!  Well done ....

Oscar's Quilt

A lot has been going on n the stitchshed lately, my fingers have been busy, busy busy.......

This quilt was the idea from Clare my youngest daughter - she wanted to preserve some of Oscar's baby items.  I suggested the bunting design.  I gave her a quick lesson on bondaweb as most of the fabrics were cotton jersey.  Clare ironed, cut and stitched the design onto 100% cotton sheet with the help of Oscar at times!   I free-motion quilted it with a triangle /bunting shape design and bound it.   

It was a resounding success as you can see......